Noir's injured and angered body lay on the table, shuddering with each pained breath she took. It took every ounce of strength she possessed for Peace not to smile as Lyric knelt to comfort the dying animal. Even though Lyric had spent nearly a week hanging from shackles in the dungeon, covered in her bodily fluids, she was helping this poor animal, the companion of the woman who wanted her dead. Peace felt herself growing more and more confident in Lyric's abilities with each passing moment. She had cleaned and treated Noir's wound with expert care that could have only come from Neri and the Sithaurian healers, both of which were the best the lands could provide. Having helped Noir begin to finally heal, Rissa had allowed Lyric to stay in the room with the wolf and herself, though she showed little in the way of hospitality to the girl. That was something Peace intended to change.
Today was the fourth day of Lyric tending to Noir and Rissa was on edge, deciding to go for a hunt to get away from it all. She had insisted Peace come along with her as she had become one of Rissa's favorite new servants. They walked along quietly, Peace with a bundle of lifeless squirrels dangling from her shoulder. Although she hated death, she had to admit that Rissa was exceptionally good at killing with anything she could use, including the stones that were ending these little critters' lives. It was impressive to watch how the woman tracked the animals, predicted their path, and cut them down with one swift throw.
As the limp body of the tenth squirrel plummeted to the ground, Rissa dropped her handful of stones and moved to fetch the body. Peace watched as the tiny soul rose from its earthy body and stared with mild confusion. She let out a soft sigh, drawing its attention. In a matter of seconds, the critter understood and rose to the clouds, flying freely toward its new home in the branches of the Sacred Tree. A pang of sadness scratched at her chest as she watched the little spirit disappear from the mortal realm, she simply hated that innocent things had to die for various reasons, even if it was to feed another. It seemed to be a necessary evil in her eyes though the amount of this necessary evil was beginning to wear on her soul.
"Ce?" Rissa stood behind Peace, tying the squirrel in place before standing beside her to gaze down at her. Her silver eyes were almost lined with worry but she quickly replaced it with a look of irritation that could make a God shudder. In fact, it did, sending a slight tremble down Peace's spine as she stood there.
"Yes, Miss?" Her voice remained soft and sweet as it usually did, melodic and dancing in the air like a happy little bird but, it sounded a bit weaker than she had meant for it to.
"What is bothering you?"
"Ah, nothing, miss." Rissa arched an eyebrow at her little friend, clearly not believing her weak attempt at deceit. "I feel a tad unwell."
"Perhaps you need rest." Rissa kindly, which used to seem to be against her nature, took the bundle of squirrels from her, tying it to her belt instead. Peace gave a grateful nod before following the tall woman deeper into the woods.
The pair walked along in silence, listening to the woodlands around them. Once she was certain that Rissa was not watching her, Peace closed her eyes and allowed her goddess sight to lead her on. Her eyes had been burning as though a fever were beginning to rage within her. This caused a much larger pang of worry to spread across her chest. Gods did not fall ill unless there was something seriously wrong with their existence. She took stock of her various pains and ailments. She felt warmer than she had before, sweat beginning to bead on her forehead and sliding down into her eyebrows, further adding to the burning she felt. Her back ached, her muscles felt weak, and her steps became more unsure with each one she took. Her goddess sight was still strong but she felt her connection with her realm growing weaker by the second. Peace did not doubt that if she were to attempt to take her ethereal form, her shining golden hair would be dull and her wings would struggle to lift her from the ground. The balance between good and evil was off and leaning toward evil.
YOU ARE READING
Blood And Stone
FantasíaLyric. There was nothing extraordinary about her, at least not in her mind. She was nothing but a young servant in a wealthy farmer's house, picking berries, cooking meals, and scrubbing floors. Until one fateful day when a nearby village was set ab...
