Page 44 of The Warrior's Oath
Apparently, the Dohrags had been spotted flying additional sorties in the area the night before, and while they were not typically active at night, the increased activity meant a shift in plans. The flight crew had absolutely no desire of accidentally bumping into them and drawing all of Molok into open conflict. That meant speed, and lots of it.
The ship came in low and fast, dropping to a hover just above the ground in a tiny opening in the trees.
“Watch your step, there’s a steep drop not far to your right,” the crewmember at the door warned.
“Thank you for your assistance,” Korvin replied, hopping to the ground and reaching up to help Nyota down.
She slid into his arms, a flare of heat flooding her body, and more than just what she felt radiating off him. Her tattoos were tingling, a pins and needles sensation that seemed strongest in the rune on her chest. Korvin put her down and stepped back, waving to the ship as it silently lifted off and darted away into the night.
Nyota looked around the area. There was limited moonlight but somehow her night vision seemed better. Sharper. And that was regardless of the ship’s red lights.
“The runes are healing,” Korvin said, noting her reaction. “Good. It is but a small enhancement, but your senses will be improved moving forward.” He turned, quickly surveying their surroundings. “We go this way.”
“Is it all going to be like this?” she asked, following his lead as he quietly pressed forward. “Hearing? Smell? What else is going to happen to me?”
“It varies from person to person and species to species. Some individuals feel little change, while others display startling reactions. Only time will tell.”
They walked silently for some time, Nyota keeping pace with Korvin’s long strides far easier than when they first arrived on this world. She followed close, studying him as he moved through the brush with careful prowess. He was so quiet, not just for a man his size, but for anyone. The way he stepped, pivoting his foot to spread the weight and silence his footfall, how he gently pushed aside small branches to keep them from snapping, all played into his economy of movement.
Nyota did her best to copy him, mimicking the way he moved, although not nearly as successfully. Still, when he glanced back at her and saw her attempts, he actually seemed pleased, going so far as to give her a reassuring nod of encouragement.
Again, not like his usual dour persona of earlier days. It was a shift Nyota could get used to. That is, if he didn’t slip back into his dismissive ways.
Korvin slowed and came to a stop. “Come,” he said, waving her closer.
Nyota moved up next to him to see what caught his eye.
“Do you see it?” he asked.
She stared where he was pointing with her newly enhanced eyes. A small clear spot in the brush where animals seemed to have passed. At first nothing stood out, but after a moment she saw what he was talking about. A fine loop of wire was camouflaged by leaves, the end of it trailing off into the brush.
“Is that a trap?”
“A snare,” he replied.
“Is that bad?”
“No, this is designed for prey, not people. A hunter lay this here.”
“So we’re safe, then? Or at least safe-ish?”
He let out an amused chuckle. “Oh, not hardly. Similar designs are used against people, and if Dohrags are present, you can be sure some are out there.”
“Shit.”
“Do not fret. You know what to look for now, so keep your eyes open. And above all, do not stray from the path I walk.” With that he continued ahead.
“Wouldn’t think of it,” she said, taking care to step where he stepped.
She gently rubbed her arms and torso through her clothing as the thin sheen of rapidly cooling sweat tickled her skin. She would warm up again as they moved, but the sensation at the moment was not exactly pleasant.
The air temperature had increased notably in the last half hour as the sky brightened, and while it wasn’t hot, it was certainly no longer bordering on cold as it had been when they landed. But now the sun was cresting the horizon at long last, and with it would come a lot more perspiration.
Nyota reminded herself that she’d have to make sure to hydrate regularly as they walked. Cramping up and slowing their roll was simply not an option.
They covered a fair bit of ground in short order as the terrain shifted from dense growth to more rocky ground. Trees still towered above them, but the spacing was greater, allowing more freedom of movement. It also meant they had to be extra careful where they walked as the ability to see anyone in the area from farther away went both ways.
Nyota’s hands rubbed the fabric of her sleeves, her nails making a little friction noise as they passed over them.
