Blood Magic's Bond

Ch 36: The Most Difficult Things

Recounting the events in the clearing was one of the most difficult things Astasha had ever done. But she fueled the rage and hate inside her to get through it, and when she came to the demon’s assault, Helia had stepped in, insisting there was no need for her to re-live such things. Tasha was grateful for her mercy, though there wouldn’t have been much that would have aided them had she continued. All that had happened once the demon had descended upon her seemed fragmented and blurred in her mind.

She had expected her story to be difficult to tell, but what she hadn’t expected was how difficult it was to listen to Calder's. The pain in his eyes when he looked at her, remembering what he had had to witness, what he had endured to try to save her; he was a stronger man than most.

His fingers had remained laced with hers the entire time. Even when they had laid him down to treat his wounds, his hand stayed firmly linked with her own. No one said anything about it, either because they didn't care anymore, or simply didn't dare. The hell the two had been through seemed to far outweigh what now seemed a trivial matter. In fact, at the insistence of Calder, they had pushed two cots together so that he could lay next to her, and the task had been carried out without hesitation or resistance.

As the two had shared their stories, the room had remained painfully silent, save the occasional interjection by Errant or Helia, only to clarify something here or there.

Astasha couldn't help but notice the look on everyone's faces as they spoke. There was pity, and anger, and horror. But the one that truly caught her attention was the look of guilt that seemed to creep across Errant's face.

As they finished their recounts, a blanket of hushed intensity settled in the ward. Astasha knew they all shared her thoughts; even if they could decipher the demon’s plans, how were they to defeat such a foe? She knew the only reason she lived was because it had allowed her to. How then were they to destroy something so powerful, especially when they knew so little about it?

The King drew a deep breath, breaking the silence. “I fear I feel no closer to knowing what to do or what to tell my advisors than before. In fact, I feel even more at a loss. How can anything wield so much strength, so much power… and how are but simple men to overcome it?”

No one seemed to know how to answer.

“By figuring out what it desires and using that against it,” Said Errant at last.

“Which we had hoped we would learn from their stories, yet we are no closer to that than we were this morning.” Josnen let out a sigh of frustration. “Regardless, I shouldn’t keep them waiting any longer. There’s no knowing what a room full of fearful and uneasy men will decide should their leader be absent.”

Astasha suddenly realized how utterly spent she was. Sorcerer Terrin had done what he could after she had woken, to clean and treat her wounds, and while the swelling was beginning to subside and the black ooze that had seeped from her body had started to dissipate, she was now very aware of the excruciating pain that still lingered, not to mention the emotional distress she had endured.

Calder must have felt her sudden awareness because his hand tightened around hers as he turned to her. “What’s wrong?”

She gave him a weak smile. “I’m just tired, is all.”

Errant was watching them closely. “I have no doubt you are. You both have been through much and are still in desperate need of healing.” He then turned to the rest of the group, all still perplexed by the puzzle they had yet to solve. "Though there is much for us to discuss, and time is of the essence, these two need rest and I think it would do us all well to do the same before determining the next move. It has been an intense several days, and it is abundantly clear that wise decisions are not made in rushed and exhausted circumstances."

The look on the King's face told Astasha that he was torn between his duties as a ruler and that of a father, but in the end, he sighed and nodded. “I shall report what I have learned here to my Military Advisors to see what they might be able to discern from it, if anything. Tomorrow, after we’ve all had some sleep and a chance to mull everything over, perhaps something will come to us.”

“Very good.” Said Errant. “Sorcerer Terrin," He turned to the tall man with dark facial hair and deep chocolate eyes. "Please see to it that the Prince and Sorceress Astasha are as comfortable as possible and their wounds as tended as can be. We are expecting Sorceress Narelle at dawn and can hopefully then assess further healing."

The man nodded. "Of course, Grand Sorcerer. I think it would be best as well if we set a watch in turns, to keep an eye on any changes to their health and for protection should anything happen. I am more than happy to take the first shift so you all may recharge and rest some."

"I agree," said Errant. "Although I would ask that the watch be posted outside the ward with the men from the Prince's Guard."

Calder raised an eyebrow. "My men are here?"

Josnen chuckled lightly, a pleasant break in the heavy room. "You thought Talib would have it any other way after finding you as he did? The stubborn man hasn’t stepped a foot away since bringing you here. He's asked to see you as soon as he is allowed."

Errant cut in before Calder could speak. "As I told him before, once the Prince has rested he may visit him. For now, I think it best we all leave these two in peace."

Astasha couldn't help but notice the subtle look in the Grand Sorcerer's eye as he held his arm out to usher the others from the room. Something was different, but what it was, she couldn’t quite pinpoint.

The King patted Calder on the back gently. “We’ve placed extra guards at every point of entry to the palace. I don’t know how much comfort that will be, but I will do everything in my power to see to it that we find a way to destroy this monster. Try to rest, Son.”

Helia quietly approached Astasha. “Sorceress, should you need me, for any reason, just send for me and I will be here.”

“Thank you.”

At last, it was only Errant and the Earth Mage left.

The Grand Sorcerer took a deep breath and turned to the couple on their cots. "Your Highness, Sorceress, I know it is owed, but there is no apology I can give, no words I can say, to make up for what happened to you both due to my arrogance and stubbornness. I only hope you can find it within yourselves to understand that everything I did, I truly believed was for the best. I see now I was a foolish old man and had I simply listened, this all could have been avoided."

Astasha seemed at a loss for words. In all the years she had known him, she had never heard him speak with such humility or grief.

"Yes," said Calder. "You have been arrogant and stubborn."

"Cal…” Astasha began, but the Prince continued.

"And I've spent a lot of time and energy blaming you for the things that have happened. But the truth is, none of us are innocent in this whole affair."

Tasha looked over at the man she loved, realizing he was absolutely right. Everyone had played their part in the unraveling of events and there was no point in placing blame.

Errant nodded his head. "Yes, many things could have been done differently. But there is one wrong, in particular, I feel I need to right." His eyes moved to Astasha. "You have been a magnificent pupil, a loyal member of this Advisory, and a daughter figure despite not realizing I needed one. I should never have disgraced you with such dishonor as I did. And I promise you, I shall not fail you again as I have up till now."

Astasha had never known her father, had never felt she needed one, but now she understood that it was something she had unknowingly longed for all along. Whether she had known it or not, she had looked to Errant as a parent in many ways, and she knew she could never be as hard on him as he would be on himself. They had both pushed each other because they knew the other cared, and the bond they had formed over the years had gone unnoticed until now, the fear and terror they faced having brought it to light.

"I must have made things very difficult for you, and I apologize for that,” said Astasha. “I was foolish and blind and didn’t see what position I must have put you in. You’ve never steered me wrong, yet I didn’t trust you, and you didn’t deserve my betrayal like that. I know better now."

A moment passed between teacher and student, as though they were father and daughter, and an understanding was formed.

"Thank you." was all he said. Errant looked around, breaking the moment, no doubt uncomfortable allowing the vulnerability to carry on any further. “Well, you two should rest. I expect we will be needing both your help to formulate a plan in the morning. Good night."

“Good night, Grand Sorcerer.” Said Astasha as he bowed and left the room.

It was only her, Calder and Terrin now, and the latter made quick work of checking her wrappings and making them each a mug of an herbal liquid he said would help them sleep.

"If either of you needs anything at all, I shall be right outside." He said as he slipped out of the ward and closed the door.

Astasha looked over at Cal, who's thumb was running gently along her hand, his gaze watching her intently.

And it was then that she realized what Errant had done.

Astasha and Calder lay next to each other, their eyes locked on one another, completely alone, allowed to share one more night together, just the two of them.