by L. R. Wolf
Trav bowed his head before he raised a hand and gently placed it upon Aya’s forehead as he spoke, “Goddess bless and keep you, both of you.”
Elohwa smiled, her eyes sparkling in approval at this gesture. “And you as well my friend, until next we meet.” Elohwa activated her recall spell to take herself and her Dreamer back to Eventide Falls as Trav stepped back from the two women.
He vowed to help Voksil and the two women make Sorrent into a truly great city. While once he looked forward to leaving the place he had always called home in search of something greater, he now looked forward to staying and making his home into something more. He now had hope for more; hope for the future.
****
Elohwa returned to Eventide Falls carrying Aya. Those she passed looked on with concern seeing the Lady of the city in such shape. She tried to reassure them Aya would be ok, but within minutes Askar and Rhia both came charging up towards her.
“What happened?!” Both managed to shout in unison as they came to a halt in front of Elohwa.
“She will be fine. She is just exhausted from the battle at Sorrent.” Elohwa decided to keep the fact she had used blood magic to herself, as some people equated it to the Dark.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Rhia stepped forward placing a hand on Aya’s face, a healing spell flowing through her. Her head snapped up as she realized what was ailing the Lady, but with a look from Elohwa she remained silent. She was smart enough to know that Dreamers didn’t use blood magic lightly due to its especially high cost to them. Aya had already proven herself through her actions, so she knew that if Aya had been forced to use blood magic, then the cause must have been just and the circumstances dire.
“Here, let me assist you.” Askar placed his arms under Aya and took her from Elohwa as if the Dreamer weighed nothing at all. Askar carried the sleeping Dreamer towards her tent while Rhia rushed ahead to get the tent flap for him. He ducked inside and gently placed Aya down on one of the cots with bedding before turning to Elohwa. “If there is anything either of you require you need only ask. I am forever in your debt for what you have done for me and mine.” He bowed deeply before taking his leave.
Rhia had stayed behind for a moment and lowered the tent flap so that they wouldn’t be overheard from anyone outside. “Blood magic?”
Elohwa sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “She had to do it. The final wave was an Ancient Dragon that had been enthralled by the Dark. She used blood magic to free it.”
“She needs to be more careful. Blood magic can lead to corruption.” Rhia looked over to the sleeping Dreamer, concern causing her brows to furrow.
Elohwa nodded. She already felt guilty even having asked Aya to do it, but she knew they had to release the Dragon from its bonds. Had it been allowed to remain in the service of the Dark its heart would have become corrupted by hate, anger and guilt at what it was being forced to do. She had hope that it had not come to that, for she had looked into its eyes once it was free. She had seen the relief at being set free. In time, the Dragon would heal from its wounds both physical and psychological. She only hoped that the Dark wouldn’t find it again in the meantime.
Rhia took one last look at Aya before she left the tent leaving Elohwa and Aya to themselves.
Elohwa approached the cot that Aya was resting on, the Dreamer may have been sound asleep, but it was a restless sleep. She tossed and turned, occasionally a whimper would escape her lips. Elohwa pulled a chair closer to the Dreamer and took her hand in an attempt to calm her Dreamer, no, her friend. She looked down at the woman that had changed her life and wondered if Dreamers in this world dreamed of other worlds.
For the briefest of moments, Aya stopped thrashing, her body relaxing into a more restful sleep. Aya opened her eyes for but a moment to see Elohwa sitting nearby, concern pulling down the corners of her Companion’s mouth. Aya managed to smile briefly in reassurance before drifting back to sleep.
Elohwa, seeing the Dreamer’s smile relaxed a bit. She reached out and brushed away a few stray strands of hair on Aya’s forehead. “Rest now, my Dreamer. Tomorrow we begin to build our future.”
[1]the only way out is via completing the dungeon or death.
[2]need to change the description of the dwarves earlier on for the quarry workers
