|
|
Finn patted her back, sending daggers of pain through her body. Apparently, he didn't realize she had broken bones. She gasped in agony, and he stroked her face apologetically. "No, it's dead. The legend has come to an end." Finally, Rose's vision cleared. The immense carcass of the Kraken of the Mountains floated in the lake, surrounded by blackened water and pieces of human bodies. Mathias crawled out from underneath the ruins of his platform, staring in horror. "My show!" But he collected himself quickly and began to yell, to the handful of spectators still in sight, "I give you Rose and Finn, the heroes of Kayland! Gods bless their courage! All hail their strength!" The two swam to shore and dragged themselves up, bent with pain and fatigue. "So how the hell," Finn asked, "did such a huge beast live in this little lake? What did it eat?" Rose thought about it briefly, then shrugged. "My guess is that this visible area is only a small portion of the actual lake; there must be a huge body of water underground, to which this hole leads. Though I don't think we'll be the ones to test that theory." "No, I've had enough of here. You think that was the mommy squid or the daddy?" "Doesn't matter. They must need two to breed." "What about the children that are still left?" "I don't know. I guess we could dam up these streams, partially block them so the big ones can't get through at least." "They could grow big after getting out of the lake." Rose sighed. "You're right--damnit. Well, maybe we'll lure them with bait or something. I'm tired; let's think about this later." Finn nodded. Then his eyes widened. "Rose, look at your pants!" She looked down. The area over her groin was soaked through with blood, as were the tops of her thighs. "You're bleeding from the pisser!" "So I am," she replied numbly. "Did you get cut again? I didn't see it." "I think it's internal." Her love's eyes were frantic. "Rose, are you alright? Is . . . is it your womb? What if you don't heal right? What if you can't have kids?" "I've been stabbed through the heart, gutted, shot in the throat, and burned to a crisp before, and I healed fine. I'm sure my womb can heal too . . ." But Finn's look of terror did not fade, and she waited for the dreadful words she sensed coming. "Rose, I don't think you should fight anymore. It's too dangerous; you can't keep risking our future like this." "But Finn, you always tell me I'm your equal." In fact, many considered her his better. "Then why do I have to stop, and not you? You could die, too!" He hesitated for a moment, and his voice shook as he spoke. "You are good, Rose. You're the best I've ever met, besides myself. But even so, it's not natural. You're a woman--you're not made to fight." "What?! My sex means nothing! If you had taken the wounds I did, you'd be dead, and you wouldn't be able to have kids either!" Finn touched her cheek, guiltily lowering his gaze. "I'm sorry, Rose, I didn't mean it. I know how good you are. I'm just thinking of your safety. I don't want to lose you." She sat down, no energy left in her for further retorts. Finn was trying to sound considerate, but he really wasn't listening to her. Maybe once he'd calmed down, he would think clearly again and remember that she was every bit as much a warrior as he. He, of course, would never consider giving up the battle. Though it was for different reasons, the same applied to her. But in truth, she knew he would not soon understand that. Even if they had defeated today's adversary together, she worried he might yet prove a more difficult opponent.
For all her strength, she was still just a woman, and the same
as any other in the eyes of her man. She could only wonder what
battles still lay ahead for them. * * * THE END * * *
|