Chapter 12:
I spotted Gareth just ahead, digging in the dirt. When we got closer, I realized that the holes looked like graves.
"Gareth?" I asked softly, concerned.
He froze, slowly turning to look at me. "I'm digging my own parents' graves. You'll have to forgive me for not being first-rate company."
I gasped, my eyes widening. Something moved out of the corner of my eye, and I glanced over to see an older woman standing in the doorway. Without saying anything, I went into the house, finding their bodies settled neatly on the floor. Two silent monks were present, as were the spirits of his parents. His mother had been the one I'd seen.
She gave me a soft smile, but didn't speak.
My chest felt tight. I could vividly remember the despair I'd felt when my parents had died, and they hadn't been murdered. Tears fell as I sat at their heads, my hands reaching down to stroke their hair. I didn't want anyone to feel the same pain, even those who called themselves my enemy. No one should have to suffer such loss.
I know that death is something that comes for us all, and it was foolish to believe that I could turn back the clock, to prevent their loss, but still. I prayed quietly under my breath- more of a chant, really- asking for some way to help Gareth to cope. He didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve to come home to his family, only to find them gone. It wasn't fair.
I watched through tear-blurred vision as hands covered mine, a warm green glow emanating from them. Spreading throughout their bodies.
"This does not come without a cost." She whispered in my ear.
I opened my mouth to ask, but a sudden pain shot through me. Their eyes opened, though, and I let out a sigh of relief, despite the pain.
"Gareth!" Lohse shouted, rushing out of the house.
She came back a moment later, dragging him by the arm. His parents were sitting up now, and he fell to his knees, staring at them with hesitant hope.
Something warm dripped onto my hands, and I glanced down. I was bleeding. Closing my eyes, I filled my body with healing magic, understanding dawning. The cost was taking their wounds. So, if the person I wanted to save had died instantly... or was beheaded or something like that... Then, it would be the last thing I ever did.
A hand settled on my shoulder, and I looked up into Ifan's face, his expression knowing.
"Don't think I didn't see that." Stern.
I laid my hand on his, returning my gaze to the scene unfolding before us. "It was well worth it." I murmured. "And I would do it again."
Gareth pulled away from them, coming to me and thanking me profusely. I just smiled and shooed him back to his parents.
While the others were discussing what to do about the silent monks, I began nodding off. I was exhausted after that. At one point, my eyes slipped shut, and the next thing I saw when I opened them again was the floor rushing up to meet me.
I woke up alone in the room at the tavern. After quickly dressing in the spare outfit that had been laid out for me- from my cottage, I assumed, because I recognized the clothes as mine- I went downstairs to get a drink, looking for the others.
Everyone was sitting at one of the tables, talking quietly amongst each other. Smiling to myself, I made my way over with my water.
"There you all are." I greeted as I took a seat.
"You're up!" Lohse leaned across the table, eager. "How are you feeling?"
"Never better."
It was the truth- I'd woken up feeling amazing, an energy inside me that I'd never felt before. And, as a bonus, it overshadowed the need that Rhalic had instilled.
A barmaid came over with bowls of stew, which I declined. That earned a curious look from the mage.
"I don't think I've ever seen you eat meat." She commented.
"I do. Sometimes. I'm not against it or anything." I explained. "I just have times where I don't like the taste, that's all."
Sebille was the first to take a bite, and she looked up sharply. "Don't eat this."
Her eyes went toward the kitchen, brows pulled down.
She looked to me. "You're out of water."
"Oh. So I am." I smiled at her as I stood. "Thank you for pointing it out."
I wasn't stupid. She clearly didn't want me to hear whatever she had to say.
I saw the spirit of a magister in front of the bar. She hadn't been there yesterday. Our eyes met, but she was oblivious to my presence. I doubted she even knew she was dead. When I realized she was mumbling under her breath, I moved closer, asking for a refill. Eavesdropping.
"...hacked at my sword hand first... I couldn't defend myself..."
Her gaze cleared for a moment and, holding my gaze, she pointed toward the kitchen. Where Sebille's focus had gone to. After eating the stew.
I blinked. The magister was missing her fingers. She was pointing silently to the kitchen. Sebille, being an elf, could extract memories from meat. She'd had the stew. Without thinking, I walked around the bar and into the kitchen.
The elf cook turned, looking me up and down. "You're not supposed to be back here."
"Why did you do it?" I asked quietly.
She turned to face me fully. "I don't know what you're talking about. Now, get out. I have work to do."
"It's not right. What you're doing." I pressed.
Disgust took over her features. "They hunt us and lock us up, yet I'm the monster?"
I approached her, touching her arm. "It's not right. The patrons... they don't deserve to eat other people. You're punishing them just as much as you are the magisters. And it's not right."
Her eyes searched my face, and I watched as her shoulders slumped. "Perhaps you're right. I..." Her arms went around me as she whispered. "I'm sorry."
A knife I hadn't realized she was holding found its home in my back, and I inhaled sharply. I wrapped my arms around her in turn, keeping her in place, as the song from earlier bubbled up in my throat. Her body went limp against me as I heard footsteps rushing toward us.
"Eira-"
"Help me lay her down. I..." I instructed. "I can't move until I heal myself."
Beast and Ifan sat her against the wall, while Sebille pulled a stretch of rope from her pack, tying her wrists and ankles.
"Can someone... pull it out?" I asked, the pain radiating through my body.
The Red Prince slowly pulled the blade out, while I healed as he went. I let out a sigh of relief.
"That's better." I looked at the woman, sad. "She's been killing magisters."
My eyes scanned the room, and I started looking through the cupboards and drawers, much to everyone's confusion.
"What are you doing?" Lohse asked after a while, exasperated with me.
"Because..." I trailed off when the floorboard beneath me creaked.
Getting down on my hands and knees, I pried the board up, revealing a little stash of items. Including the ring.
"Ah ha! The magister's spirit out there," I waved toward the tavern proper. "is moaning about her lost ring. I can hear her in here."
"I'm sure the magisters'll pay coin for turning her in." The mage mused.
The Red Prince looked at her derisively. "She killed magisters. I see no great loss there."
"She cut them up." I said, eyes still down. "She cooked them. She fed them to other people. Innocent people. Regardless of who she killed, she still punished innocents with her retribution. It's not right. And those people deserve justice."
"How about we turn her in, yeah?" Lohse's hand rested on my shoulder.
I nodded, smiling up at her. "Yeah."
Together, she and I went to the magister building next door and filled them in on the situation. They sent a couple of magisters to collect her and the items. Once they were back, and the items were looked at- and recognized- we were handed a coin purse. A hundred and forty gold. That could split evenly between us.
"Still think they're being cheap." She muttered under her breath.
I chuckled at her, shaking my head.
When we returned to the others, I excused myself, saying I should rest more, and went to my room. Finding the bucket for washing my hands and face, I emptied it out the window and spent the next while throwing up.
I couldn't believe that woman had just... Why would she... How could she justify that? I just couldn't wrap my head around it. And how would I have felt, had I accepted the stew and eaten before Sebille? The thought brought on a new round of vomiting.
A wet nose touched my hand, and I ran my fingers through Englo's fur.
I was sitting against the wall now, worn out from throwing up so much- though I'd dry heaved for the tail end of it. She'd summoned herself and was curled up against my side, moving her head to rest it on my lap.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." My voice sounded rough and tired.
Beast let himself in, taking in the scene. He whistled.
"You look like shite, lass."
"I feel like it, too." I managed a small smile.
Thankfully, I'd already emptied and rinsed out the bucket- and opened the window to air out the room- so he wouldn't have to suffer the smell.
"Been in here for a while. Everyone's worried." He came closer, studying me.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry anyone." My smile grew as I pushed to my feet. "I was just feeling under the weather for a bit. I'm alright now."
He eyed me doubtfully, but didn't press it, and we walked back down to them.
"There she is!" Lohse jumped up, throwing an arm around my shoulders.
I chuckled. "Sorry, sorry. I just wasn't feeling great. I'm better now, though."
We were heading to where Jahan was, when we came upon a little hen house, a... diseased-looking bird outside it, pacing around. Breaking off from the group. I let myself in through the little gate and crouched in front of him.
"Little bird, what's wrong?" I asked softly, earning his attention.
"I'm dying! Isn't that plain to see, you clod?" I blinked at him. "I am a prize trophy bird- I was bought by some farmer to act as rooster for his brood... but they're all dead, and so is he, I'll wager. Now here I am- riddled with pox, and with nothing but a harem of rotting fowl for company!"
I took a closer look at the poor thing, realizing it wasn't dust coming from his feathers, it was smoke. Reaching out, I brushed my fingertips along the length of his body, a sharp burning sensation causing me to snatch my hand back. I had mild burns.
My eyes widened, and I let out an undignified squeal. "I've read about your kind!"
That earned confused looks from everyone who, a moment ago, had all shouted for me to not touch the bird.
"I'm a-"
"I know what you are." I whispered conspiratorially. "And I know what you need."
I jumped up, gathering branches and handfuls of grass. Then, I lit the bundle on fire.
"Trust me. Get into the fire. You'll be okay."
He looked at me doubtfully, but chose not to argue, climbing into it. The green coloring of my fire changed to the blue of a blessing and, in the center of the fire, sat a large egg.
"What... just happened?" Lohse frowned, looking to the others for answers.
Fane came over and crouched, inspecting the egg, before shifting his attention to me. "A phoenix?"
"Yes!"
The fire dimmed, before going out entirely, and I gingerly picked up the egg.
"I'm a little surprised it didn't hatch from the fire, but maybe it needs to be hotter?" No one had anything to offer. "I want to hold on to it."
"Considering you're holding it like a mama, I doubt we'd be able to stop you, lass." Beast shook his head, but his tone was amused, a grin stretching across his face.
Jahan had spoken quietly with Lohse for a while, before he'd announced that we needed to take care of The Advocate. And that The Advocate lived on Bloodmoon Island.
I'd frowned at that, because there wasn't a way to get across the water, so far as I knew.
And now, we stood on the shore, staring out at the Deathfog-covered waters between us and the island. Englo had run off, but I wasn't worried. She was probably just enjoying being out and about, running around and chasing squirrels or something.
She came back almost an hour later, hopping around like a playful pup. "I found a way!"
Ifan looked over at us, and I tilted my head. "You did?"
"Yes! Follow me!"
Whenever she was able to be helpful, she would bounce with energy. Such a sweet girl.
"Englo says she found a way across." I told the others, and it was decided we'd try her way.
It wasn't like we'd come up with another way across, after all.
She led us to a broken bridge, but I saw it for what it really was. Without thinking, I stepped onto the invisible portion, evoking a shout from several of the others. Looking over my shoulder at them, I smiled.
"It's invisible!" I told them. "Follow me."
It was slow going, because of the fear of falling into the Deathfog, but eventually, we got across. Only to be met by a strange trio of people. The lizard welcomed us, bidding us to go see The Advocate, who was on the left side of the island. The other two muttered about being hungry, staring at us intently. A hand on my back guided me away, and I looked up at Ifan, who was clenching his jaw.
The Advocate was just as unsettling. Even more so because Malady was here, as well. When she saw us, she abruptly stopped talking to him and walked off, toward the beach.
We approached him cautiously, without weapons out, and he beckoned us to his table. Told us about the Black Ring- an organization I hadn't heard of- and that they had taken up space around the living tree in the center of the island. He said that if we took care of them, he would help us with our Source. Turns out, he's one of the Masters. The others talked, while I listened, everyone figuring that if we were to run into them and fight them anyway, why not get something out of it? I held my tongue, not wanting more blood on our hands, but they were bad people, right? I really didn't like this. But I wanted to be around them to keep them safe. I wanted to be around Ifan in particular, to keep him safe.
So, we went to the tree. The Black Ring wanted to talk, but when it was clear we weren't interested, they attacked. I had my work cut out for me with my walls- there were three mages among them. One of them threw a fireball at Sebille's feet, and I threw out my hands, willing it to go out and not spread across the dead grass. It sparked for a moment, before being snuffed out. Realizing the fight would drag on for some time, because the mages kept healing their companions and themselves, I prayed for my friends to be strengthened. Again, their weapons glowed a soft green, like at the ruins on the outskirts of Fort Joy. With that, the tides turned, and our side was able to wrap it up quickly after. I healed their injuries, and we went back to The Advocate.
They were in the middle of talking, when the lizard suddenly approached me. Surprised, I looked at him, and our eyes met. I felt sucked into his gaze, the image of an island appearing in the depths of his. Rewinding from the island, I saw the path that would lead there. The Nameless Isle, a voice whispered in my mind.
Then, he lashed out, slicing my forehead, and I stumbled back a few steps, hands flying to the wound. Before I could heal it, I pictured a dungeon in my mind- rather, the image of it forced itself into my head. Tendrils of red, dripping blood, covered me, like a vice grip. Screams sounded only a moment later, and I realized it was me. I was the one screaming. Like I was dying. It certainly felt that way. Before the pain could pull me under, a cold feeling swept through me. Cleansing me. Purging me of the pain. And I felt lighter, more... open. I knew, without a doubt, that I would be able to use more Source than before.
Panting, covered in sweat, I came back to myself, collapsing to my knees.
"Eira!" Lohse sounded close to ripping someone's throat out.
I raised my eyes slowly to Ifan's, who was crouching in front of me now, and blew out a long breath.
"I'm... I'm okay." I shuddered, though. "I don't ever want to experience that again, but I'm okay."
Though wary, they each, one by one, went through the same thing I had. Though none of them reacted quite as strongly as I had. It made me wonder if we'd seen the same things. Experienced the same things.
Right after the Red Prince got his, being last, he nodded to the others, and the fight was on. With them surrounding me, because I could not bring myself to move. It was as if I was frozen.
We were outnumbered, and my companions were being pushed into a tighter circle. At this rate...
"Stop it!" A scream left me as I clutched my head, willing the fight to be over without any serious injuries.
And just like that, the fighting ceased. I don't know what happened, but when I finally looked up, The Advocate and his people were dead. And the others were looking at me with strange expressions. Varying from surprise to awe to concern.
Lohse was the first to reach me, dropping to her knees in front of me, clasping my hands in hers.
"Are you okay?"
I just looked at her, confused.
"You... You stopped them." She explained, looking just as confused as I felt. "When you screamed, they all stopped and just sort of... zoned out. Made for easy pickings, but... are you okay?"
"I just... wanted it to stop." I whispered. "I don't like fighting. I don't like death. But... I want to be around to help. To protect you guys. To heal you all."
She leaned in, wrapping her arms around me. "I'm so sorry. I wish we could stop fighting, but... there's a lot of people against us. We can't always talk our way out of a situation."
"I know." I sighed, burying my face in her shoulder. "I just don't like it. But I know I need to suck it up, if I'm going to stay. And I want to."
Englo weaseled her way between us, earning a quiet laugh from me, and I stroked her fur, feeling a little better.
After a few minutes, I got to my feet. "I'm okay. We can carry on now. Thank you for waiting."