HOME | DD

Description

I'll be posting my story here as well!  If you're interested in it, please feel free to follow my other account: ManuWrites

Thank you if you take the time to read it!

Previous Chapter:
Next Chapter:

All Chapters HERE.

CHAPTER 67: FAILURE

                It was odd to say the least, to sense one’s eyes opening and see nothing nonetheless. As if her eyeballs had a mind of their own, they meandered lazily until, slowly, the world came together around her. Her vision took its sweet time to focus; it was unthinkable for the mere act of seeing to be so taxing. But it was.
                Once the ornate ceiling of the Eirian palace became recognizable above her, Malia finally caught up with her body, her brain snapping suddenly into awareness in spite of her eyesight’s leisurely pace. The princess recalled the dread that had frozen her innards before passing out, the fading voices of Gorken and Hedera, the certainty that she was about to… Am I still alive? How? Why?
                Malia committed to the now colossal effort of moving her head to look around the room. To her instant surprise, she spotted Aldous and Bayard sleeping on the floor near her bed, and next to them another bed like her own. Gorken’s sleeping face gave her blissful, short-lived relief. Just before she could rejoice at his peaceful semblance, she noticed his left arm was covered in bloody bandages. It didn’t make sense. Healing a broken limb shouldn’t be hard for Eirian magicians. Only then did she gaze down at her right arm: it too was wrapped in blood-stained bandages, the bodily fluid congealing grotesquely.
                She was considering gathering the courage to try and moved her wrecked limb, when Aldous’ cheery voice called out: “Bayard, they’re awake!”
                They? Malia returned her glance to the bed next to hers, and found Gorken staring blankly at the ceiling just as she had moments ago.
                The injured were surrounded in a matter of seconds: Aldous’ shout had brought Hedera, Licorice and, shockingly, Kadem into the room. A few Eirian handmaidens had entered too, ready to serve if needed at a polite distance.
                “How are you feeling?” Aldous asked when everyone had taken their place around their beds.
                “Weak, I think.” Malia said, “Confused too. What happened? How did we get here?”
                “Where to even start?” the redhead dramatically brought his only hand to his forehead, “Lots of things went on while you two took your sweet time recovering! Not that I blame you, Hedera was thorough in her retelling of the events! The maiden AND the dragon! You guys will have to share your stories with us too, in due time. Oh, yeah,” Aldous reacted when Bayard elbowed him to stop rambling, “You asked how you got here. Hedera transported you here, I can only imagine how, after you guys fainted. We all made our way south as quickly as we could, even Kadem. You had us worried, I won’t lie! You’ve been sleeping for several days.”
                Malia wished to partake in Aldous’ infectiously bright mood, but a somber shadow clung to the back of her mind. It didn’t elude her that the silver witch hadn’t made eye contact with her yet, “Kadem… why do I feel so… feeble? This is different from when I woke up after Cain’s torture… It’s like, like… Are we alright? Why is Gorken’s arm still like that?”
                Gorken nodded, backing Malia’s questions.
                Kadem inhaled for a little too long, “So you too can show a modicum of prudent fear, Plum. That puts me at ease.” The witch’s normal, condescending tone gained strength, “Worry not. You’re alright. I simply made the choice to wait before using healing magic on you; it does take a toll on the patient, after all, and you two were left drained after your encounter with the dragon and the white maiden. I’ll only say this once, so listen well: you did an astoundingly good job. It is thanks to you that we succeeded in breaking the spell. You children did it. Now it is time to rest, and to take it easy. You’ll get better eventually. In the meantime, I’m sure your friends will keep you entertained.”
                “You heard her!” Aldous smiled, “There’s too much we need to tell you! All kinds of things are in motion all around the kingdom!”
                “I won’t let Aldous overwhelm you.” Bayard added, “But it is true we should share a summary of how everything went on our end.”
                “I’ve heard enough of Aldous’ yelling,” Kadem waved a dismissive hand, “so I’ll take my leave for now. I’ll come check on you later.”
                Malia wasn’t entirely satisfied by Kadem’s answer, and she was averse to letting her withdraw, but soon enough she was engulfed by her freckled friend’s enthusiasm and by Bayard’s meticulous and detail-oriented tales. The presence of her companions enclosed the air in a warm, comforting veil. Even Gorken seemed to win back some energy, happy to listen to his dear comrades. More than once the princess and the leader of the human rebellion met glances, and each and every time they couldn’t help but smile, grateful to be alive, there, together. Neither of them noticed the twins following Kadem out of the room.

                “Witch.” Hedera stopped Kadem’s brisk walk once they were far from the sick ward.
                “The explanation you just gave them,” Licorice continued her sister’s intent, “it doesn’t make sense. By the time you got here, Eirian healers had already tried and failed to-”
                “I know.” The silver witch replied before the twins could elaborate further, “I lied to them.”
                “Why?” Hedera feared she already knew the answer.
                “Because…” needing to state the truth ruptured Kadem’s composed façade, “Because how…” her voice broke despite her efforts, “…How am I supposed to tell them that they’re dying?”

Description

I'll be posting my story here as well!  If you're interested in it, please feel free to follow my other account: ManuWrites

Thank you if you take the time to read it!

Previous Chapter:
Next Chapter:

All Chapters HERE.

CHAPTER 67: FAILURE

                It was odd to say the least, to sense one’s eyes opening and see nothing nonetheless. As if her eyeballs had a mind of their own, they meandered lazily until, slowly, the world came together around her. Her vision took its sweet time to focus; it was unthinkable for the mere act of seeing to be so taxing. But it was.
                Once the ornate ceiling of the Eirian palace became recognizable above her, Malia finally caught up with her body, her brain snapping suddenly into awareness in spite of her eyesight’s leisurely pace. The princess recalled the dread that had frozen her innards before passing out, the fading voices of Gorken and Hedera, the certainty that she was about to… Am I still alive? How? Why?
                Malia committed to the now colossal effort of moving her head to look around the room. To her instant surprise, she spotted Aldous and Bayard sleeping on the floor near her bed, and next to them another bed like her own. Gorken’s sleeping face gave her blissful, short-lived relief. Just before she could rejoice at his peaceful semblance, she noticed his left arm was covered in bloody bandages. It didn’t make sense. Healing a broken limb shouldn’t be hard for Eirian magicians. Only then did she gaze down at her right arm: it too was wrapped in blood-stained bandages, the bodily fluid congealing grotesquely.
                She was considering gathering the courage to try and moved her wrecked limb, when Aldous’ cheery voice called out: “Bayard, they’re awake!”
                They? Malia returned her glance to the bed next to hers, and found Gorken staring blankly at the ceiling just as she had moments ago.
                The injured were surrounded in a matter of seconds: Aldous’ shout had brought Hedera, Licorice and, shockingly, Kadem into the room. A few Eirian handmaidens had entered too, ready to serve if needed at a polite distance.
                “How are you feeling?” Aldous asked when everyone had taken their place around their beds.
                “Weak, I think.” Malia said, “Confused too. What happened? How did we get here?”
                “Where to even start?” the redhead dramatically brought his only hand to his forehead, “Lots of things went on while you two took your sweet time recovering! Not that I blame you, Hedera was thorough in her retelling of the events! The maiden AND the dragon! You guys will have to share your stories with us too, in due time. Oh, yeah,” Aldous reacted when Bayard elbowed him to stop rambling, “You asked how you got here. Hedera transported you here, I can only imagine how, after you guys fainted. We all made our way south as quickly as we could, even Kadem. You had us worried, I won’t lie! You’ve been sleeping for several days.”
                Malia wished to partake in Aldous’ infectiously bright mood, but a somber shadow clung to the back of her mind. It didn’t elude her that the silver witch hadn’t made eye contact with her yet, “Kadem… why do I feel so… feeble? This is different from when I woke up after Cain’s torture… It’s like, like… Are we alright? Why is Gorken’s arm still like that?”
                Gorken nodded, backing Malia’s questions.
                Kadem inhaled for a little too long, “So you too can show a modicum of prudent fear, Plum. That puts me at ease.” The witch’s normal, condescending tone gained strength, “Worry not. You’re alright. I simply made the choice to wait before using healing magic on you; it does take a toll on the patient, after all, and you two were left drained after your encounter with the dragon and the white maiden. I’ll only say this once, so listen well: you did an astoundingly good job. It is thanks to you that we succeeded in breaking the spell. You children did it. Now it is time to rest, and to take it easy. You’ll get better eventually. In the meantime, I’m sure your friends will keep you entertained.”
                “You heard her!” Aldous smiled, “There’s too much we need to tell you! All kinds of things are in motion all around the kingdom!”
                “I won’t let Aldous overwhelm you.” Bayard added, “But it is true we should share a summary of how everything went on our end.”
                “I’ve heard enough of Aldous’ yelling,” Kadem waved a dismissive hand, “so I’ll take my leave for now. I’ll come check on you later.”
                Malia wasn’t entirely satisfied by Kadem’s answer, and she was averse to letting her withdraw, but soon enough she was engulfed by her freckled friend’s enthusiasm and by Bayard’s meticulous and detail-oriented tales. The presence of her companions enclosed the air in a warm, comforting veil. Even Gorken seemed to win back some energy, happy to listen to his dear comrades. More than once the princess and the leader of the human rebellion met glances, and each and every time they couldn’t help but smile, grateful to be alive, there, together. Neither of them noticed the twins following Kadem out of the room.

                “Witch.” Hedera stopped Kadem’s brisk walk once they were far from the sick ward.
                “The explanation you just gave them,” Licorice continued her sister’s intent, “it doesn’t make sense. By the time you got here, Eirian healers had already tried and failed to-”
                “I know.” The silver witch replied before the twins could elaborate further, “I lied to them.”
                “Why?” Hedera feared she already knew the answer.
                “Because…” needing to state the truth ruptured Kadem’s composed façade, “Because how…” her voice broke despite her efforts, “…How am I supposed to tell them that they’re dying?”