FADING HEART: Chapter Seven, Pucatrows

Chapter Seven: Pucatrows

(At the Embassy)

     The lift doors opened, and they all stepped back while another few dozen people exited. One man paused in front of Quin. “Sir, the East Forest has been utterly destroyed. There are few people remaining who have not been captured … I cannot say if any more have survived.”

     “Thank you. Thank you, my friend.” Quin held the door. “Let’s go, Reilly.”

     “I’m coming, too, Father.” Lottie sprinted on to the lift before her father could object.

     “No! Stay here with your mother!”

     “Father, there is only one working scope. I’ll be more help in the forest.” Lottie stepped further into the lift. “I’ll have it no other way!”

     “She’s right, Quin,” Brigid said. “Go!”

     Quin and Reilly stepped onto the lift and the doors shut.

     “The Infusionists could only spare two bottles of elixir and a small portion of ointment.” Quin held up a small flask and placed it in his pocket. “Reilly, please keep this with you.” Quin handed Reilly a tiny tin canister, which he slipped into his pocket next to his Fireglass.

     The lift descended rapidly, creaking alarmingly and landing with a lurch. Reilly wondered if the walls would cave in and crush them, but he dismissed the thought and refocused his attention. A group of the trolls greeted them when the door opened.

     “We diverted the remaining Stalwarts to the West Woods.” A Pucatrow with a mound of orange hair covering his broad chest spoke. “We do not detect any others remaining in the East Forest.”

     “Thank you for the report, Cormack,” Quin said. Turning to Reilly, he continued. “Reilly, Cormack is the leader of the Pucatrows. They are a peculiar breed, but loyal to the Embassy.”

     The Pucatrow’s bulging eyes darted back and forth, seemingly uncontrollably. Their noses started to twitch, oozing greenish-blue goop. Reilly crossed his arms when three of the Pucatrows stepped closer to sniff him.

     “This is Reilly,” Quin said. “He’s here to help us.”

     “He smells different,” another Pucatrow snorted. He caught a globule of dripping snot with his hand and licked his palm with a loud slurping sound. Reilly flinched.