Savage King: New Worlds - Milly Taiden Page 0,58
it.
They needed a way to get to the other side of the creek without being seen. His eyes roamed the area as he thought, glancing at the hole he had dug to get under the dome wall earlier to get out.
“That’s the answer,” he said. “We dig a tunnel under the creek and come up far behind the kappies.”
An elder scoffed. “That would take much too long, even with our magic.”
“Maybe with magic,” he said, “but not with my tigron.”
“That might work,” the storyteller replied, coming forward. “Use your magic to push the dirt down and to the side as well as digging back. That will leave less soil to crawl through.”
He hadn’t thought about that. As he dug, the dirt would’ve piled up behind him. But by compacting it around them, it was out of the way as well as made the tunnel stronger.
“How close can you get to the creek before the kappies see you?” Wren asked. “You can get started there, and we’ll make sure everyone starts that way.”
“We hadn’t thought of that, young human,” an elder said. “Yes, take the path halfway then dig. Now go.”
Xenos took her hand to go with him, but she pulled back. “I need to help the village pack. Take the elders with you since they may take the longest to get through.” She grimaced and turned to the older people. “Sorry,” she said.
“It is the truth. Don’t be sorry for how things are,” the storyteller said to her. “Let’s go.”
Xenos hugged her close and kissed her. This would not be his last kiss. They would survive this.
“Go,” Wren pushed on his chest, “I’ll see you there.”
He held her in front of her, staring into her eyes. “I love you,” he said sternly, making sure she understood.
She smiled. “I love you to, my mate. Now get some clothes then get going.”
He forgot that he was completely nude still.
“Here.” Haml threw him their skimpy outfit. Xenos caught it and ran off along the path. He had a lot to do in a short amount of time, but his tigron could do it. Hopefully.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Wren watched as Zee left to do his thing. Looking around the village at all the running people, she swallowed hard. There were so many things to do. Pack personal belongings, get the dishes, the water jugs, find the children, what about food? Are all those needing help getting it?
Her pulse jumped with her mind crowding with so many things. Her breathing shallowed and quickened. Not now! This was not time for a panic attack. What had Zee told her earlier?
Pick the most important thing and do that first, pushing away all else. Okay, she could do that. She needed to find her cousins. Shit, she’d totally forgotten about them.
Wren found Lilah and Daphne and dragged them to the side. “Hey, guys,” she said, “we’ve got a problem.”
“What?” they asked.
“Do you both have your stones with you?” Her cousins patted their pockets and both nodded. “Good. Now listen. There is some half human-looking thing that wants one of our stones so he can open a port to the Crystal Kingdom.”
“He knows how to get back? Let’s go with him,” Daph whispered.
“I didn’t get the feeling he wants to go for a vacation. He was prepared to kill me to take mine. I told him it was here in the village. He’s the one who started the fire we’re running from.”
“Shit,” Lilah said, “that’s all we need. Someone hunting us. Fuck. What are we going to do?”
“Right now, we’re loading up with the villagers and moving through the tunnel. Help who you can and get going.”
All right, that task was done. What was next most important? The children.
Iridia and a couple others had the kids in a line, each carrying a bag with their possessions. Several had dirt smears on their faces where tears were falling. But the alpha leader was hugging and talking to each, comforting them. She looked to be a natural mother.
Wren noticed the smell of smoke and glanced out into the woods. In the near distance, she saw flashes of red.
“Hurry, it’s coming,” she yelled. “Get to the path and the tunnel now.”
The children were off with several adults guiding them. She had no idea there were so many. Their village would soon be large again.
She glanced around, searching for anyone struggling. Seeing none, she started checking the domes to make sure no one was left inside or needed help. By the time she made it