Chapter 11: Life and Limb

Chapter 11: Life and Limb

Jack felt someone turning him over not long after he’d taken the dive into the sand. His nostrils burned with the coarseness of the dust, and his body ached with pain. Scarven poison was deadly if not treated within the hour, but he could barely hold himself still from the nerves firing around his arm, and tingling had begun to set in, indicating the start of nerve death from the toxin.

“I don’t know who you are, mister, but you sure had balls taking on a King like that.” Jack heard a young voice talking to him. It sounded male, but he wasn’t sure since the pain had his attention the most. Plus, his eyes had pretty much stayed closed since his face-plant into the sand.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get ya patched up in a ‘urry. I’ve got some serum in me pouch here. But you’ll need to sit up a bit. Can you do that?” Jack shook his head, indicating yes. And began to lift his upper torso off the ground. Jack heard the distinct pop of a cork leaving a bottle.

“Here ya go, sir. Open your lips, and I’ll pour it in ya.” Jack split his lips as far as he could manage. His helper stuck the bottle to his mouth and dumped it down his gullet. The liquid slid down like molasses at first but soon reached temp in his throat and shot down like water from a spigot.

“Now I need to look at your arm, mister. This is gonna sting, but bear with me.” Jack winced at the motion of his arm. He sensed it being placed gently on the ground next to him as the person spoke in whispers to themself. A warm heat slithered across the injury, and the pain began to cease in its intensity. Small prickles of sensation across the punctured area indicated he was being sutured up, yet the stabbing of his nerves below the wound continued.

“Nerves still on fire,” Jack uttered through the grimace on his face. “Calm the nerves below…wound.”

“I’ve got you, Jack.” Stevey’s voice entered the space around Jack, apparently back from the erratic lizard ride. A quick stab slammed into Jack’s arm just below the elbow, and a relaxed feeling flowed into the area. The nerves abated their firing after a few seconds, and Jack finally stopped groaning, falling unconscious to the intense strain the poison had inflicted.

“He’ll be fine now, thanks to you,” Stevey looked at the young boy across from him. “That was rather quick thinking on your part, and he’ll definitely want to meet you when he wakes. By the way, I’m Stevey, a good friend of this man. And you?”

“Sp, Spike, sir.” The young lad spoke nervously, still frightened from the ordeal. “I, I only did what I could c..considering.” His voice trailed off a bit as if something bothered his conscience.

“Considering what?” Stevey asked, concerned for the boy as he leaned in to hear the lad better.

“I, I’m sorry, mister, but I was the one that aggravated the worm. I’ve been out here for the past few days collecting the blow for medicine. I thought I was being careful, but my last run caused a slide of rocks to disturb its clutch and—"

“It’s alright, kid.” Jack’s voice jumped into the conversation. “You helped. That’s what matters.”

“Jack, you alright, mate?” Stevey spoke out, surprised his friend was already awake.

“More or less,” Jack responded, continuing his thoughts toward Spike. “Listen, Spike, we couldn’t have known you were the cause of the incident. We just happened across it, and be glad we did. Kingworms, especially the females, aren’t known for stopping their tirade once disturbed. You’re alive, and so am I. My injury was just a product of battle. So, thanks for the prompt assistance, and Stevey, thanks for the nerve agent. That shit hurt like hellfire.”

“No prob, my friend, no prob.”

Jack rubbed the spot where Spike had sutured the wound. It was still tender and would probably be that way for a week at least. But he noticed the skill at the enclosure that Spike had achieved in such a hurry. His arm still had a bit of numbness from the nerve compound, but it was beginning to come to life once more; his fingertips tickled with feeling.

“Spike, where did you learn that technique? I believe I’ve seen that before once upon a time. Was your instructor a woman? Brunette with green eyes, perhaps?”

“Aye, yes, sir. She’s the one that sent me out to harvest the blows. A gorgeous lady she is. “ 'Er name—”

“Madelyn Starchild,” Jack responded just as the young Spike began to form the ‘m’ upon his lips. Stevey recognized the name as well, remembering her help with the village he had been a part of years ago.

“Ah, yes, that’s ‘er.” Spike felt a little excited that Jack knew her. “Are you a friend of ‘ers?”

“Oh, yes! You could say that. We have a bit of history together, her and I.” Spike seemed a bit perplexed but didn’t dig any further. Stevey understood, raising an eyebrow at Jack.

“You and her.” He mouthed toward his friend. Jack nodded. Stevey raised both eyebrows and “Wow-ed” to himself.

“Spike, I assume she is still in the area, correct?” Jack asked the young fella as he tried to move a bit more, flexing his fingers and arm to relieve the stiffness and achiness from it.

“Yes, sir. She’s back at me village, helping the elders and young affirmed with illness. Just past the hills.” Spike pointed in the direction of the nearest range. Jack realized his and Stevey’s trajectory would’ve taken them close by. Stevey acknowledged Jack’s intent.

“Sounds like a destination, Jack. Care to see an old friend.”

“I do,” He smiled, picked up his hat, dusted it off, and slipped it back on. “I really do.” Jack sat up further, then rose to his feet. Sand and dirt fell all around him, shifting from his duster and clothes to the ground. Jack looked over the carcass that lay splayed out nearby. “Plus, we best be moving before all the scavengers move in. Spike, gather your things. You'll be riding with me.”

“Y, yes, sir.” The lad responded with a level of excitement and uncertainty. Jack walked over to where his blade had fallen. The katana stood upright, stuck in the sand about a foot deep. Jack grasped its handle, slung the blade out with two swift flicks of his arm, and sheathed the sword back into its saya.

Ba’aron had done its duty once more, Jack thought to himself. Maybe one day, he would master it properly and end the reign of destruction this planet faced. But now wasn’t a time for brooding, he noted. She was nearby, and he longed for her company.

“Steve, give me a hand, will ya? My arm isn’t strong enough just yet.” Jack called to his buddy as he approached his lizard. Spike stood by, ready to hop on after Jack had settled in. Stevey, after helping Jack, assisted Spike in positioning himself, then jumped on his ride.

“Onward,” Stevey shouted as they left the splattered carcass behind, glad to get away from the death. Its putrid smell was already becoming unbearable in the heat. Behind them, the sand swirled in several patterns of unrest as other desert dwellers approached the feast.

Jack looked at his friend. “Don’t be a moron, Stevey. We aren’t Wagoneers.”

“I know, but it felt appropriate given the situation,” he grinned. “Besides, you’re alive and going to see a beautiful maiden. It feels like a journey now.” Spike laughed, finally realizing Jack’s motivation and at Stevey’s carefree attitude.

“Don’t you start too.” Jack directed his words to Spike. “I’ll dump you off without a care.” Spike abruptly stopped his laughter.

“Ah, Jack, you ain’t gotta scare the kid. He’s just enjoying the moment like I am.”  

“I know, and I don’t care for it,” Jack smirked, but Stevey noticed.

“Always the harsh humor, Jack.” Stevey looked over at Spike and winked. The lad realized they were still joking and again eased his tension, smiling at their banter. With his backpack nested against him and his arms wrapped around Jack’s waist, he rested his head on Jack’s back. Jack felt the motion and slung the extra saddle strap around the boy, locking it in to let the kid rest without fear of falling off. Their ride would be short, but it shouldn’t be tedious.

I wonder if she remembers. Jack began to think back. Both lizards settled into a rhythm as they strode toward the village. Stevey jostled up next to him as they rode.

“Do you think she’ll remember us?

“I can only hope, my friend. I can only hope.”