Page 31 of One Last Promise
“I fightdirty, Alora.Is that the kind of warrior you want to be?”
“All I’m asking is for you to train me to use a sword.I can work out the rest myself.It’s all I’ve ever wanted.To be able to defend myself,andmy race.”
“Enough talk.You need to get some rest.I’ll take over lookout duties.”With that, Darce got up and cast shadows around us.I could barely make him out as he stepped into the darkness to recharge.The conversation, for now, was over.
****
THE STRANGEST WAILINGsounds were coming from a pit near the bottom of the volcanic wall Darce and I had climbed down.
“What’s down there?”I asked as he looked into the void.I couldn’t make out anything but darkness, but knew he would be able to see more.
“It looks like some hell dryad pups.I can’t see the mother.She might have slipped and the pups followed her.”They were all alone.We had todosomething.
“Can we reach them?”
“Alora, this is nature.It’s best not to interfere.If we rescue them, they’ll be dead within a day.They can’t defend themselves out here alone.”
“I’ll look after them then!”Placing my hands on my hips, I stared him down.I wasn’t leaving those pups there alone if we could save them!
“You can’t save everything.”
“Fine!I’llclimb down there myself!”Using what leverage I could, I began to lower my body down into the abyss.My feet searched for something to support my weight.
“Alora!Don’t be a fucking idiot!Wait!”Darce grabbed my arm as I slipped on the crumpling rock beneath me.“Fuck!”Gripping my arm harder, he pulled me up.“You’ve got a fucking death wish!I swear!”The pups began wailing louder, begginganyoneto save them.
“Darce,listento them.They arebeggingus.”Blowing out a breath of air, he ran his hands through his unruly, jet black hair.
“Okay!I’ll get them, butyou’relooking after them!I’m not giving them any ofmyfood rations, either!”
“That’s fine!”
Watching Darce climb down into the darkness was a little unnerving.I had to remember this was what he was made of.Noxlin were born of pure darkness, just as I was born of pure light.A few moments later, he emerged with three tiny pups in his arms.
“The other four didn’t make it.These three must be strong little fuckers.”They must have only been a few weeks old.
When Darce placed them on the ground, two of them instantly ran towards me.Both were white with patches of color.I picked up the first one to inspect it, and could see that he was a male with black patches.The other pawed at my leg for attention, not wanting to be left out.When I picked it up, too, I noticed she was a girl with dark brown patches.Their paws were large, considering the tiny size of their bodies.
“I’m guessing you’ll both grow into those paws,” I chuckled, watching Darce try and shove the third pup away with his foot.She had a black patch over her left eye.“I think that one has chosen you.”
“Not happening, pup.Fuck off.Go to Alora.She had food for you.”He tried to shoo the pup away, but it simply sat down at Darce’s shoe and scratched its back with its back foot.
Taking some cornbread out of my bag, I fed the two nearest me before throwing some food towards the third pup.
What would I call them?I had always loved the stories of the ancient light wielders.Loki and Enyo had been powerful guardians that meant strength and mayhem.Judging by the way the pups were chewing on my bag for more food, I thought the names would suit them well.
“I’ll call you Loki.”When I patted the male pup, he rolled over to allow me to rub his belly.“And you will be called Enyo.”I motioned towards the chubbier female, and she wagged her tail before placing her large paw on my leg.“What are you naming yours?”I called out to Darce, smirking.
“I’m not naming it!”He collected his bag and turned away from me.“They’ll have to keep up with us.I’m not carrying them.”
“They’ll keep up.”Turning to the pups, I threw a few crumbs of cornbread on the floor.“Won’t you?Come on.Let’s go.”
“If you keep feeding them likethat,we’ll never get rid of them.”Darce sighed, rolling his eyes.
****
THE HELL DRYADS WEREquick, and easily kept pace with Darce and me.Having these as pets wasn’t a bad idea.Once they were fully grown, I would havetwooverprotective beasts that would guard me with their lives.Noor, Nell, and Luz were going to be so excited when they saw them.
We had almost reached the scorched lands.I could see the dust clouds in the distance.
