Page 60 of Ahelno
“Is it M’Pak?” I asked.
“I don’t know, but I would suspect so. I cannot imagine any other Granthor coming into the city. I am heading to the gate now. The guards have been instructed not to engage, but it is approaching them slowly and seems determined to come in.”
“If it has a pink ribbon around its neck, then it’s definitely hers. Instruct them to let it be.”
“Acknowledged,” he said.
“I am on my way to the gates,” I said. He pinged me a moment later. “I am at the gates and have confirmed that the Granthor has a pink ribbon. I believe it is Andie’s animal. He seems very agitated.”
“Something must be wrong. I’m almost there.”
I flew to the courtyard and saw M’Pak pacing in front of the gates. He snarled as he stalked back and forth, both distressedand seemingly unsure of what to do. When he saw me, he headed straight for me. As a Ptexari warrior, I stood my ground, but I could admit that facing down a thousand-pound predator was unnerving. He could eviscerate me without a second thought before I even pulled my blaster. I had to trust that he knew who I was and would not do me any harm.
As he approached, he slowed down and lowered his head. He walked up to me very cautiously. I put my hand out as I had seen Andie do. He often butted his head against her hand and moved along it so that she would caress his fur. He did not seek my hand, but instead looked me in the eye steadily as he slowly opened his mouth and very gently grabbed my wrist.
It took every ounce of self-control not to yank my arm away. My wrist was in the mouth of one of the most dangerous animals on our planet. He could crush my wrist without a second thought. He could probably rip my arm off if he so chose.
The guards all drew their blasters and pointed them at him. The Granthor tensed, but did not let go. “Stand down,” I said. “But stay ready.”
He gently tugged my wrist. His teeth were sharp and dug into my skin, but did not break it. He pulled me forward. I stumbled a step towards him, and he kept tugging, not letting go of my wrist. “I think he wants you to follow him, Your Highness,” one of the guards said.
“Andie must be in trouble,” Andokar said. “That’s the only reason I can think that this Granthor would willingly approach us without her.”
I tested their theory and stepped forward deliberately. The Granthor was moving backward, pulling me along with him,harder. “I understand, M’Pak, I’ll follow.” I moved faster, and he let go of my wrist.
He turned around and started moving forward, then turned his head back to me. I took a few steps toward him, and he began walking forward. I followed behind. He turned back again to make sure I was following, and then moved into a trot. “Andokar, come with us,” I said. “The rest of you stay on alert for any messages from me.”
Andokar and I jogged forward. Seeing us keep pace, the Granthor opened up and started running. We picked up the pace and ran behind. “Something must be very wrong,” Andokar said.
I did not answer. I did not want to think about what trouble my mate must be in for her pet to seek us out in this way. I called for Andie on my wristband, but she was not answering. M’Pak was soon outpacing us. He snarled in frustration. Andokar and I took to the air, flying low so he could see that we were still following him.
At that point, he opened up into a gallop faster than any animal I had ever seen. He could easily outpace a vehicle. Andokar and I flew nearly as fast. I knew my top flying speed was over 75 clicks per centine, and M’Pak was easily faster than that.
In fewer than ten minutes, we were at the Dumani Cliffs. I could see a vehicle parked to the left, but M’Pak veered right and then stopped at the cliffs’ edge. My hearts stopped at that moment. I flew down the cliff face into the canyon and then spotted her. My mate was sitting on a ledge, face scraped up, fingers bloody, eyes closed.
“Andie, are you well?” I asked, hearts beating out of my chest as I hovered near her.
She opened her eyes slowly. “I’ve been better,” she croaked.
“May I assist you?” I asked.
“What would you do if I said no?” she laughed, then winced. “Ouch.”
“Scoop you up in my arms anyway and fly you back to the city to receive medical attention.”
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day,” she said. I reached one arm behind her back and the other underneath her knees as I flew her to the cliff face. “Is that your vehicle?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said. “You can use it to drive me back to the Palace, thanks.”
“I can fly you faster than that. Andokar will drive it back to the Palace while I take you.” Andokar nodded.
M’Pak bumped against my legs, and I lowered Andie slightly so he could sniff her to his satisfaction. She looked deeply in his eyes, and I would swear she was communing with the beast. He gave a satisfied huff.
“Do you think he wants to ride back to the Palace in the vehicle with Andokar?” I asked. Andokar looked decidedly nervous at the prospect, but kept silent.
“No, he prefers to run,” she said. “He’ll probably beat us there.”
“I have no doubt of it,” I concurred. “He is remarkable. I cannot believe he was able to find us and lead us to you. Perhaps the Granthor are smarter than we give them credit for.”
