Flying was similar to floating in many ways. Aerien could not feel her body. It simply floated. She remembered her sweetest and most cherished moments. But then suddenly, out of the blue, her body felt cold. A painful sensation filled her left arm. Water filled her lungs. She could not breathe. She was drowning. The cold claw of death grasped her. She was in the same situation as she was after the plunder of her ship. The day she had lost everything. The day she wished for death. But not today. She had to live. She would not give up so soon. The claw around her neck became tighter and tighter but Aerien struggled. She tried to get to the surface desperately. She was fighting for her life. Another hand held her hands. But it was gentle. It was warm. It was full of life. She clutched at it desperately. She opened her eyes.
Ithil gave a small gasp of relief. She was sitting next to Aerien’s bed, gently holding her hands. She had dark circles under her eyes and looked as if she had not slept for days. Looking up, Aerien grinned at her.
“You look horrible.” She managed to utter. Her voice sounded hoarse.
“Says who? Have you taken a look at yourself?” She said trying to laugh. “Broken one leg, one hand and spine. They said you won’t survive.”
Aerien looked at her friend and noticed tears in her eyes.
“Where are we?” She asked to change the topic.
“In Zhield. You were brought here immediately after…the accident.” She said trying to avoid something. Aerien very well knew what it could be. “They had some kind of magical salve found only here which they used to heal you.” She continued.
Aerien looked around her. She was not in the same room she was allotted earlier. It was a different room. A room for healing.
“Apparently the Zhields are not the only ones who have that healing salve.” Aerien said solemnly.
Ithil looked at her trying to figure out the meaning of her words.
“Tell me more. What happened after I went missing?” Aerien pressed.
Ithil looked as if she wanted to protest. But then she decided otherwise. “Both of us, me and Idril accompanied Herod and two of the king’s men to search for you. Herod said you would most probably be in Folvar. So we started the search from there.” She explained her about their stay in cave and how they found out a secret door which led them to the Tol-Emuns. “They were agitated. They predicted that Abadon would rise in about fifteen days of time and you would be found only at that moment. So Herod instead sent his messenger bird Emmy to King Amun to bring a well prepared army troop. Even the Tol-Emuns helped us in this. On the fifteenth day when you showed no sign of arrival, Herod decided that he could no longer sit and watch. So he sent the king’s men to keep a watch while we visited the King of Folvar.”
Aerien nodded. Her eyes became thoughtful.
“Tell me of yourself.” Ithil asked.
“There are many things that I have to say. Some I have to ask. But I shall tell them in front of everyone. Say Ithil, where are the rest?” Aerien asked.
“They are having a council at the present.” She said. “I told them to wait. But they believed that you won’t survive.” Ithil choked at the last words.
Aerien gently pressed her hands. “Take me to the council Ithil.”
“But you need rest..”
“No, there isn’t any time. You know that. It is important.”
Ithil opened her mouth to protest. But looking at her friend’s expression, she gave up. Instead she helped her to sit up. Aerien’s bones were almost healed. But they were still bandaged and so Aerien could not see how badly they were damaged. It was a relief actually.
YOU ARE READING
THE LAST LIGHT
FantasyShe remembered the day the Great War came to an end. She was five at that time. Everyone was rejoicing but her mother cried, her brother had shut himself up in his room. They told her that her father was dead. But she did not understand, she did not...
