~Chapter 5: Arrival – Part: 1 ~Nieka~

"Wake up, we're almost there," Takal said mockingly giving her a few gentle shakes.

She stirred and nestled her head deeper into his shoulder, muttering barely auditable "I don't want to go."

"You'll be ok." He whispered then louder said, "Get up we're here."

The horse stopped and he slid off in one smooth motion and lifted Nieka off in a continuation of that same smooth motion. This effectively gave her no time to attempt to dismount on her own or even protest.

She might have complained if her legs hadn't practically given out on her from being in the saddle all day and having never ridden before, even if she had slept through most of it. Not to mention she was still disoriented from just waking up from her deep sleep. It was only his hands that kept her steady until she bent and stretched her legs a few times.

Then as if she'd never needed his help at all she said "I'm fine. I don't need you to hold me."

"Good, then you should be able to walk the rest of the way back by yourself," Takal said sounding quite pleased.

"What? What do you mean the rest of the way?" she asked looking around the dark woods behind him. The sun must have set a good hour ago.

"Turn around," he said. "That is your town; is it not?"

She turned around and just as he had said, there was her town. They were right on the edge of the forest, barely visible to anyone who might look their way. She took a step back and tried to speak but her words came out so weak that even she had trouble hearing them.

She took a deep breath squared her shoulders and trying very hard to believe her own words, said "Good, I'd rather go alone. It will mean less I'll have to explain."

She turned to Tornjak and said. "In case I don't ever get the pleasure of seeing you again, thank you for helping me out, tell the healers thanks for me too." She shook his hand and then turned to Takal

"And to you," she paused not quite sure what to say especially after napping on the abrasive man all day. Finally, she decided on, "thanks for not killing me." Not wanting to risk touching him, though unsure what exactly she was afraid of, she waved rather than shook his hand.

His dark eyes were cold and hard as he stared at her without saying a word. As terrifying as he looked, it gave her the strength she needed to turn and walk away without looking back, at least until she was safely in her room she thought.

She forced herself to walk at a steady pace through the tall wheat fields to the small town below the hill and beside the sea. It may have been night, but light fell over the pale wavy wheat stalks like a silvery ocean. The breeze smelled of tilled earth and ocean air. She looked out across the sea to find it almost as smooth as glass as far as she could see. A long flowing silver stripe reflected the moon's pure light and the familiar sound of small waves washed gently to shore.

For the first time since her capture, she didn't feel confined and she was thankful for this walk alone. She looked up into the open sky, what felt like for the first time, upon the heavens. She walked with her face upturned to the beautiful dark blue sky filled with thousands of twinkling stars. A bright moon was almost full and the few small puffy clouds drifted lazily across the sky.

This had always been Nieka's favorite time of day. And in it she found a peaceful and steady strength that kept her steps even and slowed her racing heart; even as tears fell silently down her face.

As Nieka neared town walking through the tall wheat fields, she saw candles brighten windows, but all the shops were closed and everyone was inside. She was glad there was no one on the streets below to see her crying for her sister who should be looking up at them with her now.

But she had left her behind and she couldn't change that now. How was she ever going to face her parents? She thought about turning around and running as fast as she could back to those trees. Instead, she looked back up to the sky and took a deep breath. Closing her eyes, she thought as hard as she could, as if her sister might be able to hear. I will come back for you, I promise.

Then with a sudden swoosh, a sharp pain spread through her shoulders as claws gripped her tight. She was slowly dragged from the earth and up into the sky rising a little higher with each beat of the demon's great wings.

~Chapter 5: Arrival - Part:1 ~Takal~

From the tree line, Takal stood by his friend and watched one of the most aggravating girls he'd ever met walk away. He should feel relieved to get rid of her but something was nagging at him and he wasn't sure what.

"She is something," Tornjak said.

Takal only grunted and they continued to watch her walk with her face upturned to the sky as she glided steadily through the tall grasses. When she got to the farm plots of wheat and kept on walking he realized she wasn't going to look back. Then he wondered why he'd even care. Her red hair flowing wildly over her shoulders was all that was left visible through the tall wheat.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement. Turning to it he saw a demon flying towards her. He jumped atop Shadow and kicked her into a full gallop knowing full well he'd never make it to her first. The beast swooped down at her like a bird of prey and was on her within seconds.

Takal watched as the demon spread its massive bat-like wings just before snagging the girl by the shoulders. The demon heaved its wings in large slow strokes as it took back to the air with Nieka clutched in its front claws. The demon struggled with the new weight, franticly trying to get higher before the woodsman caught up to it. Takal pulled himself up to stand on Shadow's saddle; one arm extended for balance and the other drawing a knife from his belt.

The enemy flew higher. If he killed the demon the fall would kill the girl. A horrible screech of pain sounded in the distance. Knowing that it must be Torn shooting down another demon with his bow and arrows Takal kept his focus on the target. His opponent on the other hand snapped its head in the direction of its injured kin.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Takal threw his knife into the top of the demon's wing, it pierced through the thick leathery skin and the creature shrieked. Using his magic, he pulled the knife down slicing the wing all the way to the bottom. Another horrifying shriek and the demon and the girl began to spiral down from the sky despite the demon's more frantic flapping.

Takal jumped off his horse and surveyed the area. About a dozen demons were flying towards them. The wounded demon landed on its hind legs. It wrapped one of its two scaly tails around Nieka's arms and waist and the second around her neck; freeing its hands for battle.

Takal drew his Khopesh, a curved short sword but stood still, his mind running through possible outcomes.

"Kill me and the girl dies." The Demon's voice grated out. "Either way you will." It speaks? He'd never believed the legends and he tried hard not to show his shock. He needed to stay focused on the task at hand.

"Kill him"-Nieka shouted then coughed as one of the demon's tails tightened around her neck. Despite her predicament, she continued to plead with her eyes. That's when he finally believed her story without any trace of doubt. She would rather die than go back. She would rather die than let the demon live.

Takal dropped his sword and watched her eyes go from determined to panicked. She really would rather die. He looked away to avoid the pain, fear, and resentment boring back at him and instead glared at the demon. He needed to focus on the knife that had fallen to the ground after ripping through the monster's wing.

The demon laughed. "I thought as much. Too bad she'll never forgive you for the rest of her long life" bile twisted in his stomach at the thought of what that life might entail. The creature laughed and Nieka's eyes bulged with fear.