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Aly wasn't sure what that was but decided to ask later. She rifled through Ryziel's pack until she found the case Nar described. "Got it."

"Good. Now get back quickly."

"There's a bad smell outside the cave," Aly confessed. "Like...the smell of nuri."

"That would be nyghi blood. Stay clear of that."

Aly nodded and swallowed, her mouth suddenly feeling very dry. She grasped the handle of the kit in a tight grip then turned back to the narrow passage.

As she once again slipped back down the hall, using the wall as her guide, she looked to the mounds again across the way and realized they must be the bodies of the nyghi. Or at least parts of them. Her stomach dipped, and she covered her nose once again, afraid she might vomit. There was an echo of a cry in the distance, but Aly ignored it, refusing to stop even to check around.

When she got back to the garden door, she squeezed herself inside then waited for the door to close fully before turning her light back on. She made for the obelisk at break-neck speed then slowed considerably as she drew closer, directing her light around it until she saw Ryziel crouching behind it like she had been before he found her.

He still did not speak save to growl at her, exposing his fangs. The yard around the obelisk was covered in blood, but Aly kept still, easing to the ground to set the kit down. She raised her techband once more.

"I'm here," Aly whispered.

"All right, open the case," replied Nar.

Aly did so carefully. Inside, she found a number of tools, a thick, black bottle, a clear bottle filled with what looked like nothing but water, a small red bottle, several gauze-like tapes, and a cleaning rag.

"Do you see a tool that looks similar to a mender but with a flat laser at its head?" Nar asked.

Aly dropped her light down to get a better look and saw such a tool, one which reminded her of a scanner. "Yes," she said, picking it up.

"Take that, the clear bottle, and the salve in the black bottle. You will need to clean out the wounds first," Nar explained. "Pour the liquid from the clear bottle onto his wounds and wash the blood out. After that, you will use the tool then the salve."

Aly took the three items, along with the rag, and inched closer to Ryziel. His response was to hiss at her again, his body growing tight.

"It's okay, Ryziel, I'm going to help you." Aly slowly moved closer but was beginning to hesitate, afraid he might strike at her. Her fears were confirmed when he lunged toward her, almost catching her foot, causing Aly to jump and drop the black bottle.

The bottle hit the ground, cracking open like an egg, causing salve to spill out in thick globs onto the ground.

"Damn," Aly cursed and stepped back. "Nar, I can't get to him. He won’t let me."

There was a short clicking sound from her techband. "Try the red bottle, then. If you can get him to swallow some of the bluym, he should calm down."

"Should?" Aly responded, unconvinced. She set down the other items then picked up the red bottle. "What is it?"

"Its liquid bluym. A drug. Helps with pain and calming the mind."

Aly squeezed the bottle then looked back at Ryziel, who was starting to remind her of a trapped tiger. His eyes glowed back at her with feral heat, and his mouth split wide. The image reminded her of something she thought she had seen before, perhaps in a dream, and it made her shiver.

She watched him for a moment, unsure how to proceed. If she got close, he would strike at her. But he didn't try to attack her otherwise. It might be because he was weakening.

She took a step toward him then stopped as she became aware of something. He was still able to move. He could come at her if he wanted but he didn't.

Aly thought about it a second longer then, before she lost her nerve, she uncapped the bottle and moved swiftly toward him.

She flinched as he struck out but forced herself not to draw back again. His hand caught her wrist in a near painful grip, but she didn't hesitate. She shot out toward his face with the bottle in her other hand and practically struck him with it, the rim of the bottle hitting his fang. Liquid splashed his face, dripping down his mouth. Ryziel whipped his head back and snarled. He didn't loosen his grip on her, but he did swing her around not so gently. He dipped his head forward and licked his lips. Though she knew it was only from tasting the bluym, it looked to her like he was licking his chops, ready to take a bite out of her. Aly whimpered but didn't move, watching him, wide-eyed. She dropped the now empty bottle and waited for the bluym to take affect or for Ryziel to strike.

Ryziel's grip didn't loosen. He was still for a moment, as if confused. He looked toward her and blinked. Aly brought up her free hand to do...she wasn't sure what, and he gripped that one too.

"It's me, Ryziel. I'm right here," Aly said as softly as she could without breaking. "I'm right here."

He licked his fangs, tasting the last remaining bluym. He watched her carefully, his eyes locked to hers, then he pulled her closer.

Aly stiffened but dared not pull away. His savage face drew close to hers, but she dared not look anywhere but him. His head tilted slightly, his mouth turned downward. She felt his breath on her throat, and she shivered again.