New chappy =)

Will Cadvan die? =O

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Reprise:

All at once, I felt Cadvan's whole weight fall onto me, and as I looked at his face I saw that he had blacked out.

As I lowered him, in considerable shock, to the ground, there was only one thought on my mind.

Am I going to be responsible for the death of Cadvan of Lirigon?

--

I stared into his face, praying that he would open his eyes again.

"Cadvan? Cadvan, please wake up," I murmured. His face remained impassive. More rocks began to fall, and a small pebble hit my foot. This decided me, and I started dragging Cadvan along the path. His feet scuffed along the floor. My arms started to ache with his weight but I refused to let him fall. I kept stumbling over rocks and tree roots because I was walking backwards, but I managed to keep my feet.

I kept up a steady stream of conversation for as long as I could. "Come on, Cadvan, wake up, you're okay, just open your eyes." Soon, though, I had no spare breath with which to speak and lapsed into silence.

"Come on…" I groaned. The end of the valley was drawing nearer, but I was conscious of the moment in the book when Cadvan said the oppression grew worse the further they went. Was I, in fact, hindering his recovery?

At last, I had to rest, and sank down slowly onto the hard, stoney ground. I rested my head against a tree and breathed deeply. Cadvan was as still as death. Small stones clattered against my feet, and I heard larger ones starting to fall, and I grabbed Cadvan again and pulled as hard as I could.

I don't think I've ever been so scared in all my life. The stones were getting larger now, rocks falling down from high above. A large rock hit my leg and I yelped. A second hit Cadvan on the hand. The rocks fell faster, rolling and bouncing down the hill.

After what seemed an age, we finally reached the end of the valley. One more heave, and we were through. A slight pressure I hadn't even been aware of disappeared, and I collapsed to the ground, closing my eyes against the noon sun. The blood was pounding in my ears.

I felt a hand on my forehead and squinted upwards. "Cadvan!"

"Are you alright?" Cadvan asked me, frowning.

"Yeah, I'm just tired," I replied, sitting up.

"What happened?" Cadvan asked.

"You passed out. I just dragged you from all the way over there," I added, pointing.

Cadvan looked in the direction my finger was pointing. "That must be over a mile," he said, sounding incredulous. "Are you sure you dragged me all that way?"

"Yup. I mean, yes."

He stared at me for a moment longer, then leaned down to clasp my hands solemnly. "Thank you, my friend," he said. "You did well."

I blushed and smiled, but he had already stood up and looked away, staring down the path at the sun which was beginning to set. "As soon as you are ready, we should go," he told me. I gazed at his back wistfully, then looked past him down the path at the sunset. He turned after a moment and met my eyes.

"May I see your lyre?" he asked, and I nodded, gesturing with aching muscles towards his own pack, in which was Maerad's lyre. He took it from his pack and examined it closely, and I watched him draw his long, slender fingers over the strings. The notes settled sweetly on my ears. I could never have imagined how it sounded from words on a page.

Cadvan whistled softly. "Was this your mother's?"

"Erm…yes."

Cadvan turned the instrument over in his hands, running his fingers over the carven script thoughtfully. "Have you ever had to tune it? Or replace the strings?"

"No, neither. My mother said it was quite valuable."

"Valuable? Kayla, it is lucky that Gilman is not better educated, for if he knew the wealth of this lyre it is doubtful he would have let you keep it. Such lyres have not been made in a long time." He paused. "Do you know what this script says?"

My heart began to beat faster; this was the crux on which the whole of the series hung. "It is a song," I replied.

"Why don't you sing it for me?"

I bit my lip nervously. I love to sing, but I hated to sing in front of people. I didn't even know the tune. I wasn't even sure if I could remember the words! I licked my lips and started singing hesitantly.

When I had finished, Cadvan said, "That was beautiful." I went even redder than I had been before. "And now, Kayla, we must think of our plans. I have a long way to travel, through dangerous country, and quickly. And now I have you, and you bring with you no extra food, nor blankets, nor spare clothes - all you bring is a harp, like a true Bard. What shall we do?"

"Perhaps we should go to Innail," I suggested innocently.

"That was exactly what was in my thoughts," Cadvan replied. "It is either that or I could take you to Norloch. It is up to you."

I thought for a moment. Whilst Maerad was gone, it was up to me to make sure that the book proceeded as it should. I knew of no way Maerad could return, as I didn't even know how I had got here, so I nodded decisively. "I think I will come with you to Norloch, if that is alright."

"Of course," he replied. "And welcome. We shall have to stop in Innail to get supplies."

"Okay." I stood up and went to join Cadvan. "I'm ready to go," I told him.

"Good," he replied, not unkindly, and continued walking without speaking further. I rolled my eyes and followed him. Did he never stop? I trudged after him gloomily, resigning myself to a very, very long walk.

I still dreaded the moment when he would ask to scry me.

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Cadvan's not dead! Kayla might be found out, though! What do you think will happen? Well don't ask me, I'm just the writer. I don't know yet.

Please review, the next chapter will follow soon =)