by SunnyJustice » Wed Dec 28, 2016 1:41 pm
"I could carry you," Tacet offered. He winced when he looked at Guinevere's powers. He wasn't Rowan Adamson, he didn't have a chance to heal wounds caused by power overuse. Tacet, like normal healers, was quite limited. But at least he never had to worry about killing his patient with too much of his power.
A painful gnawing hunger was stirring deep inside him. Tacet could tell time without a clock, and right now he knew he skipped breakfast. But the sun wasn't up. The sky was completely dark outside, and morning light wasn't even close to approaching. Tacet needed sunlight to survive. Even a cloudy day would be okay. But not pitch black, he couldn't physically tolerate this.
"If I do... we have to hurry. I don't have much time." Tacet looked out the window. Still no sign of the coming sunrise. Alastair's curse had already taken effect.
Cyprian nodded, looking down at the ground. He aimed a sneaky glare at Rowan, but immediately looked away because, damn, his eyes! All Adamsons' eyes held some kind of fiery heat, especially phoenixes, but right now Rowan's eyes burned worse than Solara's gaze was said to burn. Cyprian knew what had happened though. He was fighting Rowan, and the next thing he knew, he was on the ground with the creep standing over him. Cyprian was pretty lucky to have a body right now. He had survived and hadn't ended up like that redheaded soldier.
Why had he used his fists and not the rock thing? That was his only regret.
Brokenly, Rowan braced himself for another round of hateful accusations. No amount of abuse would ease the guilt wrenching his torn heart, though. He was tired, so tired, and he just wanted to sleep forever and be forgotten. Rowan wished Jaai would simply insult him, but instead she gave a speech that sparked more guilt inside him. She was right though. Rowan was just overly sensitive, and he had no right to be upset about his moral dilemmas right now. He was a healer and he shouldn't be wasting anyone else's time. They deserved better.
Rowan nodded with resignation. He had killed someone, lost his closest friend, and felt anger for the first time. And it hadn't been a full day yet. But even so... what were his problems compared to these villagers' troubles? It only made him even more ashamed of himself.
"I'm sorry," was all he could say. "I'm really sorry."
He wasn't expecting Jaai to hug him. But her arms wrapped around his waist, providing the contact he desperately craved. It was liberating, like a cool drink of water to a man dying of dehydration. Rowan let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He needed hugs like Tacet needed sunlight.
"Thank you," Rowan whispered. "I really needed that."
He didn't have the strength to hold back his power. He would never again attempt to force his healing to work faster, though. It was more deadly than some powers which were intended to be deadly. Rowan simply stood there, taking deep breaths as he allowed Jaai to heal.
Timpani despised Cyprian, but she was about to help him deal with Rowan. She didn't trust the other healer. But then again, Rowan looked too weak and defeated to do anything but cry for his mother. He was no threat. Timpani still wasn't too fond of that boy, but she was more irritated with Cyprian.
"Does he look like he's trying to murder people?" Timpani asked calmly, although she wasn't hiding her annoyance. She looked from Silas to Cyprian. "You aren't helping, prince."
Cyprian didn't even say a word. So he was obedient to Jaai. Good. At least somebody would keep the disgrace in line. Timpani knelt down beside Silas and put her arms around him. "Just try to relax. Rowan will be with you soon."
She looked up at Rowan with an insistent glare. That was an order.
Since Cadence and Gavotte were heading back to the mansion, Cilan started to walk around. None of the villagers' bodies were intact, although the soldiers' bodies were recognizable. It seemed the soldiers had purposely destroyed their victims' bodies. They probably feared necromancy, since Cilan was a phoenix. Ironically, phoenixes and necromancy were completely opposite elements from each other.
He was looking for Mallory, since he knew she would be okay. Unfortunately he came across the dead bodies of her packmates. Oh disgrace... Cilan regretted doubting that Tobias boy, now that the pack gave their lives to defend Windwoods. And it wasn't even their home either.
He found Mallory in a bloodstained forest area. The remains of soldiers weren't even remotely human looking. Cilan approached slowly and with deliberate steps, hoping she wouldn't freak out. "Mal?"