63: The Soul Reapers, Doubts

Ayumi Hamasaki- I Am. now she isn't the in-thing but i like this song.

Translations:níl a fhios agam- I am sorry


Laira

Nuada grimaced as he said "Reaper of souls." Those bird like things werea threat to our party. The wolves allowed the weakened to lean against them, because riding would make them targets. We should keep as low as possible.

"Don't turn or listen, they can imitate voices. I need your help, Red." Demon didn't argue, but helped him to his feet. I was pained by his countenance. His damp hand clamped down on my shoulder.

"Are you all right?" I tried to sound normal to my friend. He lied that he was stable. The others cracked some crude jokes. Haha. Imen would sign to me it was safe, and I would check with my cat and feel for any light. We were like the radar as the rest were blind.

Elf could walk faster. Demon remained beside him without needing any request.

Someone in front said they smelled sulfur. "It's evil." Trina announced, confirming with her scent. She looked weird, pale and her eyes were completely dilated. "I must kill!"

Someone tried to hold her but she snarled with animal ferocity. Then she disappeared, brandishing her weapon. "Stop her!" Medusa woman cried in anguish. How to? There was no trace of her. Elena's silvery eyes blazed.

HB said, "I'll go after her."

"No," I said. Medusa's glare was painful. But Nuada gestured for them to listen. Imen came too. Confident of their support, I said, "It's too dangerous. My cat will help her. We must head north. Imen?"

"Correct." The blind elf took my hand. I glimpsed my soulmate's hurt look and tried to make him let go of me. Nuada it's only for now. I'm sorry.

I am fine. I understand, go on.

"Imen I can see you. Why hold me so tightly?" I demanded. We had just met! Darn! "I am not single! Let go."

The boy smiled but made no comment. My bracelet hissed. Why? More flying 'crows' wove in and out. Huge ones clawed someone away. Arrows went up. Then the sound of conflict was audible. Imen tugged me in the other direction. Shit! I wanted to help.

The arrows missed the mark. The wolves barked. I think it was critical as they didn't bark so much before.

"Is it Trina?" Medusa kept crying out. She pleaded with someone to help. The dhampir was savagely chopping something off. I didn't need to know what fluid was dripping from her weapons. Then she jumped down. I asked Junos to make sure she was fine. Yes she was all right, but we had to hurry.

"I must lead you from danger, Lirael," the blind elf said into my ear. His voice was so soft and flutelike.

"How do you know my celtic name?" I couldn't make him dislodge me. "The others, let's wait for them." I squinted in the dark. We could not leave our friends.

"Silverlance, why him? He is not like us. The fullbloods are in their own world." The boy continued. Mentally: they don't care about us. It is only because we have powers that we are valuable. Secretly the fullbloods wish that we were never born! Vehement like poison his tone was!

I recoiled at his harsh tone. How could he behave like this? The elves treated him as their own kind, but he was questioning if the prince was worthy. Plus he didn't answer me, which is damn rude. What lies!

"Now is not the time!" I replied.

He looked colder now, than he had been. "We half -elven should stick together."

Nuada isn't like the others. I longed to be out of this wilderness. It was messing with our minds. Imen pointed ahead. A foggy lake. Junos impatiently yowled. He was across it!

We can't go across! I told him. He swam back demonstrating it was harmless. Nuada and HB caught up with us. I smiled but prince was observing the situation. "We can swim. But it looks yuck. My coat'll be smelly," HB grumbled.

Elena conjured up a bridge. But she could not hold it for long. The seaweed and vines twirled at her mental probing. These plants were frail. She shook a little. The wolves were whining.

"My friends, it is safe." Nuada was telling them. The one who spoke to me didn't look convinced.

His name was Hine. He growled, "We do not navigate these, murky depths. There must be another way."

"No there is not, níl a fhios agam," the prince touched his snout and leaned his forehead on his. Imen was distracted by someone calling him, so I finally managed to get away from the crazy blind scout. Joe was amidst the second group. A small person was in his hands. It seemed like a pixie and had broken wings. It shivered.

The bridge held quite well. Elena rubbed her head when we were on the other end. Junos sniffed at the pixie and asked if it could be eaten. I shook my head. He meowed like a kitty. I chuckled. Kayfas the healer took out a powder from his pocket and made a light.

"Nuada is she going to be all right?" Joe asked, showing them the pixie.

Nuada was concerned. "Where was she found?"

"Err, she fell out of the sky."

Kayfas tried to coax it, making the white light as they had done when the patients were ill. The pixie's breathing was faint. He gently put it in a pouch and slung it on Joe. "Huh?"

Nuada smiled. Nice, he was so serious these days. Kayfas commented, "You should care for her, Halfling. It is fate she fell." I didn't catch what else he said.

Joe had the somber big-brother mode on his face. Anxiously he watched the pixie sleep.

People talking. I found Silverlance washing his face. Came to mind… it had been really Too long since we, all of us, had a bath. The tavern's bathing area had been simple. In the wilds, it was just too risky to strip off armour. Some filled their water bottles. I waited beside Elf. He closed his eyes for a moment.

"Hey. How's it going?" I stood near him and touched his arm.

"Tired."

"We could rest for a bit."

"Laira, what did Imen say? You were arguing?" Nuada tilted his head once.

"He… he was talking crap about how the purebloods don't like us. I know it's not true for all elves." I cupped his face and leaned in for a kiss. Instead, my soulmate embraced me. When I opened my eyes, I saw the blind guy glaring. "He's nuts."

"I must speak with him." Nuada made to get up.

No, his morale would be further torn if Imen expressed his prejudice. Luckily, HB talked to us and Nuada forgot about that. Weariness kept him down instead of standing. Junos, does being here make us disoriented? Like backstab each other and negative thoughts?

Perhaps, mistress. The cat sounded sad. I reassured him with thoughts of my concern for him. He meowed back. I opened my bag and offered my friend something to bite. He was grateful.

*********

Later Cat scratched at a whitening patch on his forehead. But it was too itchy. Joe said, "Did he have that before?"

I shook my head. Junos purred, looking distressed. Poor thing. "Allow me," said another elf. He wore green, his hair was purplish. Placing his hand on my guardian's coat, he whispered some incantation. I saw people swab samples into containers. It was a kind of sap. Red spoke, "I know what that is, not the name. came across it before on cases (rubbed his stubble) eugh it's the shit of some birdies. Those birdies."

Trina was the only one who stared blankly. "Hmm is it good or bad news?"

Medusa said, "Could it mask the scents?" The purple haired elf beckoned to me.

"Is he all right?"

"Yes. My name is Thistlewind." His smile was dazzling.

"Thistlewind, thank you for helping."

He completed cleaning Junos' fur out with a liquid he carried on him. Hmm, I had never met an elf like that before, healers and warriors. Thistlewind carried a thin scimitar on his belt, for defence but he could cast powerful spells. Nuada watched us. I hoped he wouldn't misunderstand. Prince cocked his head at the guy. "Just now, HB surprised me by using a computer. He found that it works. The result is good. No more will be eaten."

One person had been carried off. I shuddered. Nuada changed the subject. "How nice it'd be to take a hot shower and rid ourselves of this stench."

I chuckled. "Nah you don't stink. Yes. Home sweet home. I want to live in a hotel!"

People who heard my exclamation laughed. Prince smiled. We talked about that for a few moments. The path was straightforward and easy. After a moment I leapt down and held Nuada's hand. "Come this way!" The trees began to curve inwards and moan. Branches whipped down, roots tripping our feet. The elf shouted to the others. I wielded the rod like a javelin cutting anything that snaked in. Nuada's blade also sliced. I stopped. An opening. Was this the exit? It was widening, I noted.

HB was cursing. "Stay here. I have to help them," elf remarked. I agreed. Imen was amongst those entangled in the vines. See? The pure elves were assisting them. Nobody got eaten, only looked ragged from the cuts and scratches. The woods sealed themselves so it was only forward now. HB groaned, "Ah crap! My coat, I just got it replaced. Damn them!"

Here it is safe, the Light is near. We shall be out of the forest. A prophetic voice rang in my mind.

I conveyed this to my friends. Some people were less weary and ran alongside the giant wolves. I was on one of them, Nuada striding. Imen was ahead, thank goodness he didn't try to approach me again. I didn't know if I could hold back and not hit him.

Then Junos snarled. He was covered by masses of things covering his body. I gasped.

But his paws and spit made short work of them. Only his fur looked blackened. My bracelet burnt some tendrils that got too close. The silvergold aura flared in a temporary shield. Nuada stabbed something with a long forked tail. "Better?" I asked, bringing up my blue torch to light the way in front. All of us had one, light was supposed to drive back the dark ones. Yet, they were unafraid. Why?

"Yes." Nuada rose straighter and deftly tossed a dart. A huge insect had almost ambushed a friend in front. The goo splattered on his shirt. Nuada said something to him. The elf removed his shirt.

"What the shit is that?" Trina asked, having drawn up beside us.

The naked elf shivered. I wondered if they had spare clothing or armour. "A highly venomous species of bug," prince replied tersely. Trina offered him a plant. "What's that?"

"It helps with queasiness. I found a few over there."

Prince sniffed suspiciously at its yellow green blossom. It looked like it was dead. "Hey your pals ate them. See for yourself, Highness. When I was a herbalist I didn't leave without my brain!" the dhampir grumbled.

She added to me, "Is he always this un-trusting?"

Nuada's ambers were narrowed. He growled and bit at one leaf. Making a face, he swallowed. I brushed a stray strand of hair that adhered to his sleeve. I said with a grin, "Yep, usually he takes a long time to warm up. Okay ionuin?"

"Bitter. We shall continue this, conversation dhampir." he said gruffly to her.

Brief sojourn later, the elven silver lit up. Well now our sight was much clearer and illuminated. I pointed to the right. Imen planted his feet on the opposite path and glared at us.

"I feel it is this way."

"No. (gaelic)" the blind boy argued. It was plain he was no longer willing to be partners. I was quite confident of my skills in navigation. And I was on top of a wolf so I used my 'height'. HB glanced at me. They called for a vote.

Most decided not to follow that guy haha! He muttered rude stuff but complied. Prince frowned.

When we were walking side by side, he queried, "What happened exactly? Ionuin."

I sighed. "Don't want to talk about it, just now I briefly said so."

Nuada sighed. I added, "We should trust our instincts right? But some people want to plant doubts. Just now, he---- he said a lot of terrible stuff. Maybe I didn't hear right. It confuses me, elf."

He listened without comment. When we were out perhaps our minds would be much clearer. Gradually the shadowy trees gave way to open ground. Yet, some scouts tensed. They felt that we would be vulnerable.

Closer to HQ, approximately 0900 hours

Nuada Silverlance

I was so exhausted. Finally we could go home. Hotel standard compared to this place, I would not mind being in my room for a whole week. As usual, the demon and dhampir made some comedy. I had to refrain from laughing.

Red strode boldly in front. Then he held up his remote. "Hey there's signal! Liz, Liz, gasbag, hear me?" He spoke to them.

Friends hugged each other. The cat drew up beside the wolf Laira had ridden on and leaned in for a scratch. I stroked his back. Hey canines are clumsy I don't drool! It declared. I smirked.

Laira's optimism was good. She was so brave to help us. Then I felt a poke. "What is it, woman?" I snapped. The dhampir was very rude.

She chuckled. "Milord, we were supposed to continue the conversation. Let's do it now. I'm a horror, tell me."

"Never mind." I felt a migraine coming.

"Yea! We're buddies eh?" Let her think so. Laira was looking at the blind Halfling strangely. Indeed I thought they could be friends. At least she would not feel leftout about not being like me. What exactly happened? I must be too sleep deprived to remember. We could finally rest now, take a slower pace but I was still worried about Uriel. Gravely ill…. Halfling leaned against my shoulder.

She shocked me by her next phrase. "Hey Noowa are you jealous of Thistle? Don't worry. I just spoke to him. He's a specialist on herbs and cats."

"No I am not."

"Why the long face?"

I grinned and brushed back my wild fringe. "I always look like this. Have I not trusted in fate?" She made a face. It was hot, and safe, so I took off my armour and extra tunic.

My elven allies wished to push on. I didn't agree, but now it was all right not to travel in a group anymore. I wanted to lie down and sleep on the fresh grass. So they left first, some wolves remaining behind. Trina insisted she was needed with us and peppered me with much leisurely talk. I closed my eyes. When I awoke, the wind cooled the dampness and humidity of my skin. It was the cat snuffling. He slit his eyes and looked innocent.

"Is the evil all gone now, man?" HB asked. I shook my head. It was not totally eliminated, we had merely seen a fraction of it.

After silence, I thanked him for coming and protecting my family. "And?" he gestured for more.

I shrugged. "For what you have done."

"Ack always sound so pompous. Waifie elf, I took care of ya, almost green in the face."

I frowned. "Hmm I don't remember. Getting old." We both laughed. Naturally I have a royalty-sounding voice. Then demon tried to make his tone sound formal too. It had us in tears.

*****

The Bureau seemed inviting. How long had we been lost in the shadows? Laira remarked that I should take a bath. I glared at her. "I thought I'm not that smelly. I want to check on Uriel first."

She pinched her nose. "I'll go. He may faint, ah!" I missed pinching the naughty elendil. So it was my wish to visit my sick friend. Elena could not keep the scryingpool for long and I had barely got a word in. That telepath was the exact opposite to the talkative dhampir, she considered herself even higher in status than the superiors. Well, I talked to her civilly. Elena never changed her voice and demeanor. And she taught people about her craft.

I went to sleep after I peeked in my friend's ward. He was stable enough to be transferred back. The hospice was almost in ruins. Nuala would not let go of me, she shuddered with tears. I caressed her hair. Do not worry, it is over now. I lied. Nobody was in any mood to discuss otherwise.

I had been touched by the moral support. Once I decided to summon more friends, strangers offered to help us. It was a positive aspect. Imen was welltrained… but what was it Laira told me? Something about doubts. Laira was lining up some stuff toys at the foot of our beds. "Yay! Smells good!"

I smiled. She was soon fast and so was I. I think Laira told me about a dream. A crystal of kaleidoscopic colors briefly flashed.

*******

I got up quietly. Halfling was still sound. Something was wrong! I rushed to Uriel's ward. His chest moved feebly, a vaseful of pale blossoms near by. He was propped up, pale face especially gaunt and lips were bluish. I took his withered hand and whispered his name. My eyes stung. Don't die, please. No. The patient coughed and breathed on.

A healer came in. "How is he? I will do anything." I said. He nodded, gestured I had to step aside. I watched from the foot of the bed. Sister opened the door. We embraced. She said Chrystal our nurse had appeared to her. She had given a stone of warding for the stricken elf. He did not awaken yet, though his symptoms were stable. The rashes were no longer on his skin, it was a prolonged cough. There was nothing anyone could do but to wait.

Don't you dare give up on me now. I'm here. I won't let you die. That is an order! I gritted my teeth, a tear making its way down and falling on his hand. His skin was chilled. I pulled the blanket over his arm and tucked it down. Riselle and his children could not come to visit. Uriel was much too weak and they had been outside exposed to germs.

Abraham Sapien slipped in. I didn't know how much time had passed.

His huge blue eyes were full of compassion. "Brother in law, he will be all right. He awoke occasionally asking for family. Go and rest."

"I am fine." I swallowed the lump. He did not say anymore, but waited. "Tell me if there's any change. Abraham."

"Yes. Don't worry." I was about to move away but he clasped me by the shoulder. The fish lent me some… strength? Not a fearsome strength but his resolute will.

********

Afternoon. Laira urged me to eat more but I declined. "Are you all right?" She took back the jelly and ate.

"Yes. No, not really. He is still not awake." I stood up.

"Let's see him." My heart lifted when Halfling grasped my hand. She always knew how to help in subtle ways. In the ward, she told him, "You are a gift to the sick. Now tell us what we can do. We are here."

He woke up! Uriel sighed heavily. His voice was feeble. I fed him water. He smiled.

"Yes I am real. How's the pain?"

My friend glanced at Halfling. He breathed, his gaze calm. I relaxed. Uriel would not give up. I just need to rest a little more. This war… is different.

I laid him down and gave him some of my inner magic. Hey don't do this. Nuada, I am fine. Stop.

I know my limit. Hurry up and recover. Less gaunt now, Uriel's blue eyes were brighter. His grip was stronger. "Ouch. That's good. We got plenty to tell you," Laira remarked. I nodded.

"I cannot wait." He sank back into a restful sleep. The doctor grumbled: one person at a time. I wanted to stay. How many times had he saved my life? When we were escaping from the monsters, and my numerous injuries.