Page 109 of The Delver
Though he knewthey were nearing Kaldarak, Urkot didn’t allow himself any solace. Not until the winding steps that led around the massive trunk of a tree and up into the city were in view. The sight was enough to coax a relieved sigh from Callie and quicken Urkot’s stride despite his overwhelming weariness. His sleep had been fitful at best; to his mind, every one of the jungle’s sounds might’ve been a spiritstrider out for vengeance.
But Urkot and Callie were safe now.
Callie, who sat astride his hindquarters with her arms around his midsection, pressed her forehead to his back. “We’re home.”
He caressed her right leg with his lower hand, giving her knee a squeeze. The heat radiating from her skin was much greater than normal.
She had called it a fever, the result of her body fighting off a sickness that had settled into her wounds. He’d felt the beginnings of that heat in the middle of the night, had felt her shifting against him weakly, restlessly, had felt the cold sweat dampening her skin, and he had heard her soft, pained moans. Her sleep had been as broken as his own.
Callie had assured him that the injections she’d received on Earth would let her overcome the sickness. That didn’t alleviatehis worry. He did not like seeing his mate ill, and he seethed at his helplessness. He understood exactly what Ketahn had gone through when sweetfang root had sickened Ivy.
Fear.
What if the injections weren’t enough? What if her body couldn’t overcome this, what if he lost her? The only one who could help, the only one he trusted to help, was Diego, and Urkot needed to get Callie to him fast.
The pair of male thornskulls guarding the stairway spotted Urkot as he strode into the open. Even from a distance, their surprise was apparent, with the yellow one crossing his forearms in the symbol of the Eight.
The other male, green of hide, shouted up to the thornskulls standing guard high above. “Three-Arm has returned!”
It wasn’t long before more voices rang out, spreading the message across Kaldarak.
“They sound happy to see you,” Callie said.
“Perhaps they have prepared a feast for us?” The emptiness in his gut expanded at his words, begging to be filled.
She patted his stomach. “Think of all the fresh meat you’ll get to eat.”
Urkot chittered, grateful Callie was well enough to jest with him. But he’d heard the weariness in her voice.
The guards strode toward Urkot and Callie, meeting them several segments away from the lowest step. Urkot knew them both well; he’d hunted with them before.
“By their Eightfold eyes,” said Elharat, the yellow thornskull. “We thought yourshar’thaiburned out.”
The green thornskull, Okkor, shifted his spear aside as his eyes fell upon Callie. He touched a knuckle to his headcrest and bowed his head. “Thehyu-nanlives also.”
“And the others?” Urkot asked, looking from Elharat to Okkor.
A low, mournful buzz emanated from Okkor. “Ours and yours tried to move the fallen rocks. With all theirshar’thai, they tried.”
“It is true beneath sun and sky,” Elharat added solemnly.
“But more rock fell before they found anyone. You are first to return.”
“We’re it?” Callie asked in English, her voice small and weak.
Turning his head to look at her over his shoulder, Urkot offered a shallow nod.
She frowned, brows pinched. “I knew it wasn’t likely, but I’d hoped…hoped at least someone else got out.”
“Me too,” he rumbled, placing a hand over hers atop his middle.
She was still shivering, and she didn’t sound any better than when they’d set out with the first hints of morning light.
Urkot returned his gaze to the thornskulls and said in vrix, “I must take her to Diego for healing.”
Each thornskull stepped aside, touching a knuckle to his headcrest, and waved Urkot on. As he strode to the steps, there was a commotion far overhead. He ascended quickly, ignoring the burning in his legs, the haggardness of his breath.
Soon enough, they could rest. Just a little longer, a little further.
