The sunlight from a small crack in the window shutter burns my eyelids as the land welcomes the Light once more. For a moment I can't remember where I am. For a moment I think my world is still intact. But then it all comes rushing through my head faster than blood flow. The pain and anguish. Running away and the fall. Waking up in a warm bed and...the Mut.
"I see you're finally awake."
The voice causes me terror and serenity at the same time. I turn my head towards the once lit fireplace and see him sitting there, cross-legged and staring at me with those emotionless eyes.
"Watch me all night to make sure I wouldn't escape so you can kill me when I'm awake?"
My tongue is sharp again. I don't know where this sudden surge of rebellion is coming from, but it is about to get me killed.
"No you pathetic Akari. You started screaming in your sleep. I stayed in here to make sure you didn't harm yourself. You realize you've been asleep for three days?"
Three days. That means between when I left and the fall I have been gone almost a week. I wonder if the Elders at the pantheon even noticed my absence because surely they
would have searched for my body by now.
I move my leg and while it still is painful, it is not nearly as bad as it once was. I notice my whole body is also getting it's warmth and strength back. He must notice the surprise on my face as I squirm against the wolf blankets, trying to be mobile again.
"Don't worry, Akari. I treated your leg and continued to watch your health as you slept. Your leg will remain weak for awhile but the rest of your body should be almost healed."
How does he know so much about healing and pain. He seems like the last person I would expect to care about others well being.
He stands abruptly and grabs a burlap bag that rested beside him.
"For the journey back to your Light"
He tosses the bag at the foot of the bed and walks out of the room leaving the door open behind him. I sit up and open the bag to find at least two days worth of water, food and some basic medical supplies. He is really trying to help me.
I throw one leg over the edge of the bed at a time. Pain screams out as I shuffle my weight, but I have to get moving before the Darkness falls again. My right leg almost collapses as I begin to stand on it but force myself to take small steps and get used to the pain. I bite my lip so hard I draw blood as I realize how far the door has become from where I stand. If I can't make it out the door how am I ever going to make it back to the pantheon in time.
I feel my leg collapse under me and before I could grab for the bedpost to I fall hard onto the ground, my face slamming against the wooden planks.
In the haze of my spinning head I hear hard, fast footsteps approach. I try to reach for the bed post once more to pull myself up. I can't show him I am weak. Perhaps pretending to be strong is the only thing keeping me alive.
But as hard as I try I can't pull myself up. My body is weak and in shock while my soul burns with the constant reminder of my broken emotions. He walks into the room so quickly that it would be a small sprint for me and finally I see emotion in his eyes.
Anger.
*****
