From the Ashes

Chapter 40 ~ The Prince's Redemption

    Tarion opened his eyes to warm sunlight cascading across his face. He shielded his brow with a hand and sat up, squinting as he studied himself. All of his wounds were healed, with barely a scar left behind. Only the wound on his stomach had retained a visible mark.

    Tarion glanced at his side where Morana was still sleeping, her back facing him. Noxbane lay where she'd cast it the night before, but he didn't bother looking at the sword now. He couldn't risk touching it.

    Tarion shifted away from Morana quietly and rose, shrugging out of his bloodstained shirt in the process. With a wave of his hand, the rest of their supplies materialized beside the sword. Tarion pulled his remaining spare shirt out of a satchel and made sure to set Morana's cloak beside her, keeping her other enchanted garments wrapped up inside it.

    He kicked his boots off near the shore of the island and stepped out of his pants, setting them beside his other clothes. Tarion slipped into the water quietly and ducked beneath the surface. He didn't linger long, just making sure that all the remaining blood from yesterday was washed away.

    He dressed as soon as he emerged from the water and was grateful that he did so. Morana was already stirring. She sat up and twisted, her gaze falling to his vacated sleeping spot, then finding him as he approached.

    Relief flooded her features. "Thank goodness. I was worried you might not wake up," she admitted.

    "Like I said, that was a lousy time to try out a new trick," Tarion huffed. "Go clean yourself up and then show me your new toy. I'll figure out breakfast."

    Morana flushed and grabbed her cloak before hurrying out of sight. He exhaled slowly, raking his fingers through his hair. And I'll figure out what I'm supposed to say now, he thought to himself.

•༻☽☾༺•

    Morana took her time bathing in the river, giving Tarion a moment alone. If he remembered what he said to her, that surely meant he remembered everything else. Despite her anxieties, she could afford to give him some time to think things through himself. After what she guessed was forty-five minutes, Morana emerged and redressed.

    Breakfast looked to be a meager supply of dried meat and berries, Morana saw when she rejoined Tarion. They hadn't done much hunting since they drew close to the Mouth of Hadeon, and very little vegetation remained now that it was autumn. "We'll find something more substantial later," Tarion said, offering her a portion.

    "It's all right. I'm not very hungry anyway," she answered. It was the truth. Even the four mouthfuls the food provided her seemed too much right now. As soon as she finished, Morana retrieved Noxbane and laid it between them.

    The weapon was even more stunning in the daylight. The blade remained a dark onyx, even darker than the black mixed into the marbling on the hilt. She traced the welded flames of the sword's pommel with the tip of her finger.

    "It's stunning," Tarion said.

    "It feels like it has a power of its own," Morana replied. "Whenever I touch it, it feels warm and I can sense its energy. My magic wants to bond with it, in a way."

    "You should try honing your magic through it like you did with my dagger. I bet it will be easier and might even amplify your power."

    She nodded her agreement. "I will, but later. My arms still ache from carrying it yesterday. It's surprisingly heavy."

    "It will get lighter as you grow used to it." Morana glanced at him when he fell strangely silent, his lips pressing into a thin line. "My father also carried a sword blessed by a god. Orilight. It belonged to Queen Idalia, and before her Ascension, Oriana blessed it with her power to aid in keeping peace throughout the land."