Fear slid down his neck, over his shoulders, and sparked his hearts into a gallop.Tugo was already halfway across with no way of turning back.
In the distance, the wailing call of a banaari made things worse.He whipped his gaze to the volcano’s peak and peered at the shadow forming.No, no, this cannot be happening.
“Tugo, my dear friend, now is the time to move your ass.”Nenn scrambled to his feet and urged him to rush.
Sure, he could kill a banaari with his bare hands but not Nenn.All he had on him was his harvesting knife.A spear, an ax—anything larger and longer would’ve been better.
Tugo reached the next pock before peeking at the mountaintop where two banaari now stood.
“Foq, Tugo, please hurry.”Nenn withdrew his knife and faced the approaching beasts.
Their large brown bodies, great big heads, two eyes on either side, and long, pointy ears were fearsome but more so were their razor-like fangs in three concentric rows and a lolling tongue eager for a taste of his innards.
A scream snapped his gaze to Tugo, who’d leaped the greater distance and failed to clear it, dipping his foot into the lava.His boot was on fire, parts of it glowing and melting off.Nenn yanked his waterskin off his belt and doused the flames, then used Tugo’s waterskin for added measure.
The leather had melted into the charred or bubbling skin.Tugo whimpered even as the whining rumble of the banaari drew nearer.Nenn swung his focus between his friend lying on the hard rock to the approaching death in the form of teeth.
“Foq,” he muttered, then knelt beside Tugo to hoist him over his shoulder.“We have to make a run for it.”
“Leave me.”Tugo shoved Nenn back.“Let me die.”
“Do not be a fool.Kimgi needs you.”Again, Nenn grabbed Tugo’s arm to tuck his head under it, attempting to lift his bulky friend over a shoulder.
Everything pinged in protest, from the muscles in his back, up his neck, and along his thighs, to the popping of his knees.He staggered under the weight and staggered two paces before twisting to glance at the banaari.They inched closer; he was sure of it.
“I am going to run.Tell me if they charge at us.”Without waiting for Tugo’s response, he bolted, sprinting down the path they’d trudged up hours ago.He bellowed warnings as he did, letting anyone nearby know of the danger.Hot air across his back made him believe the banaari were near enough for their breaths to bathe him in fetid heat.
Still, Tugo said nothing other than to whimper with every step Nenn managed.
“What is the meaning of this?”Elder Lama demanded, halting them in their tracks.
“No time to talk,” Tugo said from between clenched teeth.
“Two banaari behind us.”Nenn flicked his head as if he could indicate which direction with a heavy male across his shoulder.He skirted Lama and continued.
Lama squeaked and hurried after them, urging Nenn to run faster.
Tugo yelled when the banaari lunged at Lama.
Nenn’s knees threatened to buckle, but he persevered.Sweat dripped off his chin, his arm cramped around the backs of Tugo’s thighs, and his smoldering foot bounced in Nenn’s peripherals.Foq.Of all the things that could’ve happened, this wasn’t one he’d anticipated.Guilt sliced through him, churning his stomach.He sucked in great gulps of air to calm the nausea.
He’d have to find russmar and pray it would heal Tugo.Thankfully, Panior would travel off-world, leaving Nenn to carry Tugo’s burdens until he was well enough.
“Duviz,” Lama hollered, panic in the warble of his voice.
A giant of a male, Tugo’s father, leaped into the path at the base of the mountain.His eyes widened.He lowered his spear while roaring a battle cry that always made Nenn’s insides vibrate.He’d never been able to fathom if his reaction was from fear or awe.Perhaps a mixture of the two?
Behind him, more males appeared, their weapons ready.
Nenn wished he could watch the scene play out, but he was unable to bear Tugo’s weight for much longer.As soon as he broke through the line of warriors forming, he fell to his knees and rolled Tugo off him.Sprawling beside his friend, he stared at the sky, trying to breathe through the pain throbbing in every inch of his body.
Females gathered to tend to him, but he waved them to Tugo, whispering where he was injured.Someone brought Nenn water, their features a blur.When his hearts calmed, he sat up.
“What happened?”Elder Qon demanded, kneeling beside Tugo.
“His foot dipped into the river.”Nenn crawled to his feet.
“That is not what the symbiotes shared,” someone called out.
