Rune Stealer

Eleanor

Mercy sat at her mother's bedside. The morning air was crisp, but Mercy did not feel the sting of the cold. She never had felt the bite of frozen air, for her burning palms would fill her body with warmth. Her mother, however, could easily suffer from the cold. Many blankets were piled on top of her sleeping mother to keep her warm until Mercy returned for lunch when the afternoon sun made it warm.

Mercy's mother lied on her back, her pale face scrunched in discomfort. Her thin lips were slightly open, and every so often, she moaned. Mercy had long gotten use to seeing her mother like this, but every now and then Mercy couldn't stand to look at her without sadness gripping her heart. Mercy caressed her mother's chilled face, letting the warmth from her palms heat her mother. Soon, her mother's expression loosened and became soft. Her mouth closed, and her breathing calmed as some color returned to her skin. Mercy pulled her hands away, for she knew her mother was now sleeping soundly.

She turned her palms up and stared at the center of them. As always, they glowed ever so slightly. Concentrating heavily, Mercy willed her burning palms to cool slightly so that the glowing would cease. Once the glow was gone, she rested her palms in her lap and sighed.

Witchcraft!

Mercy flinched as a voice from her past screamed violently in her head, and she felt a familiar sinking feeling in her stomach.

"No please, stop," she whispered pleadingly as she pressed her shaking hands against her temples. Despite her efforts, the visions came.

***

"Bring your daughter forward!" shouted a voice from the crowd. Mercy clung to her mother's skirt.

"No! Leave her be!"

"You're cursed! You and your daughter are cursed! We knew it when we heard your name!"

***

"You have to wear the cloth on your palms, Mercy." Mercy looked into her mother's eyes through a layer of tears.

"Why am I like this, Momma?"

***

"Run! Mercy run!" Mercy ran, tears flying from her eyes. She ran into the forest, branches snatching at her skin and clothes. Angry voices and stomping feet followed her.

***

"This is our home now, Mercy. Nobody knows who we are, and as long as you're a good girl, we won't have to flee again."

"I'm sorry, Momma."

"It's quite alright, my darling. I love you."

***

Mercy sucked in a sharp breath as she was brought back to the present. Her brain throbbed as she worked to calm her breathing. Her face was wet from tears, and her body was frozen; her palms were cold.

A hand brushed her wrist, and she looked up to see her mother facing towards her. Her tired eyes were barely open.

"You're strong, Mercy," her mother whispered before pulling her hand back and falling back asleep. Mercy let herself sit for an extra breath before wiping her tears and starting to get ready to head to the palace.

Once at the palace, Mercy headed straight for the hospital quarters where she would attend to Laika. Laika was doing much better ever since her breakdown. The new medicine was working much better, and the Healer and her nurses were expecting a swift recovery.

She entered the hospital quarters and headed down the hallways full of bustling nurses and Healers. She opened the door and saw Zyn sitting on the ground next to her bed. His knees were up to his chest, and he had his forehead resting on one of his knees.