Author's note: okay, sorry for the shortness of this one, but just as these words are scarce, so is my time to write at present. I'm currently planning the course of my life, so I guess this is a sufficient excuse to put the writing hobby on second place. Or third, knowing that a Medieval Festival is on the way in two weeks and we've got so much work to do.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it, and this time we'll truly see the name 'Dolor Mortis' for the first time and where it actually comes from. So, happy reading!

Chapter 49 – A Tragedy Relived

''What was it that you saw?'' Renado asked while leaning in a little closer, inspecting Link intently. The young Hylian sat hunched over opposite him on the edge of his bed, his look a little glassy as if he was deep in thoughts. And yet again, it took him a little moment to actually notice that the shaman had said something, for his head quickly turned back to him from its dreaming position.

''A woman. I'm not quite sure but I think it was my mother.''

Renado frowned, looking confused. ''Uli?'' Link quickly shook his head. ''No, I mean my real mother. She had a baby in her arms and was carrying it through the woods. I guess that was me. But what she did could not be real, since I'm alive.''

The Kakarikan's brow furrowed only more, his body not giving a single stir while he stared at the young man in front of him. ''What did she do?''

Link seemed not even aware of the severity his next sentence held. ''She was looking for a rope which she wound around a big rock before tying the other end around the baby – I mean me. Then she tossed me into a pond, with the rock and all.''

''She wanted to kill you?''

Link nodded, now truly locking eyes with the shaman for the first time ever since he had come into his room that morning to talk to him. Link had been very self-conscious upon noticing that his clothes were lain out in a heap around the bed, his body completely naked underneath the protective sheets. Midna had managed to drop down into the shadow of the bed, making her way out of the room as discreetly as possible without Renado's noticing. Upon the healer's question about his bareness, he had stammered a weak excuse about having been much too hot last night, taken by an inexplicable wave of feverishness. That had only resulted in more worry from Renado, but at least he didn't investigate this topic further.

''As I said, it was just a vision. I was daydreaming, nothing more.'' Link quickly answered, but to his dismay, the shaman did not look satisfied. ''It was more than a daydream, Link. When I found you, I could call as much as I wanted, but you didn't react. You acted as if you were in some sort of trance, and if you have visions in this state then this has to be taken seriously. Was there anything else? Or was it just the woman – I mean your mother – that tried to drown you?''

Link looked down. ''I'm not even sure if it was my mother. I mean she killed me! Or at least she tried. I don't know, it was all quite strange and frightening.''

''But how did you feel? Did you sense the water the moment she threw you in?'' Renado looked as if he'd not give up so easily. The Hero sighed. ''No, it was more like a feeling that crept over me very slowly, as if I was submerged in slow motion. But I noticed that the more I sank in, the more I felt depressed.''

Now Renado finally looked a little more pleased. ''I see. And how did you perceive those visions? Were they clear or rather blurry?''

Link did not need to think for that answer. ''I felt as if I could die at any moment. They were much too real.''

Renado nodded slowly before standing up once more. ''Very well. But now, you feel all right?'' The Hylian nodded. True it was, he felt rather safe now that the daylight was once more shining through the window, and every depressive feeling had vanished from him. He felt almost good, were there not the never-ending twinges from his multiple scars still somehow wanting to show their presence at any move he performed. Their stiff skin was rendering every step more uncomfortable than ever.

Whatever it is … are one step away fr …

''What?'' he asked the shaman, looking at him rather confusedly. The healer had stood up from his chair and had turned towards the table, but turned to Link with brows pulled up. ''I didn't say anything.''

Link frowned, but upon seeing the inquisitive look on the healer's face, he quickly shook his head. ''Oh, nothing, I just thought I heard something. Must be from downstairs.''

Hihi … funny little … want some more chee…

He shook his head a little, assured again that it was nothing, and climbed back into bed under the shaman's vigilant eye inspecting him. To chance the subject, he quickly thought of a plausible question to ask. ''This seizure I had, last evening … what was it? Is there something that caused it?''

Renado let himself plop into the chair at the table, running a hand over his tired face. ''I checked you from top to bottom, but I found no explanation for this fit you had.''

Link felt a shaking shower of pleasure run down his spine at his words. Last evening, Midna had used the same expression. Let me fondle your body from top to bottom!

''Link! You're not listening yet again.'' Renado's voice crashed through his mind and let him jerk in fright. ''I'm sorry, Renado. Forgive me, I'm … I'm a little elsewhere, I guess.''

''I noticed that. Is there something still troubling you? You know that you can tell me everything.'' the healer answered, his voice kind and even a little desperate.

Why not tell … nothing to declare …

Link shook his head as the little voice spoke up once again, and to Renado this meant that the answer was no. ''If you're sure, then I won't ask any more.''

Something glistening was slowly appearing on Renado's upper lip where it was flowing out of his crooked nose. It was of a dark colour and looked viscous, but as Link squinted his eyes and cocked his head, he wasn't able to grab the idea of what it could be.

''What?'' Link asked, this time a little slurred. ''I mean yes, okay. What … what's that on your nose?''

Renado jerked back in surprise, bringing up his hand towards his nose. ''What? Is there something? Oh, that's really embarrassing …'' But as he looked at his hand after having brushed it over his nostrils, it was completely clean. ''Is it gone?''

Link stared at the dark blood still streaming out of the healer's nose, not daring to breathe, or to move. Renado swished over the exact same spot two, three, even four times, but it didn't grab onto his fingers. It was as if it was glued to his lip. ''No … it's still there.''

The shaman cleared his throat and pulled at a drawer from the table where he retrieved a little mirror. Link prepared himself for the shock on the Kakarikan's face the moment he'd see the mucus-like blood streaming out of his nose, but as Renado set eyes on his image, nothing happened. ''Oh, another grey hair, such a shame. I'm truly getting old.'' As he said that, Link's nerves ripped.

''Don't you see?! There's blood on your face!'' He bolted up towards the chair on which the healer sat and pushed the mirror aside so that he could dip his finger into it to show him. As his vision fell on the shaman's face, however, he stopped in his tracks abruptly, gasping in fright.

His nose and his upper lip … where completely unstained.

''How … how …'' he stammered, taking a stumbling step backwards while shaking his head in disbelief. ''It's gone!

''Link, are you all right?'' Renado asked while furrowing his brows and rushing at Link's side to support him, however not without a last, anxious swish under his nose to check on it. Indeed, there was absolutely nothing.

''I … I'm tired, I should take a rest.'' Link mumbled while climbing back under the sheets, pulling them up to his neck and immediately pressing his eyes shut. Renado watched him thoughtfully, not really knowing what to do at that moment. He looked about the room, glanced back to Link, and rubbed another time under his nose. What had just happened?

''Luda? I need you to guard Link for me, please.'' He called down to the others sitting at the round table. ''Go and get me as soon as he wakes up again. I need to speak with him.'' The young girl nodded and ran up the stairs while he stepped down into the big ground floor, immediately seeing how the children and Ilia cast him worried looks. ''Do not fear, Link is fine for now.''

Colin stood up from where he had sat in front of his chunk of bread and looked up to the bigger man. ''What was the matter with him yesterday, Mr. Renado? You looked very worried.''

Renado stroked over the boy's blond tufts. ''He was not well for a moment and needed some sleep. But he's all right now.'' Colin frowned suspiciously, but said nothing more. While the children ate their breakfast, Renado excused himself and disappeared in the kitchen. They watched the door close behind him, then looked at each other questioningly. Ilia huffed out and stood up, trudging up the stairs and disappearing in her room. Colin and Beth exchanged worried glances, but the room remained silent for a long time wherein they finished their meal grimly.

''I tell you, this shaman is keeping a lot from us.'' Malo spoke up as they made their way towards their magnificent castle, which they had constructed with wooden cubes and slats next to the fireplace, and where they had also emptied the content of a toy box found in one of the broken houses. Their knights possessed now horses, grooms and helmets along with the furniture for the castle, which Talo and Beth were furnishing together. Or rather: Talo would place a little chair here, which Beth would then pick up and place there. Same with the tables, beds, drawers, cooks and servants. At least, the castle proved to be safe home for Sir Talo who was now stepping on his proud steed over the bridge.

''And here I am, at my strong castle which Sir Colin will never break down!'' Talo said in his played, lower voice. It switched to normal as he saw poor Sir Colin laid out on the vast field, fast asleep, with his horse next to him, deep in slumber as well. ''Colin! Aren't you playing? This is where you have to attack my castle, remember?''

The young boy's eyes shot back from the kitchen door, and he quickly cleared his throat. ''Yeah, you're right.'' His voice took on a low tone. ''You'll see, Sir Talo! I'll rip your castle to pieces with my mighty axe! And I'll take your wife prisoner, wahaha!''

''Nooo!'' Beth cried out in a high-pitched voice, pouncing her own figure over the floor where it flew up to take refuge in the uppermost tower chamber. ''Sir Talo! Help me!''

''I'll not let him take you, Lady Beth! No way!'' Talo screamed and looked at her, smiling broadly.

Colin sighed deeply before advancing for the attack. How could their play merrily as if nothing was? With Link, their game would have been much more fun.

0

In the kitchen, strange noises and very odd smells would have greeted any visitor had they dared stepping inside while Renado worked on his medicine in the afternoons. Over the fireplace in the back, a little iron pot was bubbling cheerfully away and was filling the room with the scent of herbs. On the table, dry leaves, utensils, bowls filled with powders or pastes and bottles were scattered all over the place, along with a pile of books and torn out pages where long lines were written in age old ink. The wise shaman was occupying himself with cutting a strange, brown substance that he had dried last year into little pieces. In the hot sun of the Province, his raw opium was always quicker in drying than in other parts of the kingdom and could easily be stored for as long as he needed.

When the pieces were small enough, he took them all in his palms and tossed them into a mortar where he ground them vigorously to a powder. Checking its fineness, he nodded absent-mindedly while pouring the powder onto a balance. ''Two ounces to the pint …'' he mumbled, taking spoonfuls of powder away until the balance was even. A bottle with ethanol and water was waiting on the messy table, the inscription Opium Tincture written in ink on a piece of parchment glued to the glass. With a funnel, he poured the powder into it and popped on a cork. Shaking it forcefully, he watched as the powder mixed with the diluted alcohol, turning the colourless liquid milky white. Mumbling under his breath, he placed the brown bottle on the window sill where two other bottles bearing the same inscription stood waiting, already full with the strong drug. From the first bottle he would, later that day, filtrate the substance concealed in it to obtain the liquid only, in which he would add brine and distil the morphine along with the codeine out of the other substances found in the opium plant. Since he needed only the morphine, he would mix it to a solution of water and ammoniac that he always collected when the Eldin volcano was in eruption, and his strongest anaesthetic would be ready.

Link had taken in almost his entire stock of morphine in the last few days, so a refill was not a bad thing. And it helped him to pass the time.

A knock on the door he always kept closed drew him out of his thoughts, and Luda glanced into the room. ''Father? They have returned.'' Despite her calm nature, she sounded strangely frightened.

Renado's brows lifted. ''Already?'' He knew what the return of the Resistance Group meant: either they had found the book they were looking for in the ancient library section, and they would likely find the solution to Link's critical condition, or they came into the mountain village empty-handed, carrying naught but depressed countenances on their faces.

The healer followed his daughter as they hurried down the porch to greet the arriving warriors. Renado's heart was pounding quicker as he saw the horses arrive at a light gallop. From the stable, Link's faithful mare Epona whinnied as she heard them approach, and Renado could hardly blame her. He was surely hoping as much as she did to see her master well once more.

Rusl was the first one to dismount his brown stallion, looking troubled. Immediately, the shaman's hopes dropped. ''You haven't found it, then?'' he asked downheartedly.

''We have.'' answered the blacksmith but didn't seem happy about it. Behind him, Ashei and Auru were coming up to them, the latter holding the precious book in his hands. Just as Shad joined them too, Renado dared speaking again. ''And? Is there a way to help Link?''

Rusl's chin lowered, so it was Auru who answered. ''Well, we know more about it, but it doesn't say how to defeat the curse.''

Renado barely listened as he took the book from Auru's hands and hurried across the village towards the sanctuary. ''Renado, why are we not going into the inn?'' Shad asked confused.

''Because the children are playing inside, and I don't want to shoo then out yet another time.''

Inside, he sat down on one of the few chairs standing around and opened the old, ancient smelling pages. ''It's on page fifty-seven.'' Auru instructed him, and the shaman flipped over to said page.

He was frightened by a grotesque ink drawing that covered the old parchment as introduction. The picture showed a cowering man who was kneeling on the ground, holding his head in both hands as if he maintained it together, face contorted into a pained expression, and the only colour in the drawing was a faded red dripping from his mouth and wrists. Seeing the rusty colour it held, the paint used for it had been real blood, he noticed with a shiver. On the ground, other figures laid seemingly dead, eyes wide and hands covered with the same tint of red.

''Good Goddesses!'' Renado exclaimed in shock. ''Believe me, we reacted the same as we saw it.'' Auru said comfortingly.

The shaman nodded as he turned the page and saw a title written in Old Hylian. Fortunately, he had learned how to read and speak Ancient Hylian, the tongue that was spoken at the age of the Hero of Time and Kakariko's founder, the Sheikah Impa. There were still enough old books in his library that were written in the old alphabet to not be forgotten completely.

''The Dolor Mortis Curse.'' he read aloud. ''I've never heard of that one before. Are you sure it's the one?''

Auru nodded. ''The description fits best to all of Link's symptoms.'' he said. The healer noticed a quiet sniffle from above, and saw that Rusl was close to tears. Frowning, Renado continued.

''Said to be the work of dark, powerful magicians, the Dolor Mortis Curse was the cause of a tragic event in the history of the Kingdom of Hyrule. During the Great Sealing War, the soldiers of Hyrule and the races of the land united against a tribe of evil sorcerers calling themselves the 'Dark Interlopers' which desired to claim hold over the Sacred Realm and the holy relic of the Goddesses hidden within, the Triforce.''

''During the war, they conjured their foul magic upon the fighting forces of Hyrule. Reports from surviving soldiers tell of arrows blazing purple in the night sky, and whenever one of the projectiles hit a warrior they fell screaming to the ground, even if the strike was not fatal. The wounds would start to bleed whenever physicians tried to tend to them, causing many victims to … bleed to death. Another characterizing fact of this specific magic was the excruciating pain that the victims suffered from wounds harmless as well as serious, thus the name of Dolor Mortis, which means pain of Death. Many died solely of … agony at that time.''

Renado's voice cut off, not able to read further. ''This is horrible …'' he breathed, abashed. He knew that the Great Sealing War had been blood-soaked battles marked by great losses, but that a curse was the cause to that had apparently been lost to time, either inadvertently or deliberately. Perhaps the people were so shocked by the sudden death of the soldiers in such pain that they never wanted to remember.

But how in Nayru's name had that curse, lost over the hundreds of years that separated them from the Great Sealing War, found its way into Link's body?

With a wavering breath, he resumed his reading.

''Desperate about the lives of their soldiers, Hyrule's people turned their eyes to the heavens and prayed to the Goddesses for help. Their pleas seemed to be heard, for the Goddesses wept for their suffering people and their tears formed a golden rain of pure Light that fell onto the battlefield, showering the agonizing men with its healing powers. Therefore, Light Water, as are called the tears of the Goddesses, is meant to always defeat Darkness and draw it away from those blessed by the Golden Three.''

''There was but one, devastating aftermath which the Goddesses' tear rain could not heal. It is said that the Dolor Mortis Curse always left a deep scar on those who got cured from it, as if it wanted to scold their freedom and absence of pain. The victims had deep emotional wounds, suffered from depressions and were even possessed by demonic seizures that let them vomit blood and fall senseless to the ground. They saw strange things which were unreal or not seen by ordinary people, heard voices only they could perceive and hurt themselves with weapons such as knives or daggers.''

''As the people of Hyrule got aware of the dramatic state in which their beloved ones were trapped, it was already too late. Without reason, one after the other was found dead all over Hyrule, either hanged or drowned, veins cut or thrown into an abyss. They were all … all suicides, and until now, no one in the entire Kingdom has ever been able to solve the mystery of these massive self-crimes. The only thing that remains certain: the Dolor Mortis Curse left that scar, for all those possessed by it … took their life sooner or later.''

Next to him, Rusl plummeted to his knees and pressed his hands on his face. ''No no no, this can't be!'' he pleaded. ''Please not Link …''

The shaman was still frowning and read some of the last lines a few more times silently. He then skimmed through the next pages in search for more information, but it was all there stood about the Dolor Mortis Curse. Just this short text.

''This can't be it.'' he said. ''There must be more about it. It can't be that such a dangerous curse has so little information about it.''

''It was a tragedy that happened long ago and a mystery at the same time.'' Auru explained. ''You cannot expect that the people at that time knew what was happening. It was a shock for them and all they wanted was to forget it.''

''But we have to do something!'' Rusl whimpered from his cowered position. ''We cannot let Link take his own life just because we couldn't help him!''

''Rusl, we will find a way to heal him.'' Renado assured him. ''There is always a counter curse for a malediction, and all we have to do is search for it.''

''How is he now?'' Ashei asked and could not hide the sound of concern in her voice. The shaman looked to her. ''He's asleep and Luda is keeping an eye on him. I think that this book is right, for as I came to him this morn and wanted to speak with him about last evening, he wasn't really paying attention. I think he was hearing something, for he asked me a few times to repeat what I had said. And he claimed to see blood coming out of my nose, which was totally wrong.''

The people in front of him looked at him with wide eyes. ''So it is truly the one.'' Auru mumbled.

''I think it would be the best if we hide the knives in his room and everywhere he goes, just in case he really should try to harm himself.'' Renado said, and everyone nodded in agreement. ''Can I go to him?'' Rusl asked little after. ''Yes, of course.'' the shaman nodded.

0

''Don't worry, I can keep an eye on him.'' Midna said to the black-haired girl, already claiming the chair on Link's sleeping left side for her own. Luda looked as if she hesitated, but after a moment she nodded with a smile. ''Okay, I'll tell my father that you took over for me. Sweet Nayru, I'm starving!''

As the door banged shut behind Renado's daughter, Midna leaned in over Link's respiring mouth and draped her lips gently over it. He gave a soft moan upon contact, slowly waking from his dreams, and returned her kiss which she accompanied by loving caresses on his cheek. ''Good morning, sleepy head. Aren't you awake yet?''

His clouded eyes opened along with a smile on his lips. ''Where were you all the time? You could have come up with a plausible excuse for Renado earlier instead of sneaking out and leaving me alone.'' His eyes closed as he sat up to lean against the back of the bed, inviting Midna to sit on his lap.

''Well, it's not my fault that you light dwellers always have clothes on. But your embarrassed look was too cute! I couldn't do anything about it, it was beyond me, hehe.''

Link smiled weakly and stroked over her cheek lovingly. ''Last night … it was magic!'' he breathed, and his look went lost. ''You made me feel so good that, for a moment, all this darkness inside me just vanished.''

The imp smiled. ''I'm glad it worked. And you really did great for your first time.'' The Hylian send her a shy look. ''Truly? I rather felt as if I could tear you apart at any moment.'' Midna laughed out in her crystalline voice. ''Don't you worry about that! You weren't as big as I had feared. I had to get used to it, of course, but what you gave me was more than I had ever felt before.''

At that, Link watched her a little suspiciously. ''What do you mean? Did you already … you know … make Love before?''

She bit her lower lip barely visibly before looking down and clearing her throat. ''Well, yeah, when life in the Twilight Realm was still possible. But we quickly broke up, my boyfriend and me, after realizing that he only wanted to have Sex with me. I think he regretted that.'' She growled, clenching her fist and letting a small spark of red magic glow up. Due to the absence of her Fused Shadow, however, every ounce of magic left within her expired in mere seconds, not strong enough to hold out for long.

Seeing her so fierce, Link chuckled. ''I can imagine the beating he received. But I would never use you just for making Love, of that you can be sure.''

Midna smiled up at him with her big eyes, and Link felt a longing twinge in his underbelly at her look. ''I know. You would never do that, and neither would I. You are the one I truly love, and no one else.''

As Link was about to lean in for a kiss, his right ear jerked to the side towards the door, and he quickly drew himself up once more. ''Someone's coming!'' he hissed, and as the knock resounded , Midna quickly stood up and sat down a little distance away from him.

''Rusl!'' Link exclaimed in a tired, but happy-sounding voice. The blacksmith entered with a huge grin on his bearded face, taking the young man into his embrace. ''It's so good to see you back on your feet.''

Link chuckled dryly. ''Well, I guess I could be better.'' Rusl noticed the downhearted expression on his features and tapped lightly on his shoulder for reassurance. Link, however, immediately saw his father's eyes still red with tears, and his look darted to Renado. ''What's the matter?''

The adults all gazed at each other, evading one another's eyes. Midna stood up from her place at Link's side and balled her fists. ''Well? Have you found that book?''

No one answered her. Her look grew impatient. ''Yes or no?!'' Renado nodded, stretching out his hand where the leather-clad book rested. ''And?'' Midna urged, now sounding rather cross. Link was sending his gaze over every one in the room, looking totally confused.

''Well, it's a little complicated.'' Renado began, glancing at Auru for help. ''The thing is … it doesn't say how to … well, how to –'' The shaman could not bring himself to speak further. The information that book held would likely drive Link into another depression, and who knew what would happen then?

Next to him, Ashei suddenly stepped up. ''Oh good gracious, get out of here and let the more capable ones take over. Out, all of you! Get out!'' she shouted at the men in the room, and also looked at Midna. While shooing them out, she grasped the book out of Renado's hand and ignored the protests of the men she shoved outside. ''I'll have that, Renado.''

Midna was just able to cast a last, loving glance at Link before she was grabbed under the armpits by the angry warrior woman and was carried out of the room as well. The door fell close and Ashei turned the key with a huff. Outside, she could hear Rusl's protests being shushed by Renado and Shad, before they apparently headed down the stairs at last.

''Puh, men are sooo irresponsible sometimes. Can't be what they're supposed to be as soon as there's a bigger hurdle to overcome.'' She turned around to find a shocked looking Link sitting in bed, staring at her with eyes wide. ''Oh, I didn't mean you, Link. In fact, you're not even a man yet anyway, so you're not to blame.'' Link nodded slowly, still looking bewildered. The book in Ashei's hand caught his attention, and he pointed at it with a finger. ''So what's that?''

Ashei pulled a chair closer and sat to his right. ''This is the reason why we were away the last couple of days. I'll make it short and straight to the point, so there's not so much beating about the bush like those dumbheads did.'' She straightened on her chair, looking Link deeply in the eyes.

''Link, this book is the only still existing record of this curse that ails you. There's not much, but enough to know it's really that one that's on you.'' Link's eyes doubled in wideness, a faint glint of hope shining up in them. Ashei noticed this, and shook her head. ''No, it doesn't tell how to defeat it.''

To not let Link think that this was the only bad news there were, she quickly continued. ''Okay Link, I know it's cruel of me, but it's the best way for you to swallow it. This Curse is called the Dolor Mortis Curse, which means pain of death. The people possessed by it suffered immense pain which only this Light Water could heal. We did that with you, but it isn't the end. Auru was speaking of a scar, and he was right. The Curse leaves a scar that cannot be healed by Light Water, and let the victim enter deep emotional sufferings. In this book, there is talk of hallucinations, voices only they could hear, those fits with coughing up blood that took hold of you, but that's not everything.''

She noticed that Link slowly turned pale the further she talked, but his attention did not waver for even a second. He was looking bravely stern despite his nagging fear about what was to come, and Ashei admired his courage sincerely. She knew it would be a shock for him, so she tried to sound friendlier and more concerned.

''Okay. It says that the victims harmed themselves with knives or bigger, and that, in the end, all of them were found dead. They all took their own life.''

That was truly a shock for Link. His brave countenance shattered into pieces as he drew himself up. ''Ashei, I would never commit suicide! Never! Whatever that Curse does to me, I would never do such a thing!''

The warrior girl nodded and placed her hand on his shoulder. ''Yes, I know. Calm down, and don't shout at me like that!'' Link relapsed into silence.

''Listen, whatever that Curse does, or says, or lets you see, don't underestimate it. I surely know that you're strong enough to withstand it, but you have to be on your guard. Those victims from the book were soldiers who fought in the Great Sealing War, and everyone died from their own hands. You have to be careful, and if it tells you to do something like that, call for help, Link, do you hear me?''

The youth pursed his brows. ''I will not listen to that foul magic, it will not make me do that!''

''I know, but torture is something that no one can stand forever, Link, not even you!'' Ashei cut him off. ''You cannot do that on your own. We are all here to help you, even me.'' At that, she smiled cheekily. ''But only because it's you.''

Link couldn't help but smile back. ''Thanks, I really appreciate it, Ashei.'' Then his look went distant, rewinding the information he had just picked up and playing it again to swallow it all. Ashei nodded and lay the book on the bedside-table before leaving without another word.

''How did he take it?'' was the first question that she heard as soon as she reached the stairs. ''Not as bad as you expected. He's a strong boy.''

''Can I go to him?'' Rusl and Midna asked almost in unison. They looked at each other briefly while Ashei negated them. ''No, you should give him some time to process it all. In the meantime, why don't we sit down, in the sanctuary if you want, and discuss the options we have to help him? Renado, you said there is always a counter curse to a malediction, so we should start to search for it.''

The men in front of her stared at her while she stalked down the stairs through their middle, walking dead on target towards the door.

Auru looked at Renado, a mixture between confusion and amusement in his eyes. ''I've never seen her act like that, I guarantee you.''

The shaman shrugged. ''Well, at least she's enthusiastic. We need someone like this right now, I guess. I just hope her enthusiasm will last till the end.'' Auru gave a short laugh. ''You don't know Ashei, old friend! She's the last one to give up on something, or someone. Just you wait and see.''

000