The Chronicles of Nir

9 | A Midnight Massage

Despite the fire still burning in the hearth, the suite remained cool enough to send the inhabitants burrowing deep beneath their blankets. Yet while Maisie drew her coverlet close and sighed contentedly, Tallon tossed and turned in a fitful slumber.

Sweat drenched his body, even after he kicked off his covers. Aches permeated deep inside his joints as a dull pressure morphed into painful throbs. Though his wound hadn't bothered him in weeks, his left flank cramped with shooting pain as if Orym had stabbed him anew.

Dark clouds shrouded his mind, and Ben's brilliant emerald vines were nowhere in sight. Not even Volaer's crimson eyes found him. But deep, earth shattering rumbles howled their omnipresent malevolence, filling Tallon with despair.

He'd failed. No matter what he attempted to achieve, he botched everything. Couldn't protect his sister without embarrassing the family. Would never be enough for his father or this world. Couldn't even keep Ben safe—one of the few people who didn't use racial slurs when referring to him. Someone who craved adventures and beautiful things. And now, he might be lost.

Thunder rolled, a strong breeze slammed the unlocked window open against the building's foundations, and frigid air flurried through the room.

Tallon thrashed and moaned, unable to wake or find peaceful slumber.

His head hurt, throbbing like an anvil pounded by a hammer. Every bone felt ready to snap. His self-esteem and soul were on the brink of oblivion.

He felt all those things as the wind picked up force.

And beyond that, far to the east of Springwood, where the land remained dead, in a separate plane of existence, a shadow sought a way through the latticework of Tallon's mind. It whispered poisonous affirmations of his uselessness, reveling in the mortal's anguish as he grieved his shortcomings.

'You will come to me eventually,' Volaer said through the void. 'I will bring you relief and a sense of belonging, while you will give me a mortal shell. And unlike your father, I shall love you as my own child.'

Whether now, or a hundred years from now, Volaer was patient. Time was nothing to a god. But this halfling could accelerate his plan under the right circumstances. Volaer needed only to find Tallon's weakness, break him, and remold him into a dark champion...

~*~

A light touch on his brow and murmured reassurances called Tallon back to consciousness. He half expected to see Ben when he opened his eyes, but it was Eri who sat beside him, holding a bowl of warm water and a damp rag in hand.

"You were lost in nightmares," the wood-elf said quietly. "How do you feel?"

The room was dark except for a few embers burning in the hearth, and Maisie still slept in the next room. Slowly pushing himself onto his elbows, Tallon blinked. A sharp pain in his back made him gasp. Now that he was no longer traveling, aches and stiff muscles ravaged his body.

"I've been better," he grunted. "What of you?"

"I have news," Eri murmured, eying Tallon thoughtfully. "Though whether it is good or bad is hard to say. I will tell you; in the meantime, I can treat your injuries, if you'll allow."

Too tired to do more than nod, Tallon removed his nightshirt while Eri placed a pillow between his back and the headboard.

He then allowed his eyes to drift closed as Scamp nuzzled his hand. Despite the pain, her presence comforted him.

"So, what news?" Tallon asked, bringing Scamp close and stroking her soft fur. "Might as well tell me since you've got me here. Have you eaten? It must have been several hours since you left."