The Forsaken Hero
Chapter 321: Deadly Encountered

Chapter 321: Deadly Encountered

Without another word, the inquisitors retreated the way had come, heading for the city not a mile distant. The moment they were gone, the strength left my body and my tail went limp, a desperate, relieved sigh escaping my lips. After expending my mana during training, I couldn’t have mustered enough to defend myself, not to mention the entire squad of recruits. I could have summoned Fable, but I had no idea where he was or what he was engaged in. What would I have done if he hadn’t been able to come?

Solim stiffened as I slumped against him, my head resting on his chest. The cool steel of his breastplate was hard on my cheek, but his warm presence soaked through, comforting me. He shifted, awkwardly, and hesitantly wrapped his arm around me.

I didn’t have to look up to see him blushing, nor did I have enough strength to care. He was a man, and such intimate proximity with a beautiful girl only a few years his junior was undoubtedly a little overwhelming.

I should have been far more wary, these soldiers were practically strangers to me. It would be so simple for them to take advantage of me now, when I was exhausted and emotionally vulnerable. But these soldiers were nothing like Alex, the Fire Hero. There was no lust in their eyes, no veiled menace. Just a fierce protectiveness that made me feel warm, and...safe.

And then was a stare different from the others, cold and prickly, and I opened my eyes to slits. Joel stared at me from across the field, frowning, before shaking his head and turning away. There was no warmth in his gaze, less hostility perhaps, but certainly no affection.

"Rank!"

Orion’s bark cracked like a whip, scattering the soldiers into rank and file. Solim, disciplined by hundreds of drills, tensed instinctively, nearly jerking out of my grasp. I cried out softly and clung to his arm, hiding my face against his chest, a hint of red coloring my cheeks. He froze and looked down at me, then back at the assembling squad of soldiers. A flicker of panic flashed through his eyes and he looked around desperately, subtly trying to shake me off his arm. One of the other recruits, a bright-eyed young man I’d seen hanging out with Solim, shot him a wink and fled.

With nowhere else to look, Solim reluctantly lowered his eyes and found me staring up at him with wide, pleading eyes. My tail trembling in embarrassment, flicking back and forth across the trampled grass of the training field. It was a little humiliating, certainly unbecoming of the Lady they thought I was, but my entire body trembled with exhaustion. My legs were weak and shaky; there was no way I could trust myself to stand on my own. Not yet, at least.

Orion stalked over, his lips twitching into a hard line. "And what’s this? I thought I ordered you to rank."

Solim took a deep breath and stared defiantly up at the grizzled veteran. A sort of righteous resolve hardened his face, the same conviction I’d seen in the eyes of soldiers ready to sacrifice themselves for their comrades. The gaze of a man who had accepted his death and was determined to stand his ground to the bitter end.

"You did, Sir!" he replied crisply. "Just doing my duty, sir."

The soldier glanced down at me and I offered a small, helpless smile. "Sorry..."

The corner of Orion’s lips twitched and his eyes twinkled with laughter, but he maintained his stern composure as he turned back to Solim. "Your duty, eh? Seems more like you found the perfect excuse to hold a pretty girl."

Orion’s unexpectedly playful reply sent a surprised ripple spread through the ranks of soldiers. Solim turned red, squirming uncomfortably beneath the jealous eyes of his comrades.

"N-no, sir!"

I swallowed hard, fighting to keep the blush from growing any darker. "It was my fault. I just...just needed someone to lean on. That’s all."

"I see." Orion stroked his chin, then offered an arm. "In that case, allow me. I can’t have you hindering the lad’s training any longer."

I nodded and accepted his hand, surprised anew by the gentleness of his touchas he drew me against him. Orion’s muscled form felt less awkward and far more fatherly, something I’d grown accustomed to finding in the older soldiers who cared for me. My eyes fluttered shut, lulled by the warmth of his presence and the gentle stroke of his gauntleted hand against my hair.

The moment I shifted my weight, Solim backed away quickly. He glanced over his shoulder, taking in the intimate grasp of the veteran, and his eyebrows rose. He grinned mischievously. "Who’s looking for the excuse now?"

Orion puffed out his chest, a playful glint in his eye. The other soldiers shifted their jealousy onto him, but he grinned and simply soaked up their silent accusation. "Well now, seems the favor’s shifted, eh?" he drawled, a hint of mockery in his tone. "An old veteran must be quite the catch compared to a strapping young recruit, wouldn’t you say?"

My ears turned red with embarrassment, hands curled into fists against his chest. I hid my face against his chest, biting my lip and wishing that there was somewhere better I could hide. A little teasing was already difficult for me to handle, but for him to accept and return it so brazenly...

The veteran glanced down and frowned, eyes lingering on the agitated twitch of my tail. "Lady Xiviyah?" He asked, tentative.

"I-I’m fine!" I squeaked, hiding my face against his chest, not daring to meet his inquisitive gaze. Didn’t he know already? My fingers twitched, desperate to summon my staff and call Fable. Or maybe not, he always seemed to enjoy it when I was flustered and embarrassed.

Sighing, Orion rested his hand on my head, rubbing between my horns. He breathed something that sounded like an apology then turned to glare at the soldiers. They took a reflexive step back, noting the immediate change in his disposition.

"And I’d just decided to let you get away with it too..." he muttered, then, raising his voice he roared, "It’s clear my instruction was lacking on how to treat a lady. I take full responsibility for the matter and shall take immediate corrective action. Ten laps around the spire. Now."

The disdainful soldiers froze, mouths dropping in disbelief as they stared up at the titanic rock formation. The blue monolith towered over the entire valley, by far the largest formation in Blue Canyon. It had to be at least a mile around the whole thing, never mind the multitude of canyons, ravines, and other obstacles running up to the base.

"T-the whole thing?" one gasped.

"Ten?" another exclaimed, "I almost passed out after two!"

"Get. Running." The order was a thunderclap, sealing their fate.

Moaning and groaning, the soldiers gave Solim hard looks before reluctantly filing past. Within a few steps, they settled into a brisk pace, rapidly dwindling to distant figures against the backdrop of the monstrous mass of stone on the horizon.

"It seems I’ve embarrassed you," Orion mumbled, giving my head a final pat before lowering his hand.

I shook my head and clung to him, trembling until my face finally cooled and my tail fell still. At last, I gathered my courage and looked up at him. "P-please don’t tease me."

His eyes widened at my expression and he swallowed hard. "Sometimes, you’re just too...too...agh, it’s enough to make my old heart melt."

The last word was a whisper, barely under his breath, but our proximity and my sharp hearing conveyed it clearly. I pushed away from him, blushing yet again, but stumbled and fell back against his arm.

He chuckled softly. "Allow me to see you to your tent."

I nodded helplessly, wishing it were Fable, instead. Even with his disposition to abandon me when I needed him, there was nothing I wanted more at this moment than curling up in his fur. There was so much to think about, so much to do, and I still hadn’t managed to find Korra.

As if on command, I felt his presence approaching through the bond. By the time we reached the tent, he crested the rim of the valley. I stared in shock, nearly tripping on my next step, to see he was in full battle form. His silver fur was crusted in bile, and his jaws he clutched an enormous...mandible?

"What the hell?" Orion muttered. "Is that...yours?"

I nodded, unable to find my voice. Fable dropped the gruesome trophy and howled, shattering the peace of the valley. Picking it up again, he bounded toward the camp, shaking blood and core from his coat with every step.

Soldiers poured out of the tents and from across the fields. Fable ignored their alarmed shouts and confused formations, leaping over their heads and alighting nearby. He dropped the mandible and condensed, returning to "regular" wolf size. A heartbeat later, he pushed Orion aside and nuzzled my face lovingly, his tongue flicking out to dab my cheek.

"About time," I grumbled, but despite my harsh words, tears welled up in my eyes and I threw my arms around him. Fortunately, his transformation left the grime behind, leaving his fur soft and silky, just perfect for a snuggle.

"I...I needed you..." I sniffed, holding back tears. "Korra...and the inquisitors...and Orion..."

Orion cleared his throat. "Not sure how I got on that list..." He took a step back as I glared, then chuckled. "Alright, fine. I guess I deserve it. Anyway, I suppose I’d find out whatever it is your dog brought home. Rest up. I have a sneaking suspicion there’ll be some excitement tomorrow."

I nodded and rested my head against Fable’s shoulder, soaking in his warmth. After a few seconds, I struggled to my feet and pushed through the tent flap. Fable followed me in and curled up against the bed, raising a leg invitingly. Rolling my eyes, I collapsed against him. He rested his great head on my lap, and I idly stroked his fur, running my fingers around his horns.

"And just what were you up to all day? I nearly died!" As much from embarrassment as from inquisitors, I added silently.

He huffed and closed his eyes, relaxing beneath my ministrations. He was tired, exhausted, in fact. I softened my touch, realizing he hadn’t been slacking off either.

"You’re worried about her, aren’t you? Did you find one of the crawlers to fight to practice? So it won’t happen again?"

He rolled his head in my lap so he could stare at me with one of his starry eyes. I nodded and patted his cheek.

"Me too. She saved us, Fable. We can’t afford to let her down again."

With that conviction burning in my chest, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Together, girl and wolf, we drifted off to sleep, prepared to face whatever the next day brought.