When Thora and Arjaan finished digging a new hole for Lola, she went back to her ship and carried Lola's box to the spot in front of the Shard. She tore the tape off and opened the box, and gasped.
"What the..."
"She's...." Lola was covered in something that looked sticky and gross, like glowing black and white goo. What the heck had happened?
[i]A taken infection,[/i] the Shard told her. [i]She isn't really dead. She went in a coma and will soon serve the Dark powers.[/i]
"What?!?" Thora gasped.
"What?" Arjaan was confused.
[i]Place her before me.[/i]
Thora reached in and gingerly picked up the dog's body, placing her on the ground before the Shard. Light rose from the ground and purified her body. Her honey-brown fur ruffled in the wind.
A tear ran down Thora's cheek. "It wasn't Lidy's fault at all. She was infected from that wierd thorn she stepped on. It's my fault for not realizing..." she scooped Lola up into her arms.
Suddenly, Lola whimpered and opened her eyes. Seeing Thora, she wagged her tail back and forth, licking Thora's nose.
"Lola???"
The puppy barked happily.
"Lola! You're alive!" Thora hugged her puppy tight, almost crying for joy. Arjaan scratched Lola behind the ears, one arm around Thora, whispering, "Awww, cutie, you're back." Lola put her head on Thora's shoulder, wiggling happily.
"Hey, I think I'm ready to go home now," Thora told him. "What do you think, Lola? We ready to go home?"
-
Maybe it was a thorn, from Thorn.