Chapter 12 Stirring from Sleep
*Lyriel- The Promised land. it chronicles a journey feeling, another nice soundtrack will be prince of egypt.
He had no mana or any semblance of energy left. Didn't know if the cursemark was gone… the world darkened to a narrow tunnel. Having completed the Ritual, he just let his heart rate fall to conserve his life. Such a weak pulse. Some blades came very close, and he turned his face aside.
Rasp of a blade. A shadow stood over him. Ilkar could not see what took place only a sense of urgency… then something lifted him up. no! He ached and wanted to protest, that he must sleep. I'm too frail to move. Leave me be. Yet they did not heed him. Didn't he instruct the friends to go? The warmth pulsed near to him and then settled.
Bliss and happiness, a cocoon of comfort.
He slept deeply. Wet cloth rubbed his forehead and his chest. Gentle voices. "We're here. Safe. It's gone, you know…" Vaguely, the patient overheard snatches of reassurances and coaxing. Come back soon! Another soft purring and fur that tickled. He shied away.
She had protected him, this voice. Who? In one dream, the drow spoke, having a black panther by his side. Ilkar knew them but could not grasp their identity. "Hello, it's me. Don't know if you can hear me. Be strong, Ilkar." His striking violet eyes were worried. He tried to speak but no words came forth. Instead he nodded and smiled. Then he could not see the drow anymore.
Some friends from the Raven—Sol, Denser… why were they here? Don't give up, live for the Raven! Come back! How to, so sleepy. . Not yet, a little while more please. The elf's soul opened his eyes, drifting freely in the white space. Ilkar let go of the whiteness, turning to the source of the movement. Someone wanted his attention. He approached and watched.
"It is gone, no marking. Hey Ilkar, do you hear me?" massaging his numb cold hand, the girl spoke directly into his ear. Ilkar fumbled blindly, his vision was still darkened. The feebleness didn't allow him to and he fell, faltering. So sleepy, stop calling me. I am alive.
The elf's fingers twitched. Felicia gasped and squeezed his hand. His eyelids roved. She stroked his forehead.
I continued chatting and talking to Ilkar everyday, not wanting him to be alone. Constantly I had panic attacks when he seemed not to respond. His skin felt ice cold, and I hastened to warm him. Serif remained calm and acted every bit the nursemaid.
Drizzt and I took turns to observe if the mage improved or worsened. The drow also spoke to him, but not as much as I did. I formed entire stories of what I had discovered, and I also brought flowers and little animals to brush on his hands. It frustrated me that Ilkar did not react! One of the things I said was, "You'll be proud I have improved my skills. I knocked out so many guards, haha or maybe I exaggerate. Then I used this mana shield, the Harder one. Remember I couldn't make one hard enough? Yea something like that. Serif is so brave. So's Guen, and we're here. Waiting. Come back, elfie."
It was nice that I did not have to feel shy but I wanted him to reply me.
Drizzt reassured me, "Do not worry. He does hear us. Sometimes he smiles and has some movement. Yesterday he said a name. We can't rush him." I knew but was impatient. Oh a smile! I didn't see that! Also I kept using Warmheal even if it tired me.
What if he had internal injuries? Other than a cloak, we always made sure Ilkar drank some soup. He did swallow which was good. Then I massaged his limbs if they felt stiff and cold. Serif remained on vigil, as his pillow or lay nearby, a solid presence.
I stroked his striped tiger head, he blinked and flicked his tail. I said it was fine if he needed to stretch but the Familiar ignored me. Perhaps he was not like real animals which would get restless.
I hoped I had not made a mistake urging Serif to save him. Guenhwyvar licked Ilkar's face sometimes, as savage as she was in battle, she showed devotion and maternal concern for Ilkar. On a good side, both the panther and my tiger (for now) got along well, playing together when she came from the astral plains.
I marked the days on the rock wall. I counted almost twenty odd days.
You mean everything to me, Ilkar. I want to hear you speak again, and run and Cast magic do all the elvish things you do. Hey I don't mind your nagging. Please Please return. We're going to Julatsa together aren't we? Don't forget. Drizzt and me are waiting impatiently. Then I sobbed. Tears wet his face and I sniffled. I dabbed away the wetness. I kissed his lips, and stroked his ears.
A kiss will awaken any sleeping person, won't it? I had seen a play once, but it didn't work.
I sat back, holding my amulet. No answers, no prayers, only a resonant instinct that I must keep trying. Ilkar shouldn't give up. The drow put his arm around me. "Drizzt I'm worried. It's been so long."
The drow nodded, taking his pulse. "I know. He is there. Once our dream connected, I noticed him. His pulse is steady."
"Really, you can?" I blinked, looking at him. "What did he say?"
"He didn't speak nor see me. I believe he will awaken, it is not time yet. That was a huge spell, I don't know much about casting but even a globe of darkness I make tires me. At least he is not as pale today. Come, let's try to give him some water." I tipped water to the elf's lips. His tongue came out and his throat moved. Drizzt smiled. "Good. That's good effort Ilks. "
When we were outside, we had to keep a lookout for dangers. The enemy could be hunting for us, and the dark elf constantly refreshed his Dark orb mist. He often voiced how risky it was, that we stayed here for this long. Usually he changed hiding places often, but we knew the mage should not be shifted any more or his life might be endangered.
I climbed a tree to have better views, and alerted the drow if he was not sleeping. He taught me to make false trails, trained me in melee combat, forest things and opened up more. I liked the tales of his life with other friends, who had since gone on. I would change the subject if he was sad. I felt shy sometimes, not because of fear. I didn't fear any strange being. Maybe it was always Ilkar who would speak to include all of us. Drizzt was friendly, I tried to reassure myself. I didn't dare to talk about him during my solo speeches with Ilks, and I covered everything from the sun to the sky to the foods.
He had this really concentrating gaze, deeper than I could reach. When I ran out of stuff to talk about, we fell into this silence. Serif would bug us to play fetch. That meant Ilkar was still there. Fortunately his heart did not stop and the elf didn't have any complications.
One boring evening, I was boiling some water. Maybe we would need to look after him for the rest of our lives. As usual I had spoken to my friend about the weather and my skills till my throat got sore. I glared at Ilkar sleeping and refusing to move.
Drizzt had gone to collect more firewood and hunt. Guen paced outside to defend us. Serif then whimpered. He had always made that sound, so I ignored him. But he got more insistent.
"What?" I growled.
Then my heart suspended in disbelief. I rubbed my eyes and ran to my best friend. His hazel eyes were open. He did not move right away, but he breathed in deeper and blinked! He whispered some words like 'magic'. I called him. Ilkar turned to face me, recognition in his expression.
"Oh Ilkar! welcome back!" I yelled, hugging him tightly.
The elf's voice was rusty from disuse. "Ow, so noisy."
"Sorry. Look your hand is not marked. See?" I looked up and showed him. The patient managed to smile. I propped him up with the pack. "Want some water? It's almost ready wait a while." He nodded.
I opened the pouch with herbal tea and began brewing some. Then I held the cup for him. Ilkar sighed when I touched his pointies. Then I rushed to tell Drizzt the good news.
"He's awake!" He set down the firewood, long pale hair down his shoulders, in his dark cape. For all the days I had seen him, Drizzt was not very tall but he looked imposing in the shadows. The drow stopped me. "Wait, I sense people nearby, these days. If he is all right, we have to leave… I worry people suspect our presence." His solemnity tore through my relief and happiness.
"But Ilkar's very weak. He can't move without my help. Where can we go?" I protested. How could my friend stay upright?
The dark elf paused, taking out a map from his belt. His finger pointed to an X marked place. "There is a town there. I have seen it before. The journey will take just a couple of days. I know he is weak, will give him time to rest. By dawn, we will have to move, or at least next day. I am sorry."
Drizzt was not the kind to joke and to be spiteful. I nodded. "Ok let's just go celebrate with him first."
"Very well. I am going to make one more round to be sure nobody discovers us, then I will come." He rose and fluidly slipped into the forest.
I returned to the cave smiling at my friend who was hugging Serif. "Anymore to drink? I'm hungry," the mage commented, rubbing his stomach.
"Yea! There is more, and do you want any meat? We made some rabbit." I brought the food over. Ilkar drank the tea but could not eat much yet. I asked him if he had heard me talking during his sleep. In response, he stroked my hair.
Later, Drizzt made the soup. Ilkar dipped the food in the soup and ate bit by bit. I watched over him protectively. "Serif carried you. We stayed here for sometime because it was dangerous to jolt you about. I just didn't want to leave you behind. Drizzt can make this dark mist. Right?" I looked to the ranger. "
He explained about it. Ilkar's face was blank. "Sounds… scary. You fools." Haha I predicted he would say that. He took time between words. I liked his soft breathing close to my ear. He dozed off.
In an hour or so, the patient roused and was more lucid. They talked as I took a rest.
"You're right. I am fine. We have to depart soon," the mage was speaking gravely.
"I am glad Ilkar. I am pleased you're awake." The fair elf chuckled shifting carefully so I wouldn't be affected.
"No, wait. I'm concerned to ride, so soon. How do you feel?" I asked, rubbing my eyes. Ilkar had bundled himself in a cloak and sipped from a cup. Naturally fair, now Ilkar's almond eyes seemed larger like a starved cat, and cheekbones sharper contoured than I remembered. During the long sleep, his dark hair had lengthened and was really messy. I did not mind, it was nice to comb with my fingers.
"A bit weak but I can cope. Town sounds good, I don't want to camp outside any longer. My mana is… gone. Will you protect me?"
We said he was being silly, of course we would! It was sad he admitted this, elves are not good liars. The mage regarded us with a solemn look then crooked his lips into a smile. "I missed the action. So tell me again, shall get more rest before we set off."
Ilkar leaned back onto our pet's body and closed his eyes. His legs were crooked up and supported my back. We talked to him. Drizzt made his contributions humble. I got revved up about my abilities. "I was worried but they came, owls, bats all kinds of night life! Serif changed into a tiger, very huge. And I made a Hardshield, though it didn't last that long. It was blue color!" I waved my hands.
Ilkar replied,"I believe you. Impressed." Then Drizzt discussed how we would set off close to dawn, to give us a headstart. He had thrown off some men playing on their fears and superstitions of his kind. How? Drizzt loomed up camouflaged in the darkness and they scattered yelling. Guen had chased some away. Once I had seen him doing that to a few who came too near our camp and he had made some lights fly. They must fear his race a lot.
"You can ride with me first, then when you feel able, with Felicia. Agreeable? I tamed another horse, it will carry the supplies. In my experience, two people riding will strain the animal's legs." Ahhh, we had not known that.
"No problem, I agree. Help me up." Ilkar's legs were wobbly as he attempted to take some steps. From his face and concentration it must be terribly draining. They spoke in their own tongue for a while and then Ilkar took a seat again beside me. He took some food.
Surprisingly, Ilkar told me, he felt envious. "Your power of wild magic, I felt this twinge of envy. I have always needed to train and train, but you easily grasped what I showed, Felicia. I didn't get to tell you this before. In a way I'm relieved you can cast, because I can't conjure even a small spell at this time."
This length of admission moved me. My friend did not speak, either shy or exhausted. I called upon the warmheal and touched his back. The elf accepted my mana without a struggle, his colors were faded while mine was a bright hue of violet now. "Relax and let me in." Ilkar absorbed from me. I wondered if he was going to recover with my magic!
"No no, it has helped me but I can't cast anything. Wild magic is hard to tame, and not a healer's specialty. You have done so much already, not leaving my side and give up. Come."
He rested his chin on my head. I leaned back against him. Sincerely, he said, "I won't forget my promises. When I get well, I will take both of you home to be adopted."
"Yay! I worried you will forget. I love you!" He repeated it to me as well.
Ilkar read a tome to instruct me on some defence, in case I needed guidance. The horses were settled, Guen and Serif running ahead to lead the way, Ilkar rode with Drizzt as support. The drow would have to be careful not to let him fall off, if he went for his weapons.
I cast for danger, peaking my senses for a wide area. I had trained remarkably well with a bow and arrows. For the first part of the journey, the elves were fine, only my butt and legs were sore. "Can we stop? Ow." I got off and almost fell. Shit.
Ilkar dismounted gracefully. What a relief, he was not weak. He helped me. "It's normal. You alright?" We stretched our bodies. Drizzt smiled making me flush. I pretended to be annoyed with his humour. "Hey when I make a joke you don't laugh. Now you're mocking me."
Drizzt chuckled. Great, he had a thick skin now. I pretended to scowl. Serif morphed into a small ferret and chattered, climbing onto my head. Ilkar paled. I said it was all right. "You know he has been a tiger to protect us and you lay on him. He loves you." The mage nodded.
"Hm. I laid my head on his fur? Nice and warm but- yuck. He didn't bathe." Ilkar said practically, wrinkling his nose.
On the second leg of our journey, the mage rode while I led our horse. I preferred not to have my butt hurt. Every few minutes I asked him if he was okay. "Yes, yes don't drive me mad please. Argh." If only one person rode each horse at a time, they would tire less.
We made a steady pace.
Later I sat in front of Ilkar, listening to the sounds of the forest. I hummed a song to capture them in my mind's net, to see what they saw. A few badgers and a wolf ran beside us, we made quite a group!
"Wow. It's interesting how do you summon them?"
I was proud. "Er, I don't know. I just think of a song."
Ilkar hummed a little tune, he had a good voice. Quite nice and musical. "How long… did I faint for?"
I tried to turn around, feeling his hands firmly about my waist. Ilkar chuckled. "Don't, you'd just sprain your neck. Look in front. Okay don't tell me, I regret asking."
The drow had been a little way in front. He tugged on the reins, his horse's left facing us. I noticed that the sun had come up and his hood concealed his face. Drizzt said, "I think we have reached. The sun is bright. Ilkar am I right?"
From their excellent vision, they could see better than me. I squinted. Yes a few houses were in sight, walking distance. Ilkar was sympathetic. We dismounted to walk. Then I understood why the dark elf hung back, other than the heat and discomfort. "The humans won't be- welcoming. Can you persuade them?" Drizzt closed his eyes, I held him to guide him along.
"I can try. I'm very friendly," Ilkar said with good humour.
The sign in the front of the gate hung and it was called Oxguild. The gate was partly broken, the people inside stared at us.
We needed to convince the innkeepers. The first one rejected us fearing our dark friend. I tried not to think of hitting them. They called him rude names. We did manage to settle the horses into a reputable stable. By then both my friends were fatigued.
So it was my turn. Being a thief for years had given me experience in the ways of people. From their missions with the bad lords in Aranos, we had saved a lot of money.
I strode confidently to the front and had a word with the sixth owner of a tavern, a burly man towering over us. Serif yipped. The old man lifted up a baton upon seeing Drizzt. He cursed, which curdled my stomach. I tiptoed to be taller.
Ilkar blocked him. "He is our friend. Do not worry. I give my word as a High mage of Julatsa."
The man's wife came out, a fat woman. She also had the same reaction. I went pleadingly making some tears come, "Please kind folks, have pity. My friends have come a long way, they're injured and- he's a mage. A trustworthy person don't you think? Heroes, I tell the truth. I implore you."
Then I grasped the woman's hand and sniffled. She fell for it. Ilkar flashed her a lazy smile. She introduced herself as Mdm Helia and said we were all poor poppets.
In!
Soft beds! While I bounced upon mine gleefully, my elves were more dignified. They could make graceful princes pale in contrast. Our room had three beds and some basic furniture. The curtains could be drawn, which Ilkar did right away. The ranger slept immediately. Ilkar commented, "Proper beds. I had missed them."
He sat down. I noticed the dark rings under his almond eyes and his hand trembled. "Are you alright? I'm a good actor eh?" I whispered.
The elf chuckled and patted beside him. "Yes handy trick. I shouldn't encourage you though. It's not honorable for a thief. Do you want to take a turn in the bath first?"
I glared. "Hey. I'm not smelly. You should."
The mage nodded. "Ah but I need him to help me. My head spins. I'm still weak. Darn."
I grinned. "I can watch elves naked. Sometimes I watched when he undressed you."
Ilkar did not comment. After I bathed, he was lying down and beckoned to me. "If we are tracked, go on your way. I don't want to slow us down. People are unlikely to harm me."
He was serious. I had been about to retort, never, I couldn't abandon my friends.
So I closed my mouth but did not say yes. it occurred to me how 'old-people' they both sounded. "Drizzt also talked like that. When we chased off a baddie, I took his money pouch. He lectured my ears off. Ack. We can rob the rich, they are bad." I mused.
"I will tell him how naughty you are. What do you mean?" Ilkar started to sound miffed.
I gestured. "Older than me. The do-as- I –say we're elves wise talk." Then we went to sleep, awaking to take dinner together. Outside was almost dark. For the first time, I did not feel enclosed and trapped. Hm Ilkar is a Highmage? What did that mean?
"Hey elf, what's the word for… fear of rooms? I think I am."
He said, "Claustrophobia. I see, that was why whenever I asked you to stay indoors you'd always find a way to run out. Has it always been this way?" The mage looked concerned.
"Yea. But now I am fine. Maybe I had been in the prison for some time. Thank you. Drizzt eat more. We hardly have a good meal. Yummy." The spread was rich, the woman generous with portions of lamb, greens, cakes and wine.
Before we started, I took the chopsticks and touched the surface. Poison would stain the ivory black. They were impressed. "Ilkar you said you are a high mage. Really?"
He chuckled and seemed self conscious. "I was going to be elected before I left. So it is partly true." We dug in.
"Thank you. I could have stayed outside while you went in." Drizzt remarked softly. I shook my head.
"No that'd be unfair. Teach me more skills then I can smack them," I declared.
"Don't. I- I'm used to prejudice. Means how the people looked at me, as if I am a demon. For some towns if they know my reputation they do not think like this. It is all right."
Ilkar blinked. "I am sorry. My life is in your debt. Please accept my thanks." He bowed to him. Drizzt told him it was okay. I almost cried, they were both my beloved friends!
11
