Batty squeaked in appreciation. She sent him a mischievous glance and lifted a finger to her lips. She smiled and the ceiling of the cave came alive with glowing green lights from iridescent glow worms.
“Don’t eat them. They are merely an illusion,” she cautioned.
Tamblin would need something to sleep on—but what could she add that would look natural? She worried her bottom lip as she scanned the area. An idea formed, and long, soft curly moss grew down from the ceiling, forming thick clumps next to the pool of water. The moss flowed outward until it created a level area on the floor.
This will work, she decided with satisfaction.
Batty squeaked again and landed next to her. She scratched behind his ear when he pressed his head against her side.
Tamblin stepped into the larger section of the cavern and Batty’s eyes lit up with pleasure. Tamblin affectionately murmured to Batty when he scurried over to Tamblin with a joyous squeak.
“He missed you,” she teased.
Tamblin chuckled and stroked Batty. “He is an affectionate creature. I’ve never seen one behave like this,” he admitted. He looked around the cavern. “I don’t remember the cave looking like this before.”
“You said it was dark when you left,” she reminded him.
The confusion in his eyes faded, and he nodded. “True. I’ll admit I’m glad it is much nicer than I remembered,” he confessed.
“Batty can keep watch for us. I believe I saw some wood in the corner. Do you have a way to light a fire?” she asked.
Tamblin nodded and frowned again. “I must have been more exhausted or distracted than I realized. I know Batty was hurt. I remember applying salve to his wound, but there’s no mark. Even his hair has grown back,” he mused.
She nervously shifted when Tamblin ran his hand along the bat’s side where he’d been wounded. Batty looked at her with wide eyes, as if trying to decide if he should squeak in pain. She frantically nodded, trying not to laugh when Batty overdramatized his pain, fell over onto his other side, and covered his head with his wing.
“On second thought, maybe he’s hurt worse than I realized,” Tamblin said.
“If you’d like to start a fire, I will tend to Batty,” she offered.
He reluctantly nodded. “I hope he doesn’t have any broken ribs.”
“I’m sure he is fine. Perhaps a little sore still,” she reassured him.
She flashed Tamblin a brief, encouraging smile when he nodded again and walked away. Batty peeked at her from under his wing. She barely smothered her chuckle of amusement when she noticed the mischievous delight reflected in the bat’s eyes and he winked.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
She distractedly stroked Batty’s side while she watched Tamblin work. He was meticulous. He thought out each of his movements before he did them, paying attention to every detail.
Before long, he had a fire burning in a small pit. She was curious when she noticed that he anchored two sticks in the pile of rocks until he pulled out the remaining pieces of mushroom from his bag. He washed them before skewering and securing them over the fire to roast.
“He makes doing the simplest things fascinating,” she mused.
As if he heard her, he looked up and their eyes connected. Her hand skimmed along Batty’s wing as she took a step, then two toward Tamblin. Batty, sensing it was time to go, rolled to his feet and scurried toward the cave entrance.
“If you’d like to get cleaned up, dinner will be ready soon,” Tamblin informed her.
“What about you?” she asked.
He chuckled. “It wouldn’t hurt for me to get cleaned up as well,” he acknowledged.
“Good,” she said, reaching for him.
She covered his lips with hers in a passionate kiss. He stiffened with surprise and then moaned as he wrapped his arms around her. The hammering in her chest increased and excitement coursed through her.
“Arosa,” he groaned, kissing her neck.
“Yes, Tamblin. Yes,” she replied, unfastening his shirt.
An hour later, Tamblin kissed Arosa’s bare shoulder where her gown had slipped down. Memories of the magic they had just created in the shallow pool burned through his mind, making him hungry for more. Her giggle caused him to smile.
“We’re lucky the food didn’t burn,” he said, handing her one of the sticks with a section of the roasted mushroom on it.
“Yes, we are,” she responded.
“Why did you leave?” he suddenly asked, sitting down across from her.
She gave him a startled look and lowered her eyes. He watched a variety of expressions cross her face as she thought about how to answer him. She picked at the mushroom.
“Tamblin, there is something I should have told you,” she began.
The sound of Batty’s frantic squeaking interrupted her. He placed his meal aside and stood, grabbing his shirt and pulling it on as he hurried to the entrance of the cave. The bright glow of fires stretched out to the horizon. The acrid stench of smoke filled the air. Fastening his shirt, he skidded to a stop beside Batty.
“Goddess, no!” he exclaimed in horror at the sight before him.
The poachers must have realized they were running out of time. Fires scorched the moon for as far as he could see. Dozens of poachers on skimmers drove the Tasiers into massive traps. What horrified him the most was that in the distance there was a machine drilling into the side of a mountain—his mountain—the home of the Kingdom of Glitter.
9
“Faster, Batty,” Tamblin encouraged, leaning low over the bat’s neck.
Arosa clung to his waist. Batty quivered with fear as the flames rose, creating a turbulent current of superheated air. Tamblin’s eyes burned from the smoke. He leaned to the left when a poacher’s skimmer came into view.
His fury intensified when he saw the man aim his flamethrower at the ground. He could see terrified Tasiers scurrying for safety while the man laughed. A feeling of helplessness overcame him at his inability to stop the alien.
Goddess, if you can hear me, please help us, he silently pleaded.
As if the Goddess had heard his request, the flame glowing at the end of the flamethrower’s wand sputtered and went out. It was a fleeting moment of salvation for the poor Tasiers still running for their lives.
With that prayer answered, Tamblin looked toward the mountain ahead. He choked back his cry of rage when the tip of the drill bit disappeared into the rock. It looked like it might have broken through to the main chamber. His worst fears were confirmed when hundreds of mounted bats and sand skimmers emerged.
“Arosa, can you fly?” he urgently demanded.
“Yes,” she breathlessly replied.
“I will get you as close as I can. I need you to find Tia and Arielle. Please make sure they get to safety,” he instructed.
“Tamblin,” she began.
He covered her hand with his and squeezed it. “Please. My people will need somewhere to go. Your kingdom may be our only hope,” he said before he released her hand and pulled on Batty’s rein. “Go!”
He gritted his teeth to keep from calling out to her when she rose behind him. Pressing his heels into Batty’s side, he urged the bat forward. He pulled the staff from the pouch on the saddle and twisted the end. It seemed like a feeble defense against such overwhelming odds, but the power crystal and the remaining guardians were the only weapons available.