Arvium [I.L.S. Beta Game #1]

36: Rescued, Somewhat

Month 1, Day 3, 9:50:42; Arvium, Northern Mountains

Aella turned, her knees spraying snow as she fought her way back to the dragon. She fell to her knees as the snow slid from under it. She pushed up from the ground, her eyes wide as she was sucked down with the snow. The side of the mountain started to move, a roar filling the air.

Aella screamed as she shot downward, snow covering her vision. She gasped for breath, the weight of the snow crushing her. "Help," she screamed, then stopped and gulped in a deep breath. A wave of snow covered her, blocking her view and crushing her body.

Her helmet pinged rapidly. "Health and Magic low," the mechanical voice said in her ear. She beat her arms and legs, trying to claw her way out of the snow. Her stomach turned over and over, the pressure increasing as she was slammed downward.

She faltered, gasping for breath, her vision fading. She sighed as she fell limp, closing her eyes.

***

Month 1, Day 3, 10:30:42; Arvium, Northern Mountains

Bile rose in her mouth, and she coughed. Her head ached with each bump, and her ears rang. She blinked, trying to see in the semi-darkness. She moved her hands, feeling the loose, hair-like fur of the massive animal beneath her.

Thick muscles moved beneath the skin, hooves clopping against stone, the sound muted somehow. She tilted her head, seeing darkness lit by flickering shadows. Dim shapes filled the area, faint lights swinging back and forth all around her. Ahead an animal snorted, and a bright torch moved slightly, sending shifting shadows against the light stone floor. She looked up, seeing the faint outline of stalactites and light brown rock. A cave, maybe? It might be a tunnel. Someone clicked their teeth from somewhere behind her, and she jumped.

She sighed, moving her limbs. She gasped, tears welling in her eyes as a blasting pain shot up through her right leg. Slowly she bent down, feeling the swollen area. Her boot was gone, replaced by a rough piece of metal pressed into her flesh, held in place by wrapped bandages.

She groaned, moving her arm back up, gripping the animal's fur. She was in a sitting position on some type of massive animal, her body pressed up against it.. She gripped its fur as she swayed back and forth, trying to keep her balance. A yak, maybe?

"Hello?" she called out. Her voice was low and rough, and her head felt dizzy. Have I been drugged?

"Easy there," a deep, rumbling voice told her from her right. A hand rested on her shoulder, holding her in place as she jerked and almost fell off the animal. "We rescued you from the avalanche. You are weak and have many wounds, but you are alive. We are taking you to a healer." A torch lit up where the voice was, showing the outline of a man. He swung the torch toward her, and she blinked as her pupils dilated.

She squeezed her eyelids to narrow slits, trying to see the man. He walked next to the animal, his other hand guiding it from the rear. His torso and head was covered in a light brown shaggy fur coat, his face hidden in shadow by his hood. He moved his hand from the animal, handing a leather flask to her. "Drink this. It is medicine and will raise your health levels."

Aella shook her head, moving away from the man. She shifted on the back of the animal, bumping into leather-wrapped packages. When she looked ahead, she saw the back of another animal, guided by a smaller figure. Its back was covered in packages held in place by a net. She didn't recognize the massive, six-legged animal that slowly walked in front of her own ride. She laid her head against the animal's neck and sighed.

"You need to drink this," the man said, pushing the flask against her side. "I only gave you a few sips when we found you."

Aella shook her head, turning her head away from the man.

"Drink this, or I will haul you off of this yak and make you drink it," the man commanded her, his voice even lower.

Aella swung her head to the man, taking the flask. She took in his face, seeing the torch glow in his golden eyes. His black hair was wavy, hanging around his face, and his tan skin seemed almost bronze in the torch light.

He stared at her, and she frowned. She recognized him. But from where?

She jumped as a roar blasted through the area. The sides of the cave lit up with brilliant light, the darkness in the distance showed it to be a massive room, the floor sloping down a hill before it narrowed steeply to a tunnel in the distance. Darkness swallowed up the light, the sound of smashing rock filling the air.

"Dragon loose," the man next to her shouted, joining the shouts of the other people in the line. Her yak shifted, trying to move forward.

"Stay here," the man told her, placing the flask in her lap. "I'm going to help them." He turned, running toward the dragon.

Her leg flared as the yak jostled her as it hurried forward, and she bit her tongue, trying not to cry out. Another burst of fire filled the cavern with light, and the flap of wings filled the air.

"Noir?" Aella shouted, trying to turn her body to look behind her. The dragon roared again, sending pieces of the stalactites crashing down to the floor. Aella ducked as a splinter fell somewhere ahead, a person crying out in pain.

She winced as her head swam, and her stomach twisted inside of her. She laid her head down on the yak, taking deep breaths.
"Health low," the mechanical voice told her.

A giant boom sounded in the cavern, and the flap of wings ceased. The shouting started to quiet, and the yak settled down, resuming its slow pace.

She tried to dismount, but the pain in her leg made her gasp for breath. She picked up the flask, pulling out the stopper and smelling the contents. It smelled of herbs and vinegar, and something sweet. She sighed, shaking her head.

"Might as well," she whispered, taking a deep breath before raising the flask and putting it to her lips. She gagged as the thick liquid slid down her throat. She finished it, putting the flask in her lap. She closed her eyes, feeling warmth flood through her limbs. The dizziness began to vanish, replaced by a slight ringing in her ears.

"Aella," a voice came through her helmet, crackling as if the connection was being hampered.

"Luke?" she answered, swinging her head around. No, he can't be here.

She winced as she shifted her weight. She felt her back, grunting as her hand met empty space. Her weapons were gone. She yawned, feeling her eyelids become heavier with each blink. She leaned against the yak's head, her muscles relaxing. This isn't good.

Aella turned her head to look as a different man appeared next to her.

He pulled down his hood, revealing closely-cropped white hair and tan skin in the flicker of the torch. "Your mentor will join you when we arrive in the village, Princess."

Aella frowned, feeling a heavy weight start to settle on her eyes. They think I'm some sort of Princess. They're all crazy.

He smiled and bowed his head to her. "My name is Jothan, and I am the Chief Officer of our Queen's forces. I will make sure that you and your mentor arrive safely." He touched her on the shoulder, saying softly, "Now sleep."

Aella closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.