"Brilliant idea!" Lieberman enthused.
Hanz was beaming. "Yes, brilliant cousin!"
"But what if the healer can't help?" A preoccupied Fitz asked. "Then what do we do?"
Sorn's tone was grim. "Then we do whatever is necessary to make him reveal our friends' whereabouts, good manners aside. Of course, at that point, we will definitely be on our way to York, long before anyone worries about what happened to Lord Vorstice."
His cousins smiled at that.
The time passed quickly as they made their way by the few people who shared the well-kept roads near the docks with them. Their cloaks kept tightly about themselves, faces tight with an unspoken strain, the citizens of Caverenoc were careful not to look one another in the face, lest they see another all too painful reminder of the uncertain fate awaiting them all. Sorn made a subtle check of his blade. The well-oiled sword slid effortlessly within his sheath, concealed though it was within his gray cloak. Sorn gave a slight nod of approval as he noted his cousins doing the same.
For once the four were dressed alike, each wearing the dark gray cloak common to all of Caverenoc's citizens this time of year, despite the fair spring weather. However, unlike their mundane counterparts, the four youths striding in unison wore their cloaks loosely, the better to quickly free blade from scabbard should the need arise.
It was good to know that today at least his cousins had cast their protective magics without Sorn needing to remind them to do so. The gentle energies cloaking their forms were readily apparent to Sorn's adept eyes. He knew he would see a similar though more brilliant silvery glow around himself, should he look for it, his third and fourth order wards acting as added buffers against energies both kinetic and arcane. It was an ideal combination when going into the thick of battle, or heading to an enemy's lair.
For all their rough edges, they really were coming along nicely, Sorn noted with a certain amount of paternal pride, peering at his cousin's near perfect human forms as they made their way to the healers. Considering how much harder it was for them to channel their magical energies while in this form, having access to only a trickle of the torrent of arcane power that was their birthright, they had been casting their spells rather well.
A light rap on a certain nondescript doorway remarkable from its neighbors only in the sprig of herbs tied to a wooden plaque overhead soon brought the attention of the healer that lived therein. Sorn couldn't help but notice the change in the young healer when she opened the door to greet them. A face that had days before appeared both serene and focused despite the demands made by Halence on behalf of his crew now appeared exhausted and careworn. Her expression could best be described as haunted, Sorn thought, feeling a pang of sympathy on her behalf for whatever was troubling her.
"You are with the ship then, thank goodness," she said, the relief audible in her voice, though Sorn knew not why. "The sailors brought in last night are still very weak, but my sisters and I have pulled them through the worst of it, and with time and rest, their bodies will hopefully recover in full."
"What about Bates?" interjected a concerned Fitz moments before Sorn himself voiced their shared concern.
"Oh, the young lad brought in when first you arrived? He and his companion from that evening are both doing well enough." Salrie allowed herself a smile at that point, and Sorn could see an echo of the serene beauty that had cloaked her in such a peaceful aura during their first meeting. "In truth, he has been anxious to rejoin his crew, but I have had to deny him such, as his wound still bears resting and watching, and will for some time yet. It would heal quicker, of course, could I devote my full energies to it, but your shipmates needed all the help my sisters and I could bring to bear on their behalf. Alas, I'm afraid that young Bates shall have to rely on his own not inconsiderable energies for the remainder of his healing, now that we have pulled his body through the worst of it."
"Can we go see him?" asked an impatient Hanz.
"Of course, dear," Salrie said with another affectionate smile that seemed to melt the added years that exhaustion had lent her, inner beauty radiating forth with her warmth. Sorn couldn't help thinking that her smile lent her a grace that was near captivating to behold, reflecting as it did a tenderness and compassion so pure as to remain untouched by the cares of the mortal world. "Just go back through the door there. My son James will be happy to escort you to your friend’s cot upstairs."
"We'll be back soon, okay, Sorn?" Lieberman said, looking at his cousin for confirmation before following his cousins.
"Of course, Lieberman," Sorn allowed with a smile. "That should work out fine. Let Bates know that I hope he is feeling better."
Nodding, his cousins opened the inside door to be met by a smiling blond-haired boy of about seven who must be James, accompanied by a dark-haired lass holding a rag doll in one hand and reaching for her brother's hand with the other. The young girl gazed at the graceful forms of Sorn's cousins in wonder with her wide, dark eyes.
The little boy's face lit up with delight upon beholding the identical countenances of the three youths before him.
"Oh, you guys all look alike! This is my sister Ria. Don't mind her, she's always quiet. You must be Bates's friends. Come, I'll take you to him." James gestured with his hand as he spoke, fairly running up the stairs with his little sister firmly in tow.
"Handsome lads," the healer declared with a smile. "They are your cousins, no?"
Sorn looked at her with mild surprise. "Is it that obvious? I didn't think we appeared that alike."
The healer's grin grew momentarily brighter, enjoying the mild tease. "Actually it was Bates who mentioned you four as his friends. He said many interesting things over the last few days, it being the habit of restless men to talk when confined to a bed, such as he is."
She tilted her head up to look at Sorn directly, examining him with a discerning eye. "There is a true resemblance, however. For all that your hair is quite different, and that you are in your late adolescence, with all that entails, while your cousins have retained the perfect countenances of youth, your faces are actually quite similar, particularly your sapphire blue eyes. You could easily pass for their brother, had you a mind to."
Salrie paused, looking away from Sorn a moment as if stealing herself for something before bringing her gaze up once again to rest fully upon him. "Your friends have made some interesting claims on your behalf, though I will grant you most were near delirium when they did so. Still, I have to ask. Are you, in fact, your ship's wizard?"
Sorn was momentarily taken aback by her directness, as well as by the fact that she appeared to accept at face value that which had been met with either skepticism, awe, or fear before. Salrie, however, appeared neither fearful nor skeptical, just a bit curious and concerned, as if she wanted to make sure she had her facts straight.
"Why yes," Sorn allowed with a wry nod. "It does, for the moment, seem that way."
Salrie's large dark eyes, so like her daughter’s, grew troubled once more. Her next question was a hesitant one. "Do you, do you all really plan on running the blockade a second time?"
Sorn's smile was grim, but his nod was certain. "Oh yes, we most certainly do."
Salrie nodded her head in understanding, her clenched hands underscoring the deep current of anxiety running just beneath her surface calm. "Most would consider it an act of suicide, you know. No ship save yours has made it through since we first realized the blockade was in force, and we have no reason to assume that any ship of ours made it out either. In fact, a number of soldiers at the breakwater have spotted at least several vessels being captured or sunk outright within their sights."
Sorn spoke with a quiet confidence, his intent gaze resting squarely on Salrie. "Let's just say I'm not particularly worried about their blockade."
Salrie paled and looked away. "It will be weeks before your friends will be ready to make a sea voyage, you know," Salrie cautioned, slowly lifting her chin, meeting his gaze once more. "When are you plannin
g on leaving?"
"Soon," Sorn replied with instinctive caution. "Soon."
Salrie hesitated a moment before she next spoke, appearing once again like she was on the cusp of making some momentous decision before finally collecting herself and turning her full focus onto Sorn.
"Take me with you," she said, much to Sorn's surprise, her voice catching at first before spilling out in an anxious rush. "Take me, my son, and my daughter with you. We will not take up much room, and we will bring our own supplies. Your friends here are in a critical state, and without the administrations of a healer, they will more than likely perish within days, if forced to make a sea voyage now. I cannot promise you they will make any great recovery in such an environment, especially if it is less than sanitary and particularly if the weather is bad, but I will do my best to make sure they survive the journey."
Her gaze rested anxiously on Sorn's silent, brooding countenance, and her growing fear and anxiety that she and her family would be left behind to face whatever the Empire had in store for the citizens of Caverenoc became painfully apparent to Sorn.
"Please."
Sorn couldn't bear to hear the pleading in her voice, to see the desperation in her gaze.
"I can act as ship's doctor, take care of any illnesses suffered by the crew, make sure the water is potable, and even alleviate seasickness in your passengers. All that I ask is that you take me and my family with you. I have heard things about what the Empire does to those they subjugate, and I fear terribly for my children. I know you may think less of me for wishing to flee when so many cannot, but they are my babies, they are all I have."
The look she gave Sorn all but broke his heart, his brilliant sapphire eyes locking upon her own darker ones, made almost luminous by the shimmering tears trickling down her cheeks. "I will do anything I have to, to protect my children. Please don't leave us here to die."
Her voice was a heartfelt plea, and Sorn ached with a fierce sympathy, moved as he was by the terrible desperation wrought so plainly upon her face.
"You don't understand," Sorn said, his own voice now raw with emotion. "It is not my ship. I have no say who may board and who may not, however much I may wish it otherwise."
Sorn paused a moment, lost in thought, before meeting her gaze once more.
"Salrie, I think there may be a way I can help you. I am under contract to do my utmost to secure safe passage for the crew and cargo to the best of my ability. Obviously, this includes not only a fit crew, but a fit captain as well."
Salrie, eyes showing an odd mixture of confusion and hope, just gave Sorn a slight hesitant nod.
Sorn hastened to explain. "Salrie. If you, by any chance, have what I need to undertake a little mission of my own, and if you were to say, charge a commission amounting to safe passage for you and your family, I would be obligated to accept it on behalf of the captain. I would acknowledge it as my own personal obligation, seeing as how the success of my mission will have a definite impact on our voyage ahead."
"What do you need, Sorn?" Salrie asked intently, eyes alight with a desperate hope that made Sorn uncomfortable for the faith it put in him, and which Sorn prayed he would not let down.
Hesitantly, Sorn explained what he needed, and he was pleasantly surprised to find that not only were his requirements well within her capabilities, but that she had a batch of what he needed already prepared.
"Sometimes the king himself has need of this for obvious reasons, especially at this time," She explained. "And he appreciates the value of my wares. He is a good king." Her sigh was a sad one, but her eyes were alight with a hope she had too long been without.
"Yes, he is," Sorn agreed. "He has a strong sense of duty to his city. I can certainly respect that. And I respect your position as well, Salrie. For Caverenoc is not your responsibility, however much you choose to aid it, and there is no sense in berating yourself for being unable to do what no human could. Your responsibility is to your own brood, of course, and there is no shame in doing whatever you must to secure their safety and well-being."
Sorn gave her a comforting smile and gently squeezed her shoulder. "Take solace in being there for your little ones as best you can. You cannot stop hurtling boulders from pummeling your city any more than I can heal Bates with a wave of my tail err… hand. So there is absolutely no sense in foolish guilt demanding that you stay here pointlessly only to watch your children suffer because you felt too ashamed to devote yourself to them."
Salrie shuddered and looked away. "Your words are a comfort, Sorn, but yes, it shames me to know that I am abandoning my home in its hour of greatest need."
Sorn gave an emphatic shake of his head.
"Salrie, it is all right for you to acknowledge the need to put your family first. Accept the discomfort and realize that what you are doing is right. For the truth is that you can do nothing by remaining here save suffer, and your children would as well. Furthermore, something which even an idealist should appreciate, is that if healers lacked the common sense to heal themselves first and take care of their own young, then there would soon be no healers left in this world to care for those in need. The gift would have become a detriment to an individual's survival, instead of a boon, if such callous demands are placed upon its users that they are not even allowed to save themselves or keep their families safe!"
Sorn's eyes glittered fiercely for a moment, but his grip was still a comforting one.
Salrie paused a moment, looking for the words to express her thoughts to Sorn, his ideas being as alien to her as the magics he wielded, if her expression was anything to go by.
"Your words are strange, I think, but certainly hold a wisdom I cannot refute, and that gives me comfort." Her eyes gazed softly into Sorn's. "Thank you for your counsel. And thank you for caring enough to help me and my children."
"Of course," Sorn said, awkwardly looking away, hand falling to his side, his passionate speech done. "Of course I would want to help you. Yours is a sweet family. And all life, all children are precious. Would that I could do more." Sorn sighed. "Perhaps in time. For now, I have a ship to care for, and if it is within my power, you and yours will be aboard when we leave this city."
"Thank you," Salrie said softly, her own hand gently touching Sorn's cheek, conveying her heartfelt gratitude with the simple gesture. "Wait but a moment, Sorn. I shall be back with what you require then. To be so wise and yet so young…" She gave Sorn another heartfelt smile then went off for what Sorn required.
"Now do you understand its use?" Salrie asked of Sorn a short time later.
"Indeed I do," a pleased Sorn replied. "It should work well. If all goes according to plan, Salrie, we should be leaving late tonight. Will you be ready to leave by then?"
Salrie's wry laughter gave Sorn all the confirmation he needed. "That it would mean saving my Ria and James from the doom ready to befall us all, I would sprint for your ship this instant. Rest assured, Sorn, in an hour's time my children and I will be ready, complete with food, water, and all the medicinal gear that will serve your injured crew at sea."
"Excellent," Sorn said with a smile, handing her a letter as he did so. "I wrote this while you fetched what I needed. It explains that I have obligated myself to you as needed to fulfill my contractual obligations to the captain, and that our agreement should be honored, regardless of what else happens. I am sure as well that our injured crew will also vouch for your accompanying us, should such prove necessary, though I doubt it will."
The smile on Salrie's face was near heartbreaking, and her hug was fierce. "Sorn. Thank you. If you ever have need of me, you have but to ask." The look she gave him with her luminous eyes gazing intently into his own was one he could scarce fathom, but her joyous smile pleased him all the same.
"Salrie, it is a pleasure to be able to help you." Sorn's attention then focused upon his cheerful cousins, one of whom was carrying a laughing James on his shoulders, another holding James's younger sister, whispering some animated tale or other to
her delight, if her rapt expression was anything to go by.
"Your timing is most astute, cousins," Sorn said pleasantly. "Come. We have a visit to pay to a certain lord, no?"
"Oh yes, it is definitely a good time for visiting," Fitz said. His tender expression, like that of his brothers, instantly transformed to one of dark glee as he gently placed Ria into the welcoming arms of her mother, while Lieberman deposited a startled James by his mother's side.
"Come, cousins," Sorn said, with a final bow to Salrie and her family. "We wouldn't want to keep dear Vorstice waiting, now would we? We have so much to discuss with him!"
His cousins answering chuckles followed them out the door.
The few passers-by glancing their way instinctively bowed their heads and turned away, as if giving unconscious deference to them. Having discretely shrugged off their gray uniform cloaks as they made their way from the docks to the better neighborhoods up the slope, Sorn fancied that they looked every inch the young aristocrats in the fine silks and linens supplied to them by lord and king alike.
Indeed, more than one passerby couldn't help but visibly stare as the quartet passed, captivated by Sorn knew not what, until he caught their reflection in a silver mirror strategically placed in a dresser's boutique window.
Glossy hair, both dark and silver-gold, constrained only by elegant silver topknots, billowed in the gusts of wind presaging the storm to come. Flapping behind them in tandem were their elegantly cut fencing capes, giving evidence to the swords resting at each of their hips, worn with a long practiced grace and interfering with their stride not at all.
Free of all blemish, three blond haired youths' flawless features looked the very image of young gods come down to earth to savor the vices of man. Sorn gazed objectively at his creation's mild facial blemishes, so commonly seen in youth approaching manhood, only then realizing that only made his beauty more approachable, more human, unlike the eerily perfect mirror countenances of his cousins, which Sorn gathered could be somewhat intimidating, for all their apparent tender years.
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