Alora shuddered and let out a whimper. She was lying on her stomach next to the fire, her front paws covering her eyes. Her wings were pressed against her sides, and her hind legs were tucked underneath her, her tail curved around herself in a protective manner. She sniffled and whimpered again, curling her tail even more as she struggled to turn herself into a ball.
Um. Are you alright?
Alora slid her paw down off her left eye, her trembling slit pupils searching for the source of the sound. There was a bald man lying on the ground next to her, looking at her with bright green eyes. Only a whimper ca out in response when she cracked open her mouth.
I, uh, saw what that black dragon did to you, the bald man said. It
As even louder whimper than before left Aloras throat, interrupting the man. All I did was bite his tail! she wailed. And he, he, hes evil!
The man wet his lips with his tongue. Do you want to get back at him?
Are you crazy!? Alora slamd both her front paws on the ground. Miniature earthquakes racked her eyes, and a violent shuddering shook the earth beneath her. What if he punishes again!? She looked around, making sure no one was around. Her heart was thumping so loud that she could hear her blood rushing through her head. She swallowed and crept closer to the man before whispering, Yes. I want to get back at him.
I can help you with that, the bald man said. You see, he and I have quite a bad history.
Wait a minute, Alora said, furrowing her brow. Youre the guy who tried to kidnap Vur. Why do you look so much better?
My bones are still broken, and all my tendons are torn, the man said, still lying on the ground without moving. I can only speak right now. I learned a recovery spell, so as long as Im alive, Ill eventually get better. But that dragon really did quite a number on . I sincerely thought I was going to die.
Alora swallowed. And you can really help get back at Unat him?
Thats right, Zyocuh said. What do you say?
Alora looked around once again to make sure no one was watching. Then she swallowed again. Alright. Lets do it.
***
Mary and Tafel stood next to each other. It was still nightti, their surroundings lit up by the fireball in Tafels hand. In front of the two won, there was a creature that resembled a sheep mixed with a monkey. It had hands with opposable thumbs and legs that resembled a primates, but it was covered in a layer of red wool. It was also dead, ChiRururp thoroughly embedded in its chest. Its eyes were nearly bulging out of its head, its face long like a sheeps. Mary stepped on the creatures stomach and pulled ChiRururp out of its chest. She turned towards Tafel. Can we eat it?
No! Tafel said, almost shouting. You cant eat sothing that spoke!
But all it did was baaa at us before attacking, Mary said. It didnt speak.
It spoke in sheep! Tafel shook her head. Okay, fine. Let rephrase that. You cant eat sothing that so closely resembles a human. She pointed at the dead creature. Besides, its dissolving now.
Mary turned her head. The creature was bubbling like boiling water, losing its form. It turned into a large droplet of jellylike substance before collapsing in on its own weight, bloody liquid seeping into the earth. Mary pouted, and her stomach growled. Why is it so hard to find food?
I actually have food, Tafel said. Why dont we stop here and Ill cook you so?
Marys eyes widened. Weve been hunting for nearly an hour. Why didnt you say sothing earlier?
Tafel raised an eyebrow. I thought you wanted to catch and cook sothing by yourself, she said and reached into a portal, taking out a lump of ice. Inside, there was a frozen cut of at. Isnt that what you said?
I just want to eat! Mary cut down a dead tree and turned it into two makeshift benches. She gathered the branches and tossed them into a neat pile for Tafel to use as firewood. Her brow furrowed. I just want to eat a properly cooked al. Properly. Cooked. You can cook, right?
You know, once you eat enough of it, you get a little used to raw at, Tafel said while lting the chunk of ice in her hands. Alices cooking is terrible, Ill admit. And it took an extrely long ti to get used to it, but at least, she tries? Tafel sighed. Yeah. Theres no redeeming her cooking. She turned to the empress and handed her the cut of at. Can you cook?
Mary shook her head. There are always people around to feed . And when there arent, I walk until I find nice-slling food.
Are you a dog? Tafel took the cut of at back and adding a block of wood onto the pile of branches before setting it on fire. She took out a pot from a portal and placed it on top of the fire before adding water. A generous fistful of salt was dumped into the water.
Wait. Mary pointed at the pot. Is that mithril?
Hmm? Oh, yeah. Tafel nodded and added the at.
Marys eyes widened. Why, no, how? Wait. The fire. Mithril should stop heat. Will it cook?
Theyre phoenix flas, so yeah, Tafel said and nodded.
Wont the branches turn to ash really fast? Mary asked.
I added so firewood, Tafel said with a grimace. Dont worry.
What kind of wood can
Tafel sighed. Dont ask. It hurts to think about it too. She shook her head. All of this stuff cos from Vurs grandmothers kitchen. Well, not the at. Im afraid of what shell have stored away. I dont want to eat sothing, think its delicious, and find out it ca from an extinct creature when I want so more.
Baaa.
Mary grabbed ChiRururp and thrusted it behind herself without looking. The bleating stopped, and sothing toppled over. Mary put ChiRururp down, her gaze firmly locked onto the mithril pot of water that was starting to boil. Tafel stared at the dissolving sheep creature behind Mary. Then she shrugged and resud cooking, adding so vegetables to the pot.
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