❧ Chapter: 10 Fear ❧

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8pWuInoRP

Merryn took in several breaths as the setting sun painted the horizon as blood before fading away. The light wind chilled her cheeks and arms. Her arm swelled, pushed against the sling, and became ever more sensitive and tender. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbj0KM91wF

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S7sNyTuUE

"Casey, bring us back!" Parcival said. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4uKpSxwZ1

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5Ygo1RqID

Who's Casey? Within moments, they were all whisked away to stand in front of a small home, her arm pitched a fit, and she moaned while shivering. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasOY42AiuE

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsdgAKBEM1

"Casey, we have her!" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq5PT0CyRV

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtzbKW7eVc

"I'm glad everyone made it out alright," said Casey. He closed the door. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln5hZGhIpf

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMTgexvMl0

Inside was a hand-cut, carved log table, simple stump seats, some shelves, and other homey things and an odd lining etched into the wall.

"Han, ple—ase." The world spun, sending her crashing down.

"Apologies, this'll take a few minutes. You have payment?"

Her reply was a bunch of gibberish.

He crouched beside her, his paw-hands soft and gentle. Soon they glowed, followed by a blessed ease of the break repairing.

"My gratitude." Parcival helped her stand. Parcival stared at her. His face began to light, it glow as he stared intently for a moment, then this faded and he put her down on a soft padded bench near the door. He turned to Casey. "She's... unwell." He then went back over to the table. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZRR3Af8n9

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk2J7LIzbp

That magic was old, some sort of light. No? What was it called again? She rested her head against the wall. I'm too tired to even talk. Maybe they think I passed out.

Casey's brow deepened. "How unwell?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8i7CgeXQE

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFzywLKjhZ

Han piped in. "At first it seemed like ordinary exhaustion, but after watching her, it seems a type of parasite, one unknown to me." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvIFm6abQq

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP81sFjIp2o

Parasite? I will show them a parasite. It'll rain down death in the likes of such none will control! 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WyjVYE0Hp

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBW53M39Hh

Not now, spirit, you want them to destroy us both? 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNfx1U3u7q

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryZIaSoHKl

When I get free... 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sN9U0LlLr

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivKoYajJXd

I laugh! You toss threats around but can't even get away from a little book or pendent.

Foul creature! Let's see you laugh when my energy fully returns.

Unnamed growled through her. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB1zjTmLvq

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcURrYSVdE

Don't do that. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftoOQgHa7S

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKezYBvzC4

Han would make a nice hat.

What?!

I joke... mostly. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5Xsyejy6b

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpQUEzeYNR

"Merryn?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm5UrjSNe0

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuzBFUU0j4

Everyone had taken a few steps back, Han's fur puffed out, and Parcival stiffened. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXoEVqmTAA

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDzylffZMy

Han stepped over to the table. "Maybe she's gone crazy, from whatever happened." He shrugged. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSEluvSFjQ

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cPLVelMpe

Parcival glared at him. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBC2R6szfh

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dDyr8RIM0

He faced her again. "Why are you doing... that?" Parcival's hand that rested on the table now held it tight. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wyAJpY7ub

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C8BBGEKAw

"Excuse me," she coughed into her hand, trying to make it sound like a growl. Muttering, he took another look, then became silent. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fgWkMgEiA

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0MQ9lnRVX

Han picked at his jacket. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo38OHZcfc

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQiDJclEm1

"Merryn, when did this first happen to you?" Casey kneeled. She croaked, unable to talk again. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwBO7PV5V2

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdct6MGinD

Casey went to a barrel by the bedroom door, picked up a mug on the bench beside it, and dipped it into it. The cold water dripped from it. "Here." Casey handed her the mug. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwQ1CPVCve

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0BzKA3BPF

Wrapping both hands around it, she drank. That water tasted better than any. So cold. It washed over her parched mouth, and she gulped it down in short order. "Thank you. Don't be so hard on them. I wouldn't be here if they hadn't had the lunacy to face Maxwell head-on." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURRnjOvzod

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nhgFQy1Hs

"And, he is?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYmZMn7FsO

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEONFcV0xM

"Doesn't matter who, but what he does. He has an agenda of some sort, of what I'm not sure." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUfJAnpRmh

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuG7wUIl9x

Parcival took a sip of his tea, wrapping his hands around the cup. His eyes peered over the brim. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW2uKFgPsO

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMM8zmWTtK

Now, what was he thinking? 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3sKpQAcl7

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e6NmNF4L3

"Thank you." He stood, shaking Casey's hand. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTi7f8K7C0

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7zi0ITJuJ

"Follow me. The caves, they start here." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DWaeLtijj

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotfThDiJ46

"Caves?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcoTWkMwq3

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm9nWA2jgg

Parcival stood, stretching his hands. His fingertips brushed the thatched straw ceiling. "Han and I have decided that you need some help." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkayXwav8u

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjggSrpBpv

"It would've been nice if you'd discuss this with me first." She pulled up on the table and stood. Such woeful manners they have. I can't wait to go home. But a cave? Did it have to be a god's forsaken cave? Shuttering, she stayed back. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX1JbFX8ss

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSYiinS8bT

Walking over to the etched lined wall, Casey pressed his hands into faint imprints. Red glowing runes appeared, framing the entrance. The wall rumbled as it slid to the left. Water dripped from the stalactites that toothed from above, not looking unlike the open slavering jaws of a great monster. Shaking now, with clasped sweaty hands, she scooted over toward the threshold.

It's just a cave, a nice little cave. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTha7iU650E

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhE59RgekN

Parcival leaned into the entrance, whistling sharply. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsI2mGmXV9

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxxIiPQRYv

A creepy whistle. Pieces of it came back to her. A shadow, two eyes, just like the other day, and like the first time all those years ago. A nice little cave that'll trap us, never to see light again. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VtJoYVxAa

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlqKynk83Z

"Time to g—" Parcival's lips thinned, and his brow deepened for a moment. He let go of the edge of the cave entrance. "What is it? Do you see something?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr56WHw85bb

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZvN3DQF2t

"No." She attempted to swallow, but her throat struck. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycPrUAF1ao

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcqmDMKoQ4

Parcival walked over and pulled on her wrist. "You don't have to if you don't want to. Though, if you could, it would be twice as fast." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZsOzmeQcD

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggDo2qVQNe

Her cheeks cooled, as did the rest of her body. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7J8vBKyTd

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxFzsR4sTP

"No, we need to hurry." She nibbled on some loose skin on her lip. It wasn't proper acting this way. She straightened her shoulders and attempted to look normal, whatever that was. Her ears twitched. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8IvatQUDL

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzflcpr9IaC

"Well, we'll need to see." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE85nKvdA2

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK8lMsK4UN

Wiggling her fingers in a series of strange gestures, she summoned a small glowing globe, as always it started out as just a mote that grew larger, warming her hands as it floated above them. She held it tight before letting it go where it floated midair. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSw7evcJwS

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQBNqEqApe

Parcival coughed. "How did you do that?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOSWeFwVh7

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUX09qXyV4

She tilted her head. "My aunt taught me." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh5OeWOHe0

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk58mcdN7Gh

Raising her hand, the globe raised with it. Don't run, just get through this. It's a little cave. Nothing much in a little cave. She breathed in and focused on making it brighter. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEWqA2EY31

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGMZX3YhHT

Parcival's eerie face glow caught her breath just for a second. She stole a quick glance. He didn't appear to notice or wasn't showing if he did. He started talking, but it was hard to concentrate. The thoughts spun around too fast to catch any. His voice cut through. Parcival turned and went inside. "Coming?" He held out a hand. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yDJj4CeRu

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9a58QQz9K

She froze. It won't happen again, it can't. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuyEqCHNvF

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtDGXGbVDY

He came over. "Together alright?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyp00R28qO

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedY7nH4bcQ

Nodding, she straightened her shoulders. Got to get him away before it was too, somehow. Pour sleeping powder into their drinks in the next town? Just the thought of it gave a metallic taste to her mouth. Moronic getting so, so, so... She squeezed his hand back. Worming into my brain like that. Damn you. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5JA31tGIs

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSTbnLPTNN

"Just move. It'll become easier if you keep going," Han said. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjLQ52fA9z

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoAp3z1S9J

She swallowed, nodding. An image of a hole opening up and swallowing them all came and went. It won't happen again, it was just an accident, besides I'm not a kid anymore. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6sg59Vij0

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpmRJ1cAEe

"Light of Olenus shine long and bright." She stood. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxZAgSk6z7

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZZU9dvYNI

Han looked up at her with a thin smile. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4IppU11a3

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kNRetciVh

Another step forward. Move. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6ACgv0wxT

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6lV8PUQ4r

He led the way further down a passageway that opened into a terrible cavern. The light ball streaked off ahead, illuminating all it reached. Every corner and edge glared; the shadows pulled back as the globe circled the area above them. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vB8ulq8uq

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HYxFI26oB

On the far left side, several thin spindly bridges jutted out, if they could be called that. Going further into the bridge, the encroaching shadows pulled and ate away the light. Ladders reached up from the bottom of pillars, leading to even more bridges. These connected two more ledges and linked to several flat-topped stone pillars like so many spectral fingers in a row. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8mJ061r5k

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqom2ERkFKH

"Keep looking straight ahead." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jCB3IKZjY

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ717W73w4

"Right. Ahead." Don't want to be here! Could just run back, right? We could try another day? She swallowed. A large, dank tunnel emerged at the end of the bridge. She gripped the rope, frozen. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiRRczIFE2

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX3QqfXTxn

"Merryn?" Parcival snapped his fingers in front of her. "Let's go." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3k0OvDrox

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuaF5kiSPO

Cold sweat drenched the back of her undershirt. She clamped her jaw as a whine tried to squeak out. Not today. Come on; stop it. She pulled in rapid breaths, the scent of old gods below, once resided here. Being foolish. Nothing is there. Nothing!

You whine. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotIzmmOWxU

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6j9UgFB5s

Weren't you sleeping? 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7j4plW2f0

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV7Xh2Y88D

Who can sleep with all that whining? 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrLBfUhUGe

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW1Ztk9E5M

You're no help. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKK0UB88xp

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP1dttUIHV

A cave can't hurt you, go. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqHO9Bb7CN

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpweYronwn1

A quick shiver ran down her neck. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYTMah3pVM

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoFHViUTNv

Parcival watched and waited. "It will be fine. Look, I'll go ahead and show you," he stepped away. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVfklAsRtZ

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHKB11aNHb

"Come back!" Unable to look him in the eye, she held her hands. At least none from home can see this shame. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipn6zomuj2

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ6ic04I7n

He half-turned his face, winking, before heading to the tunnel entrance. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxyETqDTcS

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs0fLlxs6P

Han patted her thigh. "See, it's fine." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoUmBvxdeS

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDBuKCfX74

She glared at him. "Do not do that." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ107A0czhIU

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeEy77fDGJ

He drew his hand back, eyes wide. "Listen to yourself! You are losing it." He said this in a voice lower than a human can hear. Then walked away shaking his head. He went and sat on the stupid rock. I'm not losing it. Everything is just going so wrong. She stood until her legs burned. She let go, but kept watch of the tunnel. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IkzwFDWmu

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFLS02RMlF

At the end of the bridge, she crouched down, tying a bootlace. Her fingers blocked any attempts to knot it. Doesn't matter. The area still spun, so she played with it for a few minutes. When she sat down, Han raised a brow yet kept quiet. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmvibm7x1L

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ1gCbnJtH

"Let's make camp here and proceed in the morning." Parcival pointed to a flat area ahead, to the right of the sinister tunnel. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVJ1u3fgbG

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4J3f4JKNY

"No, I want to keep going." It took longer than it should have, but she finally crossed. Am glad that's over. Opening a pouch, she brought out a thin braided leather cord, then reached back for her hair and tied it. She followed him into the next cavern passageway. This became another tunnel that went on for twenty feet. It had no rocks, thankfully. She raced past as soon as the light showed at the end. "Oh joy, praise the sun, we're out!" She bounced on the pads of her feet. Sweet air. No more walls. She resisted an impulse to spin around. She grinned, then joined her hands in a soft clap. Alright. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBIWC1lQbB

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEFUtr6XSS

Han had an odd look on his face that settled into a smile. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjSPHIE7yq

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFD1vgPT8L

Parcival took out several small logs from a large hip pouch he searched in it and pulled out a small vial popped the cork poured its shimmering silver liquid over the logs where they burst into flame. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUDKAuQUjB

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5qVl5OoY7

"What manner of—I mean, what magic is that?" It wasn't often you'd see a man of the blade use magic so easily. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJu3UATMXV

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrQTVzEFA8

He shrugged. "Just a touch of alchemy. It's nothing to worry about." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp4ErS2VyO

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX523EaWp0

How often, when someone says that, it is? "It's not magic?" Something about his tone didn't sit right. All the good mood drained away. She sighed. Have had about enough of containers and liquids. Yet, he helped. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmV6AgYSih

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qBUpZGBr5

"How about a short rest before we continue?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK8FVBtX8G

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrFgWuJB7O

Never had many friends; stayed in the temple until of late. It was hard to know just what his intentions were. It shouldn't hurt to try. She eased down and crossed her legs a few feet away, taking care not to start any muscles screaming again. "Just where are we going, anyway? I really need to get back home. Where's the nearest ship port around here?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlALNQILj78

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7MXEUyFAG

Han, who was smoking his pipe, popped up his ears straight as a jack-in-hammer. "I thought I saw something." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbAHTs97Qf

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4kbkryEm9

On full alert, she froze. The winds were quiet, a few harper-beatles chirped. Her ears twitched and swiveled slightly. A scratching? That too stopped. She relaxed again. "Seems gone now," she said. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L3FJHZZVm

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNBuqap9rR

He moved closer to the fire across from Parcival, his little nose sniffed. "I can see better over here, anyway." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfz2i19wJz

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm4KEtHEli

Parcival shrugged. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2khwAMrF4

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRXX9zYrzu

"Come sit over here." He patted the ground next to him. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1vd6HC8NB

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhaRSObAw9

"I'm just fine right here." Somewhat arrogant, how brash! The smoke was strong and harsh, instead of pleasant sweetness, it burned some with each breath. She waved it away and scooted away from the draft. It only happened to be closer to Parcival. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVowIlUsRl

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEvJJ0zg0w

He lifted an eyebrow and smirked, stretched, then pulled the ties off his cloak, letting it slip off into the grass. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh5s8KOsXc

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIWN9XNO6h

"Thank you." Still facing the fire, she scooted to the side a little more. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcEclADGuR

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QFA3TVZe4

Parcival smiled. "Any idea as to what Maxwell was doing to you?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTao4ldpOxm

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBhXIFbGGL

She stiffed. Odd sounds. Half-spoken sentences. That worm glop. She rubbed her hands a few times. "I was pretty out of it." She paused, then turned and studied his face. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OlF0cAzSV

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI20jTmtktB

"I'm not positive, but it may have to do with this infection." It's best not to tell them anything, they don't need to get involved any further. A thin sweat chilled her palms, and she wiped them on her leggings. If he only knew. All the more reason to say quiet, they'd think it's apossession most likely. Exorcisms are painful, at least the ones I've seen. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IMqADvdgd

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTzA87C0Aa

"Come with me to my home city. We have many skilled healers and priests. One should fix you right up!" He grinned. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiLJIHZdfO

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Zk46GxU4D

Smiling, Han nodded a little too vigorously. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xU81DJsih

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZZP6wB9OI

"I wonder about that." Still, if one could—no, that was too much to hope for. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlCpJ2czr1

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTWRD5sxpV

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9T8g6OLHX

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuRQfhuaEM

They talked through the night and slept until late morning. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1SKr1lZsg

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp67AnpWnqr

Almost afternoon by the looks of the sun. She blinked, stretched, and put her armor back on. Once Parcival was ready, he led the way, following a path that lead to the mountains far off. Walking up ahead, the pathway wound up like a kink along the mountainside. This way was shorter, but the path could crumble at any time. She bent and dug under the snow to the raw earth. A handful of the dirt crumbled in her hand. Even in this cold, it's treacherous. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwSfU6FD2d

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUzkFAPPvf

"Are you sure this is the only way?" 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ1A4oFfL9

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4WMDzc6ZY

Parcival took out a water pouch, sipping from it. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP880fHD6bq

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhcZg1C21N

Taking out the map, she checked it. "It's not on my map, this huge city you keep going on about." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1CbpNkYZE

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcldiSYNFRD

"It's, hidden. It's over to the west, just past that clump of trees." 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKQSINoj9H

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4umL8qvm1A

She rolled the map back up and placed it back into her pouch. "We are headed straight for Lashquet Wood, you lead."

102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hUnUvGxua

88.181.249.5

ns88.181.249.5da2