The Asterian Dream

XVI: A Small Interlude

Stopping only to grab a cloak, Fasela sprinted through the streets of the city, making sure her face couldn't be seen. She wove in and out of alleyways and streets as fast as she could. Soon she had arrived at the small door which she had seen Conrad in front of. There, Conrad was hiding behind a crate, trying to keep Melron and himself hidden. She quickly dropped to her knees and reached for Melron. Conrad handed him over and Fasela took a close look at him. He was clearly very weak, only able to smile and wave at Fasela. However, his wounds were not bleeding and he seemed to be stable.

"We need something to hide him in," Fasela whispered to Conrad.

Conrad then took out a tattered blanket. "I found this in the rubbish," he whispered back.

Fasela nodded and wrapped Melron up in the blanket, making sure he was well hidden. Then the three of them went back out into the street, Fasela keeping her face hidden and Conrad trying to act as calm as possible.

"The house outside the city," Fasela muttered. "Go there."

Conrad nodded and began to move through the streets followed by Fasela carrying Melron. People in tattered apparel were not common sights around the Citadel, and several stares and whispers were garnered as Fasela and Conrad moved as quickly as they could without looking suspicious.

They approached one of the smaller side gates of the city. Fasela began to worry about what they would do, but as they approached Conrad stepped forward to speak with the guards.

"What business has you leaving today?" one of the guards asked.

As Fasela looked on surprised, Conrad conjured a small violet light in his left hand. He then snapped his fingers and the light vanished from his hand. The guard's eyes glowed a violet color for a moment.

"We are leaving on personal matters," Conrad said.

"You're leaving on personal matters," the guard replied, stepping aside. The other guard didn't give them any trouble as they went through the gate and into the fields outside the city.

The walk to the house was a long one, and once they were safely out of sight of the

guards Fasela unwrapped the blanket and conjured a healing light in her hand. She gently ran the light across Melron's body, healing his wounds. As they continued to walk, Melron finally spoke up.

"T-Tsu, you showed up," he said, weakly. "Th-thank you, I thought I-I was dead."

Fasela couldn't speak. She just held him close, her mind still racing with the possibilities of what could have happened.

Once they arrived at the house about three hours later, Fasela laid Melron down in one of the two beds. Tucking him in, she then kissed him on the forehead.

"Rest up, you need it," she said, managing to speak clearly in spite of her tears.

Melron reached up and managed to wipe some of her tears away. "It's ok Tsu, I'm still here. Don't cry please. . ."

Fasela smiled and wiped the rest of her tears off. "You have no idea how glad I am. Now I'm going to go get you something to eat."

Melron tried to squeal in happiness but quickly stopped as he felt a sharp pain in his chest. Fasela then smiled and began to leave the room.

"Don't move too much, just focus on resting," she said before leaving and closing the door gently behind her.

When she got out to the kitchen, she was surprised to find two warm bowls of soup already there. Conrad was cleaning a pot and whistling a tune.