The Blade of Kenai

Part 1: Chapter 5

      A large crowd had formed around the Healer's tent, whispering with concern. Most of the women had tears rolling down their cheeks, the news about Daithe had been leaked and the entire village was mourning. The thought of    Kenai, too, leaving only made it worse.
      Kenai sat in silence as Pella continued the examination of his forearm. She wore gloves after Kenai (very strongly) refused her to touch it. She lifted it, twisting it around and taking in every inch of it. Pella was silent for a long time before she set his arm back down on the table between them. She looked at Kenai with sadness. Just say it.
      "I have never seen anything like this before, but the books tell of something alike." Kenai had already accepted the fate of death, more likely sooner than later. So, her words didn't cause any surprise. She took a deep breath before telling him his true fate.
      "Nothing created by man can lift this curse, but supposedly, the Goddess can withdraw it from you." The small chance of hope planted a seed inside of his heart, despite the probability of the Goddess having died many years ago.
      "However, if not treated, the curse will soon take over your body, and eventually your mind. This curse is one of pure evil, and once it begins to take over your mind you will lose the memory of who you are. And in the end," Pella paused and took in hand in hers. "The pain will kill you."
      The idea of the mark across his arm tearing him apart from the inside out made Kenai's stomach drop. I'd hoped it would at least be quick. A new fear passed through his mind. What if I find Daithe when it has taken control of my mind? I'm the only person who can save her but it makes me the most dangerous.
      When Kenai opened his eyes he looked over at Pella, who still wore a look of deep sorrow. He refused to look at the crowd he could feel hovering around him as he took a long bandage and began wrapping his arm with it. It wouldn't do anything to suppress the pain but it would take away the risk of someone else coming into contact with it.
      Kenai pulled what was left of his sleeve over the bandage and pulled his leather glove back on before he pushed himself up from the low table and stood. He leaned over to pick up his bow that had been resting on one of the tent poles and put it across his back before he turned around to find Kazdyn. Once they locked eyes Kenai stayed focused on Kazdyn and his parents as he crossed through the crowds to get to them, still ignoring the rest of the eyes on him.
      When he reached Kazdyn and their parents Elparn, and Mara he tried his best to stay strong in front of the still-increasing crowd of citizens. Mara was teary-eyed and Elparn's lip was trembling. Kenai didn't stop to make conversation but instead walked past hoping they would know to follow.
      They obeyed his silent plea and turned away from the crowd to follow him back to their home.
      Mara placed her hand on Kenai's back and rubbed it gently in circles in an attempt to comfort him. Kenai stayed stiff, still fighting the urge to burst into tears. They walked back to the cottage in the center of their street without talking, but Kenai could feel their eyes burning holes into his face.
      After opening the wooden door a rush of the sweet familiar scent of home wafted around them and Kenai relaxed into the comfort it gave him. Since starting at the academy it was rare to spend time with his family, and the melancholic feeling of being present in the house after so long was enough to cause him to finally lose the battle of staying strong.
      Kenai collapsed onto the couch facing the fireplace's hearth and gave a long sigh before giving in to the vulnerability that only the memories of his childhood home could offer. Mara sat down on the couch next to his side, and Kadzyn and Elparn sank into the couch next to the one Kenai almost entirely occupied.
      Mara ran her fingers through his unruly hair as he silently wept, Kenai began to shake as he heaved short breaths. And finally, for the second time that day, he allowed himself to let go of his dignity and granted himself a short session of an indulgence in self-pity.
      After a few more moments he lifted himself from the starfish position he had hastily thrown himself into and sniffed his nose before leaning into Mara. He looked across the room at Elparn and Kazdyn, trying to figure out how to tell them he would be departing from them even earlier than Pella had predicted. Thankfully, Kazdyn began the conversation so that Kenai didn't have to.
      "As you know," Kazdyn sat up straighter as Elparn and Mara turned to face him. "This morning Daithe was taken by a Demon under the clouds with no chance of return. What you may not have heard is that Kenai was the only one who could see the Demon. He was completely invisible to me and Devin." The grip Mara had on Kenai's shoulder tightened.
      Kazdyn looked at Kenai, letting him finish.
      "I offered my services to follow Daithe and the Demon. My wish is to spend what could be the last weeks of my life to set out on an endeavor to bring her home." Elparn opened his mouth to interject.
      "Kenai-" Kenai held up his trembling hand and shut his eyes.
      "Please, don't." He opened his eyes again and hesitantly looked over at Mara, whom he knew would likely be crying. "This is what I want. I've already made the decision and you can't change my mind." Mara pulled Kenai into a tight embrace, clutching the back of his head as if she was afraid to let go. Kenai was a little afraid for her to let go too.
      Kenai hadn't realized until he felt the arms of Kazdyn and Elparn around him, but they had joined in a circle around him, all copying the fierceness Mara had engulfed Kenai with.
      "We will respect your decision," Elparn said quietly, and Kenai could hear the sadness that filled his words. They all stayed like that for what felt like forever, and regret began to fill Kenai's chest. The battle he had thought he'd already ended inside of his head suddenly faltered, but only for a moment. Kenai ended the embrace, ensuring that the feeling would go away and that he wouldn't change his mind. This is what I want. He assured himself.
      He leaned into the backrest of the couch and watched as Elparn and Kazdyn leaned back, resting on their knees. Mara also leaned back but intertwined his left hand into hers. She had always shown her love through physical touch, and the situation they were in only caused her love language to increase.
      "I need to leave as soon as possible," Kenai said, breaking the silence. "Will you come with me back to the academy?" Glancing at Kazdyn, already knowing his answer.
      "Yeah for sure." Mara stood up quickly.
      "I'm going to put together some food for you. It's the least I can do." She fidgeted with her hands and turned to make her way into the kitchen.
      Elparn followed Kenai's action as he also stood up from the couch, and he put a hand on his shoulder, looking him directly in the eyes. His eyes were filled with pure love and worry. It was an emotion Kenai had never seen written across his face before and vowed to himself to keep it ingrained into his mind.
      I need to go before I change my mind. Kenai placed his good hand on top of Elparns and they exchanged a final short embrace before Elparn let go, allowing Kenai and Kazdyn to walk out of the door.