The Revealer

The Revealer- Chapter 8: Reunion

Chapter 8: Reunion

Cassidy saw the sword fall from his hands and directly into her leg. She felt a brief flash of pain before the shock took over. That was good; she could use that to her advantage. She stood unsteadily and looked straight at Arswon.

He stared at her, his face pale. And then a look of shock crossed his face, as he crumpled to the ground.

Desperate, he contacted her, "Arrow. In the back. Help," Cassidy heard him, and felt the pain that rebounded across their link. It blinded her, white spots swimming in front of her eyes. She was screaming his screams, feeling his pain, and knowing that if he died, she would also.

She scanned the area blindly for the archer. Her eyes fell upon a dark shape, fleeing the hill. Cassidy weakly called out for him to come back, but coughed up blood instead; it was getting worse.

Using her remaining strength, she called upon the water and healed Arswon in the same manner as she had the Weapons Master. The pain eased, she could she again. She felt Arswon's gratitude.

Cassidy took this in during the two seconds before she lost consciousness.

Cassidy felt like she was floating on a cloud, away on the sea. It was beautiful, and peaceful. Nobody could bother her here. She was safe from everything. She vaguely remembered her leg, but it no longer hurt, and this dream world claimed her.

Arswon invaded her mind, "Wake up,"

Cassidy ignored him. She much preferred this dream world to the real world. What was reality but pain and suffering? What good did it do to stay there? Life was pointless anyways.

But Arswon refused to let her think that way. He started singing a song. It sounded familiar to Cassidy, but it wasn't until he got to the chorus that she remembered it. And then she was singing along with him.

"I'm starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways. And no message, from a man could be any clearer; if you want to make the world a better place take a look at yourself, and make the change," Her voice floated across the waves, making them slowly disappear. As they finished the song, Cassidy said, "Man in the Mirror. Thank you, it was perfect,"

"You're welcome," Arswon drew back his mental presence, and Cassidy slowly became aware of her surroundings. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, as she was reminded of how much there was still to do in the world. Someone was stroking her hand lightly, and she was lying on a warm and comfortable bed. Her leg felt like a lead weight.

"Cassidy?" someone whispered.

She opened her eyes, and looked right at Mary-Anne, "Grandma?"

Mary-Anne gave her a huge hug, "Oh Cassidy! I was a fool; I should have told you everything and put you on your guard. Can you forgive a foolish old woman for her mistakes?"

Cassidy laughed, "Of course! Especially since I made some mistakes of my own,"

"Tell me everything," Mary-Anne gave her a stern look.

And Cassidy did. She described everything, not even glossing over the horrible, gory parts, even telling her about the Weapons Master and Arswon. When she got to that part, Mary-Anne went very pale.

When Cassidy had finished with her story, Mary-Anne let go of her hand and handed her the Book wordlessly. Then, she stood up and opened the door into Cassidy's room. Two people walked in, relived to see Cassidy.

Rose and Lindsey rushed up and hugged her. It was nice to have friends.

And right behind them was someone whom Cassidy had missed dearly. Tears sprang to her eyes as she reached up to give her mother a hug. And she sobbed. She sobbed like she hadn't since she was five. She wept for Rose, torn from her old life to help her best friend. She sobbed for Lindsey, the warrior princess who had been let down one too many times to trust anyone. And she wept for all those people who had died because of their wish to protect her and rescue the Queen. But mostly she wept because she knew in her heart that things could never go back to the way that they were before. How could she go back to being ignorant to the ways of the Triangle's and Arswon when she was such a big part of it?