The Icon Unbound

Chapter Eleven, Part B - Rigel

So here we have the paths of the characters staring to diverge. Also we are starting to learn a little more of Waterwall's actual geography, which is going to come into play in a more intense way. Please, if you like what you read let me know in the comments or by vote! --Elizabeth, UPDATED 05/24/2017

Meissa shivered. "What's going on?"

"I'm not sure yet," he said. Although by every Saint, he was determined to find out. "Mother has... a past that we know nothing of, and I think being with the outsiders makes her nervous. Just keep close her."

"I don't want to leave the village if there are monsters outside."

"Don't worry poppet, the Icon and Saiph are going to make sure that everything is safe before you go home."

His words must have pricked her childish instincts, because she leaned away to look in his eyes. "You're going to come home too, right?"

Even the thought of going back there made his insides twist. Was there a stick of wood inside that house that would not remind him of Era and the future with her he'd just lost? "Of course, I'm going to come home. But I have to help Saiph and the Icon find out what's happened. I have to make sure that what happens to Era won't happen to you or anyone else."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because me and Saiph won't let it happen, Poppet."

Her eyes, so large and dark and full of trust stared into his for a moment. Then she slipped her hand into his, and they made their way across the new grass to where Honor and Soren stood. Everyone stopped talking the moment they came close enough to overhear them.

Honor reached out her arms and gathered Rigel to her. "My son..."

"I'll be alright, mother. Please, don't cry."

Pulling away, Honor looked him in the eye. "Era was so lovely, and like a daughter to me. She will be missed."

Unable to answer her, Rigel just nodded. Meissa squeezed his fingers.

Soren put a gruff hand on Rigel's shoulder. "Do you want an extra hand when you go out today?"

"I don't know. I don't know."

Soren nodded. "Your father taught both you boys how to handle yourselves, but against the dark water, well, better to have too many hands than too few."

"I don't have a say in this, Soren. I don't even know which end is up at the moment."

Honor bit her lip. "Perhaps you should come home with us, then. You're grief stricken, no one will think the worse of you for it."

Saiph came up behind them then, Arrow trotting at his heels. "Mother, you cannot possibly be thinking of going home. That's where the creatures attacked first. It's not safe."

Honor shook her head. "The garrison will be safe."

Rigel shook his head. "I know for certain that the barn is gone. Our home may be a pile of rubble at this point."

"We can find out when we go."

"Don't be stubborn. Meissa is not going to be put in unnecessary danger. What has clouded your mind that you would do something so foolish?"