Write your own story

21. Attention

Fharan had almost reached the dormitories, Afrit nowhere in sight, when he heard footsteps behind him.

"Please wait a second.", called Ismail from behind.
Fharan stopped and turned around.
The younger boy was hurriedly trying to catch up to him, panting and waving.
"Umm,.. there is someone.... who would like to talk... to you.", he said as soon as he caught up to him.
His gaze landed on Fharans blood-dyed shoulder.
"Your shoulder.", he exclaimed. "I completely forgot!
Did you already find someone to take a look at it?"
"Do not worry about that. I'll take care of it.", Fharan replied dismissively.

"I don't think that would be a good idea. That looks rather serious.", another voice chimed in.
Someone had appeared behind Ismail, steadily moving towards them.
The young man seemed to be a bit older than either of them, with short white hair and dark brown eyes.
"Judging from the angle that the spike hit you it must have at least broken your collarbone.
It can't have been a clean break either, I find it astounding that you're still standing."
He stopped next to Ismail and smiled.

"And who might you be?", Fharan asked.
"I apologize for my rudeness.
I'm Kaya, a member of Hélions council, third year. It is a pleasure to meet you personally."
"I presume you were the one that send Ismail to me?!"
Kaya nodded. "And I'm here to repeat the offer which Ismail presented to you.
The council would very much like to meet you in person, especially after today's events.
It has been ages since someone was graced with Sirayins power.
Your display of control was also very intriguing. Even your ability to use higher magic.
May I ask how you were able to reach such a level?"
"Practice.", Fharan replied simply.

Kaya seemed to be a bit unsatisfied with the answer, but did not ask again. He seemed to sense that he was pushing his luck.
He instead smiled and continued.
"Ismail told me that you did not seem to be too fond of the idea of meeting us. We would normally not rush for an answer like this, but the circumstances are quite special."
Fharan waited.
"Ratcar's former crown prince has become a very contentious character. Representing the empire's power as well as its failures. Many have an interest in you.
We would not only be willing to provide protection, but help to establish a more stable position.
If you..."
"I have already decided to comply with your request." Nothing new would come from this.

Kaya was pleasantly surprised.
"I am happy to hear that.
There will be a meeting of the council in four days, an hour after lunch. It will be held in the inner part of the library, Ismail can guide you there.
Would that be a convenient time?"
Fharan mentally reviewed his schedule for a second before agreeing. "It would."
"Well, that's settled then."
Kaya gave him another assessing look.
"You continued the fight even after being injured, straining your body and causing additional damage by casting higher magic.
It shouldn't be left as it is.
You should let someone take a look at it."

Kaya was just about to reach for his shoulder when Afrit emerged from who knows where and lay a hand on Fharans uninjured one, pulling him back a little.
"I will be taking care of that.", he said, and discontentedly stared at Kaya.
Fharan was surprised that his bond had decided to show himself in his humanoid form but stayed silent.
Kaya lowered his hand, observing the newly arrived male.
"If it is treated wrongly, it could impact him permanently. My namesake blessed me with her power.
If you would allow me......?"
Afrit slightly tilted his head.
"I think we'll be fine.", he replied with a smirk, his voice dangerously calm.
Kaya's gaze wandered back and forth between Fharan and Afrit then he took a step back.
"I guess I shouldn't keep you back any longer."

Fharan watched as Kaya and Ismail left together feeling how the weight of Afrits hand lifted off his shoulder.
"Very inconspicuous."
"He is gone, is he not?!"
"Was it not you who insisted on our admission into Hélion?"
"Yes. I have nothing against Hélion.
I have something against 'him'."
"Why?"
"Did you not notice? His magic felt wrong."
"I noticed, but I have met people with Kaya's blessing before.
It is the deities aura, not the humans. Her magic is able to manipulate life, it goes against nature."
Afrit thought about it.
"Makes sense. It still felt twisted though."

They had started to walk towards their room while they talked.
After they arrived Afrit cleaned his bonds wound and used a bit of his magic to remove fragments of the splintered bone. Fharan winced a little as Afrit carefully readjusted the rest of the bone before sewing and bandaging everything.
"Have we become a bit sensitive?", he asked amused.
"I do remember a certain soul fanatically jumping around in the woods because he was stung by bees.", Fharan replied.
"These were highly poisonous as you well know. Their stings and bites burn like fire.", Afrit defended himself.
"Of course.
They can be quite bothersome."
"The only reason you can talk like this is because they avoided you. You saved yourself with your magic."
"I thought you were the older one. You could have thought of that yourself."
Afrit mumbled something incoherent and changed into his cat form.

Fharan checked the bandages before getting up, ignoring his sulking bond. It wouldn't take long for Afrit to be back to his cheery self.
He didn't worry much about the wound either.
It would probably be healed by tomorrow night, the day after at the latest.
His healing abilities remained unnaturally efficient, even when involving broken bone.

Fharan went into the bathroom to take a quick bath getting rid of all the blood and dirt, cautiously avoiding his injury.
He came out when his senses picked up a faintly familiar presence.