My head pulsates violently, radiating uncharted affliction like I've never experienced before. Eyelids flutter, my dizzy focus can just make out the lower half of our latest bystander through the arch of Noah’s legs (and a few others,) his gawking presence joins the rest as a muffled acknowledgement. Though, beneath the indefinite agony, I find a glimmer of strength to nod at the very real possibility that they might be from the same group. Naively, I cling to the vague idea that there could be more…a true escape from the torments that chased these heels and strangled my dreams. My savior tilts, quivering, -- and though his face is turned away from me -- there is a hardening sense that his endurance is failing. An abrupt wave of dread and warning pours into my aching, nauseous belly; it demands without care, yelling for me to crawl aside – to do something! But like that warrior…I’d cashed in at the expense of my flesh to just arrive upon these blood-stained soils. Because my body is sluggish to react, if he were to pivot upon me (a terrifying notion)...my remains would become a mere smudge upon the forest floor.

Noah slumps, his fury seems to cave in the wake of those terrible consequences that have caught up. An overdue account -- unbalanced. Dark, steaming blood drips freely upon the churned litter; I imagine those trails of pure, untainted life are surely merging upon the putrid, demon hunter. A quiet, incomprehensible murmur cracks from these lungs, pitifully rising into the air as the mighty one stutters away, his wing forsakes and exposes me to the crowd. Irises lift to the adorned male, the one who'd breached the language barrier, "aide le," my distress, vulnerability and sorrow couldn’t be more pronounced. Noah tips forward and my inner self blanches at the sight. While those heavy knees touch down, the world is shifting, pivoting sideways. Nostrils flare, sucking timidly upon the sweltered air. Soft fragments of light blare tirelessly through the leaves and twigs above us.

Thin, velvet ears fractionally lift -- the crowd has become muffled. Tears skew my vantage as their scene begins to darken, those peaceful (unreal) voices return. My thin grasp on awareness hangs by a thread. But this time…I wouldn’t have the strength to rise from that dark pool. I cling...

With my savor cast aside, there is nothing to prevent the stranger from moving in. Insignificant flags crop up, but neither me or my subconscious has the vigor to deal with them. With a thundering heart, I attempt to prod swiftness by baring my teeth at the oncoming perception of danger; wet eyelids slide close as he draws near, (with perceived dignity) I brace against the fabrication of infliction. Trembling both inward and outwardly, I reach (willingly) for the promising darkness and the possible end of confusion and turmoil.

My latest tormentor hesitates… I can taste his musk and feel the heat of an opposing breath unfurling over my skin. Tingling, quivering warmth rises from the unwelcome contact – meek curiosity flicks these shutters halfway open – I'm shocked to find the man roaming over my body…then his lips near my face. Ears stumble backwards, drawing tighter into the tangled mass of hair upon my head.

Taunt, rigid...

He...

At first, a quite, warm tingling begins from the point of contact – then, it slowly fans outward. As his gentle touch lingers, the ache and swelling along my shoulders, midsection and spine begin to dwindle. The noose is removed, a sweet tide of relief floods my entirety, lids flutter shut -- absorbing, surrendering on instinct into the current of his strength and power. Though there is mild discomfort as the scattered array of wounds forcefully clot, crust and knit together...it is more than bearable. Agony is cleansed, pulled from me like a thorn or splinter. When I (at last) feel him pull away, my greedy flesh leans intuitively forward – aiming to follow before fully realizing that he’d backed off. I open my eyes and lean back; nursing my astonishment while the stag crumbles to the ground, obviously taxed. Brows narrow, amazement and appreciation fall short with the sudden burst of remorse and concern coming up the rear.

When he speaks…my senses emerge from their blanket of dirt; making an attempt to absorb his jargon as the fog lifts from the functional parts of my brain. I make out the word, ‘better,’ and puzzle his intention, answering the stag with a universal nod of agreement.

My focus surveys the group, taking half a moment to observe the variety of people around me. But their collective becomes dim when my eyes land upon the creature standing before the blond mare. His body is magnificent; rivaling a sunburst! Powerful shoulders lead into a shapely, serpentine line. A dragon. I'd met one before, a tiny fiend from the sea; oceanic plates, splashed with white and blue – and rather than the fabric of a bat – his wings had been made of feathers (much like my own.)

Feathers...'Noah,' My mind croaks; returning to reality as the medicine man continues to hum his alien song. Optics jerk anxiously to fallen eagle, scanning his dappled pelt for signs of life. A quiet bleat swells, but the wispy exhale becomes lodged when a tiny shape breaches the corner of my vision; I flinch back, shivering and snorting as the thing settles near my nose. My head lifts, -feeling heavy but obedient- as I angle upward in such a way to observe the tiny beast. A bat? The tip of my nose quivers; his tiny fingers reach upwards, clutching an aromatic leaf…lips crease into a frown, but I find the resolve to reach for it hesitantly, sniffing and nibbling upon the corners. The unfamiliar taste slips over my tongue and as it does, those dry recesses instantly water. His sample disappears in an instant – leaving me wanting for more.

OC:

-hover over text for a translation!-