The next morning they left to the mountains. Sharp jolts coursed through her back as she stood. Should be healed by now.

Through the white ... all that was visible was Parcival's blue cloak flapping in the wind. A strong gust pushed her back.

He took hold of her hand, then turned and plowed ahead.

Han slid back keeling as another gust pushed on them.

She extended her hand to him.

Han took it mouthing: 'Thanks.'

She nodded.

They linked as a chain and proceeded up the path.

The blizzard reduced visibility to only a few feet. She squinted hard. A punishment from Olenus?

Gripping Parcival's shoulder, she pointed to the left at a large fissure on the mountainside, everyone squeezed into the opening.

She exhaled and shivered.

"I want to ask you something," Parcival said.

She gingerly laid back against the stone. "What is it?" Her shoulders tensed.

He faced to the side quiet for a moment.

"You died. I saw it. The priest was crazy, but still, without him, you'd still be dead."

Merryn fiddled with a loose threadbare tie on her boot.

"He hurt me." She clenched her jaw. Not hating him was hard. She breathed in and whispered a quick prayer.

His brow deepening between his eyes, the ridges gave a deeper air of seriousness than usual.

"I want you to come with me. This infection is causing something, it's damaging more than just your body."

Infection? You could be called that.

Doubt it.

"And, where?"

"Back to my city Luna-jer."

"I doubt much could be done. I'll think about it. That's enough talk. I need to rest."

Leaning back, she fell asleep as soon as her eyes closed.

####

When the storm stopped it was nighttime.

They exited the crack.

Finally. Further, up the path, it widened dipping into a small cavern opening.

The storm moaned one last time as if in lament to its end. A few feet later the opening widened. Standing and, dusting off her clothing.

"Wow, look at the size of this place." Parcival leaned over and whistled. "Deep too."

Two large wooden pegs were in front where the path ended, a rope ladder hung off the ends of them down into the lightless depths.

Hmm. Going to need a bright one, that's for sure. Instead of just waving her hands, she traced a rune on her palm with a bit of charcoal in a pouch. Blood was best for this, but this will do. She pressed both palms together and envisioned the light globe.

"Luminous!"

The runes warmed on her palms before fading away, spent.

"If we go this path we should be out of these caves by nightfall," Parcival said.

####

They made their way through a passageway on the right that winded down further.

A low and deep growling sound about mid-bridge. Her ears stood straight up.

Not good. Everything was still stiff and hurt, so casting the speed spell would probably break the bones again.

The beast smiled. Saliva dripped from its canines.

Really sharp fangs. Mouth dry she rolled her tongue around. It took up most of the cavern, it's tail curled to its paws.

"Backup. Back up now. No! Don't freeze up. Move!"

The beast sighed. It stretched its limb over to Han. With surprising agility, it hooked, its claw under Han's belt dangling him over the bridge.

"I wonder what you taste like. Sweet or salty?" It paused to lick the drool that dripped off its lip. It sniffed Han.

Think, damn it.

Han kicked at its nose, missed and spun around, but his shirt twisting.

"I taste awful very rotten. Like Jupern Berries."

Ah!

The beast licked Han's side.

"You don't taste like them." Tilting its head and opening its jaws wide, it dangled Han over its gaping maw.

Merryn gripped the bridge's sides and went closer.

"Surely, you don't want such a puny, hairy, man thing as that in your mouth, do you?"

Standing tall she struck a flippant pose.

"Don't eat me!" Han said. He shook violently.

The beast narrowed its eyes at her, "You are in no position to decide, snippet!"

"A suggestion, nothing more." She shrugged. Masking the pain from her face, as the back complained.

It brought Hans feet inside his mouth. Han covered his eyes and shuddered, his tail proofed out, quivering.

"By no means, would I dare to tell one as great as you what to do with a meal. It's just that-oh, never mind."

Her fingers icy cold she forced them to unfurl before turning aside. Hoping its curiosity was as great as its pride.

Parcival's eyebrows raised high at this, then he nodded at the beast.

"I've heard his kind gives such terrible heartburn, not that you'd have to worry about that."

The Behemoth closed its mouth while scratching behind a furry ear. It sat there with a stony glare.

"You remind me of another annoying forest elf. In fact, you look exactly like her." It swished its tail.

"A meal will help, I never think well on an empty stomach."

It brought Han nearer to its face, then bounced him on its talon. "Heartburn doesn't bother me."

"You are mistaken, oh great one. For this is our first meeting."

She shrugged. "You deserve far better than a stringy cat-man." You overgrown rat.

Its eyes were slits as thin as a razor's edge.

"My hunger dulls my mind, unlike your flattery, that is clear. You sound and act much like her. Do not insult my intelligence."

Think, hurry up. She held her hands out, palms faced up. She smiled and tried to look honest.

"It is no flattery! You are truly grand, I've never seen the like. Now you insult mine honor."

The cavern filled with a deep guttering rumbles.

Oh, it's laughing!

The creatures grinned, showing it's umpteen double rows of pointed teeth.

"You know, he does look as if he'd be stringy."

She tilted forward.

"Well, if you'd like I could find you something more appetizing." While smiling sweetly at it.

Sweat trickled down the back of her neck.

Its eyes gleamed. Without a word, it placed Han down on the ledge. In an instant, it hooked her under the band of her leather armor and now she dangled over the bridge.

"You're so very right. Why eat that, when another that's so plump and meaty is so close?"

It poked a claw at her breast and her legs. The stench of its breath was vile.

She tried to slow her breaths and stay calm. "Y-o-ou misunderstood me. What of the fleshy Graluv's that graze outside, in the valley below?"

It huffed at her wetting her cheeks with snot, "Hoo-Hoo! What? And let three easy meals go?"

It poked at the wall next to it with a claw easily. It swung her over to the hole, and with its other paw jammed the tip of her shoulder armor into the hole, locking her in place. The creature reached for Parcival and turned its head.

Marryn twisted, kicked and pushed on the stone. Arrg!

Han stood up, his knees together. He pulled out his saber from his belt loop running up to the beast, jumped and slashed out with his saber. A direct hit cut its nose wide open. Blood squirted out and ran down.

Nice.

"Get him, Han!"

Han winked and made an exaggerated bowing motion complete with hand roll.

So cheeky! She smiled working at the stone around her shoulder. She dug a dagger into a crack. The stone wouldn't budge. Sawing on the leather while watching the beast.

The blow not powerful enough to do any real damage, but it had to hurt.

The creature turned to roar in Han's face.

Her ears rang.

Han cupped his ears.

The beast's eyes smoldered. It smashed the top of the exit to the right with its paw.

The cave wall broke into chunks and blocked the exit. It flipped its tail, sending Han over the side into the depths.

"Han!"

She pulled, on the stuck armor. Break already! The Behemoth laid its paw on top of her and snorted.

She froze.

"Ah, so you do care for the ocelot one."

She sniffed indulgently. "Ha! Of course not. Would a dog care for a flea?"

"Hey, I resent that," Han said.

Parcival began to pad to the other end of the bridge.

Infernum's short whiskers twitched. He snaked around shoving his face into Parcival's. His breath fogged up Parcival's thick circlet.

"Not so quiet as you imagined you were human."

He grabbed at him with its gigantic free paw. It tossed him against the wall where he smashed into it. He slid down against it, stunned.

She hacked at the armor, it split and cracked, one last tug.

"Your honor is but a sham!"

Infernum turned to scrutinize her, "What do you know of honor? I the mighty Infernum am honorable! It is you who has none entering my home without permission!"

She tugged, dropping down.

Infernum wrapped its tail around Parcival's torso, hanging him upside down. Parcival's sword slipped free of its scabbard and ricocheted off the edge the ledge.

Parcival gripped Infernum's tail tightly. "Merrlyn!"

The Ancient-heart inched up again. Calm down. Calm down.

"Let him down. Or you will rue this day." Her voice lowered an octave, she punctuated each word slowly.

No.

Stop distracting me.

She pulled her daggers out of their sheaths.

"I don't bargain. Tell me now, or watch him die like the other," Infernum said.

"I'm done being nice. Pucker formallys and pucker the blow to you!"

She raced over to him, bounding over, jumped on his hindquarters, and landed on his back. Then yanked his furry ear.

Her dagger split its ear in half. Black blood oozed from the wound.

Infernum roared.

"You little Brat!"

She scrabbled forward leaning over the top of its head pointing a dagger between his eyes.

"Then how 'bout this, let us see how far I can plunge this into your brain. Does that suit you better?"

Infernum's eyes crossed. "I'll give you twenty-four hours to leave my cavern."

"Perhaps now is not the time to argue with him," Parcival said.

He arched his arms behind him, in an attempt to keep the cape from wrapping around his face.

"I'll make you a deal. Interested?" I beg you Olenus, help us.

"A deal with my lunch? Now you insult me!"

He swung Parcival like a pendulum.

She turned her head. "Well then, Infernum we have nothing to discuss, finish it."

"Ah, the little priestess remembers. This pleases me, that you choose the truth."

Infernum set Parcival down on the ledge next to her. It rolled its eyes and snorted.

"What could you possibly have to interest me?"

A quick glance at Parcival, still there, good.

"I was thinking that very thing. I was thinking how vulnerable you must feel when sleeping."

"Is that a threat?" He growled, blowing hot breath from his muzzle.

"Oh, no, it's just well-them."

"Them? Who is them?"

He pinched her shoulder with the points of two claws. She winced.

"Didn't you hear? You must have by now!"

"little elf tell me or ..." He let Parcival slip before tightening the tail.

"Let him go, and I'll tell you."

"Let him go?" He dangled Parcival further over the abyss.

"Them. The rumors in the towns lately, someone or something has been killing off the big five. So far three are dead. The last dragon, chimera, and unicorn."

Before he replied she leapt off, landing by Parcival, slashed

"It's about time. Have any idea how much that hurt?"

She elbowed him in the ribs. "Shut up, and jump!"

"I'm not jumping down there!" he looked at her with wide eyes.

I thought he had caught on? She pulled on his arm, sending him over the edge. Then dove after him.

"Little Elvin! Finish what were to say, or burn!

Marryln fell for what felt like an eternity, then splashed into a deep lake in the cavern. She swam up breaking the surface, then gasped drawing in a burning breath.

Han is there at the edge of the water sitting on his haunches shivering.

Immediately, Parcival whizzed down, smashing his chest on a small ledge. He bounced off it, splashed into the lake and sank. Dregs of the chamber pot! Is he dead? Don't be dead ...

She dived after him. She wrapped her arms around his chest and fought against his weight, while her lungs screamed for air. She pulled him, dragging him to the edge of the lake.

Han jumped out of the lake and helped.

"Have to get his chest armor off, and check him for any injuries."

Han pointed to the large dent on the side of the armor.

She pushed him upright and undid the buckles on the left side. He flopped out onto his back, groaning.

"Sit him up again."

With him upright again, he worked the vest padding off and rolled up his shirt.

His right side was red, swollen and already turning a blueish green. Han ran his furry hands up and down his sided, making softly mewing. The tip of his tail twitched.

"Feels like he has about three ribs broken. Come on lets us move him over here. I'll start healing him." He pointed to a dry area ahead.

"This is going to take a while, stand guard."

"All right."

He chanted a spell, then spread his hands, placing them on Parcival's side.

A few hours after, she paced the cavern from the edge of the lake to the northern wall.

Later that morning Han stopped and rolled down Parcival's shirt.

Parcival moaned.

"Don't move!" Han pushed on his chest. "You're still healing, rest."

He grunted. "Oy! That beast, completely distasteful. How long have I been out?"

"About twenty-eight hours," she said. Distasteful? A corner of her lip quirked. A novel way to take it.

They locked looks. He seemed colder, more distant. Must be angry, I let him fall.

The cavern above rumbled and a handful of rocks came tumbling down. A blast of air wormed its way down the cavern tunnel Growing louder each second. She covered her ears.

Parcival pushed himself upright and clenched his jaw. "Let's go."

"You're going to hurt yourself, lay down!" Han said.

His tail swished back and forth. As another roar torpedoed down throughout the cave and his ears flattened.

"You can't heal what's dead. I'll look for a way out you stay with him."

Merryn searched around the area by the lake, there were no passageways to be seen, only a dead end.

Walking back over to the lake she knelt down, and peered deep into the water, spying what looked like another cavern entrance.

"Over here!"

"I'll follow you later, give me a few minutes."

"I thought you were tougher than that."

She ran over to him pulling his left arm over her shoulder and helped him up.

"Come on, move!"

Han ran back over to the cavern wall ahead, where his pack is on the ground.

"Han, leave it," she said.

"I need it! Go, I'll be right behind you."

They worked their way down to the underwater cavern entrance, that is off to the right.

Several seconds later, there's a dull thump from above, the whole cavern rumbled and they dodged several stalactites that came crashing down.

She swam between the falling ones and prayed to the wind spirits to grant her haste. She lost a little air, and bubbles came out of her mouth.

Parcival nodded. He took some weight off of her by leaning to the right.

So tired. She slowed but kept going.

She gripped his hand that hung down on her shoulder and went deeper forward dodging the falling chunks.

Behind her, she spotted Han struggling to swim far back behind her.

Infernum a sleek linear forum twisted in the water.

It whipped its tail out in front, just missing taking Hans head off.

Han's eyes bulged and a few bubbles escaped his mouth. He swam frantically.

The falling stalactites and chunks of cavern ceiling that came crashing down.

Infernum hidden behind the screen of murky water whipped his tail at Han.

The cavern ahead became another long tunnel. An opening, the blue sky reflected on the surface.

She pointed ahead. Parcival nodded. Gripping him tight she pushed him and tossed his cute butt out of the water. Ah, feel strong again. He must have stopped taking the energy.

He landed with a thump outside.

She heard him yelling at her but ignored him. She took a deep breath and dived back down. Her arms ached it was hard to move.

Where is he? She went back the way they came and looked around. There he is.

He was crouched under several large clumps seaweed, that bent over hiding him.

She propelled over to him and pushed down through the water. Humm. She floated a foot above Han. Both ways were clear.

Merrlyn swam over to Han jostling him. She pointed at the exit. He nodded and swam off.

There was a tightness on her ankle that started pulling her down. Need air! She struggled to get away, it was a fight not to give in to the burning lungs demanding air.