Running the Gauntlet - Part 5

Maggie crouches, wide-eyed and fearful next to Gaval, watching for the others as the horrors of battle on a scale she has rarely seen before play out above her. Spotting Liya's rumble-tumble into the trench is a relief, certainly. Still, her attention plays over the rise above, impatience to see her husband. And there he is. Once more relief floods through her, until the earth heaves and throws Merrisol up into the air. For an instant she fears that he is lost and horror registers in her eyes. But, he reaches for her and her arms begin to lift in reply so that when he snatches her up, her arms fly about him, holding him close as the two tumble together into the depths of the trench, flinging them together against the far wall. They end up with their friends and family, Merrisol's laughter chasing the last ratcheting bursts of fire away. His words, so much at odds with the laughter just past tickle her and hints of stress-releaving mirth begin to bubble up, escaping in a startled flood, mutted by her mask and the fact that she is still clinging tenatiously to Merrisol, "No... not fun." But, terror needs a release and since they have made it this far, why not? "I am so glad you are here." Alive. Mostly in one piece... But, she does not say further for fear of jinxing their next run, for run again they surely must.

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