Toxic Tales: Chapter 3

The Cave

Achelois and Elpis went back to Achelois"s cave in silence. Achelois knew that her father wouldn't care about what the two of them said or did so it was the perfect place to plan how to leave the poison wyvern territory and survive in the wilderness. As they entered Achelois"s father asked, "Did you get anything or will you leech off me for your miserable life?"

"I'm a soldier, so my life won't last long anyway." Achelois yelled back, "It's not like I'll miss anyone here," she whispered to Elpis.

"I don't blame you, he's getting worse by the day," Elpis whispered back. They entered Achelois"s segment of the cave and started planning out what they needed to bring and how they would get past the patrols. "We don't have too much space so we need to only take the necessities," Elpis whispered.

"We need medical supplies and a map if we can get one," Achelois responded.

"We both know we'll never get a map."

"You're mother is a medic right Elpis?"

"Yeah, why?"

"She'll have the most supplies, do you know where it all is?"

"Yeah, it's in a cave right below mine."

"Grab your bag, because we're going there."

"It's only sunset, let's wait so no one will be there."

"Whatever you say, Elpis."

The two waited until it was nearly moon-high before they left the cave as quietly as possible and flew towards the cavern. Once they arrived Elpis led Achelois to the supply room. "My mother used to tell me that this is where I would work when I got an assignment, look how that turned out," Elpis muttered.

"I mean we're supposed to save the poison wyverns instead, so I guess it's better," Achelois responded, "it's not like we would've done much otherwise."

"We're here," Elpis whispered. They walked into a large segment and immediately began taking supplies.

"Grab thyme, it acts as a disinfectant, bandages obviously, small quantities of antivenoms just in case, take a lot of burnet, it'll reduce bleeding, and don't forget, peppermint can help relieve cold symptoms..." Elpis rambled, "... lavender reduces pain and stress, and turmeric is an

anti-inflammatory."

"Is that all?" Achelois teased.

"Nothing that important, I'm out of space and haven't gotten any peppermint left, if you still have more space after that take more burnet and bandages."

"I've got the peppermint, burnet right?"

"Yeah, it's nearly moon-high, let's leave after this."

"Alright, I'm out of space let's go," Achelois responded.

"Come on then let's go! We'll finally be free of this place!" Elpis cheered. They ran out of the cave and flew out of the chasm into the forest surrounding it. They were almost free, Achelois knew that it would be hard to survive out there but that it would be better than dying in a war that could have been stopped, they'll find out what the stone in her neck is, and most importantly they'll finally know what it's like to be free.

- Sol