Without Hesitation (Perilous Missteps, part 2)

The day drags in the market and while it is lacking Precious parading wares of local merchants business picks up. This one explains her trade to a colorful group of travelers taking great interest in lost wishes and mystery purchases. They bicker and expound excitedly, dreaming upon the possibilities between them.

So many customers at once! Clothes as detailed and fine as theirs suggest heavy coin pouches and generous offering. This one's speculations are correct! The lad of charm, muscle, and wit sets a coin on the crate. The largest amount ever offered to this one in exchange of a wish! She had never seen the gold inlay of this platinum septum! Enough to allow feasts throughout the winter! This one hopes his generosity will be rewarded with enticing treasure!

But as this one reaches for the coin, the connection at her heart sharply jerks pulling taut! Impressions of determination and hope are replaced with fear! And fading!!

Precious!!!

This one looks to her eager customers, smiling with excitement, and quickly pushes the coin back to the handsome lad.

"We closed now! Return tomorrow!"

This one snatches her bag, cloth, and crate. She's barely thinking. She doesn't need these to find Precious but they likely seen as trash if she not take them.

Her eyes see their faces fall, their delight snuffed away.

"We're only here for the day-"

"It doesn't take long, right-?"

"I knew it was a hoax..."

"Can't at least one of us-?"

"You should've said-!"

There is no time to mourn the loss of business. Precious needed her!

"So sorry, poor decorum! Other shops also have wonders! We closed!"

This one turned and bolted from the market. Awkwardly, as crate bulky and not meant for sprints.

The one tossed it aside and ran faster following the thread in her heart. Pleading for it not to fade as the sun set lower.

It weakly guided her beyond the village into the surrounding bare forest glen. Her heart pounded within her and her claws extended scratching at the ground as she ran.

The thread was weak and loose. She was without direction!

"PRECIOUS!!!" this one screamed with all her breath.

The tug returned with a start and she followed it swiftly. It felt to be pulling down?

This one came upon a narrow ravine, more like a widening fissure, and felt the connection leading inside. It was dark within and despite her sharp eyes the dusk sky made it impossible to see. This one felt an impulse to leap within but without knowing where he was, she feared to cause more harm.

"Precious!! Answer me!!"

Her eyes swept over the darkness as if seeking into the abyss. Then appeared small golden embers peering up at her from below.

"Precious! I'm coming!" This one leapt down catching herself and scratching deeply into the biting cold jagged stone walls and landing in a soft crouch over him.

Precious looked up at her blearily and scooted closer. His impressions were dazed but she knew he sought comfort.

This one scooped him up close to her and held him tightly as she sat down in relief.

His head curled under her chin and she felt the gentlest of taps on her jaw as he nuzzled her before giving into his exhaustion.

"I'm here. I'm here," this one whispered soothingly holding him close and rocking him, sharing her warmth, "You are safe. I am here."

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