maluruloki wrote:Sophie! Silvanus! We've spotted a house! Excitement in Delyth's mental voice made both of her hunted comrades perk up. Sophie felt the Silvervale stag's muscles bunch for another leap and if she wasn't bluffing herself, the announcement had given Silvanus more spring to his step.
Which way, Delyth? Silvanus called back. Sophie rubbed her face on her shoulder again, trying to wipe the bright twinklings from her view. It was useless despite her persistence; she knew that it would take time for the brightness to fade, but it was still twisting her stomach in painful knots. Left? Left it is. Sophie, I need you to hold on very tightly. We're going to run faster than we ever have.
"They're still following us, aren't they...?" the strawberry-blonde whispered most fearfully. Silvanus didn't reply immediately - it confirmed her terrible suspicions. She was jarred again when he landed, despite his best efforts to shield her, and it forced a squeaky breath from her. "Delyth didn't stop them!?"
I did what I could, Dear One. They are old foes, knowledgeable of my powers, defended against them by magic that I am unfamiliar with. Safety is near though. Sophie wanted nothing else but to be still, to be no longer running, to be wrapped within the warm shadow of Delyth's wings and arms, to be safe...
Hold on. Silvanus warned her. Sophie entwined his lush fur around and between her fingers as she leaned as low as she dared; if she bent forwards too far, the natural movements of the stag's neck would bloody her nose truthfully the next time they collided. Then the wind was whipping past her ears, screaming in them, dragging against her clothing and snarling up her half-undone hair. Her hairband snapped out without further resistance and she felt the sharp wind against her scalp now. She closed her eyes and mumbled some half-prayer to some unknown protector within her head. She trusted the stag with her life - and she had no option in the matter. Dratted BEASTS!!! Silvanus landed oddly and Sophie felt herself pitch forwards as his back legs kicked up beneath her. She heard a meaty thud followed shortly by a pained yelp and knew that the creatures were closing in quickly. Delyth! A little help here?!
BEGONE, FELL BEASTS!!!! Delyth's voice raged through their minds and Sophie was buffeted by the sudden passing of her dragon bulk overhead. Her wing beats filled the air and only partially drowned out the snarlings of the shocked creatures. Multiple cries of pain followed, all different pitches, and grew quieter behind them. Suddenly, Silvanus threw on the brakes and for the last and most fateful time, Sophie was thrown forwards. His neck stopped her and her nose was smashed against her face. She cried out, holding both hands to her throbbing nose, and felt warm liquid begin to drip on the palms of her hands. Silvanus's velvety nose nuzzled at her upper arms as he tried to see if she was okay.
Rider! Oh my gaia, you need a handkerchief. Excuse me, m'am! We need help! Sophie moaned again, trying to pinch her nose shut, but her fingers were slippery. She was beyond worrying at this point. The dull pain consumed her. Wingbeats approaching and a soft thud very nearby announced Delyth's return.
Silvanus, you old goat! She's bleeding! Sophie just sat where she was, wobbling back and forth. Caring about anything seemed unimportant anymore. In fact, the world was getting kind of swirly...
(( I presumed that Delyth dropped Alex off with the woman near the house before going back to attack the Hunters. I can change this if it's too god-moding. ))
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnd....all caught up! Whew. Verdana, you're the next post.