Seraphim

Four

Adren dismounted when he could see the spot where the smoke had been rising from through the trees. He led Runi to a low hanging branch, tied her to it, and then stepped away over a fallen log to see what had caused so great a disturbance.

Scraps of metal scattered around the remains of a great contraption. It had a large shining sail that attached gracefully to a half-melted hunk of metal that billowed smoke from the other side.

A machine, the likes of which were rarely seen in Adren's corner of the world. But who had crashed it?

He followed the line of the crash further into the woods, to the left of where he had come. Whoever had crashed had probably been thrown in this direction.

The sound of water grew louder as he walked. Which creek would this be? The Silver?

A new noise presented itself. Groaning. Adren broke into a run.

He came upon the body of a woman. He smelled vomit, and had to cover his mouth to keep from vomiting himself. She moaned, curled up on the ground, and clutched at her stomach weakly.

Not Silver Creek, thought Adren. Poison Stream.

He ran to the woman, who seemed quite unaware of him. "Can you hear me?"

She moaned.

Adren glanced around, thought of what to do, and then ran back into the trees. He untied Runi and brought her to the woman.

"Easy now," he said to his horse. She flared her nostrils at the smell. "Just stand still a moment."

He picked up the woman and hoisted her onto Runi's back. She slumped over, still oblivious to all but her pain. He paused, considering if he should walk Runi or ride behind the woman. She moaned again.

There wasn't time. Adren swung up onto the saddle, wrapped his arm around his passenger, and spurred Runi to a gallop back towards his house and his father.