Her squire had managed to avoid it, but the witch was stuck in the middle, her feet sank into the ground while critters with shells that reflected the moonlight scuttled up her form.

She was panicking, flinging them and knocking them off, her uncertain squire wringing his hands helplessly nearby.

Assured it was not another attack, the Shadow Knight sheathed the weapon at his back and strode down the hill. He motioned the squire away and surveyed the creatures. They were already eating through her clothing in spots. Purple magic glowed around her faintly, the way it had earlier in the day when she defeated Green Dawn Cave. Her power was un-channeled, undisciplined, spinning off into the night instead of defending her the way it should.

Whipping out a dagger, he closed the distance between them. "Witch, be still!" he ordered.

She was mumbling something, tears on her face and eyes crazed.

"Witch!" he bellowed.

She froze and looked up for a split second, long enough for him to grab her attention.

"The more you fight them, the worse they bite," he told her. "Be still."

"That's absurd! These can't . . . be real!" She wailed and began whacking at the bugs again. "Ow! They're biting me!"

"Be still," he said more quietly. "Remember the third law?"

Advertisement..

Flinching, her struggles slowed.

"I will not let you die. You will have to trust me."

She met his gaze, wincing as more bugs bit her.

Without looking away, he motioned the squire over and pointed back towards camp. "Bring her clothes."

The boy went.

The Shadow Knight grew nearer, stopping arm's length from her. "Any doubt in your mind that those bugs will eat through your skin to the bone?"

She swallowed hard and shook her head.

"Any doubt in your mind that I can stop them?"

Her response was a little less certain.

"Obedience is born of trust. Do as I say, the way I say it, and you will not be eaten alive tonight. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Very, very slowly, bend down and dig out one of your feet."

She started and then stopped, cursing.

"Slowly," he repeated, amused. He squatted with her, watching.

The battle-witch obeyed and began pushing bugs around to get to her feet. "Oh, god. This is . . . I feel like I'm going to pass out. I hate . . ." She wobbled.

"You do and they eat you," he warned. "Do as I say, Naia. Be calm."

She glanced up when he said her name.

"They are restricted to an area around you. Once you step out of it, I can take care of them," he told her. "Now, dig out your foot."




Most Popular