Page 109 of The War and Deceit Series omnibus

“Vaeril!” I cry out, trying to untangle myself from him and rolling him over onto his back.

His face is red, and when I place a hand on his temple, I realise he’s feverish. He lets out a pained noise, his eyes closed, and starts to mutter something. Lowering my ear to his mouth, I try to make out what he’s saying.

“Must keep going...have to make her... safe.”

Leaning back on my heels, I take a deep breath and screw my eyes shut for a minute, needing to push aside my panic.Think, Clarissa, think. My heart is pounding and I know he’s dying, I can feel it in the pull between us.

“Vaeril, you are not going anywhere, stay with me,” I shout, as I look around us. I have no idea where we are or how far away Galandell is, but I know I need to get there. Scrambling to my feet, I grab him under his shoulders and pull, dragging him in the direction we’d been walking. Tears roll down my face, but Idon’t care. I know something integral within me will break if he dies, and I’m not sure I would ever get over that.

What was the point in opening my heart and letting people in if they’re just going to die?

I can feel I’m reaching my limits. My limbs shake, and as I trip over a root, I tumble to the ground in a heap. Pushing up into a kneeling position, I know what I need to do, it’s the only option that’s left. Bowing my head, I hold out my hands in the gesture of praise.

“Please, Mother, help me, guide me—I don’t know what to do.”

I feel her presence near me, but it’s weak, and I remember what she said, that she wouldn’t be able to help me here. I’m on my own.

“Miss?”

I spin at the unfamiliar voice, crouching over the elf to protect him from any potential threats. I can’t see anyone, and I wonder if I was just hearing things when a throat clears, pulling my attention to a pile of brambles and twigs.

“Miss, are you okay?” The voice is scratchy and whispery, like they have not used it in a long time. The brambles start to move, and I see a pair of small, glowing orange eyes. My own eyes widen as the creature stands and takes a couple of steps towards me.

It comes up to about knee height on me, has thin, spindly limbs that I had mistaken for twigs, and the twisting brambles make up its body. It has pale, bark-like skin, and a sweet face with a button nose and pointed chin. Large, bat-like ears protrude from its head, which it tilts to one side as it examines me in return.

“Who are you?” I ask quietly, as I try to determine if the creature is friend or foe.

“I am Stix,” he replies, a smile appearing on his face as he gestures to his stick-like limbs. I get the feeling he’s not going to hurt me, and a thought strikes me.

“Was it you who has been leaving us food and water?”

He nods proudly before gesturing to the empty forest around us. “Me and my friends.”

I feel like there are lots of small eyes on me, and I have to fight the urge to shudder over being watched. Smiling, I dip my head in thanks and hope it seems genuine.

“Then please pass on our gratitude.” They’ve helped us ever since we arrived, and I had never even seen them. Vaeril moans behind me and I turn back to Stix. “My friend is very unwell, do you know how I can help him?” My voice sounds pleading, but I don’t care, I need to find a way to heal him.

Stix takes another small, tentative step towards us, frowning down at Vaeril and crinkling his nose up in disgust. “High elves never do anything to help us.”

Any hope I had suddenly dies at the look he gives the elf. Kneeling so I’m at the same height as the creature, I scrub my face, wiping away the tears.

“He’s my friend, and without him, I’m lost and we can’t get to Galandell.” I don’t go into any more detail or tell him that my heart feels like it’s going to break with every second that passes.

My comment makes him pause as he tilts his head to one side again as he considers me. “If I help him, I help you?”

“Yes, please help,” I plead.

There’s another pause, and then he raises his branch-like hand to his mouth and makes a piercing whistle. Rustling fills the air, and creatures like Stix just seem to appear out of nowhere. They all vary vastly, the only aspect in common is their height and large ears. Some of them have skin that looks like rock, others have small, delicate horns, and a couple look likethey are made entirely of leaves. Stix says something to them in a grinding language, and they all walk over to Vaeril.

“Stix, what are they doing?” I ask nervously, wondering if I should be worried or trying to get them off him. They don’t seem to be particularly fond of the high elves.

“I take you to lake,” Stix announces proudly, and seemingly as one, the creatures lift Vaeril and start slowly plodding through the forest. I hurry after Stix who appears to be leading the way.

“A lake?” I question, wondering how far away this lake is. Surely I would have heard it if it was close by.

How is going to a lake going to help us?

“Yes. Cave there, shelter,” he tells me happily. “Tell the kelpie, ‘She’s returned,’ they’ll get you nos weed. It will help elf.”

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