"Who are you?" Oribella asked for the thousandth time.
Kithel ignored her as he ran toward the pool of water he'd come from. Oribella wiggled in his arms, either in pain or trying to get free.
"You'll feel better soon," He soothed.
Oribella frowned, "That's what he said too."
She wouldn't say anything else about that.
Eventually, Kithel could see the pond in sight, and he slowed down. That's when Oribella really started to struggle.
"Water!" She sounded scared.
"I know child," Kithel soothed, "But this will make you feel better."
He imagined it would be like something telling him to go into a pool of lava. He brought her to the edge.
"I need you to trust me," He whispered. He carefully lowered the girl to the water and put her head under. She struggled she a moment but then he saw a different look overcome her. She calmed down opening her mouth to let the water in.
When Kithel took her out at last she stared at him stunned.
"I don't hurt," She said. She raised her hand and made a fist.
Kithel set her on the ground and she got to her feet and took several steps. A huge smile spread across her face and she began to leap and skip around him.
"You saved me," She chimed out.
"May I ask you something?" Kithel said.
She nodded vigorously.
"You look like a toddler, but you are too intelligent for that, who are you?" He said.
She shuddered, "I really am a toddler, physically. I come from the pool of souls." She hissed the last part.
Kithel looked confused.
"It's a place deep underground where he keeps us," She shivered again.
"Who?"
But Oribella shook her head. Then she gave him a big hug.
Kithel thought it was time to head back now, before they were found. Unfortunately, it was already too late.
"Oribella!"
Both turned to see Rara running toward them at full tilt. Kithel prepared to fight but Oribella surprised both and ran to meet her. She jumped onto Rara clinging to her.
Rara stopped looking shocked.
"I'm all better Mommy," She sang, wrapping her arms around Rara.
Rara still couldn't find words.
"Kithel made me all better," She smiled back at him.
Kithel glanced at Rara looking nervous.
"He did, did he?" Rara glared at him.
She began to walk toward him, "You think you can kidnap my child in the middle of the night!?" She screamed.
Oribella tugged on her hair, "Stop, he really did save me. He didn't hurt me at all. Please don't hurt him."
Rara looked down at her daughter. She did seem well.
"Watch this Mommy," She chirped.
She ran a circle around them leaping and skipping. For the grand finale, she did a cartwheel.
Rara clapped her hands, looking less angry.
She muttered, "I won't act this time because you helped her in a way I couldn't. But if you lay a hand on her again."
Kithel understood.