Shadow of the Avatar

Chapter 24 -- Manifestation

 Good things come to those who hate...

--Hethanon

"Ishtar in Elysium," Jharon breathed. "What happened?" He scrambled around Wren examining her wounds.

She could barely speak. "Avatar. Poison."

"Damnation," Jharon tossed down his mace. "Uthur! The herb kit, hurry!"

Armor and weapons clanking, Jharon's men filed around them, broad shouldered fighters with hard eyes, shaved heads, and the spiral shaped war tattoos of Ishtar on their cheeks.

He knelt by Wren and brushed the hair away from her face. "We must stop meeting like this."

Even though it hurt, she forced a smile. She couldn't make out his features, it was only a smear of color, but she could imagine his concerned expression. "I--agree. Desiray--" she coughed. "Take care--" She wheezed and coughed.

Jharon let out an oath and barked orders to the other men. He lay her out flat, stood, and began chanting. His voice echoed in the passage and golden light surrounded his head and hands.

For Wren, the world dimmed to smears of color, sounds blended into a cacophony of ringing. The only things that remained constant were the power of Jharon's voice and the thrum of Corona in her hand. The cleric's magic cascaded through her body like a storm wave, diluting the venom and driving it back.

Like a diver coming up from a huge depth, she gasped for air. "Augh." She coughed and clutched her throat. Rolling onto her hands and knees, she gagged as the contents of her stomach convulsively came up her throat. The heaves came so hard it felt like her insides were being lashed.

She rolled onto her back clutching her wounded shoulder. "Ishtar. Jharon, what did you do..? Arrhg."

"Hush!" He snapped, standing over her. "We have to get you to the temple. This poison is too powerful for my curing." He swiped at his perspiring brow. He gestured to someone behind her, snapped his fingers and pointed. One of the clerics knelt by her and started treating the blackened stab wound in her shoulder. "I have temporarily fought off its affects. It should--" He swallowed, looking dizzy. "Hold for a while."

He turned, squatted by Desiray, and took the woman's hand. The mistress opened her eyes.

"I see a big donation in Ishtar's future," he said.

The corner of Desiray's mouth turned up. "How 'bout I give her to you." She moved her head indicating Wren.

He smiled. "If you include her, you'll have to double the donation. I have enough problems."

Desiray let out a laugh, then grimaced in pain.

Jharon dropped to his knees and clapped his hands. He turned his face toward the sky and started another chant. Wren pushed herself against the near wall watched as Jharon called upon Ishtar's blessings.

"Ouch!" Wren growled.

"Apologies." The man said, his seamed face was set with determination. He looked concerned. "The infection is bad and toxins deep." He worked more balm into damaged area.

She gnashed her teeth. Corona made yelping sounds as though feeling the jabs with her.

The glow around Jharon became bright as he channeled his power into Desiray. The mistress writhed. She let out a gasp, thrashed onto her hands and knees and vomited convulsively.

Desiray flopped onto her back. "Feel like--I've been run over by a blasted--Rhinotaur."

"Surprised you feel--that good," Wren groaned.