Chapter 297: Healing the Villagers
"Leave him behind?"
I recoiled from the man’s request, laying a protective hand on my wolf’s shoulder. The strongest villagers were only third level, but I couldn’t bring myself to walk among them unprotected. Demonkin were hated and despised in this land. And if they somehow figured out who I was...
Fable growled, sensing my reluctance. His ears slicked back, fur rising in hardened silver spikes. The villagers tensed and raised their weapons, slowly advancing back to their positions in the barricade. They seemed emboldened by my claim that Fable’s monstrous size was only the temporary effect of a spell.
An explosion rocked the village, coming from somewhere near the fringe of homes. I looked over my shoulder and then back at the villagers. I couldn’t waste any more time here, not when Korra was still fighting, and whatever made that dreadful screech before was on the loose.
"It’s fine," I said, as much to Fable as the villagers. "Please, just calm down. I really am here to help."
I could hear a few distrustful mutters, but the grizzled man waved behind him, silencing them. Fable growled softly as I stepped away from him, hand lingering on his head for as long as I could reach. His tail swept ash across the street, agitated. My own tail moved similarly, but I pushed away the unease and looked up into the man’s eyes.
"My name is Starlight. I can heal your people, if you’ll let me."
He stared down at me a moment longer, then gave a short nod. "Erik." Without another thought, he offered me his hand, pulling me atop the wagon beside him. "Don’t try anything, or you’ll find out just how vicious we can be when cornered."
His grip was firm and rough, fingers chiseled with callouses. I winced at the tightness of his grip, and his eyes widened slightly. Once I was atop the wagon, he quickly released me, staring for a second at his hand, flexing his fingers.