Iron of the Innocent: Mistress of Agony (Vol 2)

Chapter 20: Sanctuary

274 I.C.
Sacren
Solorn Kingdom
Solorn Province
The Ruins of Cuthras

Melerin did not withdraw from Bethahna's reach, nor did he do anything to resist her. As she touched him, a soft white glow enveloped her hand growing in luminosity as she whispered a prayer to the one who knew her faith. Light appeared to flow directly into the cleric's damaged flesh, causing it to glow from the inside. He staggered backward, breaking the connection, his own hand coming to his cheek. The internal glow moved slowly outward from where Bethahna made contact, following the pattern of blood vessels beneath his flesh. The healing light flowed down deep inside of him.

When the light moving over Melerin's features dimmed, so did the glow around Bethahna's hand. When the illumination was gone, the cleric's face did not show any sign of injury from violence, and even his lost teeth appeared restored to their place. Melerin's eyes were wide as he felt his features, and soft sounds of confusion came from his lips before silence returned. His legs wobbled and he fell to his hands and knees in front of Bethahna, facing the ground.

The paladin knelt with him. A deep shudder shook him as he breathed heavily, and when he looked up there were tears in his eyes. He slowly righted himself on his knees and drew back the cowl of his cloak. The surprise and shock that overwhelmed him mirrored the look on many of the faces of the group. Dreydan's eyes beamed with joy and a bright smile touched his lips.

"Please forgive my words," Melerin said once he regained his ability to process thoughts into speech.

Bethahna shook her head. "They were not your words," she said standing up. "They were words from those who live in ignorance and shadow. Words from those who willfully blinded themselves and intend the same for others." She reached out her hand and guided Melerin to his feet before putting her leather glove back on her hand. She turned toward Dalora.

The princess' face displayed a tremendous amount of emotion, her brow drawn together, and a mixture of awe and disbelief fought for dominance in her mind. Her hand dropped from the hilt of her sword and hung at her side. Her face changed, her eyebrows rising for a few moments as her eyes grew wide. She shook her head slowly. Then her face relaxed as her lips parted slightly to speak. When words did not make themselves known, she pressed her lips together. Her head turned toward her left, and she looked at the ground.

Bethahna surveyed the rest of the group and they appeared to be in various states of emotional turmoil ranging from awe, to confusion, to surprise, to joy. "Repent of evil. Trust in the creator," Bethahna said softly.

Turning toward the large gates blocking their path, the woman stepped forward and pushed against the iron bound wood on the right. Using the strength in her legs, the gate slowly began to open. Dreydan quickly joined her, realizing the gates were unlocked. Together, they pushed until there was space enough for them to enter.

Bethahna looked over at Engli. "We may be in need of your staff's light once more," she said.

The gnome appeared to come back to herself, a soft smile reaching her features as she nodded. She stepped forward, lifting her staff a little higher. "Of course," she said, "let's go." She peeked inside at the darkness and let her staff light up the interior leading deeper into the mountain. "Looks like a defense tunnel."

"Yes it does," Dreydan said, peering as far into the tunnel as the light would reach.

Bethahna led the way as the others slowly recovered from the profound moment and returned to their purpose of traveling to the ruins. Dalora walked over to Melerin and examined his face. A smirk touched her lips. "Well, at least I can look at you now without feeling the need to vomit." she commented.