Waves of Life

Tabbitha swung her blade from side to side in agitation.

---

Jared struggled up with Sacra, backing away from Gerald quickly. Gerald continued to watch them, but glanced back at Vyta's carcass almost unsurely. He growled angrily and turned to it, and began to feast upon the flesh of what had been pure and innocent.

Mot looked back at her and shook his head. "Maybe she's back now."

---

Sacra didn't try to fight him, being completely limp now. She gripped at Jared tightly now, unwilling to let go of him.

Tabbitha, still scowling, nodded a bit. "Let's go see."

---

Jared began to lead her away quickly at a run, still holding both hands on her. I thought this was supposed to be a new chance at life?!

Mot walked past her, scanning the trees once again.

---

Sacra followed after him, but suddenly started to pull against him; weakly however. "V=Vyta's s-still there, we have to go back..." She muttered quietly.

Tabbitha followed him, sighing. She suddenly froze. "You hear that? Someone's clumsy..." She shut her eyes to focus on her hearing, listening to the far away footfalls in the trees.

---

"Vyta's dead." Jared said, harsher than he had intended. He continued to pull her through the trees.

Mot stopped beside her and also closed his eyes to listen. "Yes, they are," he said softly. "That wouldn't be Sacra, would it?"

---

Sacra kept pulling, struggling now. "N-No! W-We could still..." She trailed off, fighting through her tears. She jerked back, but nothing seemed to help her against this older mans strength.

Tabbitha frowned. "Who knows? She could have ran into something. Either way, it could be a threat to her or us or the village. We need to check."

---

"There's nothing to be done!" Jared said to her firmly, glancing back and making sure Gerald was far out of sight before stopping. He took both of her shoulders, looking at her intently. "What was that thing?!"

Mot nodded and walked forward silently, drawing his bow with an arrow loading into it.

---

"G-Gyrento," she said softly, looking down at the ground stiffly. She didn't seem like she'd offer anything else, only reaching up to wipe her tears away.

Tabbitha held her bladle at the ready, creeping forward lithely. She stopped in the cover of several clusters of bushes and crept through them to peek out. She saw Jared and Sacra, and heard him asking her something.

Jared frowned. "Gyrento? What is that?" He scowled now. "Is there anywhere for you to go? Do you all live in the trees like animals?"

Tabbitha stared in confusion and annoyance, and looked at Mot.

Mot had aimed the arrow at Jared's shoulder, waiting in case he would try anything. He only barely glanced back at Tabbitha before looking back at Jared.

Sacra, unaware of them, just shook her head. "N-No," she said softly again.

Jared scowled. "No, you don't have anywhere to go; or no, you don't live in the forest?"

"There's a village," she answered again.

"Then let's go." Jared mumbled.

"B-But..." She looked back in the direction that they came from, biting her lip.

"There is nothing we can do unless you want to get us both killed!" Jared growled. "Which way?"

Sacra looked back at him and looked away, walking past him without a word.

Mot scowled and pulled back on the bowstring, looking as if he might really shoot it at Jared.

Tabbitha put a hand on Mot's arm to stop him. "We'll just follow them for now." She whispered softly.

Jared followed her, keeping a hand on her shoulder in case she would try to go back.

Mot looked at her and scowled slightly. He lowered his bow and followed them quietly.

Sacra pulled away from him, but kept her head down.

Jared sighed. "I'm sorry about Vyta."

Tabbitha followed them as well, frowning upon the name Vyta. That Dorrein?

"No you're not." She muttered.

Mot looked over to Tabbitha, also frowning.

Jared rolled his eyes. "It gave its life for us. Of course I'm sorry."

Tabbitha mumbled, "Should we interrupt now?"

Sacra looked back at him, glaring now. "You don't care about Vyta like I did. You aren't sorry."

Mot nodded, waiting for her to go first.

"You're right that you care more than I do, but I can still be sorry."

Tabbitha stepped out from her cover and pointed her blade at Jared. He whirled around and stared at her, reaching back to grab Sacra's arm. Tabbitha made a slashing motion. "Move aside." She told Jared. "Sacra, are you okay?"

Sacra looked towards Tabbitha, seeming stunned for a moment before she ran forward and hugged her tightly.

Mot stepped out after Tabbitha and looked towards Jared with piercing eyes. "Who are you?" He asked calmly.

Tabbitha set her blade down and knelt down, hugging Sacra back.

"Jared Toll." He replied, looking back at Mot with measured calm, though anyone could tell he was anxious.