AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Madison wrinkled her nose, her disgust evident.
“Anlon,” the Fli’at sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “Look at you, pretending to be useful.”
I bristled at the insult, but Anlon remained as stoic as ever. “The Hiikas need feeding,” he replied flatly, nodding to the large sacks of grain stacked in a corner.
The Fli’at rolled his eyes dramatically, chuckling. “Do your job then,old Chi.And quickly. Blood might be spilled this day before too long.”
Anlon bowed slightly, a gesture of mock subservience, and the Fli’at, seemingly satisfied, sauntered off with a smirk.
I noticed his eyes glinting with malevolence.
I felt Madison shiver beside me, her unease palpable.
With the Fli’at gone, Anlon gestured for us to follow.
As we got up to leave, I heard a voice:
“Just going to leave me here, are you? After all we’ve been through?”
I recognized the voice immediately but it still shocked me to hear it coming from an otherwise regular pile of hay.
The mound shivered, revealing Aznai.
The sight of him was jarring.
His once shiny, metallic-like skin was battered, dented, and smeared with lubricants and dust.
His usually bright eyes were dim, but they flickered with recognition as he saw us.
“Lorik,” he rasped, relief evident in his mechanical voice.
I felt a surge of emotion, a mix of guilt and anger.
He had been captured and harmed because of me.
Rushing to his side, I examined him.
While his external injuries were evident, I hoped his internal organs were still functioning.
I ran my fingers over the dents, feeling the cold, damaged scales beneath my fingertips, tasting the unmistakable metallic tang of blood in the air.
“Can you move?” I asked gently.
He attempted to sit up, his movements slow and strained. “I can,” he replied. “But it will take some time to regain full mobility.”
Madison knelt beside him, her face full of concern. “We’ll get you out of here,” she promised, her voice thick with emotion.
As Anlon prepared the Hiikas for our escape, I tried to help Aznai to his feet.
Anlon returned with two Hiikas saddled and ready.
They stomped impatiently, their breaths visible in the cool morning air, their unique scents a mix of musk and the sweet plants they consumed.
“We must leave quickly,” Anlon urged. “The Fli’at will be back, and we can’t risk being seen.”
With Aznai between Madison and me, we made our way to the Hiikas.
Their soft fur manes bristled under my hands, and I could feel their powerful muscles twitch in anticipation.
