Blue Flames and Grey Ash

Page 26

    I don't know how long I was asleep, but I heard something disturbing the horse. While keeping my eyes closed for a few moments, I looked through the blue flames that were around the camp and noticed that it was something that the guards could not see. So I grabbed my knife from underneath the seat and looked toward Master Andrew's tent; he was still asleep. So I quickly opened my eyes, left the wagon, walked carefully to the horses, and noticed they were trying to move away from the trees and were very stressed. "Hold on, guys. I'll move you somewhere else," I told them. When I got closer, I noticed some of the ground started sinking, so in a slight panic, I grabbed most of them and took them to a safer area. When I got to Aron, the ground entirely caved in; thankfully, Aron was not caught in it with me, though he started making his stressed calls.

    I felt a slight pain in my body and nothing; I am sure I didn't scream out when I fell. I heard Andrews's voice trying to soothe Aron's temperament. "It's ok, calm down; if you are not careful, the ground will cave under us. Let's get you somewhere safe," Andrew told him, though his voice seemed too far away. Though I could not move nor call out to him, it felt like something was crushing me. I felt dirt falling onto my face, and with each speck, my ribs felt as though they were being destroyed. Though it was very dark, I could tell my vision became blurry. I heard a snap and then a red flicker heading my way. "Kludde? Crap, hold on, I will try to get you out," he told me though his voice sounded far away. I heard twigs breaking and something being cut, and my body felt lighter. "Hold on, I almost have it," he told me while cutting whatever was on me. It did not take long for him to get me free; as soon as I felt his arms around me, I passed out.

    When I woke up, I was nowhere near the camp, or the landslide, and a fire was crackling. Something was cold on my forehead, and my body was still pretty heavy, though somehow I managed to sit up, and a cloth fell onto my lap. "I am still at the bottom of the cliff," I whispered as I looked around. I was by myself, and I couldn't help but feel like I was left behind. However, I was worried that any dog would see me in this weakened state. If they did, I could never lead them after my mother steps down or dies. The weak are always cast out, though a strange thought crossed my mind. I would no longer be considered a Mist after this boy shows he is a man; he could have whatever title he wanted, making me whatever he was. Though there was no sign of him, I couldn't help but wonder if he left me for my stupidity and weakness. That thought vanished when I saw him bringing firewood out of the patch of woods. "how are you feeling?" he called out. "Can't complain, though. I am not too sure what happened," I told him. "Well, I am guessing the Snare made the ground cave in, and when you fell, it wrapped around you," he told me. "Thankfully, through the years, My brother and father taught me how to make a limited antidote using the leaves. Though if you make it wrong, it could be poisonous," he told me. 

    "I see; even poisonous, I would be immune. At a very young age, we are given different poisons." I informed him. "Well, that's good to know; after all, everything I know how to make could be poisonous," Andrew told me, and I couldn't help but laugh at his facial expression. "Well, at least you don't have to worry about giving anything to me," I told him, and he chuckled a bit. "Well, sorry if I wind up giving you anything you're not immune to." He told me, and I couldn't help but laugh a bit. "It would be nothing new, to be honest; my mother has been trying to kill me since I turned six years old," I informed him. "Some mother," he sighed out. "It's all good, thanks to her. I am immune to most poisons and torture." I told him, and he gave me a blank stare. "That is not a normal mother and child relationship," he pointed out. "At least that's not what I have seen," Andrew clarified. "So you never met your real mother?" I asked him. "No, My father said that she died giving birth to me," he told me while stocking the fire. "I am sorry to hear that," I told him. "It is alright, though we should get out of here soon," he announced. "Yeah, given that it will start raining soon," I told him. "How can you tell? I don't see any clouds," he asked me. "The smell of the air," I told him while getting up slowly. "Wow, you should have waited. I would have helped you up," Andrew protested. "Young lord, understand this. I've been through a lot worse than Devil Snare strangulation. Besides, I don't rely on anyone that often." I told him. "Maybe it's time for you to learn?" he sighed while pouring water over the fire. "I won't make any promises," I told him.