Mei Shadowbrook's Arc

Chapter 1 of 1

Mei Shadowbrook had waited thirty years to meet the man fate promised her, and now one lay dying on her doorstep. She knelt in the cold dirt outside her cabin. The traveler shook with fever. His lips moved but made no sound. She pressed her palm to his forehead and pulled it back fast. Too hot. She could not ask his name. She could not ask why he came. She could only save him first. She would never lift him alone. Mei whistled, low and sharp. The old alligator surfaced from the pond by the trees, one eye gleaming, the other a scarred hollow. He dragged his heavy body up the bank. "Steady," Mei said. "Under his back. Gentle now." The gator slid his broad snout beneath the man's shoulders. Together they eased the traveler through the door and onto the couch by the fire. Mei tucked a blanket to his chin. His breath rattled. Time was short. She turned to the rafters. "Willow bark. The strips on the top shelf." Her raven dropped from the beam, wings glossy black. He snatched a bundle of dried bark in his beak and let it fall into her open hand. Mei crushed the strips into a pot of water already steaming on the hearth. The bird landed on the couch back and watched the sick man with a bright, careful eye. Mei stirred until the water turned warm amber. The earthy smell filled the room. She poured a cup and knelt beside the couch. She lifted the traveler's head and tipped the tea past his cracked lips. "Drink," she whispered. "Please." He swallowed. His throat worked. She gave him more, small sip after small sip, until the cup ran empty. Then she waited. The fire popped. The raven did not move. She counted his breaths and watched his face. Slowly, the shaking eased. Sweat beaded on his brow and broke. His skin cooled under her hand. His eyes fluttered, then opened. They were dark and confused, but awake. "Where am I?" he rasped. "Safe," Mei said. "My cabin. In the forest. The fever nearly took you." He looked at the gator by the hearth, then the raven, then her green eyes. "You have strange friends." Mei smiled. "They helped me carry you. What's your name?" "Caleb." He tried to sit and winced. "I was walking north. Then the cold got into me. I don't remember falling." "I'm Mei." She refilled the cup. "You'll stay until you're strong." Caleb drank on his own this time. He studied her over the rim. "You saved a stranger. Why?" She opened her mouth to answer and found she had none. She had wanted him to live before she knew his face. Now he was awake, and she felt something pull tight in her chest. Then Caleb set down the cup. "I have to warn you," he said. "Something is following me. It won't stop at your door."