32 _ Venom.

They were going through a rocky terrain as their horses plodded carefully through the sting path. They were in their way to the Gotchu Kingdom and soon they would get to the Kindjuki Peaks.

Lucian felt the dark tresses teasing his skin as he had his arms around Kaya while holding on to the reins , guiding his sorrel against the rocks. Hikaru was up ahead, leading the way because he was the only one that knew the paths to be taken leaving these two in intimate privacy.

"You are running from someone." She said as a statement than a question.

"Yes." Lucian answered truthfully. "Someone I hope never to see again for as long as I live."

Kaya took in the deepness of his words. The way he spat it out with increasing venom and malice. He truly hated who ever it was that he was fleeing from and at the same time feared him.

"Li Huang ..." She muttered her face carrying a dark expression as Lucian was momentarily startled at the mention of his Father's name as sweat gathered on his brow. Did that mean she...

At that moment his horse neighed loudly as it rose its forelimbs in the air with fright. It began bucking wildly and uncontrollably as it's hooves struck the ground repeatedly as it attempted to free itself and ride off. Lucian held on tightly to the reins and did so to Kaya. The only thing that could frighten such a strong Stallion was a *Shè. With a sudden motion, the steed kicked back its heels and The girl slipped from his grip and fell to the ground with a couple of stones breaking her fall.

Kaya saw the Shè , slithering towards her but could not move. She had twisted or maybe even dislocated her ankle and it hurt badly. The slightest forced movement might reveal her true nature. By the looks of it , the Shè was a Krait which meant she had little hope of survival even with her level of strength again At such poison. With an acquired force , the large reptile sank it's fangs in to her her leg leaving too small punctured holes in her flesh and slid into a nearby coverage in the undergrowth.

Lucian got off his erratic horse and bounded towards her. Hikaru also got of his horse as he tore of a strip from his robe and bound the upper part of her leg so as to prevent the further flow of poison. Lucian sucked out some of the poison and spat it on the ground . Hikaru knew that Krait was a deadly snake and its bites were lethal if the affected individual was not taken to a healer immediately.

Lucian scooped her in his arms as he looked into her face. She was shaking as well as breathing raspily, the brightness in her eyes fading as she was as pale like when he had first met her.

He carried her up and placed her on his calmed horse and jumped in after her. He cradled her against himself as he asked Hikaru. "Where is the nearest Village?"

"But that would be a deviation from our original route." He retorted. "Look at her Lucian! I want to save her as much as you do but even you know that she will be dead in a matter of hours if not minutes."

"Still..." Lucian braced himself with determination as he moved forward. "I have to try."

Hikaru sighed. "Fang Village. North of here. Five minutes at most."

His friend smiled and bowed his head with courtesy. "Thank you Hikaru."

"What ever would you do without me?" He replied as the both set off quickly to the Gang Village. Lucian gazed down on Kaya. She was still but he could still sense that she was alive , her heart beat threading into his own body,

He only hoped they would get there in time and be able to save her.