Water and Wind

Chapter 32

Arian

The blood is draining out of his face, and it's draining fast. He gets to his feet dizzily, feeling the world spin from underneath him as reality sets back in. He's trapped in a bubble. Nimue made a three year old his guardian against escape, yet he's been overpowered. The forest and Nimue have disappeared from his mind, as he staggers to his feet, wobbling with each step.

Freya

Freya is scared now. Nimue never said what to do if Arian started acting like a drunkard. Freya's never actually seen one, but from what Delphine says, Arian is certainly doing a good job at Pretend. She swallows. He's moving for the edge of the bubble, but quite honestly, she's tired at this point. Why had Nimue made her the caretaker? Why not someone older, like Delphine?

It's okay, she reasoned. It can't take that much strength to contain a drunk-not-drunk Arian. Right? She attempts to reassure herself, but the closer Arian gets to the edge of the bubble, the more worried she gets. She tries to throw herself in Arian's path, hoping the sight of her might scare him into staying (she doesn't have enough energy to summon up another Nimue), but he doesn't spare her more glance than he would an irritating fly. That makes her nervous. If he keeps going, who knows where he'd end up in his state of mind? She's counting on Nimue's bubble to hold him in as she summons up what little wind she has left.

But then something peculiar happens. She feels the wind die in her hands, and frowns at them. It's almost as if someone is using their magic to counteract hers. Which is not possible, she knows. Not Arian, in his state. Not the rest of them, bound by magic and physically. Not the lingering crowd. Who then?

Grunting, feeling sweat dripping into her eyes at the effort, she summons up more wind, which immediately dies in her hands again. Dumbfounded, she glares at her fingers. What is happening? Is she getting weak? Or is this person just incredibly strong?

While she is contemplating, Arian has been thinking on autopilot. She feels a strong gust of wind seize her and knock her back. While she is gasping and about to cry at the betrayal she feels, Arian's eyes lock on hers. "I'm sorry sister. But it's not your fault." His eyes beg her not to take it personally, but she is deeply hurt. Her older brother. Her own brother. Did this to her. She swallows back another sob. His eyes search her and beg, and finally she gives in with a small nod. She has no strength, anyway, can't move a limb against the fierce, whipping wind, and tears slide down her cheeks.

The wind stops, but not long enough for her to get to her feet. She props herself onto her elbows, determined to keep her promise to Nimue despite what she just said to Arian. Groaning, she hoists her little three year old body up a few inches as she watches Arian carefully, making sure he makes no sudden moves. But he doesn't have to. The bubble does it for him.

Jaw agape, Freya completely forgets about her one job as she watches the bubble open, rather like sliding glass doors, smoothly opening out to the side. She knows there is no such thing, but she likes to imagine it, rather like two very large windows sliding open smoothly in opposite directions.

But Nimue wanted to keep Arian in, didn't she? Why is the bubble opening? The thought confounds her, and she's too busy puzzling over it to notice that Arian is stepping outside the bubble. Her head whirs with too many thoughts, and she brings them forth for examination one by one.

The sound of the bubble closing with a thick pop as the two sides slide back together brings her attention back. For the first time, she sees Arian striding off outside the bubble, and she pinches herself, punishment for letting it happen. Nimue trusted her. How could she?

He doesn't turn back, making a dash for the forest, and Freya feels a cold hand close over her throat. Nimue never said what to do if Arian actually escaped.

Arian

He doesn't know why the bubble has opened, but the one thing he does know for certain is that he'll seize his chance. He takes it and strides out into the world, the cool fresh air cooling the heat of his cheeks and face, and taking with it his regret.

He sees Freya's deep blue eyes swimming in front of him, filled with anguish and betrayal. I'm sorry sister, but he knows it's not enough. She trusted him, and he let her down. Severely.

But right now, he has more pressing matters to deal with, so he - with another sincere apology - pushes Freya out of his mind to deal with reality.

There are guards. What is he supposed to do?

There's the forest ahead of him. How will he survive?

La Esperanta. Will she kill him?

Nimue. Here's where his heart stops beating for half a second and his fingers go cold. Will she make it?

But there's another thing. This is his greatest concern, his biggest worry, and he begs the dear Lord to prevent it. Will he be too late?