The Winglies of Hellena
Chapter Fourteen: Calm Before the Storm
Disclaimer: You know the Characters from LoD aren't mine, but all the others are. No stealy. .
Four months passed, and during that time Lloyd made an incredible recovery. He no longer looked to be flesh and bone. He had filled out nicely and was well-built from helping to rebuild the burned buildings of Seles. The small village was recovering nicely from last year's fire.
Lloyd's scars were a constant, silent proof of the torture he'd been through, and they'd be with him for the rest of his life, but despite that he was doing very well. He had regained his pride, and he no longer meekly did what he was told. But although those crimson eyes had regained that spark of life, lingering always behind that spark was a dull, hollowed look that would take years to diminish. He wouldn't soon forget his torture at the hands of the Hellena guards.
He and Albert had become good friends, despite past events, and they both came to find, much to Albert's surprise, that Lloyd was almost as ecstatic about reading as he was. Well - actually that wasn't true. No one could get lost for hours in a library like Albert could. But they shared much in common, and soon were teaching each other different weaponry skills. Albert taught Lloyd how to fight with a spear, and Lloyd taught Albert the art of fighting with a sword.
When he wasn't helping to rebuild Seles and practicing with Albert, Lloyd spent much of his time with Wink. They would take walks in the woods together, and Lloyd would fight off any animal that tried to attack. Wink adored Lloyd, and had hardly left his side during his recovery. In return Lloyd was grateful to Wink and felt a strong bond with her. He enjoyed spending time with her. As you can imagine, Miranda was less than pleased about this.
The group wasn't sure about what to do to recover the Dragoon Spirits from Hellena. It was still much too vast a place and too strongly protected, and Albert was not willing to put so many of his men in danger going to battle against Hellena. But Lloyd would often be caught staring into the distance in the direction of Hellena Prison, lips pursed and eyes narrowed. There was not a day that went by when Lloyd didn't think about his fellow Winglies, trapped in Hellena, starved, beaten, and dying. He would reach up and clasp the spirit of the Divine Dragoon that hung from a silver chain around his neck. Dart had given the spirit back to him, amidst much argument from Miranda. But because it was Lloyd's to begin with, he felt he should have it back. And Lloyd was determined to put it to good use to save his people. The day would soon come where he would extract his revenge. And when he returned to Hellena, Dominic's death would be on his hands alone.