Chapter XXII

„The Healing Whispers"

I woke up in bed, covered by my soft, warm blanket. The room was semi-dark, the soothing murmurs of a thunderstorm coming from outside.

For a few moments I just stared at the creamy ceiling, searching my fogged mind for something that would explain me being here, feeling light and drained... and the moment I finally remembered, there was a kind voice that came from my left. "Well good morning, sleepyhead." It was Asuna. She sat down by my side, smiling at me. "How do you feel?"

I didn't answer right away, just stared at her, half-conscious. "How's Eugeo..." I finally rasped.

She sighed heavily, giving the ceiling a resigned look. "If the first thing that comes to your mind after awakening is Eugeo, then I suppose you're just fine..." she said, shaking her head slightly. "You should worry about yourself sometimes too, you know."

"But is he alright...?"

"He is, he was sleeping as deep as ever when I checked on him an hour ago. Can I get my answer as well please?"

"I'm fagged out..."

"Sounds adequate to what you were up to... and does anything hurt?"

I tried moving carefully. "No... there is just still a bit of numbness in my shoulder and wing... not as bad as it was though..."

"Your fault for letting him get you like that... but I checked them thoroughly, they're not damaged," she caressed the surface of my wing delicately with her fingertips, sending a warm shiver up to my shoulderblade. "I still have some herbs, I should be able to conjure something that will make it better."

"Thanks..." I finally managed a small smile. I was so glad everything ended well...

"But I would say you deserved it in a way."

"Excuse me?"

"What did I tell you about using anger as a source for the fire?"

I winced. "I didn't want to do that, I was just... irritated."

"Exactly. You have to learn to control your anger because I might not be so conveniently at hand next time. Is that clear?"

"Yes ma'am..."

She smiled, giving me a light fillip on the nose, but soon returned to a serious expression again. "Tell me though... you said something about that man not really wanting to hurt us before you passed out... what did you mean?"

"Oh... well..." I turned my eyes to the window, gathering my still scattered thoughts. "I just had that feeling... he had so many opportunities to really hurt us... he was so powerful... if he wanted, he could have finished us off with just the flick of a wrist... but he didn't... it didn't feel like he was just playing with us for his own pleasure either... I admit, I was a bit blinded by rage and fear but he... he did try to tell me something, and I never let him..."

Asuna was quiet for quite long, her gaze fixed absently on the green of my bedsheets. Finally the thoughtful look dispelled from her eyes and she sighed again, softly this time. "I have a feeling it makes no sense to think about it now... we won't find an answer on our own anyway. Say... would you have enough strength to get up soon?"

"Depends on what for..."

"I thought a warm bath would help with the numbness as well. Eugeo could use some relaxation too..."

I smiled sleepily. "Sounds tempting."

"I'll make a request for some hot water then and you try to collect yourself in the meantime," she got up from the edge of my bed. "I'll come get you when it's ready."

I nodded gratefully and closed my eyes for one more moment. After the sound of the door closing silently behind her, I stayed like this for a while longer, drifting away into a sleep as delicate as a spider web every now and then, but finally got fed up with lying in this bed. I've spent way too much time in it lately.

I carefully sat up, fearing some pain, but none came from neither my shoulder nor my wing. I got up, walked over to the little dresser and started to search for the bath towel.

The moment I finally found it, a knock came from my door and Asuna peeked inside after an invitating hum from me.

"Oh, you got up," despite her earlier scoldings, she seemed relieved. "Good, that means you're not in as a bad shape as I thought. Do you need help getting down?"

"Don't exaggerate, I can do it."

She answered me with a smile and disappeared. I took the towel and a fresh shirt with me and left as well.

Upon entering the anteroom I perceived some pleasant smell in the air. I sniffed a bit, curious. It smelled like trees, spruces, I thought, but wasn't sure. There was something exotic to it, that didn't exactly match my memory. I went down the stairs carefully and at first almost didn't notice Eugeo, with his pale skin and flaxen hair, among all that sandstone. He was sitting with his forearms crossed on the bath's edge, his chin resting on them. He seemed to doze, lulled by the water's warmth.

I smiled and tried to make my steps quieter as I descended all the way down. There were three windows on the widest wall of the room: one tall in the middle, now slightly ajar, letting some fresh air and the murmur of thunderstorm in, and two smaller ones on its sides, looking out to the lake. Even so the room was semi-dark due to the clouds, but there were a few candelabras lit here and there along the other walls. I liked such weather sometimes, but only when I was on the safe side of the window. The invigorating scent of forest was even clearer down here and it seemed like the air has become fresher from it, cleaner. It somehow reminded me of the breath of the Silivren Forest and a thought crossed my mind, that Asuna must have added some sophisticated druid extract to the water.

I hid behind a small screen in the corner to get rid of my clothes and tied the towel around my hips. I carefully sank into the water, trying not to agitate it too much. It was delightfully hot and I felt my muscles relax almost immediately. The moment I sat down on the little ledge carved skillfully out of the polished sandstone, Eugeo stirred slightly and spoke, not even bothering to open his eyes: "You know, it's not like I will punch you if you make any loud noise," his voice was amused, which brought another touch of relief.

"I thought maybe you're sleeping..."

"In water? I'm not you."

I laughed shortly and he opened his eyes. His stare got a little serious. "Are you alright? Asuna told me, that Chrysheight wasn't very delicate with you either..."

"Just a little numbness, nothing more... what about you?" my eyes wandered to his temple, where something like a thin layer of balm glistened around the closed wound.

"Asuna patched me together, I don't even feel it anymore... seriously, I'm starting to understand why the skills of druids are so highly valued."

"Too bad you didn't see how she defended us from this guy... I thought I was being delirious for a moment."

"Why, what did she do?"

I explained everything in detail, all the while observing the awe growing in Eugeo's green eyes. When I finished, we both fell silent for a moment, as if praying a tacit thanks to our beautiful goddess.

It was then that I remembered something. I spread one of my wings slightly above the water, neutralizing the light reflections on its surface, and took a close look at myself.

"What is it?" asked my friend upon seeing my irritated expression.

"Nothing, just... I wonder why my eyes changed their color."

"They did?" Eugeo tilted his head slightly to take a better look. "I don't see a difference, they were always like that... no, hang on. They were more gray when we set out from your village if I remember correctly..."

"Exactly. It started the night when that Chrysheight first appeared..."

"No, I'm pretty sure they were like that already when you found me under the willow... and the day I fished you out of the lake too."

"Then why...?"

"I don't know..."

"But since we are talking about that madman already..." the question I was afraid of for Eugeo's sake had to come out sooner or later. "What do you plan to do about him?"

He looked me in the eyes briefly, but calmly, before turning his gaze towards the window, outside of which the rain has just stopped falling. "I'm not sure," he finally answered. "And... honestly, I think I don't care anymore. I won't change what has already happened and even if I take vengeance, it won't bring Sitriel back. I would just become as horrible as his murderer... maybe I should to try to forget about it. It makes no sense to make it worse for me and adding to the world's suffering by tormenting myself with what might have been and what might never be... and... I kind of feel better with it."

A tiny sigh of relief escaped my lips. "The idea of letting him get away with it does sound weird... but I still think it's the right decision."

He gave me a tender smile. "And it's all thanks to you and Asuna."

As if her name was a spell, we heard footsteps and soon Asuna appeared at the top of the stairs. "Kaan asked me to make sure the water isn't cold," she said, crouching on one of the steps and looking at us from above.

I wasn't able to hold back. "On the contrary, it's hot like the atmosphere between you two even when he's asking about things as trivial as the temperature of the water," I teased.

A little devilish smile appeared on her lips. "Oh? I suppose you don't need this balm for your wing and shoulder? I guess I'll save it for someone else then," she rose to her feet again.

"No, come back, please, I humbly apologize..." I laughed.

She answered me with her own laughter and went down the remaining steps. She got a tiny flacon out of her pocket and kneeled down by the edge of the bath. "Get out then and sit down in front of me you jokester," when I obeyed, leaving my legs in the warm water still, she opened the little vessel and instructed me further: "Spread the wing halfway backwards, so that I can access the inner surface."

When I did that, she poured a bit of the thin, oily substance onto her hand and started to delicately rub it into the sensitive skin of the wing. The relief was almost immediate. The oil had a subtle warming effect along with a flowery fragrance, and everywhere where Asuna's fingers met my skin the numbness simply melted away after a few seconds. I couldn't help but sigh contently, closing my eyes and relaxing my muscles. I completely understood Eugeo's previous statement about the skill of druids now... She then tended to my shoulder as well, and before I could enjoy the treatment fully, she was done.

"Stay like this a moment longer please," she said, moving towards my back. I glanced over my shoulder, but that just earned me another fillip to the nose.

I felt her fingers spread some of the oil on my back rather randomly, before the soft chime of the flacon being put on the sandstone reached my ears. I then heard a noise that suggested she was rubbing her hands slightly and they touched the base of my back, right above the towel. I didn't have much time to blush, because she moved them upwards immediately in a smooth, but firm motion, aiming between my wings in the direction of my shoulders. Before her fingertips touched them though, she spread her hands and stroked both leading edges of my wings as far as she could reach.

I don't know if it was part of some magic, or if she just pinpointed some nerve that only she knew about, but the sensation was disarming. A pleasant impulse ran through my back, relaxing even the parts the tension in which I wasn't even aware of. If I could, I would have started purring.

"Thanks..." I sighed when she stopped after repeating the movement a few more times. "Good to know, that the sensitivity of our wings isn't just a disadvantage."

Asuna giggled silently. "Well, there are a few more good things."

"Like what?"

Instead of answering, she tickled the most sensitive part of all - the bottom side of my left wing right at the spot where it connected with the rest of my body. I wasn't able to hold back a laugh and reflexively flicked the wing, unintentionally striking the water's surface with it... and splashing a fair amount over unwary Eugeo.

I froze at first, for some reason expecting him to get mad. Asuna probably felt the same, as I heard her hold her breath briefly. But then a beautiful sound echoed through the vast bathroom.

Eugeo's laugh.

It was so clear and bright, I was sure I wouldn't hear anything more heartwarming for a very long time. Even the sun seemed curious about this sound, as it peeked from above the gloomy clouds, entering the mansion with its gentle light. I felt Asuna's hand on my shoulder again, and covered it with mine, closing my eyes. We worked this miracle together...

I shouldn't have let my guard down like this though.

Suddenly I felt warm water splashing me right in the face and Asuna shrieked in laughter, hopping backwards and hiding behind the screen in the corner. I wiped my eyes and looked at Eugeo, who was holding his hands clasped together beneath the water's surface.

His innocent smile quickly became uneasy, when I narrowed my eyes and sank from the edge of the bath into the water again. I lifted one of my wings but he immediately took a deep breath and dived underneath the surface. Smart. But not enough. I mimicked his movement and saw him turn around and swim away.

Unfortunately for him, Eugeo had no chance with me using my wings to move forward. I caught up to him in no time and started to tickle his sides. He squirmed away almost in panic and resurfaced, catching his breath. I followed again, but stuck my head out of the water just a little, giving him a look of the "You asked for it" kind.

"You're cheating," he accused me, squinting.

"How so?"

"You're using your wings."

"Nothing stopping you from doing the same."

"I don't need wings to make you beg for mercy."

"Oh? I sure would like to..." I trailed off, suddenly feeling a weird sensation come over my whole body. My breath came short for some reason and black spots started appearing within my vision...

"Kirito?" I heard Eugeo's concerned voice.

I wasn't entirely sure what happened next. I think Eugeo and Asuna got me out of the water together, helped me sit on the sandstone and lean against Eugeo's shoulder. My mind started to clear up again very quickly, as I felt some unnatural heat leave my body. It made a suspicion rise within my fogged thoughts...

"The water was too hot..." Asuna confirmed it with a silent statement.

"What?" Eugeo seemed confused. "It didn't seem like that to me, I wouldn't have minded if it were even warmer..."

"Consider the wings. They are not much more than vast, thin membranes with a huge number of blood vessels. Imagine the amount of heat they absorb from the surroundings..."

"Oh... I guess we learned something new then..."

"But why did I have to be the example again...?" I whined weakly.

"Look at the bright side, you will remember it best," Asuna joked, spreading her own wings and starting to fan me with one of them. "Don't worry, you will be fine."

True enough, the air movement and the sandstone's chill finally evened the heat out. My heartbeat slowed down and I relaxed, which earned me a relieved sigh from Eugeo.

Asuna folded her wing again after some time and stood up. "I'm going to disappear before I get accused of demolishing the bathroom," she gave us an amused look. "I'll be upstairs. Have fun drying everything."

Before she could make it to the stairs though, we suddenly heard a soft flutter of wings. We glanced towards the window. A little swallow was sitting on the windowsill, chirping loudly, as if wanting to draw our attention. Asuna turned back, stood at the edge of the bath and extended her hand towards the bird, before any of us could even ask any question. The swallow leaped from the windowsill, crossed the room and landed on her finger, clenching its little claws around it delicately. It was then that we noticed a tiny piece of parchment attached to its leg.

"I told you we use them to communicate," she told us, giving me a meaningful look. When she unwrapped the parchment carefully from the bird's leg, it chirped once more and flew away. Asuna opened the message, quickly ran through the letters with her eyes, and suddenly the flush from the room's heat and from the effort of pulling me out of the bath earlier drained from her cheeks in the split of a second.

"What's wrong?" asked Eugeo, clearly concerned.

Asuna only stuttered out one silent word, that we both unfortunately didn't understand. She turned to us again. "I need to go to Silivren Forest. Just please don't follow me!" She stuffed the parchment into her pocket and run up the stairs faster than it should be possible.

"What was that about?" I finally managed to ask.

"I'm not sure but... that word she let slip... I know very little about the language of druids, but I'm pretty sure it means 'Guardian'. But not in general, rather 'Guardian of the Silivren Forest' specifically..."

"And what does it mean for us?"

"For us it means, that we ignore her words and follow her."

I couldn't hold back a smile. "Now you're speaking my language. There's no way I'll let her go alone if something serious is happening."

We gathered ourselves as fast as we could and less than ten minutes later we were already flying above the trees surrounding the mansion, towards the valley that separated us from the Silivren Forest.

„Life is like an instrument.

What you get out of it depends on how you play it..."