Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

The pair spent a few hours enjoying the relaxing tranquility of the hidden space, the spa-like setting helping Margot let go of the last lingering bits of tension she'd been carrying for days. Of course, she knew that when they stepped back out into the "real world" she would still be facing the same problems as when she arrived, but she also knew that she needed to allow herself to unwind, even if just for a short while, to recharge her batteries for whatever lay ahead when they left this magical moment.

As it turned out, ahead was simply a nice nature stroll with Braxxos leading the way up a loamy-soiled hill, periodically pausing to take her hand to help her up the soft ground. It was only a thirty-minute walk from their spa break, and yet she was fascinated to find that the terrain shifted somewhat dramatically in so short a distance. This region was so incredibly diverse, and rather than rocky ground as closer to the waterfall, here there was dark, wet soil that smelled of growth and vibrant plant life.

Braxxos pointed out even more plants along the way, a helpful bit of tutoring that Margot greatly appreciated, though she also found herself wishing she had a notepad to jot down the myriad plants her guide was showing her. Regardless, most of it was pretty easy to remember as the majority of what looked edible actually was. In fact, she was kind of shocked to discover that a great deal of the plants on this world were, apparently, perfectly fine to eat. It was like a walking buffet, but without the glass sneeze guard blocking your view.

"Hey, what's that?" Margot asked as a strange sound met her ears.

Braxxos was already on the move, speeding his pace, eyes sharp and alert as he rushed toward the noise. It was a faint, plaintive bleating of sorts, and soon enough Margot saw its owner.

The animal was no bigger than a large dog and looked like a weird cross between a wallaby and a goat, with powerful rear legs but smaller front ones. It seemed as though it could walk on all fours if it really wanted to, but judging by the development of the rear legs, it was apparent it preferred using those nearly exclusively. The animal had an elongated snout and four eyes, two in the front and two on the sides, likely an evolutionary trait that had developed to allow its kind better protection from stalking predators.

As for defensive features, its horns were comically small. Barely nubs, really, and judging by the velvety covering, ones that were never put to any sort of use. When it bleated, Margot could see its flat, broad teeth. An herbivore, clearly. A prey animal, in other words.

Braxxos squatted down, speaking soothingly to the creature, sitting still a moment before slowly moving toward it. A snare of some kind had trapped its rear legs, the cordage cinched up tight and beginning to cut into its flesh from its wild thrashing. Judging by the freshness of the blood, it had only recently been trapped.

Braxxos pulled out a small piece of metal from his pocket and began slicing, speaking in the same soothing tones the entire time. The animal, to Margot's surprise, somehow knew this man was not going to harm it. Rather than fight and struggle, it sat quietly, watching with four wide eyes.

He made quick work of the cords with his makeshift knife, slicing it free and untangling the animal's legs. Unrestrained, the little creature bolted, moving quite fast for its size. But it stopped for a second to look back on the man who had helped it. It didn't make a sound, but its eyes said enough. It then turned and disappeared into the brush.

Margot walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder as he dismantled the rest of the trap, reducing it to shreds. "That was a good thing you just did."

He shrugged. Apparently, this was just another day in the life of Braxxos the mountain man. Though, technically, he didn't actually live on a mountain. He motioned for her to come then headed off once more.

Margot watched him walk, appreciating his kind, gentle nature, his actions speaking louder than any words ever could, even if they had happened to speak the same language. This gave a window into the man's soul, and she found it pure and good.

"Hang on," she murmured to herself as a realization hit. "Who set that trap?"

Clearly, it hadn't been Braxxos. That meant others were out here. Was it the soldier-looking group she'd briefly encountered? Or was it something else? Could the Raxxians be setting traps? Suddenly, she didn't feel nearly as safe as she had just minutes before.

A large shadow crossed from overhead. She looked up through the trees in awe. It was a ship of some sort, fairly small and relatively quiet in its flight, but there was still a faint hum emanating from it. Braxxos seemed on-edge, motioning that they should go. Margot followed close as he hurried along the ridgeline.

She heard a crackling sound off to the side behind them and turned to investigate its source, but her footing abruptly shifted on the loose soil, sliding out from beneath her, her arms windmilling as she lost her balance.

"Braxxos!" she called out just as she went tumbling down the hillside.

The softness of the ground, which had caused her to fall in the first place, was also her saving grace, cushioning her as she bounced and rolled all the way to the bottom, miraculously not hitting a single tree or rock on the way down.

"Oof!" she exclaimed as her body abruptly came to a stop upon reaching flat ground far below the ridge. "Ohhhh, that sucked."

Margot lay still a moment, assessing her body, making sure nothing felt broken. She didn't want to move prematurely and grind a broken bone, or worse. If her back was hurt, she could even paralyze herself moving too soon. But as her adrenaline subsided and her senses cleared, she was able to discern that, somehow, she'd managed to come out of her little mishap unscathed.

"Well, that was—" She stopped abruptly.

There were boots standing nearby. Several pairs of them. And looking up she saw they were attached to a group of men, all of them watching from just a few paces away. Blue men, with one exception.

The men were standing quietly, just staring at her with puzzled expressions. Many of them wore torn uniforms, some stained with dried blood. They looked like hell, but the two standing off to the side were clean and fresh.

One was absolutely massive and brutish, barrel-chested with deep blue skin and deeper blue hair, cropped short and wiry. He looked as though he was absolutely covered in strange tattoos from what she could see on his enormous arms.

The other was more of an orange-tan color with shiny brown hair a bit longer than his counterpart's, neatly brushed and coiffed despite the setting. He was nearly the same height, but he was not almost comically bursting out of his uniform as the other was. A uniform, she saw, that was a different camouflage style and cut than the others, as well as being far more neatly squared away.

Margot realized she recognized them, and with that she felt a huge wave of relief. These were the good guys. They were here to rescue her.

"You were the ones fighting the Raxxians yesterday. And that thing. You were fighting that beast out in the woods. You saved me."

The two looked at one another, the large blue man barking out something in a rather ugly language. The men, clearly his underlings, fanned out while these two remained. Margot looked up at the ridge, scanning the trees for any sign of Braxxos, but he was nowhere to be seen.

The larger man stared at her as if he'd smelled something foul. The other, however, bent and offered his hand, smiling warmly, a bright cheer to his beautiful green and gold-flecked eyes. He helped her to her feet, his grip firm and warm, his strength palpable in his touch. And he was built. Tall, strong, and with an impressive bulge hanging down his left trouser leg, she noted.

He spoke, his words fluid and melodic. Not the same language as Braxxos, but at least far more pleasant than the other man's.

"I don't understand you. I don't have that translation thingie," she said, turning her head and showing the bare skin behind each ear.

The men looked at one another, shocked. The blue one uttered something, waving his hands at Margot as he clearly had some thoughts about her. The tan-skinned man stepped in front of him, puffing his chest out, a conflict of some sort, though she had no idea what about. They argued a moment, the blue man glaring at her, the tan one defending her, until, finally, the larger man stormed off, leaving the other man behind.

He turned to Margot and shrugged, letting out an amused little chuckle as he shook his head. Whatever they'd said to one another, he was not afraid of the larger man. And though she didn't understand him, he'd clearly just stood up for her.

The man placed his hand on his chest. "Rylinn," he said. "Rylinn."

This one knew the name game better than Braxxos had, it seemed.

"I'm Margot."

"Margot," he replied. Satisfied with her answer, he gave a little bow and gestured for her to follow.

"Where are we going?"

He pointed through the trees. She squinted, focusing on the one thing that didn't quite fit in with the rest of the environment. Once she saw it, the outline became crystal clear.

So that's what all that cracking sound was .

The alien ship wasn't fully visible through the trees—there was too much foliage blocking the way—but it was clear enough what he was saying. He wanted to take her to his ship. He wanted her to come with. She felt a wave of relief wash over her. Rylinn was rescuing her.

Margot looked around for Braxxos one more time, wondering why he ran. But, cute as he was, the man lived a reclusive life by choice from what she could tell. It was entirely likely that he had no desire to be around people. She'd apparently been an exception, but by no means enough to make him change his hermit ways.

She shrugged and turned back to her handsome savior. "Okay. Lead the way."