Chapter 14: Chenaol
Things were getting worse and worse. Was there something wrong with us? Apparently. Were we stupid because we let it get the best of us for so long? Probably. I can't help but think that this wouldn't have happened if Aly were here.
That thought is both right and wrong.
If Aly were here we wouldn't have been put in the situation in the first place. But even if we were put into this situation with Aly to help us, she's only human. She can only do so much.
Sure, she's a wonder. But still a human girl.
You can only get so much flavor out of cooking ingredients. Aly has to have a limit.
"The spinning means that there is magic there."
"Of course there is magic. This is a palace. There are magical defenses."
"If it was supposed to be there, then Ysul wouldn't be experiencing the spinning."
I picked a bottle of Arak and poured it into two of the surviving glasses. I chugged one, filled it up again, and drained it again. I took a deep breath and took the other glass to Nawat.
He looked terrible. The rippling skin had calmed, but every so often he would shutter and feathers would sprout before disappearing. There were tear trails running down his cheeks. His eyes were clenched shut and his hands were over his ears, like he didn't want to hear anymore.
I shoved the Arak at him. He took a deep breath, identifying the liquid through smell, and then he grasped it with his right hand. His hand shook so much that I had to put my hands around his so he wouldn't spill the drink.
"So has this magic been messing with our minds?"
"It seems that way. I can't say for certain without coming over there."
"We can't have you come over here again. Too suspicious."
"Well then, go with my best guess. Ysul will have to figure it out for certain."
"When can we go get Aly?" I asked the room. I helped Nawat bring the cup to his lips. He tried to keep his eyes closed and failed. This was the question he really needed to have answered.
"As soon as possible."