The shadow loomed ever larger over Bionca, her eyes widening. In awe, she whispered \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What is that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Dr. Carlton hobbled beside her, chuckling to himself. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That, Bionca, is a tree.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
One of its leaves gently descended on the light breeze and came to rest on the woman\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s left shoulder. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do trees do? What is this?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she questioned, plucking the leaf. Oscar trudged up to the pair grumpily, despite his shared fascination with the new scenery.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Trees,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the doctor began, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153do a great many things. They make food for themselves by combining water, carbon dioxide, and light. Leaves,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he pointed to the reddened one in Bionca\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fist, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153collect this light.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And then they give off some oxygen as well, which is what we breathe.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gaia laid her palm against the trunk. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We get most of it from other places, but trees are the most beautiful source.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She smiled to herself as she looked up to the branches high overhead.<\/p>\n
Drake and Brion brought up the rear, huffing as they struggled with the cart now laden with what they had scavenged. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alright, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s enough schoolin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 for now,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Drake chastised lightly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We gotta keep pressin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 ahead. I fig\u00e2\u20ac\u2122red going farther north would be good. We can pass through Taesh.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Without waiting for a response, he turned down the capital road.<\/p>\n
Brion dropped his load of the cart. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Drake,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he sighed, apprehensive. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be best if we avoided Taesh altogether. Gaia and I have a…history there that we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d rather not revisit.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He took a step forward. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We can keep going north, but can we consider veering away from Taesh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The other man slumped his shoulders. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s keep goin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Overhead, birds called as they flew in the opposite direction. As if in their wake, frost began forming on their trail and the temperature plummeted drastically. The group shivered collectively. Slowly, their breath condensing in the air, they marched toward the frigid north.<\/p>\n
Around six kilometers later, Bionca collapsed into the gathering snow, shivering. Beside her lay the frozen caracasses of many animals. Brion fell down next to her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bee, what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wrong? Are you okay?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The doctor felt Bionca\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s forehead, then reflexively pulled his hand away. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s freezing. Hypothermia may start to set in, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m afraid her heart may start fibrillating. Brion, try to not move her much, but do your best to keep her warm.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He stumbled over to the cart and began rifling through their remaining medicine.<\/p>\n
Brion hugged his daughter tightly. She had a dazed expression and didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem to be processing what was going on around her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry Bee. We should\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve paid more attention,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he murmured.<\/p>\n
He felt Gaia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand upon his shoulder and looked up to see Dr. Carlton gently inserting a syringe into one of Bionca\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s veins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That should keep her heart rate steady. We should try to find shelter as quickly as we can. Our clothes are not well-suited to cold weather.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Drake nodded in response. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alright, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s get searchin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, then. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wanna see our Queen Bee hurtin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He set the cart down and started divvying up directions for everyone to search. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Doc, Brion, you stay here with Bee. Gaia, you go look \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcround that forest on the left. Oscar, you look on the right. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll push ahead. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take mor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122n ten minutes. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want anyone else gettin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 cold.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Oscar grunted moodily in response and stomped away.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Doctor\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brion began. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been such a great friend and help to my daughter. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think we can ever repay you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he responded modestly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I do my best. I just hope it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been enough.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The pair fell into a silence that stretched as the minutes trickled by.<\/p>\n
At last, Drake returned, though he had not found a suitable shelter. Gaia appeared moments later, breathless. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I found a cave,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she began, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but it looks like someone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s used it recently. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re alone out here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Color drained from Drake\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They might\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve taken Oscar. He never dawdles this much.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Before he could bound away, Gaia grabbed his sleeve. She shook her head sadly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a good idea to get further separated. Besides-\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wait. Do you hear that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brion interrupted.<\/p>\n
A peal of malicious giggles descended upon their ears. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They are still here!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a woman\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice shouted in glee.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The men should get a nice price in the labor guilds.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d A burly man appeared, dragging Oscar\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s unconscious body behind him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The women are too old, but with so many deaths lately, it shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He dropped Oscar face-down into the snow.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Please,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dr. Carlton pleaded, standing unsteadily and pointing at Oscar. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He will freeze if you leave him like that for long.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The large man considered him for a moment, taking in his peg-leg. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have that, now, can we? Especially since cripples don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fetch a high price. Rakosky, cut our losses.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
A slender man slinked out from the forest. Realizing his intentions, Drake and Gaia charged at him. Gracefully, he knocked the man\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s feet out from under him with a low kick and shoved the woman aside. Dr. Carlton took a step back, his rotted leg giving way. Rakosky withdrew a dagger.<\/p>\n
Bionca finally stirred just as she saw the doctor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head pushed forward. The blade passed through his arteries and came away slick with blood. His body crumpled. He lay on the reddening snow and looked up at the Harbinger. A smile crossed his face. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Be strong, Bionca,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he gurgled through his slit throat. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll save their lives.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
His face still stretched into a loving grin, the light in his dark brown eyes extinguished.<\/p>\n
Time seemed to stand still. Bionca\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chest felt empty, her breath stagnant. When she at last took a breath again, tears began leaking from her eyes. Her head was swimming. Brion\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s grip on her had loosened.<\/p>\n
The roadmen took advantage of their shock and shackled them tightly. Their feet were chained together and Oscar was slung across the burly man\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s back. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Move it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he sneered, shoving them forward as they looked in agony at Dr. Carlton\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We have a long walk to Taesh.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Brittany Teodorski<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n