Cassidy's Point of View

Kandma’s Head

“Arthur, please! Ya need ta rest! Stop this!”

“I don’t have the patience to wait, Cass. If she wakes up before I do…” Arthur replied softly. “This might be the last thing I can do for her.” He stated.

“What do you mean?” Ayda questioned softly.

His head lazily rolled toward her and Lucia. “Would you want me around after finding out what I’ve done?” He asked. “Regardless of the reasons, do you really think Lucia will forgive me?”

Ayda’s lips struggled to form words as she continued to help Lucia. “I don’t know, Arthur.”

Arthur looked back up to the sky. “Neither do I.” He then closed his eyes. “Please, Kandma.”

Things became eerily silent as the giant creature stopped moving entirely. There was no shifting, and I looked down its snout toward its eyes. It was watching the scene unfold. After a moment, it let out a grumble of sorts. Moments later, an orb floated from Lucia, which startled Ayda. She backed away as it gently floated over to Arthur and disappeared into his forehead.

Tears started to pour from his eyes as they became hazy. “Eternity.” Was all he whispered before Arthur went silent.

“Well, he’s out.” I mumbled as I looked around. “Now what?” Taking a step back, I spoke warily. “Ya don’t think he’s gonna go crazy like last time, do you?” Wiggling my fingers in an unnatural manner got Camoa’s attention. “He’s talking bout eternity again.”

“One can hope he will just rest.” Camoa answered. “Although, this presents us with a different problem.” Kandma started moving again as the Druid frowned. “We’re now heading to Arthur’s secret with the man unconscious.”

“Surely we can just show him to receive help.” Greigh added. “I can’t imagine we’d be turned away in this situation. Especially not atop a creature from the Old World.”

Camoa frowned. “Do not be so sure. These creatures are fearsome. Many have attempted to make their way into the heart of this sanctuary… All failed. The forest speaks of multiple guardians with terrifying power.” She then gestured to Arthur. “His ‘children’ from what he said.”

Aydalia spoke at that. “Why would he leave his children in the middle of the Hollow Forest? Are they hiding?”

“Protecting something is more accurate,” Camoa answered. “However, I do not know whatever ‘something’ might be.” Her gaze returned to Arthur. “A man with power, unlike anything we’ve ever seen, willing to call these creatures his children. This is not something to be taken lightly.”

“None of this is to be taken lightly.” Greigh commented as he crossed his arms. “Don’t you know something about these ‘guardian children’ of Arthur’s?” He asked Aydalia.

Her lips tightened into a frown. “No. This is not something I saw in his memories.” She replied.

“So… What do we do?” Ziah asked out loud.

“We’re riding atop a mountain range. Not much we can do, Greigh.” I said with a roll of my eyes.

“Even Kandma,” Camoa began. “Will be hard-pressed to approach. We’ll know when we’ve arrived, but for the moment, we should all rest.”

Rest? Rest didn’t seem possible in this situation. Even after everything had happened, everyone seemed on edge. After Arthur’s rather tame rampage, all of us were going through an adrenaline rush that likely turned into a high. One that many of us were unlikely to come down from any time soon. So, we continued on with everyone waiting for something to happen.

Eventually, it did. “Why’re we stopping?” Greigh questioned as Kandma came to a halt.

“Do you know, Camoa?” Aydalia turned her attention to the Druid.

We all were curious as we looked at Kandma, who showed no signs of acknowledging us. The Druid’s hand rose slowly as she pointed out in front of Kandma. Turning, I found myself lost as to what she was pointing at. My eyes darted about as I tried to find whatever it might be.

“By the gods…” Ayda whispered as she backed away slightly.

Turning to her, I frowned as my brow furrowed. “What? Ah don’t see it.”

A slight rumble came from Kandma before the wind whipped far more violently than it had been. Clouds cleared from the area as we began to lower slowly. As Kandma moved to lie down to likely let us off, my eyes turned to the others and saw all of them looking up. Doing the same, I saw a creature that gave me pause. It looked like a mix of animals. A white and greenish wolf with antlers that had runes on it. Green markings could be seen across its body and eyes.

It continued to watch us as the wind eventually died down. “We are here.” Camoa suddenly informed us. “Prepare to move the wounded ever so gently.” She looked about our group nervously. “Make no sudden moves and proceed carefully. They don’t know us.”

“Maybe we could speak with it?” Ayda offered.

Greigh immediately replied. “I’m not flying up there to find out. We’ll proceed on foot and follow Camoa’s lead. She knows more about this forest than any of us.” He let out a deep sigh. “Hopefully, Arthur will awaken before we arrive. Otherwise, we might not have a choice but to try and converse.”

“My confidence in this plan is dropping by the second.” Aydalia stated.

“That makes all of us.” Camoa shot back.