On the journey home after leaving the dead sorcerer at Hosgrow, Ayden forced himself to forget about Isabella. How could she possibly be here, anyway? he thought. Maybe he was just homesick, lonely for something or someone from his former reality.
Ayden shook his head and turned his thoughts on the girl he'd seen in the village with the long brown braid. He wondered what it would be like to have more people helping with their missions. Not that they couldn't handle things, but with someone possessing such powerful hope, they could accomplish so much more.
As they traveled through another large forest, Ayden's daydreaming shifted to fighting greater opponents than those he'd been fighting. Part of him wished he could face Degus, but he knew he would be no match for her. Again, if they had more help, maybe?
They entered a clearing and stopped short. Both men were immediately tensed and reaching for their weapons; about an eighth of a mile into the clearing, a meadow fae battled the most hideous creature Ayden had ever laid eyes on.
The monster beast was as big and hump-backed as a buffalo bull, and its once white hair was a sickly, sooty grey. The head resembled that of a rabid dog; its black lips were curled back, revealing long, foaming, yellow fangs, and its short, pointy ears were plastered against its head. Its threatening growl made Ayden's hair prickle.
As the beast swung one of its giant paws at the defender, Ayden noticed it carried several gaping wounds from which oily yellow blood flowed. He couldn't recall Freya ever telling him about this sort of animal.
The defender's shaggy, bluish hair flung wildly in his face as he fought. Great droplets of sweat ran down his cheeks, and his expression was wearied. Ayden noticed that one of the fae's wings was broken; several gashes on his arms and face oozed silvery-blue blood.
The fae raised his wavy-bladed sword and swung it desperately at the creature. The beast roared in pain as the blade sliced through its forearm. A grisly crunch sounded as the enraged beast knocked the defender down with one swing of its enormous, rock-solid skull.
Volos and Ayden leapt into action. As Volos drew the creature's attention away from the fallen defender, Ayden grabbed both of his ropes; swinging a lasso from each arm, he threw them toward the beast's back legs. Only one rope hit its target. Ayden dug his heels into the dirt and pulled with all his might. Oblivious to the restraint, the beast pulled him to the ground as it continued forward. Ayden's hands burned as the rope pulled through his soft flesh.
Volos expertly threw a dagger that sunk deeply into the creature's neck. Thinking this would bring it down, Ayden released the rope. However, not only did the dagger not stop the creature, but the beast charged full throttle at Volos!
Thinking quickly as he leapt up and ran, Ayden grabbed the loose rope and swung it toward the animal's head. Luckily, he hit his target. Not so luckily, he was pulled to the ground again and was drug through the dirt as the animal charged on.
Gritting his teeth, Ayden pulled himself up the rope toward the racing animal. His shoulder muscles felt as if they would rip apart as he forced himself to continue pulling until he reached the creature's thick neck. Trees blurred past as he dangled there momentarily, attempting to catch a breath.
With one great heave, Ayden swung his body upward and landed at the base of the animal's head. While holding onto the rope with one hand, he drew his sword with the other. He could see Volos' bald head bobbing as he dodged back and forth in front of them.
Ayden squeezed with his knees against the animal's slippery hair to gain balance. Then he released a furious yell as he let go of the rope. Using both hands, he raised his sword and then thrust the blade directly into the center of the beast's skull.
The animal dropped so suddenly, Ayden was suddenly flying swiftly through the air over its head. He flung his legs and arms around wildly as if attempting to keep himself air-born. His body was suspended in mid-air for a split second before it plummeted toward the earth like a rock.
Closing his eyes and clenching his teeth, Ayden braced himself for a hard landing. But instead of smashing into the unforgiving earth, his body plopped into a giant mass of some sort of clear, jiggly goop. He looked around in confusion. A strange young man had appeared out of nowhere; his gray-green eyes were as big as a pair of full moons. His thin arms were stretched out in front of him, his hands and fingers pointed to the goo that Ayden struggled to get free from.
With great effort, he wriggled his way off of the jiggly glob and stood on legs as wobbly as the mass he'd just exited. He thanked the boy who, except for the rapid rising and falling of his chest, seemed to be completely frozen in place. Ayden would get back to him in a moment. First, he had to make sure Volos and the defender were alright.
Volos was kneeling over the fallen defender's body, talking softly. Ayden wobbled over to join them. The fae warrior spoke strenuously to Volos, "I couldn't--transfigure. He caught--me off guard." He paused and took in a ragged breath, then continued, "Be careful, Volos. Now--that he has killed--one of her pets, she will be aware of him." Glancing at Ayden and then back to Volos, he added in a whisper, "You must keep him safe--he may still hold the key?" He was seized by a coughing fit and clutched his chest in pain.
"Enough talk. We'll make a potion and take you to your people. You'll be safe there," Volos spoke soothingly. Ayden turned, intending to run and find the needed plants to make a healing potion.
Before Ayden could leave, the fae spoke in a much stronger voice, "No! Do not weary yourselves. My body is now broken. But my healing will soon be complete." And with those words, he smiled and closed his eyes, never to open them again.
Chapter Nine
The Sorcerer's Shadow