Chapter 6

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend…

She knew he would be here any minute. Hilda, the librarian, said he was due back today from his latest commission. He had promised to be back by five.

And Rune always kept his promises.

Lina wondered how he would react to seeing her. It had been ten years since the little girl he knew had left home. Would he be surprised by how much she had grown? Shocked? How much had he changed in all that time? She squeezed all of her anxiety into a tiny little ball and tossed it aside. No sense worrying about it.

Her heart skipped a beat at teh click of a key turning in the lock. The door swung open, its hinges creaking loudly.

A weary sigh issued from the shadowed doorway. The voice she hadn't heard in years spoke.

"Look, I don't know how you got in here or who you are but you've wasted your time. I'm not acceptig any freelance commissions right now. If you're interested in discussing an apprenticeship I suggest you speak to one of the other mages."

She hopped down from the table, putting on her pout. "Well, can you recommend a good artificer or enchanter? What about a sorceress offering mass destruction at a wholesale price?"

"Lina? You're here? You finally came back?" He stpped into the light. His disbelieving face looked youthful as ever. (And to her irritation he still looked a year or two older than her!)

"Aren't you happy to see your favorite apprentice?"

They laughed together as she ran up and gave him a hug.

"Oh, Ceiphied, look at you!" He stepped back to admire her. "My, how you've grown."

"Two inches!" she smiled proudly while holding up as many fingers.

An odd expression twisted his features, but passed as quickly as it came to be replaced by his smile once again. "Well, yes, I can certainly see that. I meant you seem well-traveled. It shows in your stride." He fingered the Demonblood Talisman around her collar. "Where did you get this? It looks...interesting."

"That is a secret!"

"Yes, women and their secrets. How they love those. I suppose I have to bribe the story out of you?"

"I'll tell you my secret if you tell me one of yours."

"So now we are bartering?"

"I am a merchant's daughter."

"And a sorceress's," he added with a chuckle. "I'm certain it has been a long day for both of us. Why don't we catch up over dinner? What do you say?"

Lina hooked her arm through his. "I say I'm starving! And since you made me wait for so long you can pay for everything."

"You're too kind," Rune replied dryly.

"I know. I'm so generous I scare myself sometimes!"

Lina opened her eyes to find she had been crying in her sleep. She wiped the tears away and remembered…

…A dream of events long passed. Forever lost.

She shook the thoughts away. She needed to gather her bearings. The room was the same one Lazlore had given her. It was large and well furnished, finely paneled. The bed was large and soft enough that she could lose herself in it. The draperies were of rich velvet, slightly faded but still pretty. Someone had drawn them back to let the sun in. She also discovered her clothes had been removed. In their place she wore the orange silk teddy she carried in her pack. It was comfortable, but she hadn't worn it lately since she had been traveling with Zelgadis.

Lina slowly sat up. She would have to find Zelgadis and the others, but first, there was a certain need that required her immediate attention.

It took her some time to reach the adjoining bathroom. She was weak and her balance felt off. Her limbs might as well be noodles. Eventually she reached her destination and completed the morning's business. When she returned to her room she found Delly waiting for her.

"Hi," Lina waved from the doorway, a little uneasy.

"You are awake," Delly observed. "That is a good sign. Please lay down on the bed. I would like to examine you." Lina opened her mouth to say something but the elf cut her off. "Do not argue! Just do it!"

Lina rolled her eyes and did as bid.

Delly seized her arm, placing two fingers along the inside of her wrist.

"What are you doing?" Lina asked.

"Checking the rhythm of your heart," the elf replied absently. "How do you feel?"

"Tired."

"I can imagine. You have been asleep for almost an entire day."

She sat up in alarm. "What!" The room swam.

"Lay down," Delly instructed firmly, guiding the sorceress's head back to the pillow. "You have not fully regained your strength." She placed her hand against Lina's forehead. "Your fever is gone. That is good."

"W-what happened?" Lina asked. She dreaded to hear the answer, although she already knew it. The real question was, did Delly and the others know the truth?

"Lazlore believes you suffered a seizure of some kind." Again Delly seized her arm. This time she examined the inside of her elbow. "Tense your arm. Hm." She moved up to Lina's shoulder. "Now your shoulder. Mmhm." They repeated the process with Lina's other arm and shoulder as well as both legs.

Lina watched her curiously. "What are you doing now?"

"Examining your aura." Delly suddenly looked up and their eyes met. There was a smoldering spark in the elf's eyes. "I believe Lazlore is mistaken. Given his limited knowledge of biology, it is understandable."

Lina swallowed the lump in her throat and put on her best smile. "It's really not as bad as it appears," she tried to laugh. "I bet I just ate some bad travel rations."

Delly ignored her, continuing on with her inspection. She stopped along the inside of her shoulder. "Where did you receive this scar?" the elf fingered an ugly patch of skin, a thin line that was darker than the surrounding area.

"An old battle wound," Lina replied dryly, her eyes shifting away.

"It appears someone cauterized it."

"So?"

"Why did you not cast a healing spell?"

"Why are you asking a ridiculous question? It won't make the scar go away."

"Why are you avoiding the question?"

"Who cares!" Lina snapped. "It's none of your business!"

For a moment the two sorceresses simply stared at each other. Sparks jumped between them. Delly broke away first, not in surrender but because she had other things to do. With an angry huff, she stood up from the bed and walked over to the nightstand. There was crystal decanter filled with a green liquid. She poured a generous amount in a cup and handed it to Lina.

"Drink this."

Lina wrinkled her nose at the odor. "What is it?" It smelled like boiled orange peels.

"A potion brewed with special ingredients. It will help strengthen your heart." Delly glared down at her like a mother to a stubborn child. "Drink it."

She tried to give it back. "I'll be fine. I probably just ate something I was allergic to."

When Delly's look hardened she realized the elf knew far more than she initially revealed. "The ley lines of your body are a tangled mess, the natural flow of energies in your system is unbalanced, and your aura exhibits signs of rapid decay. You may claim you are merely ill, but the situation is much more dire than you are willing to admit."

Lina silently glared up at the elf, as if to challenge her words.

"Do you understand what I am saying, Lina? You are not merely ill. You are dying."

There! Someone had finally said it! Someone had discovered her big secret! Lina cradled the cup in her lap and closed her eyes. In a way, it was a relief. There was no need to worry about having to explain her strange behavior. The constant fear of being discovered wouldn't wear at her nerves night after night. She could sleep comfortably without worry now. Well, perhaps after today's confrontation. She took a deep breath, breathing it out slowly.

"I know," Lina spoke a tired, quiet voice. "Please don't tell anyone, Delly. I don't want anyone to worry." Especially Zelgadis.

"I believe you have passed well beyond that point," the elf replied in a scolding tone. "Where did you contract this ailment? Do you know? Perhaps we should—"

"Delly, you can skip it. I already know the cause. I've used Nightmare Magic a hundred times too many. Overuse has poisoned my system. It's been eating away at me like a cancer for the passed ten years."

Delly's glare sharpened. Lina could tell the elf wanted to scream, "How stupid are you! You know the dangers of using Nightmare Magic!" But those thoughts remained unspoken. Instead, Delly simply asked, "Recently it turned especially aggressive, did it not?"

"Yes."

"Why did you not seek aid—"

"I did!" Lina snapped, throwing up her arms. "I've been to a hundred different doctors in as many cities! No one knows how to how cure me! They can't even begin to treat it because no one has ever encountered anything like it!"

Delly straightened, folding her arms across her breasts. "You did not let me finish my question. Why did you not seek aid from Master Rune?"

Lina looked away. "I…don't want to bother him," she was hesitant to answer. "I doubt he could help me anyway." She doubted he would want to help, especially after what she did, but Delly didn't need to hear about that. She didn't understand it herself. How could she expect Delly to?

Delly leaned over the bed, whispering so softly that Lina could barely make out her words. "I know what you did to Master Rune."

Lina's head didn't look back but her eyes did. "How?" they asked.

"Master Rune did not reveal the secret willingly. I learned the truth by exercising several subtle but powerful interrogation techniques Shadowdancer taught me. She refused to use her abilities on him for the sake of their friendship. I was not held by such limitations. Master Rune was the same as you. He dearly needed someone to talk to…no, confide is the more appropriate word, I believe. He dearly needed someone to confide in, but like you, he refused to allow himself even that luxury. Fortunately, I made the decision for him. Only you, Master Rune, and I know the truth."

"You're lying," Lina whispered. She would have winced at the sound of her voice any other time. It sounded so weak and helpless. She swallowed hard. She felt sick. She really did hope Delly was bluffing. Desperately hoped.

"Am I? Are you denying that you attacked him while wielding your all-powerful Ragna Blade? Is that not the battle where you received your scar? Did you not impale him through his shoulder? You did not flay the flesh from his face? You did not give him that charming black scar—"

"Delly, please…" Lina whimpered. She tried to blink back the tears but more came in their place. "I…I don't want to talk about it."

The elf gave her a disgusted look. "And I suppose allowing you to keep it bottled up inside of you is a suitable alternative?"

"It's my fault that things happened the way they did. No one else should suffer for it."

Delly frowned in disgust. She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at Lina's face. "You and Master Rune are obviously guilt stricken over a situation neither of you completely understands alone. Unless you seek the answer together your mental equilibrium will continue to decay. However, your physical condition must first improve. As you are aware, Master Rune knows a great deal about Nightmare Magic. I am certain he will be able to aid you—if we find him in time."

"How long do you think I have?"

"A conservative estimate would be a month—two, if you do not exert yourself. The seizures will most likely continue to worsen. I can tell the disease originally manifested in your legs. It shows in your aura. The disease then accelerated and moved into your abdomen. Recently it migrated to your lungs. When it progresses to your heart you will die."

"Two months," Lina whispered to herself. She didn't have much choice. She would have to go to Rune. "Is Rune still in Zefiria?"

"No, after he recovered from your…quarrel he took up residence in the city of Ulthros. It is a port city found along the border where the old world meets the new. We could await his return from his mansion but there is no guarantee he will arrive in time. He appears to lose himself in his travels, as you have. It is not unusual for him to disappear for days, months, or even years at a time."

Ulthros! Lina knew of the city. She had passed through it several times over the years, unaware that Rune dwelled there. It was a ten week journey from here! Even if she survived that long there was no guarantee Rune would be there. Lina balled her fists in frustration. Karma. It had to be karma.

Delly paced the room. "Perhaps we should visit a priest of Ceipheed. One may be able to discern his whereabouts."

Lina closed her eyes to hide the building tears. This was hopeless! "Don't waste your time," she replied in a sad voice.

"Do not be foolish. We must try!"

She punched the pillow beside her in an angry fit. "We're grasping at straws! I won't blindly cling to a false hope when I know it's just going to end in failure! I might as well accept that I'm going to die no matter what!"

"You speak nonsense!"

"Do I?!" she cried, tears streaming down her face. "Maybe I deserve this! Maybe I—"

"Actually—" Their eyes darted to the open doorway as a new voice joined the conversation. Zelgadis stood holding a tray heaped with food. "—I know someone that may be able to help Lina."

Lina gaped in horror. Great! Now Zelgadis knew she was dying! She didn't know whether she wanted to run and hide or pummel the chimera for eavesdropping. "How long have you been standing there!" she demanded.

"Sorry, I just got here. The door was open." He set the tray of food on the table beside the bed. "Lazlore was worried since Delly didn't come down for breakfast. He sent me up with some food—enough for both of you. We were hoping Lina was awake."

"That doesn't give you the right to eavesdrop!"

Delly put a calming hand on Lina's shoulder. "Who is this person you know that may be able to heal Lina?"

"In the Seelie Mountains there is an elf priestess that calls herself the Oracle." Zelgadis nodded to Delly. "Your people have many stories about her dated before the Kouma War, I believe. She is well known in the outer territories for her ability to heal nearly all ailments."

"How do you know of her?"

"I met her."

"How? I have known elves that have searched for decades without success."

He crossed his arms. "It is need that summons her, not desire. She chooses to exist the way she does to heal people, not to satisfy the curiosity of researchers. You should pass that bit of information on to your fellow colleagues."

"Wait. If you met her, why didn't she cure you?" Lina wondered, a bit suspicious. She didn't want to go wandering off on a wild goose chase.

"She cured me. I just didn't realize what my true ailment was."

Lina frowned at him. What kind of a cryptic answer was that?

"How far is her domain from here?" Delly asked.

"I imagine it would be just shy of two weeks on foot. If Lina is well enough to leave tomorrow morning we should arrive with time to spare."

Delly thought for a moment, then smiled. "That is a sound idea."

"You really think she could help me?" Lina dared to hope. It was a chance—a real chance!—she didn't have a moment ago.

Zelgadis looked down at the flame haired sorceress and smiled. "She is able to cure all manner of ailments. There shouldn't be a reason why she can't help you."

"You should begin making plans," Delly encouraged. "I will go downstairs and inform Lazlore."

As Delly skipped out of the room Lina gestured to the door. "Close it, will you?"

"Want me to step out?"

"No, just close the door," she insisted, wiping more tears from her face. "I know how good Delly's hearing is."

Zelgadis shut the door.

"How much did you hear?" Lina asked in a quiet voice.

"That you have one, maybe two months to live. And everything after that."

Her hands were busy torturing the bed sheet. "I suppose you have questions you want to ask me?"

"I have lots of questions, but it's not my place to ask them. You don't have to tell me anything unless you want to."

She gazed up at the chimera in surprise.

He smiled that mysterious smile of his. "Don't look at me that way. Everyone is entitled to their secrets."

Lina smiled. More tears rolled down her face. She couldn't make them stop, but for the first time in a long while they were happy tears. "Thank you, Zel."

"No, need to thank me. You were my friend when I needed one most, despite the jerk I was. You and the others were the only things that kept me from falling into a bottomless pit of despair. Without you, I suspect I would have truly become a monster. Helping you get better is the very least I will do." His smile widened. "And as I recall, we are still working together. Besides, every hero needs a sidekick."

He earned a pillow in the face for that comment. "Who are you calling a sidekick!"

Zelgadis's eyes sparkled mischief at her. "Did I say you were the sidekick?"

They both shared a laugh. It helped Lina feel a little bit better.

"We're partners. More importantly, we're friends. Sometimes friends have to look out for one another." He started for the door. "I'll head into town this afternoon for some supplies. We'll leave at first light tomorrow."

At the door, she called out to him again. "Zel, thanks. I…I don't know what else to say…"

"The gift is in the thought," he replied. "Get some rest. We'll take turns checking in on you throughout the day." He closed the door quietly.

Lina fell back into the bed and closed her eyes. It was good to have friends.