The Shadowed Crown

Chapter 34

The remaining tribesmen, their faces etched with terror, turned and fled into the dense jungle, disappearing into the shadows like phantoms. The clearing, once a scene of brutal combat, was now eerily silent, the only sounds the crackling of the bonfire and the heavy breathing of Col and Shae.

Shae’s legs gave way, and she collapsed to her knees, her body screaming in protest. Every muscle ached, every wound throbbed with a searing pain. The adrenaline that had fueled her fight was gone, leaving her vulnerable and weak.

Col staggered to her side, his own body battered and bruised. "Shae," he said, his voice thick with concern, "are you alright?"

Shae spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground, her face pale and drawn. "Something's definitely bleeding," she managed to say, her voice hoarse, "when it's not supposed to be."

Col chuckled gently, a sound of relief mixed with concern. He cupped her face in his hand, his thumb gently tracing the line of her jaw. "You're a mess," he said softly, his eyes filled with worry.

Shae gave him a weak smile. "Thanks," she rasped. "Where's Amelia?"

Col's eyes softened. "She's safe," he reassured her. "I left her with some survivors from the ship. They're weak, but they'll look after her. And she has the horse, in case anything goes wrong."

Shae nodded, a flicker of relief washing over her. She spat another mouthful of blood, her head swimming.

Col helped her to her feet, supporting her weight with his arm. She leaned heavily on him, her body trembling with exhaustion and pain. "We need to get you some help," he said, his voice firm. "Let's go."

He guided her away from the clearing, his eyes scanning the jungle for any sign of danger. The air was thick with the smell of blood and smoke, a grim reminder of the battle they had just fought. They moved slowly, Shae’s every step a testament to her resilience, Col’s every step a testament to his determination. They needed to get back to the beach, back to the survivors, back to safety.

The journey back to the beach was a slow and arduous one. Shae leaned heavily on Col, her body protesting with every step. The jungle, once a place of terrifying danger, now seemed like an endless maze of shadows and tangled vines. Col, despite his own injuries, moved with a steady determination, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.

The sounds of the jungle, the chirping insects and the rustling leaves, seemed amplified in the silence that followed the battle. Every snap of a twig sent a jolt of tension through them, a reminder of the lurking dangers that still surrounded them.

Shae’s breathing was ragged, each inhale a painful reminder of her injuries. She was losing blood, and her strength was waning. Col knew they had to reach the survivors soon, or she wouldn't make it.

He tried to keep her talking, asking her about her skills, her past, anything to keep her conscious. Shae, despite her pain, responded with dry wit and sardonic humor, her words slurred but her spirit unbroken.

"You know," she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper, "I really hate jungles."

Col chuckled, a low, rumbling sound in the oppressive silence. "Me too," he replied, his voice strained. "Especially ones with giant werewolves."

They stumbled on, their progress slow and painful. The fading light cast long, distorted shadows, making it difficult to see the path ahead. Col relied on his instincts, following the faint trail they had left earlier.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they reached the edge of the jungle. The beach stretched out before them, bathed in the soft glow of the moon. The survivors, huddled around a small fire, looked up as they approached, their faces etched with relief.

Amelia rushed towards them, her eyes wide with worry. "Shae!" she cried, her voice filled with fear. "What happened?"

Col helped Shae to a makeshift bed of blankets the survivors had prepared, carefully laying her down. He turned to Amelia, his face grim. "We need to tend to her wounds," he said, his voice firm. "And quickly."

Luckily one of the survivors is a mage healer. Relief washed over Col as he heard the survivor's words. "A healing mage?" he asked, his voice thick with hope. "Thank the stars."

The mage, a woman with gentle eyes and hands that seemed to radiate warmth, knelt beside Shae. Her brow furrowed with concern as she examined Shae’s wounds, her fingers tracing the lines of the injuries with a delicate touch.

"She's lost a lot of blood," the mage said, her voice soft but firm. "We need to work quickly."

She began to chant, her voice a low, melodic hum that filled the air. A soft, golden light emanated from her hands, bathing Shae’s wounds in its warm glow. The light pulsed and shimmered, weaving its way into Shae’s torn flesh.

Shae’s ragged breathing began to even out, and the pallor of her skin began to regain a hint of color. The mage’s hands moved with practiced precision, closing wounds, mending broken bones, and soothing damaged tissue.

Col and Amelia watched in awe, the tension in their bodies slowly dissipating. The air crackled with the mage’s power, a tangible force that filled the small clearing. The other survivors, their faces etched with weariness and relief, watched with quiet reverence.

The mage continued her work, her chants growing stronger, the golden light intensifying. Shae’s body twitched and shuddered as the magic worked its way through her system, knitting her back together.

After what seemed like an eternity, the mage’s chants began to fade. The golden light dimmed, leaving a soft, warm glow around Shae’s body. The mage sat back, her face pale but her eyes filled with satisfaction.

"She's stable," she said, her voice weary but relieved. "She'll need rest, but the wounds are healing. The blood loss has been stopped, and her bones are mending."

Col let out a shaky breath, the tension finally leaving his body. He looked at Shae, her face still pale but her breathing steady and even. "Thank you," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you so much."

The mage smiled gently. "It is my gift," she said softly. "And your friend is strong. She fought well."

The mage turned her attention to Col, her gentle eyes assessing his injuries. "You're also wounded," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Let me see."

Col hesitated, his gaze lingering on Shae's peaceful face. "Shae needs more attention," he began, but the mage cut him off with a gentle shake of her head.

"She's resting now," she said. "And you cannot protect her if you are injured. Allow me."

Col, realizing the wisdom in her words, nodded. He sat down beside her, wincing as he moved. The mage's hands, still glowing with a faint warmth, moved over his cuts and bruises, her touch soothing and healing.

She began to chant again, her voice a soft, melodic hum that filled the air. The same golden light emanated from her hands, bathing Col's wounds in its healing glow. He felt a warm, tingling sensation as the magic worked its way through his body, mending torn muscles and broken skin.

The mage's touch was gentle but firm, her movements precise and efficient. She worked quickly, her chants growing stronger as she focused her energy. Col felt the pain receding, replaced by a sense of warmth and well-being.

The other survivors watched in quiet gratitude, their faces reflecting the relief that washed over them. They had witnessed the mage's power before, but never so directly, never with such a desperate need.

After a few moments, the mage's chants began to fade. The golden light dimmed, leaving a soft, warm glow around Col's body. She sat back, her face pale but her eyes filled with satisfaction.

"You'll still be sore," she said, her voice gentle, "but the wounds are closed, and the damage is repaired. Rest, and you'll be as good as new."

Col flexed his hands and moved his limbs, testing his newfound mobility. The pain was gone, replaced by a slight stiffness. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what we would have done without you."

The mage smiled gently. "We are all in this together," she said softly. "We must help each other survive."