When that was done, she shifted to his side and moved her hands down to the foot. It took longer to heal that wound. It wasn’t as critical, but there was more damage to repair to the bone, muscle and skin in addition to it being dirty from him running on it. By the time the foot was done, Liselle was becoming exhausted. She skipped the footwear. He could afford new boots.
Taking a deep breath, Liselle moved her hands to his upper back. She closed her eyes to concentrate on Tathan’s heart. Flowing power into it, she began creating more blood within his body. She sent some of it to his head in hopes of clearing out as much of the drug as possible.
Liselle became light headed from using so much magic. She was using it wisely, but Tathan was in bad condition. He could use a little more blood, but it would be enough for now. As she released the energy, Tathan regained consciousness. A groan escaped from his lips.
He opened his eyes and jerked up to hands and knees, coughing up blood that had gathered in his lungs. Liselle patted his back while breathing deeply to clear her own head. Tathan shook his head and looked around to see where he was. A smile cracked his face when he saw her.
“I think we have company, darling,” Vevin said next to her. Liselle looked up to see Rojuun guards in yellow and burgundy uniforms surrounding them. Sir Danth had put away his sword in order to keep peace. Vevin remained calm as well. “I wonder if they saw the way your magic fluttered the wings on the building,” he mused. Liselle was thrilled that he had noticed it too.
“An unauthorized use of powerful magic has been noticed in this location,” a tall meju said. His long knives were sheathed. The other Rojuun had theirs out but were relaxed. “However, it has been observed that the use was benign and for the benefit of another’s wellbeing.”
The Rojuun speaker had beautiful maroon eyes and was looking at Tathan. “I was in time to notice the severity of the wounds. The injury to the foot was unusual. I believe they are battle wounds and therefore require the two of you,” he indicated Tathan and Liselle, “to come with us in order to explain them.” The speaker examined Vevin and Sir Danth. “By their behavior, I assume these are your companions and therefore require them to come with us as well.”
“Of course,” Sir Danth agreed. The knight reached down to help Tathan to his feet while Vevin helped Liselle. Both cousins swayed as they stood. Luckily, the Rojuun were patient and allowed them time to regain their feet.
“Very good. I am Sergeant Niirrii. We will move slowly to compensate for your weakness. This will please you.” The Rojuun surrounded them and led the companions toward the mountain side of Puujan where the administration offices were. There were six guards, all of who had put away their weapons upon meeting no resistance.
It wasn’t good for the companions to be taken somewhere and questioned. They wanted to rescue the princess as quietly as possible. Being escorted through Puujan by the guard was not exactly quiet.
Liselle wondered what they would tell the Rojuun about their abilities and Tathan’s injuries. In fact, she wondered what had happened to her cousin. She had seen him fight. Few people would be able to harm Tathan, let alone nearly kill him.
Tathan was still dazed and Sir Danth was holding him up by an arm as they walked. He had a hand on his forehead, attempting to rub the rest of the cobwebs out. Liselle thought that perhaps the spiders didn’t want to move out, which caused her to giggle. Vevin looked at her with a questioning eyebrow raised. She was leaning on him, so had little room to giggle at her cousin.
In all honesty, she hoped Tathan would be clear headed enough to handle the questions. Liselle didn’t know what had happened to him and her diplomacy skills didn’t come close to his. Sir Danth didn’t like talking and Vevin was likely to eat the Rojuun if things went poorly.
The young guard next to her was very serious about his job. He walked with his head high, occasionally glancing at the companions to make certain they weren’t going to become hostile. Liselle asked him, “Why don’t the human guards wear the same colors as Rojuun guards?”
He was surprised that she had spoken to him and looked to the sergeant who had also heard the question, but appeared content to let him answer.
“Well . . .” he began. The meju had light blue eyes that were entrancing, or would be if he had any idea how to use them properly. “They didn’t like the colors,” he finished as if that explained it all.
“The human guards didn’t like the colors?” Liselle asked. “Why not?”
He looked uncomfortable with the questioning, but the sergeant didn’t intervene. “They said no one would take them seriously. I believe that it is more difficult to take them seriously with such boring colors, but it was not my decision.” He looked straight ahead as they walked. It was clear that he hoped she wouldn’t ask another question. She took pity upon him and let it go.
The administration office was one of only a few buildings built by Rojuun instead of humans. It was shaped like a winged insect, called raasciib, from the deep caverns. Liselle had seen a few. They were round, lavender creatures with translucent glowing heads and legs. The Rojuun revered them as a holy bug and put them in many of their paintings and works of art. Each one had six legs and wings. The four rear wings were on the sides of the body and the front wings were on top of the head, just behind the antennae. It was a fascinating and beautiful insect.
The administration building was four levels tall, with leg-shaped braces doubling as runoff drains from the roof. Membranous wings had a metallic shimmer as they fluttered in the air.
Four members of their escort split off right before the front doors. The glass entrance contained seating areas and plants. They were led into a large hall where the first thing they saw was a large fountain in the center. The Rojuun were fond of fountains, every plaza having at least one. Hulda had told the companions that the first time a Rojuun had seen a fountain, they instantly commissioned hundreds more and had even begun putting them up in cities within the caverns.
Polished marble tiles made up the floor with more marble being used in columns bracing the ceiling four levels above. The upper levels were galleries around the main hall with staircases at each corner of the large building. Plants and statues were placed as decorations throughout. The air inside was cool after coming in from the summer heat. Murmuring voices mingled with the sound of fountains, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
There were numerous desks to either side of a main walkway through the center of the hall. Citizens were at some of those desks talking to clerks about their problems. Most of the clerks were human, but each area had at least one or two Rojuun to handle more important matters. Hulda had described some of it. This was where a person went if they wanted to start a business, issue a complaint, get work, or a myriad of other tasks.
Sergeant Niirrii led them to the left where guard members, both human and Rojuun, moved about their business. A couple of citizens were at desks, talking to uniformed clerks about whatever troubles they were having.
Outside a large wooden door was a group of Rojuun guards speaking in low but excited tones. A couple had blood on their uniforms. The dual quality of Rojuun voices made it very difficult to tell who was saying what out of the few words that Liselle was able to understand. The sergeant motioned for the companions to hold where they were. Then he went to see what was happening, leaving only the one guard with them.
The guards talked animatedly about something. Sergeant Niirrii looked at Tathan briefly before speaking to the others. All the guards glanced at the companions.
“Three Rojuun were critically injured shortly before they discovered Tathan,” Vevin said quietly. The guard who had remained with them took a step closer to listen as well. Vevin ignored him and continued. “They say that some sort of acid created by a spell ate through armor, skin and bone. Our escort described Tathan’s ankle and the others said the wounds were the same.”
Tathan took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Liselle thought her cousin looked very tired, but there
was clarity in his eyes. She found herself releasing a deep breath of her own she hadn’t known was held in.
The door opened and another guard came out, closing it behind him. The others did not snap to attention the way human guards did, but they stood a bit straighter and showed respect. Liselle noticed a difference in the uniform. The new Rojuun had a flap hanging down from his left shoulder with symbols on it. Sergeant Niirrii had one too, but with different symbols. Each of the other guards had one. The youngest and most differential seemed to have fewer symbols. Liselle thought they had to be some sort of rank insignia, similar to what the human guards wore on sleeves.
The new guard listened to their escort. He glanced at the companions during a point in the conversation and frowned. His black eyebrows lowered over inverted teardrop eyes.
The two of them spoke a minute longer before the new guard gestured in their direction and opened the door he had just come out of. Their escort motioned them to follow. Tathan led the way, which relieved all three of his companions. It meant he would be able to do the talking. The companions entered, wondering what fate would befall them. Their escort followed, shutting the door behind.
Chapter 14
A Rojuun council of six members sat at a long, half-rounded table. There were benches on either side of the chamber and a podium at the center of the floor in front of the council. Chairs were arranged on the floor behind the podium for Rojuun and humans to sit while waiting for the council to call them. It was to these that their escort motioned for them to sit. A few Rojuun and a couple of humans sat on the benches, but for the most part the chamber was empty and quiet. Everything was spotless and the room smelled clean.
Tathan sat down thankfully as the guards waited for a signal to approach. He had managed to walk there, but still felt dazed. Liselle sat next to him, putting a hand on the side of his neck in concern. When he turned to smile at her thankfully, he felt energy flowing into him from the hand. It was like a cool drink of water and a refreshing breeze all at once. Tathan breathed deeply as his mind cleared a bit more.
There was a great deal of concern in Liselle’s soft grey eyes. She was looking into his intently, trying to gauge his condition. He smiled in reassurance, and focused on her, wordlessly letting her know he was alright. A breath of relief escaped her lips and she relaxed a bit.
He looked down at his bare foot. It appeared mostly normal again. In fact, a few scars from past escapades were gone. Tathan pulled it up and set the leg on his other so he could take a closer look. Liselle raised a bemused eyebrow and whispered, “Did I put one of the toes in the wrong place?” Tathan stuck his tongue out at her and rolled his eyes. She covered her giggle with a hand.
“No, the scars are gone,” he whispered back. They were gone, even the one on the pad of his big toe from when he had cut himself on rocks in a stream during childhood. Tathan wiggled his toes and whispered again. “The skin feels soft and new. It was tender walking on the cobblestones, plus I don’t have any more calluses.”
Liselle’s eyebrows were lowered dangerously. Still whispering, she said, “Well, next time I’ll try to do a better job of healing your foot when it’s half gone. I will also strive to do a better job of putting back the calluses and scars.”
“Peace, cousin. I’m not complaining, only remarking in fascination at how amazing the healing was,” Tathan smiled at Liselle apologetically. The glare lessened and she gave a short nod.
One of the council members waved over the two Rojuun guard members. “What is it, Captain Henrrr?” the council leader asked. She was an older Rojuun woman wearing ornate, olive-green robes filigreed in gold and silver.
“Sergeant Niirrii has new information regarding the previous matter. He has told me that the humans behind us,” Captain Henrrr indicated the companions, “may know something more of the events. I felt it important to bring them before you.”
“Very well. Proceed,” the council leader said with a motion of her hand.
Sergeant Niirrii stepped to the podium. His lower voice was gruff, much in the way Sergeant Soam spoke. The upper voice rang clearly through the room, providing an extraordinary contrast that caught the ear. “My squad normally does not patrol, but did so when the standard watch responded to a previous disturbance near the lakeside wall” he said in formal tones. There was a great deal of respect and dignity in his voice directed toward the council.
“An exceptional amount of magical energy was gathered in the merchant plaza of the city. Upon seeing the signs, my squad moved rapidly in that direction.” Tathan noted to himself that the sergeant did not say specifically what the signs were. Sergeant Niirrii continued speaking, using gestures to define his statements when useful. “We reached the plaza to see a crowd of people gathered in a wide circle. Upon breaking through the circle we witnessed the human in dark armor with sword out, aimed at citizens that surrounded him.” The sergeant indicated Sir Danth.
“The woman and the purple haired man were kneeling over an injured man . . . who is currently examining his foot,” he said, indicating each of the companions in turn. Tathan looked up from his newly healed foot to see everyone staring at him. He blushed, stopped wiggling his toes, and put his foot back down on the floor, ignoring Liselle’s giggle.
The sergeant sighed before turning back to the council. Tathan thought it was the first time he had ever seen one of the Rojuun sigh before. “I believe the armored human was keeping the crowd back so the woman could concentrate on healing the man. He did put his sword away as soon as we entered the circle, showing peaceful intent.” The council members nodded approvingly at this. That was one small relief to Tathan. Explaining Sir Danth would be difficult.
“The woman was the one using magic,” the sergeant told them, indicating Liselle. “It was strong healing magic. She had already begun by the time my squad arrived. I witnessed her completely heal a wound in the man’s side. When she was done with that, the woman healed his foot, which appeared to have been eaten away by some sort of acid.”
Tathan noticed that the sergeant didn’t mention the mending of the clothes and hoped that it wouldn’t be brought up. If Liselle was too impressive to the Rojuun, they might want to keep her. He wouldn’t allow that.
One of the council members on the far end spoke. “Was it the foot he was examining a moment ago?”
“Yes, your honor,” the sergeant confirmed. “That was the foot. His injuries are completely healed now.”
“Remarkable,” the council member replied. He appeared to be genuinely impressed, which was not something Tathan wanted.
Sergeant Niirrii continued with his story. “As the magic used was for healing, I considered it to be benign and for the good of another, therefore did not choose to press charges or execute the woman.” That was a bit of a relief to the companions to say the least. “Due to the severity of the injuries and the fact that they looked as though they might have come from battle, I chose to bring the man here in order for him to explain.”
“Very wise,” stated the council speaker. “Yet Captain Henrrr tells us that you have information about the events of another incident. How does this relate?”
Sergeant Niirrii nodded. “Yes, your honor. Upon arriving here, I noticed guards outside of these chambers and spoke to them. They informed me that the injuries of guards in that incident were of a magically induced acid that ate through skin and bone,” he explained. Then he turned to Tathan and pointed. “The injuries fit the description of the damage done to that man’s foot.” He turned back to the council. “It is possible he has information regarding the attack.”
All eyes turned to Tathan, including those of his companions. They seemed just as curious about what had happened. Tathan sat there, trying to decide how he was going to explain things and how much to tell.
“You will be pleased to approach the podium and address the council, human,” the speaker informed Tathan. The tone was agreeable but commanding. The Rojuun considered humans to be a servant race, but treate
d them so well that most humans who lived with Rojuun preferred them to human kings and rulers.
Tathan moved slowly to the podium. He still wasn’t too steady on his feet, plus the bottom of his foot was raw from walking on new skin. It also gave him time to think a little more about what he was going to say.
“State your name to the council, human,” the speaker ordered. Her voices were powerful and commanding. It was easy to understand why she was in a position of power.
“My name is Tathan,” he told them simply. He wasn’t going to volunteer extra information at any point.
“Do you have a last name in the way of humans?” the speaker asked. It caught Tathan by surprise because most Rojuun didn’t seem to care.
“No I do not,” Tathan lied. He did have a last name, but made it a point not to tell anyone. Tathan hoped they wouldn’t push the issue. He also hoped Liselle wouldn’t give away his lie. Though all the times he had spoken for the group, she had never given anything away and many times had come to him afterwards to ask about details of his conversations in order to learn. It made him feel guilty that he was teaching deception to his innocent cousin, but at the same time, he knew it could help her in dealing with danger and people in general.
“The first question I will ask you, Tathan Human, is how you received your injuries,” the speaker said. “You will give a brief statement to begin with. If details are needed we will ask for them.”
“The cuts in my side were from a giant squirrel. The damage to my foot was caused by a sorceress casting a dark spell aimed at Rojuun guards.” Tathan did add one more piece of information. “It only hit my foot because I was at the edge of the spell’s effect. I jumped out of the way to avoid the worst of it.”
The council members, as well as the sergeant and captain, all stared at Tathan. It was as though they didn’t know what to ask next. The council speaker cleared one of her throats, causing everyone to turn their attention to her. “Tathan Human . . . I have decided that we will need details after all. The first detail we need is . . .” she trailed off, looking at the others who either shrugged or frowned in thought. “One of the guards injured in that incident mentioned a giant squirrel. I must say that I am curious . . .” Other council members nodded in agreement.
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