Dark Empathy by Archibald Bradford (inspiring books for teens TXT) 📕

little unsteady while struggling to keep the blanket around his waist.

He looked between the two women.

“These men are wielding lost-tech weapons, in direct violation of Aegis law! As the only member of the Aegis present, I am hereby invoking the charter.”

Alcaia blinked.

The Aegis charter, as agreed to by pretty much every monster girl tribe, stated that whenever someone violated its tenants, the Aegis would be the ultimate authority for dealing with them. Essentially it allowed for them to step in and take command of any organized group of monster girls involved in a given incident.

It wasn’t invoked lightly, and certainly not by someone in Adrian’s position, but he still technically held the authority.

Determination alone wasn’t enough to keep the weakened man on his feet however, and a moment later Alcaia was holding him from one side as his wounded leg buckled, her powerful arms more than up to the task of supporting him.

“You would master us, human?” The warleader’s voice was neutral.

The human swallowed bile, his nausea back in full force, but his words were steady when he replied.

“To stop the men that killed my team, and to uphold the law, yes.” He turned to the raven-haired Witch; “Miss Olena, I’m asking you to please assist myself and the Saenga in this matter.”

She smirked at being called ‘Miss’, but didn’t say anything.

Alcaia nodded slowly.

“Very well, then we will return to our village and decide on the proper course of action. The warriors of the Saenga are at your disposal... Aegis.”

“I will need to gather some things, and to see to Franklyn.” The Witch, still wearing her smile, said.

The mighty Amazon frowned.

“I wish you would allow us kill that beast, Elda.”

“What beast?” Adrian asked in concern.

The two women ignored him though as they continued the conversation, Olena shaking her head at Alcaia’s request.

“He is my responsibility, the price the Dryads extracted for my home. Besides, he’s not that bad.”

“He tried to eat me not ten minutes ago.” Complained Hila as she stepped back inside.

Olena looked her up and down, before winking deliberately.

“He was being affectionate.”

“What beast?” Adrian repeated insistently.

He still didn’t get an answer as Hila rolled her eyes and looked to Alcaia.

“The litter is ready Warleader.”

Alcaia nodded.

“Good, we leave at once. Evening is drawing to a close. We must get our guest settled for the night before the snow falls. Then I will gather the elders and see to our fallen.”

Once again Adrian felt like a child as they left him out of the conversation, and even more so when the Amazons carefully bundled him up and carried him out of the Witch’s home into the chill air outside, doing their best not to jostle his injuries.

Once they were sure he was settled in the improvised litter, they left quickly, an Amazon on either end carrying him swiftly through the trees.

“What beast were they talking about?” He asked as they loped along.

Rather than out of curiosity, mostly he spoke to distract himself from the cold and the nausea brought on by the rapid pace.

One of the Amazons carrying him looked down for a moment before explaining.

“Olena-Elda tends to the needs of a Man-eater just to the east of her tree.”

He almost sat up in shock.

“You’re not serious!”

“I am. It is well beyond our territory, so it is no threat to us, but how she can sleep at night with it so near I will never know.”

“Never mind her! I want to know how Jonas managed to come of age without being consumed by it!” The Amazon carrying the front of the litter threw back over her shoulder.

“Jonas?”

The Amazon above his head answered.

“Her adopted son. A gifted alchemist. He visits often, or... he did.” She sighed heavily; “His child succumbed to wasting sickness, and his wife to madness shortly thereafter. Please Aegis, do not bring him up with Olena-Elda. She hides it well, but she must be in terrible pain.”

“Of course.” He murmured.

Of all of the ills ever to plague the human race, wasting sickness was commonly thought to be the worst. Some called it a plague unleashed during the war, others a punishment from the gods for sins long forgotten.

To witness one’s child die of it... the thought brought Adrian’s mind back to his own grief and he closed his eyes as tears made them sting.

“Please bear with the pain for a short while longer, Aegis. We will tend to you once we reach the village.” The woman above his head promised, mistaking his sudden distress as being from his injuries.

Regaining control of his emotions he nodded at her, not trusting himself to speak yet.

Even blunted by the trees the wind had picked up to the point that he felt it on his cheeks, while enormous flakes of snow were tossed about between the massive cedars, inevitably finding the ground.

The storm was in full swing and night had long since fallen by the time he was carried into the center of the Saenga village. Fortunately the cliff that the village abutted sheltered them from the worst of the wind, though lazy flakes of snow still found their way down to melt into the hot springs against its base.

Armed Amazons were all around, their faces angry from the fresh grief of their slain sisters, though they were nothing but courteous to him.

Alcaia gave a few orders that sent warriors sprinting off to see them carried out, then she turned back to his litter.

“Olena-Elda gave instructions regarding your wounds, but you still need a proper bath.” He was shivering violently now, and she offered a small smile at the sight of him; “Our hot springs will drive the chill from your bones. I will see to it personally.”

He sat up as