Elderflower, The Last Halfbreed

Chapter 26 Dad?

Fire. Firelight. I had woken up in random intervals. I remembered the searing pain. The screams I uttered. I saw a man hovered over me as I passed in and out of consciousness. Worry. I wasn't dead after all. I passed out again as the searing pain increased.

I emerged into a room full of light. Glass windows, glass roof, and pale wood floor. Lanterns hung from the ceiling. My body felt light. The bed I slept in was soft, like a cloud. I glanced towards the window and saw a forest, brightly sunlit. Pain coursed its way across my body. I screamed. It burned. Then I saw a man standing across from me. His brown hair sat on his head but his eyes were full of happiness. His face hadn't even changed. Angular cheek bones, a brown birthmark on his right cheek, and chestnut brown eyes. I recognized that face, so well. It had been years since I gazed upon him. Father.

“Rose. I'm so glad you're alive. You missed me?” His gentle voice carried through the bright room.

“FATHER!” I screamed. Tears stung my face as I hugged him. His embrace warmed my heart. I knew this couldn't be real. I knew it couldn't but I basked in the dream.

“My flower. I've missed you.” I couldn't say anything. I sniffed as the tears kept falling. It was good to see him again.

“Are you real? I mean...”

“Yes, I've always been alive. I couldn't let my daughter go through life without her father. Rose. I heard about Henry. Now we can cry together.”

“Don't leave. Stay here with me. Don't ever leave me again.” He stayed by my side as I fell asleep.

I dreamed of Tel. My father. I dreamed he had lived. I dreamed that Saul had never killed him. Hope was soaring through me. I knew that this was true in every aspect of my life. He had saved me from certain death. He had grabbed my hand and drew me back to life.

I woke up again. I saw a dragon sleeping next to the window. Abraxas. He had saved me. He had known this whole time about Tel. I felt a sharp pain coming from my gut. A large bandage wound its way across my belly. Already I felt better. Then I saw it. An Elderflower tree

growing above Abraxas's head.

“Our namesake is used for special healing abilities. The buds, when crushed, can heal any disease in any form. That's what saved you, Rose. Come, I need to show you something.” I reached for his hand as he led me outdoors. The smell of spring was in the air. A garden grew close to the tree. Plants twisted and turned. The snoring of Abraxas reached my ears.

I still held my father's hand as he led me to an isolated building. A shed. It could've seen better days but it called to me. Look at what I've done, Rose. Look. Go inside. I knew I should've told you this long ago. I couldn't bear it. Fear krept through me as I opened the door.

Father, I know what you did, with the elves. I have forgiven you for what you did. Other's have not however.

No, its not that. Step inside.

Something else he caused. Something else? So soon after I had just recovered. I opened the door. A black suite of armor glinted in the sunlight. Spikes stood out from the shoulder blades. I recognized this armor. It was the Soulless Armies. The army that Saul had occupied as his own. I saw the helmet. It looked like a skull. I knew then what else he had done. He was a soldier in the Soulless army.

I knew it wasn't his fault he was in the army. Saul took the souls of the living and put them into pieces of armor to be used as his puppets. But, if Tel had escaped he would have no body or he was a higher up in the army, captain? No. Not father. He would never serve under him.