ANGEL OF JUSTICE (2014 revised)

Chapter Eighty - A Gift and a Curse

A Gift and a Curse

Josh stood upon the third floor balcony of the royal chambers, his expression of concern for the unconscious prince in the rooms behind him evident in the frown on his young face as he surveyed the streets below. The echo of distance hammers as repairs to the damaged buildings from last night's storm were in full swing. Everywhere was a hive of activity as people were cleaning up fallen trees, branches and other storm debris. The sky was blue and cloud free in stark contrast to the blackness that had blanketed the entire citadel for the past two days, lifting the dark mood that had settled over the citizens. The heat of the afternoon sun was welcomed as it streamed through the open double doors behind him, playing across the rich tapestries of Prince Darric's royal suite. Five priests encircled the prince's bed in prayer while Serenity stood holding his hand, surrounding them both in the green light of her healing powers.

"He has awoken!" the High Priestess stated.

With their task of healing now complete, the weary brothers parted silently and left the royal apartments. Josh spun around and quickly approached Darric's bedside. "Well look who has finally decided to join the land of the living once more." Josh stated with a smile of relief.

Darric blinked several times as he turned his head to face Josh. He attempted to rise and both Josh and Serenity helped him sit up before stacking cushions behind his back for support.

"Good to see you two are safe and well my friends."

"That was quite an interesting night, Darric."

"A night I am in no hurry to be a part of again. Facing death twice is more than enough for any sane man." Darric replied as he sank back into the soft cushions.

Josh smirked as he pulled up a nearby chair and sat down, folding his arms across the back rest. "I was sure you were dead, especially once I saw the golden lights of the death goddess hovering over you. Yet another timely intervention from the jaws of death by the Pantheon priests!"

Serenity poured a mug of water from the bedside table and handed it to Darric who gratefully took a sip before handing the cup back. "You were lucky to survive, Darric. For several shards of timber pierced your armour and were lodged around your heart. Without the priests swift return here, you would have bled to death."

Darric snorted. "Not the heroic way to die that I imagined!"

"Will you continue to go about saving your kingdom the hard way, Darric?"

"What other option did I have?" Darric stated closing his eyes, his fatigue obvious. He frowned as if being overcome suddenly by a bout of pain.

Josh shook his head, flicking golden hair into his eyes. "Not a lot. But all appears to have ended well. The storm's gone, the sun is shining and the reported fatalities are so far less than a hundred. The city was extensively damaged but nothing that won't keep everyone employed for the next six months rebuilding. It seems the University of Magic bore the brunt of the storm and will have to be completely rebuilt."

"That was Arc's doing." Serenity added taking a seat on the opposite side of Darric's bed. "He and the other faculty of magic members tried to take as much power out of the storm as possible to lessen Charaz's power."

Darric fought the urge to sleep and opened his eyes. "Why was I not informed?"

"Because you didn't need the diversion." Serenity stated squeezing Darric's hand.

"At least the ward over the citadel spared us the same magnitude of damage, while work has begun rebuilding the dozens of homes and the two hospices that suffered." Josh stated. "However the main road between here and the city has been ripped apart by the massive sea swells along with most of Airley's Inlet and the Military Island which is nothing more than a sandbar now. Thankfully both areas were evacuated before..."