jealousy in the litter.
She had only responded to the screams because she knew it would bring her to where the Strong Man’s lair was. Now that she knew, she could get started on the best plan to kill him. She retreated into the BioDome to decide her next move.
* * *
Traisk hid behind the wall and looked through a small crack, watching as Keeria snuck around the corner and listened at the door. His heart pounded as he saw her. Despite the dirt, she was stunning. Her long golden hair hung in a tangled braid down her back, and her blue eyes shined from under thick lashes. She held something in her arms and he squinted to see what it was. A porcupine? He bit back a laugh. Yes, a Trained One who made a porcupine into a lapdog while challenging the Maze. This would be quite a story to tell!
For a moment, sadness traveled through him. She wasn't more than a child who clung to her little pet like it was a dolly. A child who knew how to kill. Kal’s words came back again, warning him of their cleverness. The first two really hadn’t provided much of a challenge; they had literally fallen into (or over) his lap. This one, though, would be different.
He followed her out of the underground passageways and into the BioDome, hiding in the shadows. He hoped her little prickly friend wouldn’t give him away as he spied on her. He watched as she sat at a stream and removed her sandals, wincing at the terrible condition of her feet. First Sun was starting to set and he knew it would be getting very cold up here, but still, he waited…
* * *
Keeria yawned and lodged herself in a small rock formation. She had wrapped her swollen feet in leaves smeared with the clear sticky gel from a succulent that was known to contain some healing and antiseptic properties. She guessed that Traisk had started conquering one of her sisters, and hence he would not be watching for her to stab him in the throat. She would just have to wait for the right time to sneak up on him. First Sun had set and the icy cold dampness rolled in. Dressed only in a vest and laced breaches, Keeria shivered. It took a while, but sleep finally consumed her.
“Ow!” she yelped the following First Morning, or perhaps it was Second Morning, as Churros buried itself under her blanket for warmth. She wished she had a monitor.
Wait a minute… Her blanket? Where had that come from? And there was food nearby as well.
Keeria jumped up in a panic, looking around her. Her eyes widened as she looked down; her feet had bandages on them. Real bandages! Who had done this to her? How could she have slept through it?!
The crowd snickered at Traisk’s little joke, their curiosity rising.
Heart racing wildly, she searched for her sword. It was where she had left it. There was even a sharpening stone and some oil left for her. Her poisoned quills had been placed in a puncture proof cylinder with a strap to carry it. Whoever did this wanted her to survive this ordeal, but why? So she could kill the Strong Man? Was it Head Trainer? Or an elder who sought her favor for some reason?
She was famished and ate quickly, choosing to save some food in case she needed it later. Churros nibbled on a fruit core as she gathered her weapons together and tried to walk. It was impossible. Groaning, she sat back down and rubbed her legs.
“Got a problem?” a deep voice asked. Keeria held her short sword steadily in front of her, watching as the monster blocked off all incoming light to her little shelter.
“Only with you, Strong Man. Which one did you conquer?”
“I haven’t decided yet. Can’t you tell?” he asked humorously, gesturing to his cage. He sat a short distance from her. “Sleep well? You seemed to.”
“You were watching me?” She kept her cool as she slowly picked up her blowpipe and loaded it with quills. There was no way he could see her in the dim light.
“Only after I made sure you were
She had only responded to the screams because she knew it would bring her to where the Strong Man’s lair was. Now that she knew, she could get started on the best plan to kill him. She retreated into the BioDome to decide her next move.
* * *
Traisk hid behind the wall and looked through a small crack, watching as Keeria snuck around the corner and listened at the door. His heart pounded as he saw her. Despite the dirt, she was stunning. Her long golden hair hung in a tangled braid down her back, and her blue eyes shined from under thick lashes. She held something in her arms and he squinted to see what it was. A porcupine? He bit back a laugh. Yes, a Trained One who made a porcupine into a lapdog while challenging the Maze. This would be quite a story to tell!
For a moment, sadness traveled through him. She wasn't more than a child who clung to her little pet like it was a dolly. A child who knew how to kill. Kal’s words came back again, warning him of their cleverness. The first two really hadn’t provided much of a challenge; they had literally fallen into (or over) his lap. This one, though, would be different.
He followed her out of the underground passageways and into the BioDome, hiding in the shadows. He hoped her little prickly friend wouldn’t give him away as he spied on her. He watched as she sat at a stream and removed her sandals, wincing at the terrible condition of her feet. First Sun was starting to set and he knew it would be getting very cold up here, but still, he waited…
* * *
Keeria yawned and lodged herself in a small rock formation. She had wrapped her swollen feet in leaves smeared with the clear sticky gel from a succulent that was known to contain some healing and antiseptic properties. She guessed that Traisk had started conquering one of her sisters, and hence he would not be watching for her to stab him in the throat. She would just have to wait for the right time to sneak up on him. First Sun had set and the icy cold dampness rolled in. Dressed only in a vest and laced breaches, Keeria shivered. It took a while, but sleep finally consumed her.
“Ow!” she yelped the following First Morning, or perhaps it was Second Morning, as Churros buried itself under her blanket for warmth. She wished she had a monitor.
Wait a minute… Her blanket? Where had that come from? And there was food nearby as well.
Keeria jumped up in a panic, looking around her. Her eyes widened as she looked down; her feet had bandages on them. Real bandages! Who had done this to her? How could she have slept through it?!
The crowd snickered at Traisk’s little joke, their curiosity rising.
Heart racing wildly, she searched for her sword. It was where she had left it. There was even a sharpening stone and some oil left for her. Her poisoned quills had been placed in a puncture proof cylinder with a strap to carry it. Whoever did this wanted her to survive this ordeal, but why? So she could kill the Strong Man? Was it Head Trainer? Or an elder who sought her favor for some reason?
She was famished and ate quickly, choosing to save some food in case she needed it later. Churros nibbled on a fruit core as she gathered her weapons together and tried to walk. It was impossible. Groaning, she sat back down and rubbed her legs.
“Got a problem?” a deep voice asked. Keeria held her short sword steadily in front of her, watching as the monster blocked off all incoming light to her little shelter.
“Only with you, Strong Man. Which one did you conquer?”
“I haven’t decided yet. Can’t you tell?” he asked humorously, gesturing to his cage. He sat a short distance from her. “Sleep well? You seemed to.”
“You were watching me?” She kept her cool as she slowly picked up her blowpipe and loaded it with quills. There was no way he could see her in the dim light.
“Only after I made sure you were
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