Chapter 22: Prylla

Deneb's condition hasn't improved at all since the group left Vollachia. What would Prylla do if Deneb were to die? This was something that has been worrying her since she found her in the middle of that destroyed tent with black flames raging around it. Deneb was who Prylla had dedicated the last ten years to after all. If she were to die then she would be left with nothing. How would she achieve her goal? What would the Cult do with her once she's gone? Would they throw her away due to her incompetence? Why keep someone around who can't do something as simple as faithfully serving their archbishop? Was this the reward for her love and dedication to her duties? Some ridiculous curse placed by that despicable creature threatened to take away everything Prylla had worked so hard for.

"Please..."

It was nighttime at the inn she had chosen for them to stay at and both Ireyne and Deneb were fast asleep. She was sitting next to Deneb's bed as she would do most nights to keep an eye on her. Occasionally holding her hand as she slept secretly pleading for her to get better. This was something she would do often as the Lady would commonly have nightmares in her sleep and thrash wildly muttering about her brother and something about the smell of burnt flesh. The Lady really never quite got over the Demon Clan's slaughter even if she tries to act like it doesn't affect her.

Prylla did what she went there to do even if she disagreed about killing them all. She herself managed to leave without killing anyone, but the Lady killed the village elder that night. She always dodged the subject whenever Prylla would try to bring it up. In fact, Prylla had hoped Deneb wouldn't have killed the man in the first place. She's already seen what happens when someone that young gets a taste of blood and she never wanted to see it again. She didn't want Deneb to be anything like Faust or the others.

"Brother… where… where..."

Prylla took her hand in her own and used her free hand to gently stroke the top of Deneb's head. The pained expression on her sleeping face faded into something much more befitting a girl of her age. Prylla always found this expression to be her favorite; it was the only time the archbishop seemed genuinely at peace. Prylla would most certainly do anything in her power to help the archbishop realize her desired future just as the archbishop is helping her with her own. She would rebuild the moderates and help the destitute people around the world just as she had been helped all those years ago.

She still remembered the time she spent in that forest fondly before she left with her father where she would later meet her dear friend. That village of Demons who had welcomed her in when the rest of the world shunned her away because of her race. Her father was a member of that old moderate faction who would visit Elior Forest with fresh supplies. That was where he met Prylla's mother all those years ago. How long ago was that? One hundred fifty? Two hundred years ago? She couldn't remember anymore. She was only in her early twenties when she left the forest to follow in her fathers footsteps by joining the Witch Cult. She wanted nothing more than to help people who deserved that help more than anything. She would run supplies to that Demon Village in the mountains where she met her friend about twenty years ago.

Even after the dissolution of the moderates she still continued supply runs to that village eventually deciding to spend more and more time in it. After the destruction of Elior Forest she settled down in the village with the rest of the Demon's who welcomed her with open arms. A half-elf who took more after her father than her mother. Her ears were far less pointy than a typical elves which let her appear almost identical to a normal human unless you paid very close attention. The only reason she was allowed to stay in the village was thanks to her friend. Her friend ended up having a child about three years before she would be called on to care for Deneb.

Then came the day when the radical's attacked that hidden village, the fire, the screaming, it all felt so fresh in her mind. She still remembers trying to help her friend escape her burning home only for wooden beams to block the exit. Her friend still held her baby tightly in her arms before handing her child to Prylla across the tiny gap begging her to save her child if nothing else. She had to listen to her friend burn alive as she ran from the village as quickly as she could. She eventually delivered the child to another Demon Village where she'd hopefully be safe. Prylla could never trust herself to stay near that child ever again. They never would have found that village if she'd just leave it be. It was her fault they died like that, like animals.

She was assigned to serve Deneb about two years later. Seeing the girl for the first time brought her a wave of emotion, she looked so similar to her friend's child she had the same hair color and eye color. Prylla knew, however, that she wasn't the same person. Even if a small part of her wanted to spoil her and give her everything in the world. This girl sparked a small ember of hope in Prylla that she could finally properly reform the moderate faction so she could atone for the sins she's committed. She wasn't going to let Deneb become like the radical's of the Cult; she would be superior to them in every way. She wouldn't be some mindless killer that took joy in others suffering; she wouldn't let injustice sit in front of her while doing nothing. These were the things that Prylla had wished for her.

She would ponder these thoughts often while sitting next to Deneb's bed. Did she do a good job? Would her father be proud of her? What about her mother? She tried her best to keep Deneb away from things that could cause her to turn out like the others, but there's only so much she can do. Letting Regulus give her a lecture on manners probably wasn't a good idea, but telling him no isn't exactly an option. Prylla continued to lose herself in her spiraling thoughts until she heard a familiar voice call out to her.

"Prylla…? What're you doing up so late? Shouldn't you get some rest too. I know you're worried about her and everything, but you've got to trust that the Lady will make it through." Ireyne was leaning against the side of the doorway, the pale light of the magic stones shining in the hallway between their rooms.

"I know. I just…" Prylla let go of Deneb's hand and turned to face Ireyne.

"Come on… Go get some sleep. If you're so worried I'll stay here for the rest of the night." Ireyne walked quietly over to Prylla and placed one hand on her shoulder the other on her back pushing her up from her seat.

"But I..."

"No, I'll watch over her, you need to rest. We've been having a difficult enough time gathering information. I don't need you passing out during our investigation."

Prylla couldn't argue with her because she was right. What Deneb needed most from them at this moment was for them to remain strong. If Deneb needed to lean on her a little in order to get better then she'd happily let her. She wouldn't be able to do that if she was sleep deprived though. So, Ireyne was very much correct. In order to take care of Deneb she also needed to take care of herself.

"Alright. Make sure to hold her hand if she starts moving too much. She also seems to like it when you pat her head. Don't tell her about this though! It'd be embarrassing if she ever found out about it..." Prylla blushed slightly as she rattled off what she wanted Ireyne to do. Over the years never once had Deneb found out about her nightly visits and she'd be mortified if she did. She could already hear her teasing her.

Ireyne nodded to Prylla who had left Deneb's room for hers. She would always book separate rooms for Deneb and them as she considered it uncouth for a servant to sleep in the same room as their master even if she would sneak in to check on her. It wasn't weird for a servant to ensure their master's safety after all. She simply never wanted a repeat of that horrid day all those years ago when she lost her friend and delivered her child to a sister village. She would often wonder how that child is doing now since she wasn't able to protect her beyond getting her outside of the village and telling her to run.

"No use thinking so much about it now."

Prylla laid down in her bed, her head hitting the soft pillow which starkly contrasted the firmness of the mattress. She pulled the heavy wool blanket over herself which immediately hit her with a warm sensation. She didn't notice it before, but it was very cold inside the inn. The warmth of the blanket contrasting the freezing air felt refreshing. The only thing she could hope for now was that they'll find out what they need to save the archbishop's life so they can continue with their plans.

"You worry too much Prylla."

Inside Prylla's head a feminine voice rang out. For any other person this would probably be frightening, but this occurrence was something quite natural for her.

"And you shouldn't bother me when I'm trying to sleep."

"Sorry. Sorry."

"No you're not."

"Teehee. Say when are you going to tell her about me?"

"Huh? Why would I do that? You'd get on her nerves."

"Really~ It's been several years now hasn't it? I'd think she'd like to meet your contingency plan. What if you die suddenly? She'd be quite surprised when I take over."

"Lyra..."

"Oh~! Sorry. That's a bit insensitive isn't it?"

Many years ago when Prylla was still young she was taken to perform a special test. Among the elves a few possessed a special ability to create and manipulate phantoms. This ability was lost to time, however, Prylla was one of the few who still possessed it. Prylla initially failed the test to create phantoms and spent her life normally only once she lost her friend was she able to manifest one.

Lyra was originally created for the sole purpose of easing her grief over the loss of her friend. She even tried to have Lyra possess her friend's corpse, but it was too ruined to house the phantom. Lyra's purpose was changed after meeting Deneb as Prylla wouldn't want Deneb to be completely alone if she were to die. Lyra was initially against the idea as Deneb wasn't a phantom user and wouldn't have any authority over her, but after years of secretly watching over the girl through Prylla she changed her mind for reasons Prylla never found out.

Prylla was at the very least happy that Lyra came around regardless of whatever reasons she may have. They have known each other for a long time now and Prylla could be certain that she could trust Lyra with Deneb if it ever came to that. Prylla naturally hoped it would never come to that and she'd get to see both her own and Deneb's dearest wish come to fruition. Prylla tossed and turned a bit more in her bed before finding the perfect position. Her drowsiness finally overtook her as she lulled off to sleep.

AN:

I have a few announcements to make regarding update frequency for the next month or so. First off I'm going to try to get another chapter out next week sometime then I'll have to take about a three week break from updating. My classes are starting to dump more work on me (Computer Science is fun! /s) and I still need to work out how I'm going to introduce a new ability for Deneb which is harder than I expected. I have the new power drafted out, but I'm not sure if I'm happy with it's current implementation. So I'm going to continue to refine it until I reach a point that I'm satisfied with. I more or less know exactly what I want to accomplish with the next few chapters or so I'm just having a harder time than usual figuring out how to order everything. I originally wasn't planning Prylla's named chapter for two or three more chapters, but it just sorta happened. Anyway I hope you're all enjoying the story as much as I am enjoying writing it and I'll try to update when I can.