The Key to the Warriors (completed)

37Charlie

When I woke again, it was without pain, and the first thing I noticed was that the oppressive, energy-draining heat was gone. My vision was blurry when I first cracked my eyes open, and I startled as they cleared to reveal a girl looking down at me. She had long white hair, thin, angular features, and tall, pointed ears sticking through the locks falling down the side of her face. She was dressed in a scaly-looking silver armor that showed her pale legs and midriff, and boots that rose up her shins.

Feeling vastly confused by my sudden change in surroundings, I slowly sat up, watching as she scooted back, bright lavender eyes narrowed as she gave me a once over.

"It's about time you woke up." She said, and I frowned as I looked at her.

"Where's my brother?" I immediately tried scrambling to my feet, only to have her hand on my shoulder restrain me.

"Relax. He's okay. He's getting water."

"Where am I?"

She sat back on her heels, hands in her lap as she looked down at me. "You're in the Cascades. I found you both passed out in the Boiler while I was collecting limestone. Didn't know if you were alive or not, so I brought you here."

Brows narrowed, I licked my lips in confusion. "The Cascades... I was told no one knew where it was located."

"There's a reason for that. We don't usually trust outsiders."

"Then why bring us here?"

She shrugged. "I had a feeling about you."

And I had feeling I knew what that was but didn't say so. Frowning, I leaned back on my hands, only to jerk up as pain shot through my right arm. I'd nearly forgotten about it. I held it up to see that it had been set straight and rebound, splinted between two silver rods to keep it stable. Looking down, I noticed also that my shoes were missing, and bandages covered the raw skin of my blistered heels.

"Banged yourself up pretty good out there." The girl said. "What were you two doing out there? Longdrop is no place for adventure."

"I'm looking for the Blackfoot giants. I'm hoping to ask for their aid in a coming war."

Her eyes narrowed again. "A war, huh? Well, I don't think you can count on the giants being much help to you. I don't know about wherever you're from, but around here, they're known to only to respond to the Creator. They'll kill anyone else."

I cleared my throat as I nodded. "So I've heard."

"Hey, you're up!"

My eyes whipped to the left to see Zak jogging toward me. His clothes were soaked, skin was clean, hair wet and slicked back as he sank to his knees at my side, relief in his eyes as he looked me over. In his right hand he held a canteen, still dripping wet, and he held it out to me. Without question, I took it, both startled and relieved by the cold water that poured down my throat. I was gasping when I finally lowered it, my eyes on Zak as he took it back.

"Where have you been?"

He gestured to the canteens, and I noticed our packs on the ground beside me as he clipped the water to them. "I woke up about an hour ago." He said. "Rory led me to water so she could treat your arm. How's it feel?"

I wiggled my fingers, wincing as I looked at it. "Sore, but better." My eyes lifted to the girl, who was still looking between us. "You're Rory?"

She nodded and climbed to her feet. Zak did as well and extended a hand to pull me up. It was then that I realized we were surrounded by greenery, tucked under the protection of a large tree with wide, shady branches. Somewhere in the distance, I could hear the crash of a waterfall and chirping of birds, and looking up through the boughs of the tree, I saw a deep blue sky and bright sun.