Eternal Spirit

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Eternal Spirit

Part 18

Dried blood caked the face of the Amazon. It was clear that she was badly beaten from the amount of bruises and whiplashes that marked her body. She moaned in pain trying to focus her eyes on the figures around her.

Solari dropped down on her knees beside Serenity and spoke softly to her. “Ren it’s alright, it’s me Solari. You are going to be okay.” She brushed her finger along Serenity’s cheek reassuringly. Slowly Solari scanned the Amazon’s body for any visible concerns. “Can you move Ren?”

Serenity, her vision still a little hazy, focused her attention on Solari. “It hurts to move too much.” Her voice was trembling and unstable. Her breathing grew shallow and unsteady.

Xena motioned for the other Amazon’s to step back. She crouched down beside the injured Amazon taking note of the injuries she could see. There was one spot in particular around her neck with severe bruising that concerned her. “Serenity, it’s Xena. You are going to be okay. We are taking you home.” She placed her hand on Serenity’s hand. “I want you to stay still and try not to speak. You need your strength.”

Serenity shook her head violently. “No…Draden.” The more she spoke the more difficult it was to breathe.

“I know Serenity. Shhh, you need to save your strength.” Xena made a hushing motion with her finger.

Serenity shook her head a little weaker in pain. She struggled to breathe and speak at the same time. “No…Draden…a trick.” Her breathing became gravely shallow. She passed out from the lack of oxygen.

Xena quickly checked her pulse. “What are you trying to tell me Ren?” Her pulse was very faint. “We need to get her back to the village Solari.” She grabbed Solari’s shoulder and turned her towards her. “Listen to me Solari.” Solari glared at Xena anger gleaming in her eyes. “She is going to be okay. Take the others and get her to the healer as quickly as possible.” She looked at Serenity briefly one last time and exhaled deeply. Her eyes grew cold and empty. In that moment she felt nothing more than complete rage. She felt a long forgotten darkness begin to consume her. Bringing her attention back to the Amazon before her, she spoke firmly. “I am going to find him. If there is one thing you can be sure of it is that.” She motioned for the remaining Amazon’s to approach her. “Serenity needs to get to a healer now. All of you need to move quickly. Get a move on.” She patted Solari on the shoulder as she walked past her towards Argo. With a front flip she mounted Argo and broke into a full gallop towards the eastern border.

Solari faced the Amazon’s. “Epinon grab a blanket from my saddlebag so we can cover her.” Once Epinon returned with the blanket she spread the blanket over Serenity’s battered body. “Hang in there Ren.” She pulled her gaze from her partner’s body and motioned for Epinon. “I need you to help me move her Pony. We need to be careful not to stir her too much.” She turned her head to the left. “Someone get my horse over here.”

“Solari, on the count of three lift.” She secured her hands beneath Serenity. “One, two, three.” They lifted the limp Amazon and carefully placed her on the horse. “Solari, you follow behind me.” She turned her mare to face towards the south. “Everyone else follow behind us and keep your guard up.” She nudged her horse forward into a trot.

Solari was cheek to cheek with her lover. “Keep fighting Ren. We are almost there.” Serenity’s breathing was weakening and could not be heard above a whisper. She was slowly fading.

Continued In Part 19