Chapter 132 The Healer Home Will Fix Us
After they all left with Lucia sitting in the truck beside Mira, her eyes scanning the horizon for threats the journey began in tense silence. Mira drove steadily, the truck rumbling along the path, while Lucia occasionally glanced back at the bed where Fernando and Alberto lay secured. "How long until we reach the healer's home?" Lucia asked, her voice breaking the quiet after a few hours. "Fernando's in pain he won't say it, but I can see it in his face. And Alberto... he hasn't stirred once."
Mira kept her eyes on the road, her grip tight on the wheel. "A few days if we're lucky. The path is hidden, but my spirit plague will guide us when we get close. Just keep watch, Vorn's guards are supposed to be protecting us, but I don't trust anyone right now."
Lucia nodded, her hand resting on her dagger. "I won't let anything happen to them. After what Alberto did for me, sealing the curse I owe him my life. And Fernando... he's always been the rock for all of us. We get them healed, no matter what."
Halfway into the journey, as the truck navigated a narrow stretch of path, the attack came without warning. Elder Vorn's armies, supposedly their escorts, suddenly turned, blocking the road ahead and flanking from the sides. One soldier stepped forward, dagger drawn, his voice cold and commanding. "Mira, stop the truck. We've been instructed to kill Fernando. Make sure he never returns to the pack. Elder Vorn's orders are clean and quick."
Mira slammed on the brakes, her face twisting in fury. "Vorn's orders? He released you to protect us, not betray us! What the hell is this?"
The soldier smirked, signaling his men to advance. "Plans change. Fernando's a liability now blind, paralyzed. The pack can't have a weak alpha. Step aside, or die with him."
Lucia leaped from the cab, shifting partially, her claws extending as she positioned herself between the truck and the soldiers. "You think you can touch him? Over my dead body. Mira gets ready. We fight."
Mira jumped out, silver needles already in her hand. "Lucia, cover the left. I'll take the right. Protect Fernando and Alberto at all costs."
The soldiers charged, daggers flashing. Lucia met the first one with a savage slash, her claws ripping through his armor. "You traitor, how dare you turn on your own alpha!"
The soldier gasped, blood bubbling from his mouth. "It's for the pack's future!"
Mira flung her needles, embedding them in two attackers' necks. "The pack's future? You're destroying it! Vorn's greed will ruin us all."
Another soldier swung at Lucia, his blade grazing her arm. She roared and countered, snapping his wrist. "You'll pay for that. Fernando led us through worse than this and you think killing him fixes anything?"
Mira dodged a thrust, using her invisible force to crush a soldier's chest. "Keep talking, Lucia let them know what cowards they are. Attacking a blind man? Pathetic."
Lucia kicked another back, her breath coming in pants as a slash opened on her thigh. "They won't get past us. For Kael, for everything he died for we hold the line."
The fight dragged on, Mira and Lucia moving in tandem, their attacks relentless. Mira summoned vines to trip a group, then stabbed with her needles. "You hear that? That's the sound of your failure. Vorn sent you to die."
A soldier landed a hit on Mira's side, blood flowing freely. She gritted her teeth. "Is that all you've got? I've fought worse."
Lucia took a deep gash across her shoulder but kept swinging. "Mira behind you!" She shouted.
Mira spun, force-pushing the attacker away. "Thanks. We can't let them near the truck."
Finally, the soldiers lay defeated, but Mira and Lucia were badly injured, Mira clutching her bleeding side, Lucia limping from multiple slashes, blood staining their clothes.
Mira leaned against the truck. "The provisions... check them."
Lucia opened the back. "Damaged most of the food's ruined, water spilled. But Fernando and Alberto they're safe. No scratches."
Mira nodded weakly. "Good. We keep going. But the truck's done for, the tires slashed."
Lucia looked around, then set to work. "I'll make something. From the tree branches for a wheelchair frame, vines bind it. Fernando can sit. And a sleeping slate for Alberto flat board to push him on. We walk from here."
Mira watched as Lucia fashioned the makeshift devices, her hands steady despite the pain. "You're strong, Lucia. Stronger than any of us knew."
Lucia finished the wheelchair first, weaving vines tightly. "For them, I'd do anything. Let's get Fernando into this he can sit upright at least. It'll give him some dignity."
They lifted Fernando carefully into the chair. He stirred slightly. "What happened? I heard fighting."
Mira explained briefly. "Vorn's betrayal. We're safe now. Lucia's made you a chair. We continue on foot."
Fernando's voice was grim. "Damn Vorn. Get me moving, I'll push if I have to."
Lucia then built the slate a flat platform from wide branches, padded with remaining blankets. "Alberto goes here. I'll push him. Mira, you guide the way."
Mira straightened as best she could. "Let's move. The healer's home waits. We don't stop until we get there."
They set off, Lucia pushing Alberto's slate, Mira wheeling Fernando, their injuries slowing them but not stopping them. Lucia glanced at Mira. "Think we'll make it?"
Mira's response was resolute. "We have to. For the pack. For everything."
As they traveled, Fernando spoke up from his chair. "Tell me about the fight. Every detail. I may be blind, but I can still listen and plan revenge."
Lucia recounted the battle, her voice steady.
Fernando's hands gripped the chair arms. "Vorn will pay. When I'm healed, I'll make sure of it”.
Fernando nodded slowly. “Lucia, how bad are your injuries? Be honest."
Lucia downplayed it. "Scratches. Nothing that won't heal. Mira's worse side wound's deep. But we're wolves. We endure."
Mira chimed in. "She's right. Focus on yourself. The ancient healers will fix us all."
The conversation continued, helping pass the time and keep spirits up as they pushed forward, determined to reach their destination despite the odds.