The Icon Unbound

Chapter Ten, Part A - The Icon

Waaaah lot's of things in this chapter needed tidying up. Thanks to Kemorgan for your insights. So the Sentinel is now the War Master. Let's see what the Icon does now that she is no longer in charge of the town. --Elizabeth, UPDATED 05/17/2017

 

People in Waterwall died.

The Icon shivered underneath her veils. Of course, people died to maintain the balance. Icon's helped maintain that balance, allowing so many deaths after so many births. Accidents happened too. Her own father...well, things other than accidents were known to occur. Three times in their history, small plagues had arisen, killing a few citizens before being snuffed out.

Michael and Serrah were just ahead.

She would be the first Icon to explain a child had died from the one thing they should fear the least. When they built the walls around the villages and the ancient Icons put the shields in place, no one gave the dark water another thought. Until now, until this debacle.

In a few moments, their world would ruined because of her. There would be no comfort for them, no words to soothe the hurt.

Michael Hallstead rushed toward her, his sleep shirt tucked hastily into his pants and his boots unlaced. "Icon! I was told you needed to see us..."

"Yes, Master Hallstead. Come with me, we need to get out of the street. I would have come to you in your home, but there isn't time."

"We're pleased to come to you, Icon." Serreh said. She sounded no more at ease than her husband. Her brow was matted with nervous sweat and her graying hair stuck to her neck in clumps.

They walked into the nearest building. After the bustle of the street, the sudden silence was jarring. Inside, the warm air smelled like oranges and mint. The wooden floorboards creaked under their shoes.

"Michael, Serrah, I am so sorry. Prepare yourselves for a shock. Your daughter Era perished tonight on the road home." Their faces froze, except Michael started to blink furiously. "You've heard of the disturbance. I will tell you plainly what I told the rest of the village. Dark water has been used to transform and enslave several creatures. Your daughter was the unfortunate victim of an attack."

"But...she was at the Nickolidna's..."

The door opened and Rigel stepped through. He hardly spared her glance but went straight before the Hallsteads. "She was walking home. I wanted her to stay, but she thought it best... I went after her but it... it was too late." His voice cracked. He looked terrible, scratched and dirty, bruised and exhausted. His beautiful eyes, perfect replicas of his brother's, shone with tangled emotion. "I'm so sorry. I should have kept her inside. I should have kept her safe."

Later there would be questions, accusations, and anger. Right now there was only room for shock and tears. The Icon watched as Serreh's face crumbled. Michael started to question Rigel in earnest, his voice cracking with disbelief.

Outside, there was confusion and disorder. The Icon glanced over her shoulder out the window and saw her people running up and down the street. Michael and Serreh were entitled to be comforted by her, but they would have to depend on Rigel for now. Just another item to add to her list of sins.

The Icon touched Saiph's elbow. "I must confer with the Triad. I will come back soon. Rigel, take them to the Bathhouse as soon as you can, stay there for now."