Page 21 of Grulen

“Recuperating?Was she hurt?”

“We’re not sure what happened,” Lady Emmy said.“I think she’s suffering from PTSD.”

“PTSD?”

“Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” said Lady Natasha.“It’s common for humans to suffer heightened stress responses after traumatic events.Nightmares, anxiety, moodiness, depression, and an inability to sleep are several possible symptoms.”

Lady Rachel said, “Right now, it sounds like Talia is experiencing increased anxiety near crowds, especially after being poisoned on the ship.”

“Is there anything we can do to help her?”A growl left his chest.

Lady Ava shook her head.“She needs to cope in her own way for now, Jevax.Everyone deals with trauma differently.”

“Would you pass along my well wishes for her recovery?”

“Of course,” said Lady Lin with a small smile.

Grulen stepped back as others approached and helped move furniture so that Lady Emmy could take a picture of the warriors for something called a greeting card for Lady Talia.Afterwards, he slowly walked back to his quarters with a frown.I hope Lady Talia heals soon.

A few weeks later, Grulen found it difficult to concentrate on his training forms.Despite the peaceful scents, sounds, and sights of the aquiponics area, his mind spun at the recent attack against Commander Durek while on theIntrepidwhere he had been staying with Lady Talia.

He saw Lady Lin kneeling in one area working on some plants.Due to her Earth job as a botanist, she spent much time studying Costonian flora and comparing them.Lady Emmy jogged along the gravel path circling the aquiponics area several time.His tail stiffened when he heard a shrill screech of distress from a female, then ran toward the sound.He found Lady Emmy on the ground and squatted next to her.

“Lady Emmy, I heard you scream.Are you okay?”He gestured to the metal sticking out of her legs.“What are those?”

“I don’t know, but don’t touch them.I already comm’d Tolvex to come with a healer.”

“Stay still, Lady Emmy.There are more on your back.”Where did these come from?

“Emmy?What happened?”Lady Lin approached from the opposite direction.

“Stop, Lin!I think there’s a tripwire on the path.Be careful where you step,” Lady Emmy said.

“What?”Lady Lin’s footsteps slowed.

Grulen’s eyes traced the wire.His thighs bunched as he stood and carefully placed his feet as he searched for the trap.He squatted again and pushed aside some leaves before finding an end.

“I see one side.Some of the needles are still embedded in the source.”

Pounding boots on gravel sounded behind Lady Lin.

“Slowly.There’s a tripwire that shoots something from it,” Grulen said to Tolvex, who checked his speed.

“I see it,” said Tolvex angrily.Moments later, he knelt next to Lady Emmy.“Are you alright,milara?”His chest rumbled and his tail swished.

Grulen’s nose twitched as he caught their combined scent.Ah, the two are pleasure mating.

“I might’ve twisted my ankle, but I’ve got these things sticking out of me,” she said quickly.

Rivezt crouched on her other side and pulled an instrument from his pouch.

“Don’t move.Let me scan you first and get these out of you.”

“Good plan.”Lady Emmy grimaced.

“Do they hurt?”

“They sting like paper cuts…a whole crapload of them.”

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