The Icon Unbound

Chapter Sixteen, Part B - The Icon

So, what did you think of the new drakys? He is a lot of fun to write for many reasons. A half-mad beast, but then maybe they all are! This chapter closes with another interesting reveal. Tell me what you think in the comments below, and leave me a vote if you think this worthy. --Elizabeth, UPDATED 06/10/2017

The Icon couldn't believe it.

She half expected him to burst out laughing. He wanted to know how to cut out his heart? Here in this place, amidst all this uncertainty, she felt a silky tendril of amused pity for this hollow little man.
"You have forgotten the method? Then I can teach it to you, Chosen."

Perhaps if the fools were bound, they would stop making so many mistakes. Once they left, she would have no more authority than what she brought with her. Corwin could lead them into trouble, or stars alone knew what kind of danger. She would give Corwin what he demanded. Let him deal with the consequences. "We have an accord Chosen. If you honor the spirit and letter of our bargain, then you have nothing to fear. Treachery will not go unpunished. Even with my dying breath I could level a curse that would break you and your precious Bone Palace."

"Then let us proceed."

The whole party turned and headed for the stone marker and the invisible path that lead to the outside.

Ten steps away.

Could she really do this? Leave home?

She was still alive, it was not as though Waterwall would be defenseless without her. She knew it was necessary, but it still felt like breaking an oath.

Five steps.

If that drakys was right, and it did have a method for returning her heart, could she break every tradition of her office and perform the rite?

She hoped that it died before she had to answer that question.

Nadir stayed right on her heels. Through the many folds of her skirt, she could feel his trembling body. Returning to the world would not be easy for him.

"You do not have to come with me. Waterwall is your sanctuary."

He would not answer, but he moved closer to her, looked up with his bright, silver eyes that dared her to stop him. His courage strengthened her a little, and she stumbled onward.

Three steps.

Corwin took them at a run, perhaps not feeling the boundary she could.

One more step and she would be out in the world. Not once since the day she had opened that door as an Apprentice had she felt this conflicted about her future. Her foot wavered, she opened her mouth to change her mind, and change it again.

Before she could make a fool of herself, Saiph slipped his hand in hers. She doubted anyone could see, shrouded as they were in cloaks, and Nadir blocked from behind.

"Come on."

"I'm scared."

"Me too, but I won't leave you."

She put a hand over her empty chest and took the last step.

Once, when she was still a little girl, her adopted father had filled a large bucket with very soapy water and handed her a rope on a stick. That afternoon, they had created bubbles so big they left a viscous stain on the ground. That morning had been full of light and joy as she got as sudsy as the bubbles. She remembered she could actually hold them in her hands without them popping. They vanished eventually of course; but she had believed with childish intensity that as long as she held them, they were safe.