| Dylina was broken free from her thoughts when her father looked away from her. She turned her head to look at what he was to see Byrd, his clothes dripping wet. He held his broadsword in hand, panting heavily before he fell onto his knees. The look on his face showed exhaustion while he took a rest on the floor. A few people wrapped blankets around his shivering form as Dylina took a quick look around for Ren. "Byrd.... where's Ren?" He looked at her, still breathing heavily. "He.... told me to dive into the lake..... take the passage... I last saw him at the lake... but he never followed." The ground trembled under her softly as her father looked directly at Byrd. "What was that?" "I don't know... could it be Ren?" Her father merely shrugged. "It might.... it might mean that he is in trouble." Dylina sat up and leaned against her father, closing her eyes. Her mind became fixed on Ren as the rumbling slow subsided. Dread filled her heart while she struggled to stand up again. Her father's hand stopped her yet again, however, before she finally laid down to sleep. Slowly, she closed her eyes and relaxed, letting herself float away into sleep. ------------------------------------------------ Dylina woke up slowly, sitting up and rubbing her eyes before she slipped out of her sleeping spot and stretched out. Her body felt sore all over, but she finally could manage to stand on her own as she took a look around for Meg. Eventually she found the spot where her friend was sleeping as she slowly walked to it, grumbling along the way. Meg had a cold, wet rag on her head while she slept, occasionally letting out soft moans of agony as her blankets felt damp to Dylina's touch. Sweat covered all of her friend's visible skin as she stroked Meg's hair softly, looking at her pain filled face with concern. Dylina didn't want to see her like this while she trailed her hand down her friend's neck to her hand, holding it softly in her hands. "So how is she, Dylina?" She released her grip on her friend's hand before Dylina turned around and embraced Ren firmly in her arms. He was startled by this at first, but he slowly wrapped his arms around her as she at his face with tears in her eyes. "What you did was stupid..... don't do it again.... ever.... please...." Dylina burst into tears, crying a waterfall as her tears soaked his shoulder. She felt his hands rub her back softly to help ease her worry as she murmured softly at him. Slowly, she pushed herself away from him, but it wasn't long before tears rolled down her cheek again. She clutched him even tighter, burying her face into his neck until she finally ceased crying. "Thank you....." A smile cracked on his face. "I'm glad to see that you're doing alright, at least." "Because of you and Byrd.... but what happened out there?" "It's a long story... but its one I'd prefer to not repeat many times." Dylina leaned her head against his chest, closing her eyes while listening to his heart beats. She stayed that way for what seemed like an eternity to her while his movements showed very little protest. Her mind could only think of him as she looked up at him fondly. "It's alright, Ren. I just want to stay like this for a little longer..." --------------------------------------------- Dylina woke up slowly, shifting herself against the form below her. She caressed his cheek softly with her hand while her head rested on his chest. Silently, she counted his heartbeats while he remained asleep, still undisturbed. Eventually she pushed herself up to a sitting position, yawning before she put the covers back on Ren. It wasn't til she was fully awake when she saw the subuccus sitting on the ground next to her. Dylina's eyes narrowed as she looked at her scornfully. The succubus didn't seem to mind, as her face showed very little change while her voice showed very little emotion. "Enjoyed the time with Master, hmmm?" Dylina blinked. "Why....... Master?" "He defeated me in combat, so now I'm his servant since he spared me." "Ren spared you?..." "He did. And unlike you, I know how to keep him pleased." "Oh hush. I don't need to be insulted by something that wouldn't know what feelings are other than perverseness." The succubus stretched the full length of her wings apart, a grin growing on her face. "Well, sorry to disappoint, but I'm a 'freak'. Living undead to be exact. So I do know what emotions are, like it or not." Dylina shurgged before standing up, looking around her for her location. She looked down at Ren for a moment before she kneeled down quickly next to him and planted a soft one on his forehead. She began to walk away when she noticed the succubus get under the covers with Ren. "What are you doing?" snapped Dylina. "I'll keep my Master pleased which is more than what you could do." She scowled at the half demon with brimstone in her eyes. Dylina wanted to drag her away from Ren and kill her, but eventually she calmed herself down. She must like making me angry.... no use trying to argue with her. Slowly, she began to walk away, occasionally glancing over her shoulder back at Ren's still sleeping form until she was out of sight. Dylina found her way to her friend's resting area as she took time to examine the wound. The infection looked the same it did the day before when Ren showed up, bringing a sigh of relief to her. At least the infection has stopped.... and it should start to heal now. She applied the salve on the wound before she kissed her friend's forehead softly, whispering into her ear. "Get well..." The serenity that was wrapped around her like a blanket was shattered when shouts came from inside the caves. Dylina looked away from her friend to the source of the shouting as she saw a few men run by. In the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of Ren approaching with the succubus trailing behind. A disappointed look on the fiend's face made her lips crack a small smile. The demon scowled in response, wrapping her arms around Ren's waist to cause an end to Dylina's small joy. Ren glanced down at the arms around him before his emotionless face looked at her. "What's going on?" Before she could respond, one of the running men dashed up to the group. "Lady Dylina..... your father wishs to see you and Ren." Dylina hustled to her father, Ren and the subuccus not too far behind. When she arrived, her father was finished discussing with some of the key members of the tribe. As each departed, they gave Ren a rather foul look, catching her offguard completely. Her father beckoned for the three to sit down, but Ren remained standing while the succubus sat at his feet. "I have a feeling that something malicious is afoot." spoke Ren, focusing directly on her father. Her father nodded. "Some people believe that you are the reason that there are slavers in the area now... Fortunately for you, I doubt it. However, it might be wise for you to go......" "But father..... what about the trip?" Her father shook his head. "It wouldn't be a wise idea..." Ren nodded in agreement before he stopped in thought. "With your permission.... I'll be back next year if you wish for me to fight again." Tears began to run down her cheek before she wiped them off and nodded. "Please." She walked to her spot behind her father, her eyes filled with sadness as Ren began to walk away. The succubus trailed behind her master, her tails swinging back and forth lazily as Dylina stiffled a river of tears. She had to be strong, and she had to follow what her father told her too One year.... willl seem like an eternity..... |