Exile's Hope (BlueSteel Series) by David Liberto

Author:David Liberto [Liberto, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mustardseed Realms
Published: 2024-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

I

Gossama awoke to TwoStems shaking her shoulder. Still sitting with her back against the stone hallway, she looked up to find both Dasari males on their feet. As she lifted her head, pain spasmed down her right arm and upper back. She hadn’t forgotten what had happened, and now she would have lovely reminders for days.

“Gossama, where are we?”

She took a small sip from her water pouch. “Inside the mountain. An upper level from where we entered.”

FallingLeaf knelt by her side. “You made it out of the cavern? You pulled us out?”

Gossama explained what had happened while they were unconscious.

TwoStems shook his head. “How did you stand it?”

She still had light-headedness from the mandra exposure, but she was proud of her resistance.

“What choice did I have? Got the job done.”

“But at what cost?” FallingLeaf asked.

“Oh, I have my injuries. The slairn sliced into my arm and back.” Gossama made a twirling motion with her finger to FallingLeaf, who obediently turned away. She turned toward the wall and pulled up her shirt, revealing her wounded back to the elder Dasari.

TwoStems grunted. “This will take some time to heal.”

Gossama winced as cold water washed the wound, and then relaxed as the elder prepared and applied the Dasari healing salve from their supplies. With her back still toward her teacher, she assisted him in wrapping the dressing around her torso. Afterward, TwoStems also placed a dressing over the wound on her right upper arm. “Thank you,” she said as she replaced her torn shirt and cloak against the chill. “You may turn around now, FallingLeaf.”

The youngling complied. “I missed out on a lost one and a reyuul. Did I qualify for an assist?”

“Why are you trying to keep score?” TwoStems said, repacking his supplies.

“Says the elder who slept through most of today and got caught in a bubble in the last fight.”

Gossama covered her mouth as she snorted and recovered by picking up her small travel pack. FallingLeaf was something else.

TwoStems aggressively slung his pack over his shoulder. “I’ve got three hundred years on you, youngling. I didn’t make elder by sleeping on a tree branch, but don’t worry; I won’t forget that comment.”

FallingLeaf opened his mouth and then closed it.

“We need to get moving. With Filemon gone, I can sense other lost ones lurking,” Gossama said.

“How do we get out of here? Better yet, is there anything here worth taking?” FallingLeaf asked.

“Stop acting like a human. No. Anything here will just be tainted, just like at Trint’s compound. Reyuul will never offer you anything of value,” TwoStems replied.

Gossama had considered it as well. “Filemon might have more information on my father or the Hill Towns. He held thousands of enchanted prisoners for centuries. FallingLeaf is right. Maybe we should look around.”

“Or maybe we should look for survivors,” TwoStems prodded.

Gossama’s heart fell. Her mouth had difficulty responding. “They’re…dead. Filemon said he killed them for my father.”

FallingLeaf dropped his pack. “No.”

TwoStems’ face grew even more stern, which Gossama didn’t think was possible. “Then the only thing we should look for is the exit.

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