368 Family Reunion

But Vyrena was still tense and on high alert. She was worried their encounter would have attracted the attention of the Arantaur. Everyone huddled together again, especially around El who was still injured. 

"How is she looking, Boss?" Vyrena asked anxiously. 

She could see that they had successfully stopped the bleeding for the time being, but the impaled limb of the creature was still in her shoulder. Vyrena knew they could not move without proper thought on what to do next. 

Removing it could cause El to bleed out. It was too huge a risk in the present. The children were debating on what to do next. Some suggested that they removed it now, so that they could clean the wound and speed up the recovery process. 

Others felt that removing it now could risk El's life even more. 

"For now, we can use fire to close the wound. Until we can find a better solution," Vyrena suggested. 

In order for them to do this, everyone had to play a part. Pulling out the appendage from El's shoulder was going to be excruciating for her. One of the children made a bundle of rags for El to bite down on. 

Vyrena explained to her what was going to be done. El nodded in agreement. She trusted Vyrena's judgement. Sorren came running with a paste he had made out of mushrooms and funghi he had found. 

"According to the funghi, this paste made out of mushroom and funghi can help to numb the area. That would help reduce the pain."

Vyrena nodded, "Good work Sorren."

Quickly, they applied the paste around the wound. Boss continued to use his healing powers to stabilise El's condition while the rest helped with the operation. 

"Ready?" Vy asked.

Those involved nodded. 

Ronni held onto the appendage. 

"On the count of three. One, two, three!" He pulled on it as hard as he could. 

At first, it refused to budge. Ronni put in more strength. Finally, it loosened. He was successful in removing it. But their work was not over yet! The gaping wound was still there. 

Now it was Vyrena's turn. She placed her hands over the affected area. Immediately warm heat radiated from her hands. She carefully controlled the temperature and its effect.

Vyrena made sure to take in deep breaths of air as she continued, carefully maintaining the fire. El was still writhing in pain. Despite the numbing effects of the paste, she was still experiencing discomfort and felt lightheaded.

Maribelle noticed that she was about to pass out and quickly gently slapped the both side of her cheeks. 

"El! Stay with us! Don't give up!" She cried. 

"Yeah El! You're so brave! Stay awake! We need you!" 

"Stay strong El! Just a little more!" 

Eventually, Vyrena's task was complete, she removed her hands. Tizzie brought out a needle and thread. She carefully sutured the wound. Front then back. 

"There, all done." Tizzie declared when she tied a knot and cut off the thread.

Everyone heaved a collective sigh of relief. Boss placed his hands over the wound and used what energy he had left to perform whatever healing he could. When his energy was spent, he collapsed into Tizzie's arms. 

However, they still could not rest. Vyrena could feel a strong foreboding presence coming towards them. She bit her lip. She took to her raven form immediately and flew up into the sky. 

A pit dropped in her stomach as she saw the looming figure of the Arantaur covered in blood. The creature had a huge grin on its face and it was coming towards them. Vyrena was staring directly at him, but it seemed like he did not see her. 

Just as she was about to fly down and warn the rest, she noticed Arantaur had stopped in its path. It was looking downwards towards the ground. The Arantaur began to reduce its size until Vyrena could no longer see it from where she was. 

Vyrena flew back to the others and told them she had to flew on ahead to see if another threat was coming their way. 

"If there is danger, I will give a signal in the sky. It would be a fireball," she told them. 

Sorren grabbed hold of her arm as she was about to leave, "Let me go with you." 

Vyrena shook her head, "No, you need to stay here and protect the rest. I won't be long. And I will play it safe." 

With that, she took flight once more and headed towards the area she had last spotted the Arantaur. When she closed in, she could sense multiple presences. Vyrena kept her distance as far as she could while still being able to see what was going on. 

When she looked on ahead from her hiding spot, she gasped in shock when she saw some familiar faces. At first, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. It was dark and there was only moonlight to light her way. 

But the aura was unmistakable. Vyrena knew the person who stood before the Arantaur. The Arantaur towered over her and she was speaking to him as if they knew one another. 

With her keen sense of hearing, Vyrena was able to hear what they spoke of. It was Queen Willow, alone. Where were the rest of the spider beasts? Where was Red Silk? Had something happened to them?

Vyrena pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind and tried to concentrate and listen to the conversation they were having. 

"I am surprised to see you here, Willow," the Arantaur spoke. 

He did not speak in the common tongue, but Vyrena was still able to understand him. Willow hung her head low. She did not make any eye contact with the Arantaur at first. 

Her silence seemed to irritate the Arantaur. 

"Is this how you greet your father? It seems like you've forgotten your manners, Willow," he chided in a chilling tone. 

"I… I …" 

The Arantaur leaned forward, his shadow looming over Queen Willow. With one long elongated finger, he lifted Willow's face to look up at him. He forced her to make eye contact with him. 

"Speak up, Willow. Say what you have to say."

"How have you been, father?" Her tone changed. Her demeanour changed. 

Vyrena could not see her face from her hiding spot, but she could hear it in her voice. Willow put on a smile and greeted the Arantaur. 

He let go of her chin and grinned, "I've been well. Have you learnt your lesson?"

He circled her as he continued, "Are you ready to return to your father's side?"

"I…" the hesitation irritated the Arantaur even more. 

In the next moment, Queen Willow was on the ground, with a burning mark on her cheek. It stung. Vyrena's eyes widened in shock. She wanted to rush forward to help, but her talons were rooted to the tree branch she was perched on. 

"Hesitation," he savoured the word before he continued, "Has always been your biggest weakness. I am disappointed in you, Willow. Only second, to your pathetic feelings for him."

"Father, I can return to your side, and … and fulfill the duties you set out for me. I can do them with him by my si-"

"YOU DARE DISOBEY ME?" The Arantaur's voice boomed loud and clear.