“You have got to be kidding me!” Kane smacked another of the intrusive vines out of his way as he slogged onward through the swamp. “You said a few days away. Not that we’d have to trudge through desert, swamp, and Iceland. How can this place even contain so many different habitats?”

Donnovan sighed. “How am I supposed to know?” He shrugged. “How does Earth support multiple climates like it does?”

“Yeah, but Earth’s climates are spread out. Not a day’s journey from one another.”

“Quit griping. This is for Ry, remember. Anyway, we should be there in another half a day. If we get through the swamp quickly like we were supposed to.” He lifted a foot of the stagnant, murky water and made a face. “I’d like to have dry clothing again… But at least it’s warmer here, and we won’t get hypothermia.”

“This place gives me the willies.” Kane snapped. “Can’t you just transport us there with your magic shadow trick?”

Donnovan shook his head. “It’s been too long since I’ve been to the village. It’s probably changed, and that may explain why I couldn’t get us straight there in the first place. So instead, you’ll have to bear with this blasted swamp.” He gritted his teeth, slapping at an oversized bug that tried to land and bite him. Who knew what it would do if it accomplished the feat. Lay eggs in him? Suck his blood? Bring him down with some incurable illness. Now wouldn’t that just make his day.

“I wish we’d bought bug spray.” Donnovan muttered.

“I wish this whole mess wouldn’t have happened, but it did, so now we have to live with it.” Kane glared at Donnovan, who had caught up again. “Wishing will get us nowhere. Unless you’ve developed a new super power that we’re unaware of and can now grant wishes.”

Donnovan scowled at Kane. “What did I ever do to you to deserve this? I’ve never been hostile to you…”

“You dropped me in the middle of a desert during a sand storm and in the middle of a fight between a bunch of spirits or giants, or… Or whatever those atrocities were! You’ve dragged me through ice and sleet, rain and burning heat, and now we are trekking through a swamp being eaten alive by giant insects, which I can’t identify.” Kane shouted. “Does that count as doing something to me?”

He nodded. “Fair point. Look, Kane, I’m sorry… I wasn’t trying to make us go through all this. Don’t you think I want to go back to being comfortable and at least getting half a night’s good sleep? I have to live with all this too, and I’m not enjoying it either.”

“Oh, now you’re the victim too… Sure…” Kane planted his hands on his hips and picked up the pace.

 Donnovan hurried to catch up with him. “All right. I’ve tried being nice, and it isn’t working. Stop shouting and snapping at me. We need to get along, or this mission will fail, Ry will die, and that retarded thing in her head will destroy everything we care about.” Donnovan stopped and grabbed Kane’s arm. “So stop griping and grow up!” He hissed, fed up with Kane’s childish behavior.

Kane glared at him. “Why don’t you quit ordering me around?”

Donnovan gaped at him. “Have you forgotten who is in charge here?” He snapped.

Kane shrugged. “Maybe if you were a bit more competent.”

“I made a mistake. Everyone makes them.” Donnovan defended, clenching his fingers against his sides.

“Yeah, but the General should be better than everyone else. You want to make mistakes, fine. But don’t expect people to be as lenient on you. You’re in charge, remember.”

“I am not going to put up with this disrespect from you. I am the General, and you are not. So stop this now.” Donnovan yelled. “I never wanted to have to assert my authority like this, Kane. We could’ve stuck to being just friends, but if you want to be a jerk, fine. I can handle that. You’ll be a jerk without being disrespectful.”

Kane backed off, looking down at the ground.

From the chagrined look on his face, Donnovan knew that Kane was getting the idea. He rarely ever yelled, and when he started, everyone knew he was really angry.

“Sorry…” Kane muttered. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, you shouldn’t.” Donnovan turned away from Kane and yanked his feet out of the silt on the bottom of the shallow pool of water he’d been standing in. Without another word, he kept walking.

Kane soon followed, sloshing along behind Donnovan. Wisely, he kept his mouth shut and left his companion alone.

***

When the two men finally bedded down for the night, they were soaked to the skin with the foul swamp water, and their feet were sore and blistered. Their food supplies were damp, but were still edible. Since there wasn’t any wood to make a fire, nor a dry enough place to try starting one, they sat in the darkness, listening for any unusual sounds.

“D-don’t you think a light might be a good i-idea?” Kane asked, shivering as the wind whistled through the trees.

“No. If we turn a light on, we’ll become a beacon for every predator in the area. And there are some nasty ones in this dimension.”

“Of course.” Kane mumbled, slapping his arms in an attempt to warm himself. “Why does it have to be so cold and damp, anyway?”

“Because we’re in a swamp.” Donnovan hissed, his teeth chattering. “And we’re wet too. Suck it up and live with it.”

“I wasn’t complaining. Just making mention of something I find irritating.” Kane snapped back.

“That’s the same thing as complaining.”

“Whatever.” Kane half-heartedly nibbled on his bread in the dark.

“You want to take the first watch?”

“Fine. I may as well. I’m not going to sleep anyway.”

“You know, you’re a lot whinier than I thought you’d be. Did you gripe this much on the mission with Ry?” Donnovan muttered. “Because if you did, I have no idea how she put up with you. No wonder Ans dislikes you.”

“I am not whiny!” Kane growled.

“Yes, you are.” Donnovan laid down on the cold, wet ground.

They were lucky to have found a raised section of earth that wasn’t covered with a foot of water. For that, Donnovan was grateful. He slapped away another bug that started to bite him as he attempted to make himself comfortable on the spongy soil between the roots of the scraggly tree behind him.

“I’m half dragon. Dragons don’t whine.” Kane clenched his fists, trying to see Donnovan in the dim light.

“Note the half part of that statement. Maybe dragons don’t whine, but you’re a half breed.”

Kane punched the dirt beside him. “Shut up.”

“How about if you take your own advice?” Donnovan shot back.

“It’s this stinking swamp that’s doing this. That and all the other awful things we’ve been dealing with.” Kane grumbled.

“Doing what?”

“Turning us against each other. It’s playing with our minds. I’ve felt like someone’s been watching us ever since we entered this forsaken wasteland, and I can almost feel the menace oozing off the place. I’ve never been more on edge in my life.”

Donnovan sighed. “I’m sorry, Kane. I’ve been unfair to goad you on as I have. You’re right. I feel it too. And we need to focus on the mission or we’ll fail and Ry will suffer the consequences.”

Kane nodded, and Donnovan could just barely make out the outline of his companion in the gloom of night in the swamp. “I’m sorry too.” He cleared his throat. “You’re right. I’ve been whiny, and insubordinate to you since the sand storm.” Kane turned to face his commander. “It needs to stop now. This fighting and my behavior.”

Donnovan smiled. “Glad you’ve come back to your senses. Maybe we can set about mending the relationship we’ve been breaking the last few days.”

Kane laughed. “I’d like that.” He sat in silence for a moment. “Hey, Donnovan…”

Donnovan sat up, suddenly on alert. “Shh!”

Kane glared at him. “I thought you weren’t…”

“Listen…”

Kane realized something was wrong and went silent.

A mournful wind howled through the swamp and a sloshing sound echoed around the empty expanse. The creaking of the trees in the wind melted into the quiet pattering of rain as a shower started up. The claws of the tree branches reached into the sky, twisted and leering.

A distinct howl sounded in the distance. Another answered, much closer to where they were.

“What is it?” Kane whispered, shivering.

 “Bog wolves. Nasty creatures.” Donnovan stood up. “Get your magic ready. We may need to shift away any moment. The only thing going for us is that we’re covered in swamp stench. They may not be able to smell us over it.”

Kane sighed. “Never should’ve complained about this nasty stuff. To think it could save our skins.”

“Be quiet. They may not smell us, but they can hear us.” Donnovan rebuked in a low hiss.

Kane went silent as he prepared his magic, standing next to Donnovan in case they needed to make a hasty retreat. The last thing he wanted was to lose the other man in the dark and become the prey of bog wolves, whatever they were.

The two sat in silence, listening as the howls grew closer. Kane felt the heat in his belly that indicated his power was surfacing and ready to be used. Donnovan’s hand on his arm helped calm him as they breathed as softly as they could.

Ragged breathing joined theirs, and the two men froze. The sound continued in a low, wheezing tone. Turning, they looked into the yellow eyes of a gigantic beast. It was covered in shaggy fur with fangs that extended several inches below its mouth. It had paws nearly as large as Kane’s head, and he gulped. “What is that thing?”

It growled at them, exposing two rows of jagged teeth. Lowering its head, it pawed the ground, growling at them the whole time. Its gigantic ears were pinned back, and its glowing eyes remained trained on them as it moved closer, coming out of the swamp.

“Uh, D-donnovan?” Kane stammered.

“It’s a bog wolf.”

“W-what?”

“You asked me what it was.” Donnovan tightened his hold on Kane’s arm. “That’s a bog wolf.”

The ugly creature raised its head and let out a long, guttural howl.

With a pained shout, Kane and Donnovan covered their ears as the sound exploded on their eardrums.

“What is it doing?” Kane screamed.

“Signaling the others.” Donnovan yelled back. “I’m going to try and get us to the village again. Or at least get us away from here.”

Kane nodded and grabbed Donnovan’s arm again. They puffed out of existence for a few moments and reappeared. Kane started to let out a sigh of relief, thinking that they’d escaped, when he realized they were still in the swamp, but were now in knee deep water several yards from where they were before.

“Donnovan!” He glared at his companion.

“No luck with the village.” Donnovan sighed. “I don’t know where the swamp ends, and we’re sort of lost without more landmarks. So all I can do is transport us away from the beast to another section of the swamp.”

Kane smacked the green surface of the water, spraying them with algae. “What good will that do us? We’ll just become even more lost and never find our way back out.”

Donnovan nodded. “I know. That’s why I’m not going to take that approach.”

“Well, what are you going to do, then?” Kane demanded, eyes wide as the bog wolf moved in slow, measured strides towards them.

“We’re going to fight it. Fire scares these things. And you’re half dragon, as you pointed out earlier. You can also change forms. So you’re going to have to shift to dragon form so that we can deal with this thing.”

“What? That’s your plan?” Kane shouted. “I’ve never changed forms before! How am I supposed to do it now?”

“What do you mean you’ve never changed?” Donnovan asked, his arms folded across his chest. “You’re half dragon. You should’ve shifted as soon as you got that ring of yours.”

“Well, I didn’t. My parents and I didn’t have time or a safe place to do it. And when they tried, I refused because I was too afraid.” Kane hung his head in shame.

A giant splash reminded them that the bog wolf wasn’t getting any further away.

“There’s a first time for everything.” Donnovan declared. “Now is the first time for your shift.”

“I don’t even know how.”

“Your parents must’ve told you the first time you tried to shift.” Donnovan hissed. “We don’t have time for this. Shift, or we’re both going to die.”

Kane glared at him.

Another roar from the bog wolf made him jump and whip his head around to look at the creature. “Okay, okay!” He closed his eyes and rubbed his ring, trying to calm down.

With a deep breath, he concentrated on allowing his mind to connect with his other half ­­— the dragon.

Finally. Are you serious? His dragon griped at him. You’re only waking me up because I’m the only thing that can save you from that ugly dog.

Kane growled, clenching his fists. Listen up, Draco. I’m cold, wet, and tired. I’m about to be eaten by a giant wolf, and if I get eaten, you do too. So either save our skin, or go back to sleep and let me die. Make your mind up, and do it fast.

Draco huffed. Fine. But you owe me big time.

You’re my dragon. I don’t owe you anything because you are me.

You’re wrong there, Mister. You’re one half; I’m the other. So you owe it to me to talk to me and let me out more often. Like, more often than never! Draco hissed.

Fine. I promise to let you out more and talk to you! Kane’s voice rose an octave as the bog wolf reached them and roared in his face. Now could you please help me!

Sure.

Kane looked down at his arms to see scales growing. He lost his footing in the swamp as wings shot from his back and his neck elongated. He could’ve sworn he heard a popping, cracking sound, but there wasn’t any pain, so he wasn’t sure if he’d broken anything or not. He opened his mouth to shout at Donnovan to move just in case, but all that came out was a roar and a paltry jet of fire.

Draco shook their body out and growled. Now that’s better. Let’s show this pup who’s in charge, shall we?

Couldn’t agree more. Kane spat. He tried to eat me!

Roast bog wolf is sounding more appetizing by the second.

Yeah, well, let’s hurry. More are on the way, and that thing wants to eat us and Donnovan. Kane pointed out.

Draco shook his head. Get ready for the time of your life, kid.

Watch who you’re calling kid. We’re the same age.

Draco didn’t respond to this, and instead stayed silent as he turned on the massive beast. The thing seemed tiny in comparison to Kane’s dragon form. It stared up at him, uncertainty in its ugly features. Then it snapped and growled, lunging for Kane’s scaly leg.

Draco swept a paw out and slapped the creature away. It yelped loudly as it crashed into a thick tree and brought the upper part of the tree crashing down on its head. Kane wondered if they’d killed it, but then the tree moved and the wolf came bounding out to cautiously circle them again.

Draco lit up with flames and launched a burning ball of fire at the creature. It burst into an inferno just as a pack of similar creatures came rushing out of the swamp. Whoops. May have burned it to a crisp. Hope you two don’t mind.

It’s dead. That’s all I care about.

Good thing.

The two fell silent as Draco began to attack the other wolves as they charged.

Several fell prey to his flames, but many of them latched onto Kane’s scaled legs and bit down. They couldn’t break through the scales, but the pressure from their jaws was crippling, causing waves of blinding pain to wash over Kane. I can’t handle this much longer! He shouted at Draco.

I’d be a lot stronger if you weren’t stupid and let me out more often. Draco growled as he shook two of the creatures off and turned them into balls of fire.

I’m sorry. Kane whimpered. You’re right. I’m an idiot, and I deserve this.

Yes, maybe you do. But you and I are just two halves of the same person, so I’m not letting you die today. Draco grabbed one of the wolves in his jaws and bit down. The creature gave a high pitched whine and then fell silent as Draco snapped it in half.

Metallic tasting liquid filled Kane’s mouth along with a bitter, acidic taste. Draco swallowed a bit before spitting the thing and all the blood out. Nasty stuff. It feels like poison.

Maybe you shouldn’t swallow any more of it then. Kane suggested with a grimace.

Sounds like a plan.

Four of the giant bog wolves still circled Kane, Draco, and Donnovan, who was transporting the remaining three out of the clearing and into some unknown location. Kane really hoped it was a sink hole or quicksand that they were landing in.

Draco torched another just as one of the remaining beasts latched onto an unprotected spot in his belly and bit in. A howl tore from Kane and Draco at the same time as a burning, itching feeling spread through their limbs.

Draco bent his head between his massive front legs and clamped onto the bog wolf, ripping it from its grip on his belly. Blood spurted from the gaping wound as Draco flung the creature away into the swamps.

The other two seemed to have finally had enough, and they ran, tails tucked between their legs and yelping in pain as Draco followed their retreat with controlled bursts of flame.

As soon as they were gone, Draco dragged himself to the tiny island where their packs still lay and collapsed. You’ve got to turn us back to human form, Kane. Now.

What’s happening? I feel… tired.

You’re tired from fighting, but it’s poison.

What’s poison?

Whatever those beasts were, they’re bite is poisonous. They didn’t puncture my scales until that last one, but he got us bad. You need to return to your human form right now. Donnovan needs to get you to his people. With the way this is going, we have days at most.

What? Kane screamed at Draco, mentally cursing and running in confused circles. Days?

Yes.

Donnovan can’t get us out! He has no idea where his people are or if they’re even still here. Kane growled. We came because we were desperate.

Well, now you’re even more desperate. Now shift! Draco shouted at Kane.

Kane cowered back at his dragon’s tone and did as told. He felt himself shrinking and the scales fading. His fingers clutched at the ragged hole in his clothing, and he stared down at the jagged wound that spanned his abdomen. “It bit me.” He whispered, trying to stop the bleeding.

Donnovan came running up. “Kane!”

“It bit me.” He repeated.

“Sit down. It’s only going to get worse if you move too much.” Donnovan shoved Kane down onto the ground and grabbed his pack, looking for medical supplies. “Darn it all, Kane. All you had to do was stay alive and remain relatively unscathed. You were a dragon, for goodness’ sake. How could you possibly get injured like this?”

“I-i… Uh…”

“Don’t talk.” Donnovan wrapped a blanket around Kane’s shoulders as his friend shivered. “You’re in shock, and I need to tend to the wound. Don’t make me sedate you.”

“Sedate me?”

“Yeah. I don’t have any sedatives with me, so I’d have to knock you out.” Donnovan yanked a package of bandages open with his teeth and began to try to sponge the wound clean. “I need fresh water. We have to get out of this blasted swamp.”

“I… I could fly us out.” Kane mumbled.

“Are you nuts? You’re injured. You’ll do no such thing.” Donnovan snapped, squeezing his friend’s arm tightly.

“If we don’t… find… find… What were we looking for?” Kane squinted down at the bleeding wound, which now seemed to be blistering and edged in yellow goop.

Donnovan glared at him as he examined the wound. “If it keeps progressing at this rate, you’ll be dead within the next day or so. And we’re looking for water.”

“Right. If we don’t find… water… I’ll die anyway…” Kane grabbed Donnovan’s shoulder weakly. “I… don’t want t-to die here.”

“You aren’t going to die!” Donnovan hissed, running his hands through his hair. “Fine… Fine. Shift back and we’ll fly. But only until we find a safe place with water.”

“Find your… your p-people.” Kane slurred. “They… T-they help.”

Donnovan pressed a hand against his friend’s forehead. “How could this thing’s poison get through your system so quickly? It’s causing a fever already. It shouldn’t work this quickly.”

“Go before… I-I… c-can’t.”

Donnovan stood and nodded. “Shift back then.”

Kane scrunched his nose up and struggled to focus. After a few tries, he managed. Draco was furious with him. You can’t fly out of here! That will make the poison spread faster.

I’ll die here… I-if… If I don’t. Kane felt an overwhelming urge to sleep, but he fought it, certain that if he slept, he’d never wake up.

Fine. But you’re going to need my strength to help you through or you won’t make it. A surge of fire ripped through him, clearing the fog around his mind a little.

Draco knelt on the ground, allowing Donnovan to climb on and straddle his neck. With an irritated grumble, he grabbed Donnovan’s shirt and pulled him into a more comfortable position. This was why dragons didn’t give piggy back rides. “Let’s go then. But we’d better hurry or you won’t be able to fly at all.” Donnovan mumbled, shifting as the heat of Kane’s fever combined with the heat of his dragon to burn into his legs and backside. “If we don’t make this snappy, I’ll have third degree burns.”