The Blood Servant

7

" The horses are around the front of the diner, there," Reinaldo informed them while they helped one another lace up their leather armor. Ellery beamed up at him.

" Thank you so much. This is too kind of you," she said. The giant shook his head.

" The pleasure is all mine, little sister. Please come again! You and your friend are always welcome." 

" We will try our best." 

It was the morning after their performance, and it had been a huge success. They were praised half the night, and were even provided a place to sleep for the night. Earlier, Reinaldo had made them the biggest breakfast they'd had since they left home and gave them the armor in case they ran into anything dangerous. He was even giving away two of their best horses so the duo could complete their quest. Ellery was grateful for it all, but she was especially happy about the horses. She had noticed her strength beginning to fade, and her patience was beginning to run out. It had to be the spell.  That was the only thing that could reasonably explain it.  She was becoming more and more like Draco, who, talented as he was, could not use auric energy. They'd discussed it briefly last night; he'd started to worry about her, which she found oddly flattering. Still, they needed to find the author as soon as possible before the spell became permanent.

" How are you feeling?" Draco asked, breaking her from her train of thought.

" Sleeping and eating helped, but I'm still losing strength. We need to get moving," she replied, fastening her cloak around her shoulders. Draco nodded and swung onto the nearest horse. Ellery turned back to Reinaldo.

" Are you sure you'll be okay?" he asked them, handing Ellery a small square of paper. They nodded simultaneously. Reinaldo looked a little doubtful, but they managed to convince him that they knew what they were doing. Finally he stopped fussing over them and patted each on the head gently.

" Best of luck!" he said to them, " That there is a map. It should take you to Orsan, where that author you're looking for lives." 

" Thanks! If we have any problem, we'll come and seek assistance." Ellery smiled up at the giant again. He smiled back and made them promise they would come to him for help if need be. They promised, and then they rode off into the dawn.

They spent most of the morning laughing and racing ahead of each other on the path, jumping small streams and fallen trees. Then, in the early afternoon hours it had begun to snow, so they rode a little slower and kept closer to each other.

" Split in the path," Draco warned, " Which way to Orsan?" 

Ellery dug the map out from the saddle bag and opened it, slowing her horse. " Left," she said after studying it a minute. Then she put it away and lurched ahead of him, peering through the thickening snow at the narrow trail.

" It's pretty narrow. Ride behind me," she called over her shoulder. He flashed her a thumbs up and she pressed her heels into the steed's side. Slowly, the horse moved up the path.

As they went, the snow got heavier and heavier, the wind picking up the farther they went it seemed. Both were freezing and partially numb. Occasionally they shouted out at each other to make sure they were still okay. It was extremely hard to see through the storm, but so far the path had been safe. There had been little in the way of logs or anything the horses would slip on, though the trail sat lower in the ground than the surrounding forest. Light was beginning to fade, and Draco feared that there might be wolves lurking around every tree and stump. Ellery's figure in front of him swayed dangerously. He half expected her to fall at any moment, but she managed to stay upright.

" It's getting awfully dark!" Draco shouted, " How much farther?" 

" Eight miles!" Ellery shouted back, " We can make it!" 

He wasn't so sure they would. He was practically blinded by the snow, and he sure she was too. She was just eager to be free, and while he understood that he didn't want her to get hurt. Riding through all this snow ensured that one of them was going to slip and fall at some point.

That's when he saw it. The huge, shadowed shape of a wolf, moving stealthily through the trees above them. Ellery didn't seem to notice it, and it was advancing. Draco could see more of them too, spreading themselves out on the higher ground. Quickly, he surged forward and skidded to a stop crosswise in front of her.

" Hey! What are you doing?" Ellery demanded, trying to push past him.

" Wolves!" he hissed frantically, pointing to the dark trees. She rolled her eyes.

" I don't see anything-" she paused abruptly. She saw his reason for panic now. About five to six wolves were making their way down the slope towards them, teeth bared. Ellery drew her sword and jumped from the steeds back.

" No! Ellery you can't defend us this time! You're too weak!" Draco yelled. She ignored him, the air collecting the tart scent of grapefruit. She was shaking from the effort it took to hold the stone sword.

I have to do something! he thought. The only thing wrong with his impulse to stop her from collapsing of exhaustion was that he wasn't sure how he was going to do that.

As he broke from his thoughts, the largest of the pack lunged forward at Ellery, claws poised for the kill. They had already managed to take down her horse, which lay injured on the cold ground as the rest of the pack tore it to shreds. Ellery swung at the pack leader and missed, losing her balance.

" Draco!" She screamed, her voice filled with terror.

Draco whipped his wand out from his pocket and lept off his horse. All of the wolves stood in a circle, rotating around the two slowly. Then, all at once, they lunged. Draco threw himself in front of her and thrust his arm out.

"Expelliarmus!" he yelled. All the wolves were flung backwards instantly. In the fraction of a moment where the pack was confused, Draco yanked Ellery to her feet, sword and all and made a beeline for the remaining horse. He helped her on, and then he himself swung up to join her. By this time, some of the wolves were already back on their feet, so he backed the horse up a ways and then jumped over them, sending the frightened animal into a full out sprint.

" Unngh.." Ellery mumbled, " My head feels like it's going to explode." 

" You shouldn't have tried to do that," he replied, " Maybe you wouldn't feel so horrible then." 

He heard her sigh, and then felt her lean forward to rest her face on his shoulder. He almost pulled away out of shock, but then remembered how exhausted she must be and sat still.

" I'm sorry. That was stupid of me," she murmured sleepily. " You saved me, though. Thank you." 

" I couldn't let you die. Not after everything you've done for me. I mean it, Ellery. In the time we've spent together, I've actually learned a thing or two from you. It's you who deserves my gratitude." 

Ellery smiled softly to herself, tears filling her eyes. She blinked them away and said nothing in response. She hadn't even been paying attention to his changes in attitude... was he actually warming up to her as more than a servant? She'd like to think they were actually becoming friends, though she didn't really think Draco was the type to be open and honest about most things, and those were qualities she personally sought for in a friend. Or maybe she had it all wrong. Maybe he liked her in some other way...

No. Ellery shook her head. She would not allow those embarrassing thoughts to flood her mind. There was no way Draco Malfoy liked her as anything more than a good friend. There was no way she liked him more than that. She repeated those words until they lulled her in a soothing half sleep.

Though she wasn't entirely sure they were true.