The Severaine

Chapter Two Vices-3

“I've been tryin' so hard not t'upset him but it's havin' the opposite effect. Y've seen y'self the vices he tries t'keep hidden. I think we've stilled the worst of it but… I just dunno what else we can do. We can't force him t'see what he wants t'remain blind t'.” He moved slightly to place his hand upon Acha's, he squeezed it gently through the leather glove. Daniel had no monopoly on the grief caused by the death of their friend, both of them still felt raw from the loss. Both wished there had been more that they could have done instead of standing helplessly by, watching as she gave her life for theirs.

When his path had first crossed with Elly's, Eiji had chosen to journey with them solely in the interest of self-preservation, but in the end, he would have gladly traded places with her. He had hated walking beside the legendary murderer Marise Shi, but it didn't take too long to realise the true similarities were only that of the flesh. He owed her an apology. One he would never be given the chance to express. He saw himself in Zo as they travelled, like her, he too never expected to form the bonds of friendship. He had expected to live in solitude until taking on an apprentice and finally returning to the elements, but this was not the path fate had traced before him.

Elementalists, like sorcerers, remained in solitude due to the untamed forces surrounding them. They possessed an aura that over time would act as poison to any in their presence. But Eiji had been fortunate, during his journey he had found comrades without even trying, and more surprisingly still, Acha's own inherent abilities absorbed the energy, nullifying its harmful effects to others.

“I never did have the chance t'apologise t'her,” Eiji lamented, breaking the silence.

“What for?” Acha thought back over their time together. It was true he had seemed cautious around her, but there had been no actions on his part that warranted an apology. In fact, she was the only one who truly needed to make amends. On more than one occasion she had deliberately tried to lead Zo into harm's way, into situations she felt certain would ensure her demise. Her attempts had failed, and all too late had she come to realise the truth behind her actions. Eiji, however, had remained true. He knew long before any of them of the assassin waiting within Zo's soul, and despite everything that happened, despite all the pressure she and Daniel had placed on him, he had never once betrayed her secret, or anyone's for that matter.

“I misjudged her,” he answered as Acha forced the bitter memories of her betrayal from her mind, closing her eyes briefly to force back the tears she refused to shed.

“The only person who never doubted her was Daniel.” Once Zo's past had been discovered it was soon confided, to Acha alone, that he was the only one amongst them who had a true reason to hate the murderer Marise Shi. She had taken the life of his brother, and it was only by some miracle that Daniel himself had survived. Despite this, he had never once held her responsible for the actions of her dark persona. He effortlessly did something both Acha and Eiji eventually managed to do, to see Zoella and Marise as two completely separate people. Acha shuddered feeling the chill of the night air closing around them, only then did they realise how late the hour had grown. “We really should try to find him.” Suddenly realising how long they had been separated gave her a very uneasy feeling.

* * *

“A bloody i***t, that's what he is,” the voice chuntered to herself as light once more slowly began to seep into view. Daniel's body was heavy, unresponsive. The harsh sound of pots echoed causing him to cringe internally. “Honestly, I expected better,” she huffed. “Boy, are you awake?” When he failed to manage a response, he felt a sharp stab in his arm. “I tell you something, I've seen some sorry waifs and strays in my time, but you take the cake, boy. What in all the stars she was thinking leaving you with such things is beyond me.” Daniel's eyes were half open, he could neither close nor open them fully. The image of a table before him faded in and out of his patchy vision.

He tried to speak, but the only sound to leave him was a hoarse gargle. His tongue refusing to move as he willed it.

“Honestly, boy, you're lucky they didn't leave you there to rot. They probably would have if you'd not been by Persephone's tribute. Maybe they even considered it. I hear people make great fertiliser for trees.” The woman shook her head, moving to sit at the table she poured herself a cup of tea. “The luck of Tyche and the brains of a turkey, you'd bloody drown yourself in the rain given half the chance. At least the bird's stupidity's just a myth.”

“Gwha—” Daniel once more tried to speak.

“What happened?” Her voice was sharp as she understood his intended question. “You tried to kill yourself, that's what happened. She told me you were clever, but only a bloody fool drinks hemlock. It's a good job you were still holding the phial, or you'd be joining your friend.” Daniel managed a blink. “Ah good the paralysis is wearing off. Shame I can't do nowt for the idiocy.” Daniel felt himself grow hot, her voice echoing. The world burned in and out of focus as his body began to spasm. The elderly woman was at his side in an instant, her hand resting upon his forehead, concern replacing the harshness in her faded grey eyes. “Breathe, Daniel Eliot.” Her voice was firm, yet its rhythm almost hypnotic, his body obeyed without delay. “She'd never forgive me if I let you die here.” Daniel heard himself gasping and choking, unaware his breath had even stopped. His body convulsed violently until all once more became enshrouded in darkness.

* * *

Acha and Eiji made their way towards the town in search of Daniel. The stars watched from overhead, tracing the journey of the travellers as they walked the beaten path. The livestock had grown silent, sheltered from the northern winds in their barns; a few stirring as they heard the movement from outside. The town was quiet, all, like the cattle, secured for the night. It seemed impossible they would find him amongst the silence. A lone figure walked the town, a lantern enshrouding her in its golden flame as her path seemed to weave towards them, never slowing until she met them on the decline. Her old grey eyes possessed a hint of recognition as they passed over Eiji.

“Hello, dear.” She smiled sweetly. “What brings you to our borders?”

“A friend. I'm afraid we are late, we lost track of time,” Acha stated revealing as little as possible.

“Such is the magic of this place, and youth.” She smiled at Acha's words, her grin broadening as she saw a flush of colour to her cheeks that even the poor lighting could not hide. “Perhaps your friend returned home?” she questioned. She saw Eiji shake his head.

“No, ma'am, he's still here. He needed some time t'gather his thoughts.”

“He, you say? Well, there was another outsider today, but he came to me some hours ago, and I doubt clearing his head was his intention.” Her voice seemed almost scolding. “He did show interest in some of my things though.”

“Daniel?” Acha looked to Eiji in suspicious surprise.

“I couldn't rightly say dear. He's feeling a tad under the weather, poor thing's in the arms of Morpheus. I don't think he'll be waking any time soon.”

“Not again,” Acha whispered raising her hand to her mouth. “I'm really sorry, we'll take him off your hands straight away.”

“Nonsense, dear, it seems a shame to wake him. But perhaps you'd like to look at these.” She handed Eiji a small knotted cloth. “Even in his state he was really quite interested in them. I think all the excitement tired him out.”

“Or something else did.” Acha again cast a concerned look to Eiji, thinking her words unheard to any but him.

“There's little mischief to be found here, dear. We're all quite dull really. Why don't you let him be until tomorrow. I give you my word no harm will come to him. Maybe get some rest yourselves?” Eiji found something familiar in the elderly lady, her appearance alone put him at ease and to his surprise he found himself agreeing.

“If it's really no trouble…”

“Of course not, dear. It's been a while since I've had anyone to look after. It'll do these old bones some good. I'll have him up and out by sunrise, if that suits you?”

“It's very kind of you.” Acha nodded. “Perhaps it'll give us a chance to look this over and get it back to you.”

“No rush, dear, they're just some books, been gathering dust for longer than I remember. It'll do them good to get some fresh air.”

* * *

This time, when he awoke, his limbs burnt, his head pounded, but he could breathe. He wriggled his fingers tentatively before slowly pushing himself to sit upright. The house was shrouded in darkness and untold hours had passed in his fevered state. His body trembled against the cold, yet he was damp with sweat. Seeing himself alone he struggled to stand. His hands finding support where they could as he took cautious steps towards the door, stopping when he heard the familiar voice from outside.

“I don't know, Kezia, the boy has potential but the path he's on now will end with destruction. How am I to guide someone who solely wishes passage to the dead?” Chancing a glance from the window Daniel saw the elderly figure kneeling at a grave which was carefully placed within the boundaries of her land. The candlelight gave a golden sheen to her silver hair. “I expected more, but it seems he came here to die. He's a fool. I don't know that I can put my faith in one so…”

Daniel stepped away returning to the place he had lay. It was only now he realised it had not been a bed at all. The old lady had placed a number of wicker chairs together, binding their legs before covering it with a blanket. Beside it was a bucket and scrubbing brush, the water still fresh with the smell of vomit.

Daniel gave a long exhale, sitting to cover his face with his hands as he rested his elbows on his legs. Shame washed over him, his breath hitched, and suddenly he began to weep. Once they began the tears would not still.

“Zo, how could you?” he sobbed. “How could you give yourself to him when I'd have gladly taken your place? Night, I curse your name,” he whispered through bitter tears.

“Night?” The elderly woman's voice was filled with surprise. Her presence startled him, he tried quickly to wipe away his grief on the sleeves of his linen shirt. “Night is responsible for Zo's death?” she questioned, steading herself against the table.

“He… imprisoned the Oneirois. He made her sacrifice herself for them… for me. For Seiken.” He spat the name, the anger in his narrowed eyes clear as he looked up to her.

“Seiken, Eryx Venrent's successor?” Daniel suddenly found a warm drink placed within his hand. He took a long sip, relishing in the soothing warmth against his raw throat.

“You know of him?” Daniel growled.

“When it comes to my granddaughter, there is little I don't know.”

“Granddaughter?”

“Not by blood, of course. But how could I think of her as anything else?” Daniel looked at the woman. The strands of silver hair fell somehow elegantly from the messy bun which secured it in place. He realised who she was in an instant.

“Amelia Embers?”

“It's a pleasure to meet you finally, Daniel Eliot, the suicidal fool that you are. Honestly, boy, I expected better from someone she spoke so highly of.”

“I didn't take hemlock, it was hops,” he protested remembering the words she had spoken earlier.

“Sure, if you're spelling it hemlock.” She threw him the small phial from the table. He fumbled the catch seeing it fall to his lap. He raised it to his still blurred gaze, the letters dancing before his eyes until he saw the label clearly.

“I'd never—”

“You did, and that's not the only poison you had in there either.” Her slender finger reached out, stabbing him in the forehead before he had even noticed her approach. “Bloody fool. What were you thinking coming here in that state, have you no shame?” Daniel opened his mouth to talk, his words cut off as she continued. “And your friends, are you too blind to see they're suffering too, can't you see what your actions are doing to them?” Daniel's posture stiffened slightly as he cast his vision outside. He could only guess the hour, but the lightening of the sky now seemed to hint at a few hours until dawn. “I sent them on their way. I couldn't let them see you in this state, though looking at you I'd say they've seen their share. They'll return for you at sunup. Honestly, the crap you had in you, it's a wonder you made it this far.”

“You called me Daniel?” he said, another fragment returning to him.

“Well, that's your name isn't it, boy?”

“But how'd you—”

“I had a letter from the Plexus yesterday warning you'd come. I'd have waited at the portal if I'd known what a sorry state you'd drag yourself here in. What was she thinking? She was meant to be sending me a hero.”

“I'm no hero.”

“You've got that right, boy.” She smiled to herself slightly as she saw Daniel's surprise at her words. “But I guess I've no choice but to work with the seeds that've been sown.”

“What do you mean you had a letter?”

“She wrote to me, binding it by enchantment, I suppose, so its arrival tied with yours.”

“So even then she knew.” He felt Amelia slap him firmly across the back of the head.

“Grow up,” she scolded. “I've no time to waste on self-piteous fools. Yes, she's dead, you can't change that, and what you're doing now isn't going to be helping. How'd you know you've not overlooked the answer in one of your drug induced deliriums?”

“I've been careful, I've not taken anything that'd—” His response met with another slap.

“Don't lie to me, boy. I know your every indiscretion better than you. Funny how delirium loosens the tongue. If you lie to me again, I'll turn my back on all of you.” Daniel lowered his head. Fearing her words too harsh Amelia crouched with difficulty to meet his lowered eyes. “I've given your friends some texts. Don't ask me how I came to have them but maybe they've a clue to what you're seeking. Pull yourself together, Daniel Eliot, and don't give up hope. The Gods help us, but we've a lot riding on your success.”

* * *

Amelia had escorted Daniel to the Collateral portal where he would meet his friends, she was certain his mind would be unable to recall its position. The sun was already beginning to rise the sky aglow. As Acha and Eiji emerged, they could just see the silhouette of the elderly woman making her way back towards the town, and there, waiting for them as promised, was Daniel.

“I'm not sure how y' knew t'come here, but y' were right.” Eiji gave Daniel a gentle pat on the back, his face growing with concern when he saw how drawn and pale his friend was. Seeing Daniel's look of utter bewilderment Acha continued.

“The lady who looked after you gave us the texts you were studying.”

“Amelia?” Daniel questioned, his brows drawn together in uncertainty.

“Zo's Amelia, she's still alive?” Eiji questioned in surprise whilst trying to calculate exactly how old this ancient lady would have to be to raise both Zo and her mother. He stopped the calculations to cringe.

“Yeah,” Daniel answered, his frown lines easing slightly at Eiji's comment.

“We found something in them that might help.”