A Shield for a Sled
It wasn’t long after finishing their hunt that Behemoth was starting to feel something strange. What started as a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach turned into sharp pain in her gut, and an uneasy feeling grew over her.
She slowed, her two companions already slowing their pace to match hers, and she eventually came to a stop, gasping through the pain. Had she pushed herself too far? Was she about to lose her precious cargo? Knowing the father, was this a blessing in disguise?
Nyx, who finally gave her name to her companions, was the first to notice, and she stopped not far ahead, nudging Enigma to get her attention. The overo female stopped and squinted, finally noticing that their companion was not okay. The two of them returned to Behemoth’s side, who grimaced at the attention.
“You overdid it.” Nyx’s voice held no room for argument.
Enigma looked between the other two females, worrying her lip as she attempted to puzzle out exactly what they could do in this situation.
Behemoth looked away from the pair, frowning softly. “You can go on ahead.”
The overo female seemed shocked, her jaw dropping and she shook her head violently. “No way! We’re in this together! What sort of reoseans would we be if we ditched you now?” Behemoth didn’t have an answer, but had a feeling that since this was the opalescent female’s territory, that she wouldn’t be as ditched as Enigma seemed to think.
“Look, you’ll get to town much faster, just go on ahead. It’s not that far. I’m plenty fed and I’ll make it on my own.”
“You’ll miscarry.”
Behemoth grimaced with how blunt it had been put. “Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.” Her voice was barely a whisper, but by the looks on both her companion’s faces, the words had reached both their ears.
Nyx nodded, barely perceptible. “I see. If that was the case though, would you really have tried so hard for this long? What sort of circumstance brought you here?”
Enigma continued to look confused, but the starry pelted runner gestured for them both to sit, and waited for Behemoth to speak.
The glasswork runner sighed. It was a hard story to tell, but she would stick to the bare minimum details.
“The father is a bad reosean. His own children and my siblings tried to reason with me so I wouldn’t be hurt. Some of them got hurt instead. I was guilty and I ran. It was only later I realized I was carrying his pup. I don’t know what I’m doing except trying to get away from him so he can’t use me anymore.”
Enigma growled and slammed a paw down. “I’ll hunt him down, who is this bastard?!”
Behemoth was a bit taken aback by the ferocity the overo female displayed, but Nyx chuckled softly.
“He’s umm, well I didn’t believe it before but I think he’s immortal to some extent.”
“Fascinating.” The opal female said, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Enigma though only scoffed. “I don’t give a shit if he’s immortal, I’ll still kill him. He’s nothing but a creep and a villian. You seem super nice, like who could do that to you?” She snorted and even Behemoth cracked a smile.
“You might have to get in line. There’s a few people who probably want that asshole gone.”
Enigma chuckled at the commentary. “Well, if he really is an immortal, we might not be able to do much but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to try.”
Nyx grimaced. “Yeah, and he’s an arcanist that steals life from people and physically alters them. If that’s not bad enough, I hear he dabbles with necromancy, might be easier to just not mess with him.”
After a bit of silence with the trio exchanging tense glances, Nyx spoke again. “As interesting and emotion provoking as your story may be, there is nothing we can do about your mysterious adversary now. No, you’re worn out and exhausted, and won’t make it to the next town without help. We can attempt to carry you, but since we’re all runners here, it’s not an ideal situation. Or we can create a litter. There’s not a lot out here to do that with, but we might be able to work on some sandstone, it breaks easily, and my magic can pull it. Or I can attempt to make a magical barrier to pull you with if you trust it. Enigma here can help push with whatever you’re comfortable with, guide it from behind around any rocks or bumps while I pull from ahead.”
It wasn’t a terrible plan at all, even if Behemoth didn’t want to be coddled. It was also the most the other two females had heard Nyx speak at once, and they had to blink in surprise while they listened to her voice. It was soothing, almost as if it was laced with magic and starlight.
“The barrier would be easier I think. No one needs to break their claws on stone.” Enigma said, while Behemoth nodded along.
Nyx nodded and concentrated for only a second, and a long flat shimmer came into existence in front of them. It was simple in shape, with slightly curved ends to make pushing easier on Enigma and not likely for Behemoth to slide off. It didn’t look solid, the simmering disc almost transparent in spots, and sparkling like the stars above and that graced the opalescent runner’s side.
Still, Behemoth chose to trust it, and gently stepped onto the disk. It was far more solid than it looked, and she was able to settle herself in. There was no way she’d continue to stand with how tired she was, and doing so would only unbalance the entire shield and probably dump her in the sand. She laid partially on her side, avoiding putting full weight on her stomach, and reached out gingerly with her front paws, hooking her claws on the front to give her a small amount of stability.
Nyx looked at her approvingly then pulled on her magic to call the shield forward. Enigma stood with her front paws on the back edge of the magical barrier, digging in with her paws and claws as best as she could, and pushing; her back legs helped propel the shield across the desert sands.
It wasn’t a very fast mode of transport but it was efficient.
Behemoth found herself drifting off during the travel, and the other two runners were careful not to disturb her rest. Nyx would slow down pulling her shield, and Enigma was more gentle when guiding the shield around any dips and bumps in the sand.
Their biggest problem was about to be their next hurdle. The sandstorm had started mid day, and they waited it out until after nightfall. Their hunting hadn’t been a short session either, and the sun was due to peek over the horizon anytime now. Enigma might be okay, but the other two were much darker in coat colors and the heat of the desert sun would probably start to become unbearable.
They had two options: find a place in the shade to wait out the day, getting rest for the entire trio, or rush through the morning to get to the town that was just becoming visible out in the distance.
Enigma and Nyx didn’t have to speak their decision, and the two runners picked up the pace. Behemoth likely needed rest not on the sandy ground, and possibly a doctor to look her over. They were going to hurry across the sands.
The glasswork female jolted awake at the sudden increase in speed, blinking the sleep from her eyes before looking between the other two. The opal didn’t look back so Behemoth’s gaze landed on the overo female, who only grinned back in return, before her expression turned to one of concentration once more.
“You don’t have to-”
“Hush.” Behemoth started to speak but Nyx interrupted her in a tone that left no room for argument. Like a child, the glass reosean settled, even if she grumbled about it inside her head. Enigma had to fight to avoid laughing at the sight. She sure was glad she wasn’t on the receiving end of the opal’s command.
And so onward they pressed.
The sun’s rays touched the sky and seemed to rise at an abnormally fast pace. Heat crept into all their pelts and the two runners not on the makeshift sled were soon panting and wishing for water. Still they continued forth, and the town across the way grew ever closer. Not once did they slow, and the glasswork female was starting to worry for them - she was the source of their suffering, her and her bad decisions, which left an uncomfortable feeling in her gut like swallowing hot rocks.
Nyx passed the boundary of her territory and her steps faltered just a little, but she kept going on. While she avoided coming into towns unless she was less likely to be recognized, she ignored it in favor of making sure Behemoth got what she needed. Enigma seemed to understand though, and when the opal runner started to slow with the village straight ahead, the overo let up on pushing, going forward to nudge her.
“I’ll take over from here. Go back home. I’m sure someone else will need you again soon.”
Considering it, Nyx relented, and gestured for the glasswork female to get off before dismissing her shield.
“Good luck then. And Behemoth, I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
Both females looked at her quizzically at her last statement, and then at each other. When they looked back though, there was no trace of Nyx, it was like she had vanished into thin air.
Gulping, Enigma gestured ahead.
“Come on and lean on me, let’s find someone to check you out.”
Nodding, Behemoth leaned into the slightly larger female, and they turned to go into town. While the opal was far from their sight, both realized she would never stray from memory. She was memorable, that was for sure. Likewise, Nx never forgot those that came to her in need. She had a long memory after all and she had a feeling they both have exciting parts to play in the future.
-End-
Loyalty Trial for Behemoth 9519, Nyx 15327, Enigma 14622
♦ 'Never leave a man behind' is a mantra that is important to many in the realm - depict your Reosean bringing in their injured companion for help.
WC 1726 +17
Purity Trial +2
Other Reo Behemoth 9519 | Enigma 14622 +2
Corresponding Land +1
Magic Use +1
Total = 23 CP
WC 1726 +17
Purity Trial +2
Other Reo Behemoth 9519 | Nyx 15327 +2
Corresponding Land +1
Total = 22 CP
WC 1726 +17
Personal +3
Purity Trial +2
Other Reo Nyx 15327 | Enigma 14622 +2
Corresponding Land +1
Total = 25 CP