The Oreans

Chapter 47

Chapter 47

A Falling-Out

"Is he going to be fine?" Alen asked faintly, watching Rafim struggle to revive Divan with her aurea.

No answer came. Rafim's brow furrowing in further concentration, the radiance in her hands grew even brighter. Alen's eyes watered with just a moment's exposure to it. It was not like this when she had healed Adrien's wound back in the forest. She seemed to be giving Divan much more. Did this mean Divan was in a more serious fix, worse than Rafim was willing to admit? Unconsciously, his grip on Divan tightened.

"He's not... is he—"

"Of course, he's not," Rafim snapped, her usually cool azure eyes flashing green like the aurea in her hands. Alen, however, heard the quiver, noted the slight flickering of the glow.

"Sorry," he mumbled, not knowing what else to say. He understood her dilemma of course. A brother was out to be rescued from his enemies, a friend from the clutches of—what?

No! Divan was not—could not be dying. Whatever was the matter with him, he was not dying. He would wake up soon. And together, the three of them would go to save the prince.

"He should be conscious by now." The glow wavered. Perspiration broke out on Rafim's forehead as she struggled to bring back the intensity. Then, "I give up," she suddenly said, taking her hands away. "I should have known it wouldn't work. He isn't physically wounded."

She hastily stood up and went out of the study. When she returned, she was carrying a small basin half-filled with water, a cloth floating on it. "This might help better."

"Let me do it," Alen volunteered.

Rafim put down the basin near Divan's head and shook her head.

"I want to," he insisted, reaching out for the cloth.

"Oh, do it if you want." Rafim tossed the cloth at him and began to pace the room.

Disregarding her behavior, Alen took on the task he had committed himself on. He couldn't have done anything else. If only he could do something better... If only he could remedy Divan's malady himself at once, chase those damned Argentines and rescue Prince Reihan from them, and comfort Princess Reishina... do all of these at the same time. How much he really wanted to play the part of the hero. But all he could do was sit here and wait for Divan to wake, listen to Rafim's footfalls as she walked to and fro, and wonder what would happen next.

Alen bit his lips, annoyed at himself—at the gnawing sense of helplessness in him. He realized too that he resented Rafim's silence. Why would she not speak to him? Why wouldn't she tell him he was useless? That he did not deserve to be her apprentice and friend?

"I am hopeless," he muttered finally.

"What are you saying?" Rafim stopped abruptly.

"I am hopeless!" he said more loudly, restraining himself from shouting. He bowed his head as he felt his eyes burn. "Why don't you tell me so? I am completely useless to you—to you all." That's it. He had it out.

Alen felt Rafim's eyes on him, expecting her to agree. But she didn't.

"That's not true," Rafim said gently. "Don't ever say that again, Alen."

Her tone made Alen feel worse. He kept his head low as a tear began to fall. Still he went on, "Don't deny it. You know it's true. All three of you helped me out in my hour of need, taught me how to be better; but I failed you. I can't even do anything for you now."