The Baron and his Lady

Thirty: Death and life

Outside world
Claus' pov

I followed Tristane downstairs, he carried the witch's body. Said he'll lay her into rest. I'd say she didn't deserve one. She could rot for all I care. But he was a good lad and I let him do what he wanted.

There was an open ground behind the manor, it looked way too different from the last time I saw it. What used to be the stables was just a barren field.

Tristane laid her down and went to the shed, he came back with all sorts of wood. He's going to build up a pyre, I guess he'll burn her. How ironic.

Witches were burned because they were witches and it has to be done when they're still alive. They ought to die screaming.

I didn't offer my help and he seemed fine with it. He looked like he did this all the time. Moments later, there was a respectable looking pyre. He gathered the witch into his arms and laid her gently down.

Her blonde hair flew against the wind. Her mouth slightly ajar, giving me a glimpse of her sparkling white teeth. She had been a beautiful woman. Yet she had the darkest soul I'd ever known.

He said a silent prayer in a language I never heard before. Witch language, I thought. Then he crossed her arms on her chest, arranged her hair like she was sleeping. He laid a brief kiss on her forehead before stepping away.

Tristane lit a match and dropped it into the dry file. The wood caught on it, flames rose and it made a good crackling noise. It grew big enough to drive Tristane back.

We stood staring at her burning body. No struggle, no screams, no tears, no nothing.

Dead.

She's dead.

Utterly dead.

Smoke rose high. If someone saw it, they'll think we were just having a cook out. There wasn't breath or wind to drive it all away. The smoke continued upwards, like a a hand reaching to the heavens.

Halfway through the burning we heard a loud crash from inside the house. We stared at each other, wondering what could it be.

He ran back inside and I followed. I dared not glance back, least I see her rise from the flames. A burnt witch did not look good. I know because I saw a lot in my time.

Tristane paused by the entrance and was kneeling down a body. There was broken vase beside them. I carefully approached the pair, my foot feeling heavy even bare against the floor.

I managed to peek at the limp form. There was something familiar about the body, the length of his arms, the color of his hair and even the state of his dress.

"Wake up.." Tristane was slapping his cheek, but the man was out cold.

"What is wrong?" I asked.

Tristane lifted his eyes to me, "He's unconscious. I need him to wake."

I joined him on the floor and rolled the man's body, there were bruises all over his arms, legs, torso and...face.

"No.." I sat back, not believing what I saw.

"Claus, I need your help. We need to save him."

"It's not possible!"

"Claus, come back. Help me."

But I was not hearing him anymore. I kept staring at his face. His beautiful wounded face. Lucian. It's him! He's alive!

Letecia did not lie. He was indeed alive. And wounded. How?

"...help me. Claus. Claus! Get a grip on yourself!"

I broke from the trance and stared at Tristane, he cradled Lucian's head and was trying his best to pull him up.

"Claus, I can't support his weight. He's far too heavy unconscious."

I moved slowly to help him, when my hand touched Lucian's arm my body reacted immediately. I swung him off the floor and eased him into my arms without effort.

"He's alive." I said.

"Yes, but barely. He's weak and injured. Help me get him into the couch and I'll heal him."

I wasted no more time and quickly carried Lucian to the nearest seat. His hair was drenched as if he had been caught in a storm. There was mud all over his boots and shirt. Whatever happened to him?

Tristane began lighting incense and laid it beside Lucian. The smell was warm and relaxing. I held Lucian's hand, hoping he'd open his eyes.

"He's weak. I can barely feel his pulse."

Tristane nodded and touched Lucian's face, his palm began to glow.

"With water I call upon the power of the earth, give me strength to heal..."

I sat there watching him do his magic. The water that clung to Lucian's hair and shirt began to rise. Droplets formed above his face before Tristane absorbed them into his palm.

"Water is my element. It helps me heal fast." He explained to me.

I nodded. Though I don't understand it one bit as long as it helps Lucian then it was fine by me.

Tristane kept his focus into the wounds, at first I saw the bruises fade until Lucian's skin came back looking healthy. Then the scratches softened and closed. He'll have scars.

His body began to get warm, I squeezed his hand to let him know I was there. Still, he did not stir. More and more droplets rose mid air, Tristane coaxed them to him and gave it back to Lucian like medicine.

I saw Lucian's chest heaved up and down. He's breathing!

"Lucian," I whispered, "I'm here."

His mouth opened slightly but nothing came out. There was moment of still silence when Tristane dropped his hands and the water droplets disappeared.

"He'll survive."

"But why is he still out?" I asked.

"I don't know. But it's not good. He can't be here, not supposed to be here."

I stared back at Tristane, "What do you mean? You told me you need my help to free him. Now that he's here you're acting like he's the one at fault for being here."

Tristane shook his head, "You don't understand Claus."

"Then make me understand!"

"He—"

"Krista..."

We looked at Lucian, his eyes were still close. His breathing seemed uneven. I grasped his hand. He coughed painfully.

"Lucian? What is it?"

One eye opened, I saw those deep blue orbs stare back at me.

"C-claus?"

"Yes. It's me."

"H-how?"

"It's hard to explain. But I'm here now. Rest, we'll talk later." I patted his hand least he upsets himself.

"No. I, I need to..." he tried to sit up but I pushed him back down.

"You are still weak. You had bruises and injuries all over."

"Doesn't matter. I need to... save her.."

Even Tristane paused for his answer. There was another loud cough and he sputtered blood. Not good. I leaned closer.

"Who? Who do you need to save?"

He looked at me with both his eyes open, there was a deep sadness there. He gripped my hand tight.

"I need to save my wife."