The Raven's Reflection

Chapter 8 - Exhausted

"Cer?" Kinsley asked, leaning over to get a better look at his face as multiple thoughts were starting to roll out of Cerno's mind, all of them jumbled and almost yelling over each other.

Samuel was quick to get himself under Cerno's arm as the teenager's tough act finally fell. Standing in the shade, he hadn't realized how pale Cerno had become over the last few minutes. As Cerno finally admitted his loss of strength, Samuel realized Cerno had never before used as much source as he did today. Even forcing some of his own into the teen, Cerno must have still poured out more than he himself could handle.

"His thoughts are a mess," Kinsley said as she helplessly watched Cerno's legs start to give out from underneath himself. Concern spread across her face but Samuel was quick to scoop him up.

"Master Cerno's never experienced a drain like this before and it's probably confusion you're hearing," Samuel admitted. "He exerted himself quite a bit healing your body from the damage the poison was quickly causing." He smiled at Kinsley even as the boy went completely limp in his arms, "He's going to be just fine though, he's in no danger right now."

"Are you absolutely certain he's okay?" she asked as Cerno's thoughts suddenly vanished.

Samuel nodded and turned towards Calvary, making a few clicking noises to call the horse's attention. "If they haven't already, his thoughts should go completely silent any moment now."

"I'm glad to hear that because it's an eerie feeling when someone goes quiet. Even asleep, I can usually still hear their minds...but yeah, Cerno just went completely silent like—"

"Miss Kinsley, are you able to ride Arianell yourself?" Samuel asked her to interrupt her thoughts, knowing she was comparing the silence to something more morbid.

"I'm not too experienced, but I can, yes," she answered softly.

"Okay, good. She's a good temperament and easy for newer riders," he advised.

Kinsley was quick to grab her cloak and blanket, making sure the little area they relaxed in was left just as clean as they found it.

"Let us all head back to Ralnsah then," he advised. While Kinsley packed Arianell's saddlebags, Calvary had positioned himself next to a large trunk of a huge fir tree that had been cut down ages ago. Samuel was able to easily step up onto it and while leaning Cerno against Calvary, he was able to mount his horse and get Cerno situated safely and comfortably at his front for the ride home. He waited patiently for Kinsley to untie Aria's lead from the tree and climb up into her saddle before he began to lead their way home.

"With a drain like this, will he be unconscious for a long time?" she asked.

"Maybe a day or two," Samuel replied. "It should give him a positive response from his grandmother for saving someone, though," he chuckled.

Kinsley stayed silent as Arianell followed just behind Calvary. She didn't have to steer the horse very much as she knew to follow. "I would have had to tell him this afternoon when we got back to my place," she answered, a sadness in her voice. As Samuel looked back over his shoulder at her, she blushed a deep red as she realized she had answered one of his unspoken thoughts. "Sorry!"

Samuel laughed. "Feeling intentions is actually very much like hearing thoughts. You should have Cerno help you learn to hear the subtle differences between a voice and a thought. It'll eventually become a second nature and you won't answer people's unasked questions and raise suspicions to your talent."

"I'll pay more attention to the differences," she replied with thanks. "By the way... Why aren't you rushing to have me exiled from Ralnsah if you know I'm a Taboo, Mr. Samuel?"