Hearts of Gold [In a Sea of Sand] ((Dragonfable Story)) Chapter 5

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The sun was high overhead, and the group had been traveling for a few hours. Aveline sat atop the horse, scanning the desert with her arm up to shield her eyes from the sun. Zhoom was leading the horse, which clopped at a moderate pace through the sand. A glint far ahead caught Aveline's gaze, and she sat up straighter. She spotted some green among the gold.

"Zhoom… is that the oasis?" she asked, pointing towards the glimmer. He gazed in the indicated direction.

"Yes, it is," his emerald eyes moved up to her as he answered. "We'll be there soon."

True to his word, they reached the oasis in a matter of minutes. Great palm trees and other various desert plants lined the water. The horse's ears perked as Zhoom leg it past the protection of trees. It gave a whinny as it tossed its head and flicked its tail, then broke away from the ranger. Aveline gave a laugh and entwined her fingers in its mane as the beast trotted across the soft grass to the water.

"Hey!" Zhoom called after the horse, which was already drinking greedily from the pool. Aveline chuckled and patted its neck as Zhoom appeared at her side.

"Are you okay?" he asked. She smiled, giving a nod.

"Yes, I'm fine." The ranger offered her a hand, and helped her down from the horse's back. Once on the ground, Aveline looked around at the protected oasis.

"It's beautiful," she stated.

"Yeah, it is," Zhoom agreed, his eyes never leaving the dancer. Aveline walked to the edge of the water and knelt down. She scooped up the water and brought her cupped hands to her lips.

"Mmmm," she sighed, the refreshing liquid quenching her thirst. Zhoom stood beside her, a blanket in his arms. The ranger spread it out beside Aveline.

There's a fruit here that will help with the healing of your wound. If you would," he motioned toward the blanket. Aveline sat cross-legged on the cloth, watching Zhoom as he shinnied up a nearby tree, a knife clamped between his teeth. He hacked at a branch, descending with a red fruit. The ranger sits opposite of Aveline on the blanket, and split the strange fruit with his knife. The girl watched curiously as he plucked a few green seeds from the plant. He popped them in his mouth and started chewing. The ranger moved onto his knees. Aveline mirrored him, and he began unwrapping the bandage from her middle. The ground-up seeds were lathered onto a gauze pad. Zhoom pressed it over her side, and the dancer bit her lip as it stung.

"Sorry," he said, quickly wrapping her middle up tight with strips of white cloth.

"It's fine," she assured him, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," the ranger said, staring into her golden eyes. Aveline felt the familiar ache in her heart, and tore her gaze from his. The ranger stood.

"I'm going to collect food for the journey back to the palace. Just rest, alright?" Aveline nodded and flopped on her back, staring at the clear blue sky.

Aveline opened her eyes. The sky above her was a golden-pink one, and the dancer realized she had fallen asleep. She sat up rubbing her eyes, looking around. The horse was on the other side of the pool, peacefully grazing on the lush desert grass. Upon further investigation, Zhoom was nowhere in sight.

"Huh," she said quietly, scratching her head. The girl heard someone approach behind her. Before she could turn, a figure dropped against the dancer, their knees on either side of her. The figure's chest was pressed against Aveline's back, and she stiffened as a tattooed arm slid around her waist. Another followed suit, snaking gently around her. Aveline's heart beat wildly in her chest as she realized who it was.

"Zhoom, what're you-"

"Shhhhh…" he hushed, his breath sending goose bumps down her neck. His dark hair fell over her shoulder. "Just stay calm. We're not alone," he whispered. The girl's eyes widened, and Zhoom pressed his lips against the side of her head. "Easy. Don't move," he whispered into her ear. The ranger held her closer, the arm around her reaching for the hilt of his scimitar. Her heart pounded as he placed a kiss on her neck. With a flash, Zhoom unsheathed the sword. The blade sang in front of Aveline as the ranger made a backward strike. She heard a cry of surprise, and Zhoom was no longer sitting behind her. Aveline twisted around to see a cloaked figure fall in front of Zhoom. More appeared from the shadows of the foliage, unsheathing swords and daggers.

"Bandits!" Zhoom shouted at her over his shoulder. He gave a sharp whistle as the advancing figures attacked. Aveline backed to the edge of the pool as Zhoom fought to keep them back. Heeding its master's call, the horse plunged through the throng of bandits. It whinnied as it stood by Zhoom's side.

"Take the horse and get out of here!" the ranger called. Aveline stood frozen to the spot.

"I won't leave you, Zhoom!" she cried. The sand elf gave a shout as he preformed some sort of magic. Aveline shielded her eyes as a bright light followed. The dancer's eyes snapped open as she heard a roar. A large black beast crouched at Zhoom's side, golden armor strapped over its black fur. Its red eyes darted around

"Zixcy!" the ranger called, motioning toward the bandits. The creature roared and launched itself at the enemy. Zhoom quickly ran to Aveline. He lifted her onto the horse, hastily handing her the reins.

"The horse knows the way back. Keep going and don't stop," he ordered. Fear for the ranger's life clawed at Aveline's heart. She desperately placed her hands on either side of his tan face.

"No! I will not leave you!" she repeated.

"I'll be fine," the ranger assured her, lifting his left hand to her neck. With a strong gentleness, he pulled the girl to him. Zhoom pressed his lips against hers from atop the horse, Aveline kissed back, her heart fluttering. The kiss was broken as Zhoom hit the flat of his blade against the horse's flanks. Tears filled Aveline's eyes as the horse cantered away. Zhoom turned back to fighting the bandits. Aveline and the horse broke out of the oasis and into the desert.

"No…" the girl sobbed, the oasis getting smaller behind her. She frantically pulled on the reins, tried to turn the horse around. It gave a whinny, but ignored her directions.

"We have to go back!" she cried desperately, tears streaming down her tan cheeks, "We can't leave him!" But the horse continued to gallop away from the oasis, the sound of clanging blades becoming fainter.