Page 30 of Prison Moon
“Of course. Your species, not one I know, but all fitted with translators when exiled here.”
The translator. She ran her fingers behind her ear where she knew the Big Head’s had put something. She had no trouble understanding Toren or this—guy/girl—but Toren still couldn’t understand her. “Can you understand what he says,” she asked, pointing to Toren.
“Yes.” His head tilted a bit to one side. “You cannot?”
“I can, but he doesn’t understand me. I don’t think he has a translator. Is everyone not fitted with one?”
“Yes.” He stared at Toren and tapped his ear. “Do you not have translator?”
Toren shook his head. “I don’t know what that is.”
“Implant that allows understanding of languages.”
Toren turned to look at her. “No. I do not.” He looked back at the creature by the stream. “Where can I find one?”
“Most translators implanted but seen a few handheld. Where you find one, I know not.”
Toren turned and lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the stream, setting her feet back on the bank. He did not let go of her, though. He draped one arm around her shoulder. “You may refill your water pouch.”
The creature nodded his head. “My thanks.” It walked closer to the stream, his steps slow. Sara saw why when he reached the edge of the stream and bent down. Nearly the entire length of its back was torn open.
She gasped and gripped Toren’s arm. “You’re hurt.” She made a step toward the stream before Toren grabbed her and pulled her back. “Who did that to you?”
It looked up, pain filling its eyes as it bent near the water’s edge. “Enforcers. They raid camp not far from here. They look for females. Not enough for arena fight at month’s end. The chase unsuccessful as most females killed by those trying to claim them.” He glanced at her quickly but looked away. “You stay close to him. They take you they find you.”
Toren’s hold on her tightened. “And they will die for trying.”
The creature filled its water flask and sat up on its knees, pain filling its eyes. Sara looked up at Toren. “Will the nosha leaves help?”
Toren looked across the stream. “What did she say?”
“Something about nosha leaves.”
He nodded. “Yes. They will heal your wounds. Do you have any?”
“Never heard of them.”
Toren looked surprised. “Their healing properties have been known for centuries.” He grabbed the basket they’d put the nosha leaves and sidra roots in. “You ground them to a paste and cover the wounds.”
“You’ll need help,” Sara said. She took a step toward the water but Toren’s hand on her shoulder stopped her. “How is he supposed to put that on his back?” She looked back at the creature. “I’m sorry.” She blushed. “You are a he, right? I can’t—“
It smiled. “I am either.” It stood, closing its eyes and grimacing as pain distorted its features. When it opened them back up, it said, “My species adapts to what is needed or desired, but you may refer to me as male if it suits.”
Sara wasn’t sure it suited her or not but thinking of it as a he was better than an it. She smiled. “All right then.”
With Toren’s permission, he crossed the stream but kept his distance from her. Sitting by the water’s edge, Sara was able to see his back clearer. His flesh was ripped open and oddly, green blood oozed from his skin. “What did they beat you with?”
“Tail. Tip is barbed.”
“Oh.” Toren pointed to a rock not far from where he stood and Sara sat down on it, keeping her distance as she knew Toren wanted. “What exactly is an enforcer? What do they look like?”
“Large flying beasts with gray and black scales.”
She sat up straight. “A dragon?”
“No. Not exactly.” Toren handed him a handful of the leaves and told him to chew them. With his mouth full he said, “Enforcers are species called wyvern. They two-legged with wings. Dragons four-legged with wings. You only find the wyvern’s here, though. Dragons die out centuries ago.”
“Not all. One captured me when I tumbled from a cliff.”