Of Stars and Sails

by RadBunny


Chapter Ten: Home Sweet…uh oh.

Ow.

Skystar blinked sparking dots away from her vision, a light drizzle aiding her journey to consciousness. The dark grey sky above her was covered in clouds, and nothing but the faint chirping of birds and buzzing of insects greeted her other senses.
I’m…where am I? The last thing I remember is the ship, two of the others blowing up, and then-

Slowly looking around, Skystar noted how there were green vines everywhere, apparently thick enough to keep her from hitting the ground.
Keep them from hitting the ground.
The princess let out a surprised squeak as her soft pillow shifted, Galen lying flat on his back underneath her.
If not for the immediate stress of the situation, Skystar’s face would have been as bright as a turnip for the compromising position they were in. Her more immediate concern was if Galen was ok- other than being unconscious.
Ok. So he must have caught me after falling? And he took the brunt of the impact….
Apparently, she had been incorrect about the vines; the limited vegetation far underneath them was flattened slightly. That much indicated they must have hit, and then bounced back up quite a distance. How hard Galen hit though, Skystar wasn’t sure.

A light golden glow pulsed from his side, prompting a frown from Skystar, who now shifted off the still-comatose knight, settling on the vines next to him.
I didn’t see any ships around. So…where did they-oh!
A short distance away and lodged in the top of a tree, a bright orange bag greeted Skystar’s sight.
An emergency pack! I wonder if those were blown free? Or maybe tossed, considering how close to us it is. Wait. Is that…?

Sure enough, two other packs were littered in the trees next to the pair- prompting a frown from Skystar.
Ok. So three packs in our immediate position, and no sign of the ship.
Did they get away? Throw them overboard? Or did the ship crash?

She sighed, head shaking slightly. First thing was to get out of these vines, and make sure Galen didn’t smack onto the ground a full two stories below in the process.
Weaseling through the vines, Skystar grinned as she found a space to hover underneath the twisted vegetation. Carefully using her claws, she snipped the vines out from underneath Galen…
OHNO-

She barely caught the heavy knight as he fell, letting out a grunt as she lowered Galen to the round.
“Oh my gosh Galen, you are heavy!”
I guess ‘adorable’ weighs a lot!

Managing to lower the comatose knight safely to a space between the rocky out cropping’s, Skystar flew back up to retrieve the few visible emergency packs. Only once she had them on the ground did the princess spot a piece of wood hastily shoved into the elastic webbing that encased one of the bags. Also attached to this particular pack was a familiar satchel, filled to the brim with small crystals. The clasp was, in fact, flashing softly.
His medicine! That must be a timer of some sort!

Before doing anything else, Skystar quickly retrieved a crystal and pressed it to Galen’s side, watching as the magic seeped into the still-unconscious Captain. She then returned to the pack and pulled out the piece of ship decking. Skystar’s eyes widened as she read the crude message burned into the wood- likely from Staunch’s horn.
‘Enemies landed. Running. Will return. Hide!’

The sounds of the jungle now took on a much more sinister tone, Skystar swallowing nervously as she looked around.
Oooook. So, we’re not alone here. Need to get somewhere hidden. I’m not about to fly above the treeline though. Just need to find somewhere to hide, and get there fast!
…while dragging a gryphon and emergency packs.

“Sorry Galen, going to just leave you here for a minute. Need to look around.” Skystar whispered, making sure he wasn’t resting on any sharp stones before she headed off. Keeping within sight of him and the packs, Skystar looked over the small rocky hill they were on, nearly covered with vines and trees. While hidden, if one were to fly somewhat over it, the entire vine-strewn clearing would be visible.

“Ugh. Where is a cave when you need it?” Skystar muttered, now not able to let out a groan as she looked towards another rocky hill, barely visible through the trees.
“Oh you have got to be kidding me.” she sighed, seeing the dark entrance of a beautiful cave in the distance.
The far distance. Over rocks, jungle roots, and whatever else.
At least there IS a cave.

“Well, I guess I know my workout for today!”
Flying back down, Skystar ran over the options- deciding to hide the emergency packs and make her way with Galen to the cave first. Once he was safely inside, she could cover the entrance and retrieve the packs.

With quite a bit of groaning, Skystar managed to hoist Galen across her back, then carefully making her way down the rocky outcropping. There wasn’t a trail through the towering off-green trees however, only ‘less-crowded’ areas of vegetation.

The trees looked more like gargantuan bushes the closer Skystar got to them- dozens of smaller trunks tied together to then reach skyward. Of course, she was more focused on pushing her way through the thick undergrowth with Galen on her back. Ferns, vine tendrils and roots sought to trip and sideline her journey as the hippogriff pushed her way onwards.

The evil plants certainly succeeded in that task however, Skystar letting out a vicious grumble as she faceplanted for the fifth time in the damp soil.
“I want a massage. A really, REALLY long massage.” the princess mumbled, heaving herself up back onto all fours.
“And breakfast in bed. And lunch.” She took a few more steps, pushing through a particularly dense portion of undergrowth.
“And more cuddles.” the princess whispered, not able to resist a slight smile.
“And eventually lots of kisses.” she added, grinning widely as the rocky outcrop came into view.
“But, even if not, you’re worth it.”

Slowly scaling the rocks, Skystar let out a groan and shrugged Galen off, lowering him onto a small bush.
“Ok. Break time. Cave is…just up there.” she panted, looking up past the final two larger boulders and seeing the mouth of their objective. It looked fairly large- enough for the two of them to walk in side by side. It would make concealing it difficult, but perhaps it’d be just as big on the inside?

“Aaaand break time over.”
Hauling Galen back onto her back, Skystar traversed the last boulders and finally flopped inside the cave with a triumphant wheeze.
“Gotcha! Phew. Ok, breather.”
Shrugging Galen off, she positioned the Knight into a semi-comfortable sprawl on a flat part of the stone, taking a brief look around. The mouth of the cave flattened out for a time, but then abruptly slanted downwards, the tunnel appearing to open up and branch two different ways further down.

“Ooook. Safe cave. No spiders, no bad guys for now. Get the emergency packs, conceal the entrance, and we’re good.” Skystar said to herself, clambering outside once again.

Thankfully, it took only a few short minutes to fly under the treeline to retrieve the packs, Skystar hopping from branch to branch in the areas too dense to open her wings. It was a much easier matter to retrieve the three packs and get them situated in the cave than lugging a lot fuzzy dead weight across the ground.
No way I’d be able to fly carrying him. Maybe for a short distance, but not that far. I’m in shape, but not THAT in shape.

Once the packs were inside the cave, Skystar peeked around and noted a few piles of debris on the edge of the forested area, the dead vegetation having fallen to the rocks during a storm some time ago.
Bingo!

The next short while was spent dragging branches, vines, and piles of leaves to the cave entrance, covering it with a fairly impenetrable shield of dried matter. A few points let light in, but the shade was a welcome sensation from the increasingly-warm temperature outside.
Must be nearly evening, but the temperature is still stifling. Those earlier clouds vanished pretty quick! That must have thrown off my perception of time I guess. Was it really earlier today when Galen fought off those creatures? When I fought?

Skystar took a few deep breaths, digging into one of the large emergency packs. She paused, seeing a familiar blinking light from the medical satchel however.
“Medicine time again.” she murmured, applying a new crystal to Galen’s side. This time he actually let out a mumble and shifted- a welcome sign of life other than breathing.

A quick look into the three emergency packs yielded a comforting amount of supplies. There were plenty of ration bars (good for all species,) plenty of containers for water, purifying methods for such, emergency shelters, a few small medical kits, and a few other bits of survival paraphernalia.

We can stay here for easily a week, longer if we can find more water. There’s a ton of rations but not much immediate water- three days per pack...for two people each. Hmm.
Hopefully they wouldn’t have to test the outer limits of that.
“Y’know, other than the creepy golden freaks wanting to kill us, a week with you on some remote island doesn’t sound that bad.” Skystar mused, looking over a small survival manual in one of the kits.
Eh. Just basic stuff. I learned all of this during the guard boot camp I attended.
…Pfft. ‘Attended,’ a nice way of saying ‘I bothered my mom and the captain of the guard until they said yes.

Now that they were safe, Skystar looked over Galen a bit closer, checking to see if the gryphon had any visible injuries other than the occasionally-pulsing golden stab wound.
No blood, just a really handsome gryphon.

As she sat and looked around, Skystar finally let her shoulders slump, ears flattening as the full weight of their situation came crashing down. Now that they were hidden and at least somewhat safe, the lack of immediate stress allowed their predicament to run wild in her mind.
Reaching a set of claws up, she stroked Galen’s blue headfeathers, a surprising well of emotions bubbling up towards her eyes as the Knight didn’t respond to her touch.

“I h-hope you wake up soon, Galen. I could really use someone to talk to right now.” she whispered, managing a slight laugh that failed to step a hot tear or two.
“It’s nice, having somecreature to just be around, be myself. I told you about Shelly and Sheldon, but having a real friend is…I just don’t want to lose you, or anyone else. Obviously not you especially since I-” Skystar’s throat closed as she shook her head, letting a slight sniffle.

“Just wake up soon, alright? I’d rather say all this when you’re awake. And maybe during that date you still need to take me on.” she managed a slight tearful giggle at that.
“I like you a ton, and we still haven’t had a proper one. You wouldn’t court a princess without a date, would you? I guess this island isn’t the best place for that though.” Skystar managed a slight smile, scrubbing a fear tears from her eyes.

“Honestly, as long as it’s with you, I’m ok with it. I just wish you’d wake up.”
Unfortunately, Galen continued to slumber, leaving Skystar to meander to the back of the cave, peering into the dark tunnels. A small emergency light from one of the kits lit her way, but the tunnels twisted and turned far too much for her liking.
I’d rather not explore those alone, especially if I have to find my way back.

Walking back and double-checking the concealment on the cave mouth, Skystar nearly had a heart attack as Galen shot upright, chest heaving as his claws scored the stone underneath him. His eyes were wide with terror, and a cold sweat instantly matted the gryphon’s frame.
“Whoa! Hey, Galen. You’re ok. It’s just me.” Skystar said softly, walking over to him cautiously.
I’ve never seen him like this…

His panicked breathing slowed, and Galen blinked, as though a strange haze was in front of his eyes.
“Skystar? You’re…ah, right.” he murmured, lowering himself onto the ground with a sigh.
“You’re ok, that’s good. But where is ‘here’?” Galen asked, voice nearly a mumble as he seemed to struggle forming his thoughts.

“I’m fine, thanks to you. We’re on some island after escaping those pursuing ships, remember?” Skystar asked, now worried that the gryphon had smacked his head earlier on the rocks. As she spoke, the cloudiness seemed to clear further from Galen’s mind and demeanor, the gryphon shaking his head briefly.

“Right, the ships. The ships! Wait, the island! You! Sky! You’re ok!” he exclaimed, prompting a happy smile from Skystar.
Aaaand he’s back!

“Welcome back. That was a bit weird though.” Skystar replied, immediately blushing as the Knight reached over to hold her claws tightly.
“Sorry. I’ve been in and out of it. I couldn’t tell what was real and what was in my mind.” he whispered, the fact Skystar squeezed his talons in return seeming to ease a bit of tension from the gryphon’s frame.

“A nightmare?” she asked, eyes then narrowing as Galen shook his head, but then nodded.
“Yes, and no. Memories, which become…that.” he explained, shaking his head.
“I’d rather not talk about it- not right now. Later, yes. But it’s still fresh.”

Skystar scooted closer to lean against Galen’s shoulder, gently nuzzling his shoulder.
“That’s ok. I’m just glad you’re here and awake. You feeling ok? I’ve been giving you those medical crystals when the crystal blinks. Oh! We have some emergency packs, and a message from Staunch I think.”

Showing Galen the marked wood, Skystar briefly explained the past hour or two, prompting the gryphon to stare.
I am definitely not imagining that blush though.
“You did all that for me? Hauled me here?” he murmured, prompting a happy giggle.
“Well of course! What else would I do? Leave you hanging?”
Her words prompted a slight groan from Galen, but the poor pun was hardly a dampener on his mood.
“That’s a good point, but still, thank you.” he whispered, prompting some more happy nuzzling on his shoulder.
“You are quite welcome. Ugh, I’m just so happy you’re back. I mean, I took a wilderness survival course, but this was all a bit overwhelming on my own.” Skystar explained, prompting a tired chuckle.

“Well, I think you’ve done fantastically. You got us shelter, supplies, and have been treating my illness. Not sure how much help I’ll be. I…um, can barely move.” Galen admitted.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Limbs feel like they’re weighed down with a bag of boulders, and I’m just exhausted.”

Skystar was quiet for a moment, but then shrugged her shoulders and settled down next to the gryphon, enjoying the close contact as their sides rose and fell together.
The fact Galen scooted a bit closer only made Skystar all the happier.
“I have you to talk to though! I know you’re ok, and it’s a lot less lonely.” Skystar added, letting out a soft ‘eep’ as Galen squeezed her talons again, nuzzling her shoulder feathers ever so slightly. The gryphon didn’t say anything, but when his voice finally did rumble out, Skystar heard his usually stoic tone crack ever so slightly.

“I’m just glad you’re safe.” he whispered.
Galen…
Gladly returning the affectionate gesture, Skystar angled her head to rest her cheek against Galen’s, noting that his eyes were shimmering ever so slightly.
“Thanks to you, and now it’s my turn to make sure you’re safe.” she whispered, enjoying his touch.
I’d love just to stay here like this for a while…

Apparently, Galen shared the sentiment, because the pair didn’t move for a few minutes. It was finally Galen who spoke, still resting his cheek against Skystar’s.
“I know were on a random island and I can barely move…” he began, head shaking back and forth slightly.
“But assuming we aren’t running for our lives in the morning, would you like to have a breakfast date? I know it’s not a ‘normal’ setting, but I hear they serve only the finest ration bars and packaged water here. A rousing game of ‘what’s in the emergency packs’ can be a lovely activity, so I hear.”

Skystar was in giggles halfway through Galen’s valiant attempt, eagerly nodding in reply.
“Of course, I’d love that. Besides, I think our relationship is anything but normal, and that’s a good thing.”
A happy hum was Galen’s reply, the exhausted gryphon managing to heave himself upright, at least partially. The reason behind it was obvious as he gave Skystar a hug, sagging into her waiting arms.
I love this…

“And maybe a lunch date too?”
Skystar couldn’t help but laugh, nodding eagerly as she continued to hug the tired Knight.
“I’d love that too. I also hear cuddles is a fantastic immune booster when you aren’t feeling good, in the meantime.” she mused, prompting a snicker from Galen.

“Oh really? I’d love to see the medical data on that.” he added, a sigh then escaping his beak.
“Hmm. It’d be rude to kiss on the first date though. So maybe a dinner date too…that’d make three dates, sooooooo-”
“Ok you can just shush now.” Skystar mumbled, any attempts at faking annoyance falling flat as her neck feathers were nuzzled again.
“Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine.”
I don’t know if I’ll make it off this island with my cheek feathers still attached to my face. I think these blushes are going to burn them off!

“It is getting late though. So, a bit of food, water, and more sleep? I concealed the cave as best I could, so I’ll double check that.” Skystar explained as Galen nodded. She set the mentioned supplies next to him, then walking to the entrance and made a few adjustments as a few early stars began to dot the sky.
It’s about as good as I can make it, at least for now.

When she returned, the ration bar and water was nowhere to be seen- Galen having scooted a small emergency blanket underneath him.
“Probably want to use one of these foil wraps, just in case. The temperature might drop drastically, but we’ll see.” he mused as Skystar downed a quick meal and some water as well.

“It might get cold you say?” Skystar asked after organizing their supplies into a small pile.
Payback time!
She lay an extra foil blanket down next to Galen, settling beside the gryphon and leaning on his shoulder.
“It’s a good thing I’ve got my own personal handsome heater.” she whispered, taking full satisfaction in that Galen’s feathers immediately fluffed at her words.
“You are really testing that ‘don’t kiss on the first date’ rule…”
OK NOT FAIR!

Skystar’s grumbles were met with chuckles as Galen scooted closer, leaning his head on the crook of Skystar’s back with a sigh.
“Hope you can get some sleep, Sky.”
She nodded, enjoying her own feathery pillow a bit too much to move.
“You too Galen. And thank you for saving me, again.”
He let out a sigh, a smile edging onto his beak as the gryphon’s shoulders shrugged ever so slightly.
“Anytime; whether it’s my job or not.”
“Maybe I’ll get paid for saving you from the cold tonight.” Skystar teased, enjoying the final prod at Galen’s adorable expense as the gryphon grumbled.
“We’ll see about that. G’night Skystar.”
“Goodnight Galen.”
I’ll be here for you, just like you’ve been there for me.
Now, it’s my turn.