Page 6 of Corvak's Challenge

A parasite.

Blue eyes.

Necessary for survival.

Will help with the cold.

All of this is fascinating and precious information. I need to find a creature of my own. If what they say is true, Aidy and I both need these worms to ensure we thrive in our new environment.

I watch the direction the males leave, arguing the entire time, and I head in the opposite direction. I stalk through the snows until I catch scent of game, and then a path full of old mesakkah scents. A trail of some kind. I note the game and which direction it heads and follow the trail for a bit longer, my need for supplies for Aidy outweighing the hunt for game. It must be alive when I bring it back, after all, and Aidy might not be if I don't find her warm clothes soon.

The trail eventually brings me to a small cave with a stretched leather screen covering over it. The people scents are everywhere here, and when I duck inside the cave, I want to shout with joy. Supplies are piled here. Dozens of furs and dried meat are packed neatly away in baskets and piles. There are roots and fire-making supplies. There are fur cloaks and fishing nets and a few spears. I take some of the carved bone knives and a spear, and a bag of foodstuffs. I pile several of the furs into my arms and then make the long hike back to the cave where Aidy waits for me, shivering and alone.

When I dig out the entrance to the cave, she's completely quiet. She doesn't twitch when I say her name, and it isn't until I slither my way in next to her that she gasps, her eyes fluttering open.

"Were you asleep?" I ask.

"I…I don't know." Her teeth chatter and her lips are blue. More worrying than that, her expression is dazed, as if she cannot focus. She reaches for me, and her hands are like blocks of ice.

"I found blankets and food," I say, piling them atop our bodies as best I can in the narrow confines. "Put one under you so you don't have to lie on the cold rock, and we'll set the rest atop us. Body heat is still best."

She nods and follows my lead, limply helping me move the blankets. Her shivering abates after a while, her cheeks flushing with warmth. "Well," she says, trying to keep a chipper note in her voice. "This is almost bearable."

I huff with amusement. "High praise."

"Sorry. It's hard to be optimistic when you're dying."

Her tired words fill me with alarm. This is my chance to finally play and show my skills, and I do not want my prize dying on me. "You will not die. I know exactly how we will survive this. Just be patient until I can bring a live creature here."

"A live creature? For what?"

I'm not sure how she'll take the news that she must be given a parasite to survive. I decide to omit that for now. "I brought food. I found a storage cave and pilfered from it supplies. Are you hungry?"

"Starving. You really have food?"

"And water, though it is snow that I scooped and let melt in a water bladder."

"I'll take all of it. I could kiss you right now." She squeezes her arms around me, which must be the "kiss" thing she mentions.

Her happiness makes me pleased. I rub her arm, noting how soft her skin is, and just how fragile and cold her smaller form is. Not good. "I told you I would take care of you, Aidy."

"I know. I just…I'm struggling." She manages a small smile.

I pull out a piece of the jerky I stole from the cave and hold it out to her. "Eat. You will feel better with a full belly."

We both inhale the supplies, but I save most of the food for her. It is extremely spicy, and Aidy coughs several times asshe eats, but she still devours her portion. Food will help her strengthen, and we both sip the cold water. It tastes a bit like dirt, but I don't care. It's something to drink. Aidy's shivering eventually stops, but her toes and fingers remain cold against my skin.

"I saw others," I confess to her. "They were working together, possibly looking for us."

She stiffens against me, worried. "What do we do?"

"We leave this spot and head somewhere farther out, somewhere we can defend easily." I am fascinated by the soft curve of her cheek, and wonder if she is as soft there as she is on her arm. My fingers twitch, eager to touch her there, but I keep stroking her arm instead. "Do you think you can travel after you rest again?"

She makes a weak sound that might be a chuckle. "Do I have a choice? I'll figure it out."

"Just be patient?—"

I break off as I hear the crunch of snow nearby. I go still, putting a hand over Aidy's mouth to quiet her. She tenses under my hand but does not protest, her eyes wide. I don't breathe, straining my ears to listen. Did the other gladiators find us? Or is this some different predator?

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