Ride Like The Wind

"So, do you know what exactly we're going to pick up at this temple?" Val asked while fiddling with a blade of grass and walking. "It's not going to be like that magic cave, will it?"

Sparrow sighed in response. "The Temple of Light no longer has any attendants. Much like the cave, the most dangerous and powerful artifacts are hidden away by magic. Unfortunately, I don't know the specifics, as nothing was ever written."

"Well, who needs instructions, when your life is on the line." Val joked half heartedly. She truly wished that she could just rid herself of this curse. Then she wouldn't have to worry about all of this. But of course, life had other plans.

They had been having quite a pleasant journey since leaving the cave. For the most part, the party kept to the forest, but they made a few stops to pick up supplies and a break from the elements. This went on for a couple of weeks. They only needed to cross the plains dominated by the dragons.

Val did wonder if she would cross paths with Cosmo. The man was a horrible conversationalist, but he was easy on the eyes. She really felt like a shallow woman at times, but perhaps it's fine when you have no intention of forming lasting attachments.

Mild curiosity wasn't the only thing keeping her thoughts preoccupied. For a few days, she has felt a burning sensation. It started in her hand with the marking, but slowly, it spread up her arm. She could feel it in her bones.

Sparrow tried what she could to help Val with the pain. Unfortunately, her magic had reached its limit. Val appreciated her efforts, but found it hard to go on. Eventually, they were able to get Val on the horse and her belongings strapped to the animal as well.

Sparrow didn't express her concerns, but she didn't think Val was going to last the whole journey. The curse was the strongest she's ever seen. Their pace slowed down considerably. It was setting them back beyond her comfort.

Their journey continued on this way as they neared the plains. They were only a half a day's walk, but with night approaching, they were forced to stop. Val was now feverish and hardly conscious.

"What am I going to do with you?" Sparrow spoke at Val. She then turned to Lycos. "Keep an eye out. Those mindless hounds will probably catch up with us soon. We can't let them get close before crossing into dragon territory."

Lycos bowed his head and left. Sparrow continued to wipe Val's sweat and tried to feed her. Before long, she turned down for the night. It wouldn't do any good for her to be tired in the morning.

Just before dawn, it was eerily quiet, except for something that felt like a chant. Val was mumbling to herself as if to wake herself from a terrible dream. The horse began to whine and buck along with her. Sparrow arose with a sense of dread. The ground began to rumble.

"Lycos!" Sparrow called out anxiously. "Come here, now!"

The response she got was a howl. Trouble was nearing. Sparrow spared no time preparing to leave. Val sheepishly grabbed the staff, and both women sat on the horse's back. As if reading their minds, he dashed towards the plains at a breakneck speed.

Sparrow held on for dear life. Though the sun began to rise, shadows were all around. What could be heard was a series of snarls, grunts, and hissing. Not only human puppets, but it seems that creatures of pure black magic were nipping at their heels. Sparrow tried to throw fireballs at them, but it was of no use.

The horse never faltered, but several creatures clawed at his legs. Sparrow was too drained to help. Lycos seemed to have been lost entirely. Despite the speed, they wouldn't reach the plains in time.

Suddenly, Val sprang to life. She was glowing from head to toe. Her grip on the staff tightened.

"Ecus, left!" Val commanded, and the horse immediately followed with vigor.

"What are you doing!?!" Sparrow exclaimed in disbelief. "We need to head to the plains!"

Val didn't respond, or perhaps she couldn't respond. She seemed to be somewhere else. She placed both hands on either side of the horse's neck. Her entire body produced sparks with a greater concentration on her hands.

"Hold tight." Was all the warning she gave Sparrow. Sparrow held onto Val and closed her eyes. In an instant, she felt her stomach hurl as they were defying nature at a speed unknown to her.

'What is this?' Sparrow could only think to herself. 'I have only seen such talent from Master. How much power does she hold, if she can do this without training? Hopefully we can survive this and see what secrets she holds.'