|[ THE BROKEN SEAL - 3 ]| UNDERGOING MAJOR RE-WRITING

Chapter 9 // Borrowed Time

I watched Kiera as she sat, fidgeting anxiously as the elves looked over her brother. And I couldn’t stop my own nervous movements; wringing my hands, jiggling my leg – if I hadn’t been so worried I would’ve enjoyed just sitting there, taking in the warm sunlight that splashed down over us. Behind me was the dying forest, but before me was the sparkling ocean, bright, and blue, and constantly changing. Cedric sat beside me, head in hands, looking like he was about to fall asleep. I could feel the exhaustion myself, creeping along my limbs like a thick fog, making my body feel heavy. I blinked blearily as someone sat on my other side. Someone with thick glossy, dark hair and bright eyes.

“Irene.” She said softly, “May I speak with you?” I glanced at Cedric who didn’t even seem to hear and nodded, standing and walking with her. “I… I have to ask… but… my daughter.” Natona said softly, her voice edgy as if she feared asking, “I have to know… is it true?”

“Is what true?” I asked, treading carefully. Natona was not one to forgive easily, and I had a feeling she had only agreed to help us to make up for her abandoning me before. She sighed, glancing down at her hands and back to me.

“Imelda… I was told that was her name… Soldin’s daughter – therefore she would be my daughter. But… she is dead, is she not?” I hesitated before nodding.

“Yes… she died.”

“Do not think me blind, Irene.” Natona said softly, “I know you played a role in her death. we all do, even us elves who linger on the edge of the land, waiting for the opportunity to leave. You killed her. however, I know… I know you didn’t do it in cold blood.”

“I wasn’t going to become a murderer.” I said shortly, “She deserved to die, but I didn’t want to be the one to make that choice. It was the people who decided her fate.”

“I know you had to do it,” Natona said quietly, her voice small and sad, “It is just… to learn your child lives… only for them to be torn from you once more… it is Soldin’s own fault. For raising her to be like him. and I do not blame you Irene… however, there will always be a small part of me… a small part of my heart that will resent you for killing my daughter.”

“I do not ask for you forgiveness…” I said quietly.

“Nor will you receive it.” Natona said, “But… nor will you receive my anger. I will aid you with this task to show that I bear no ill will towards you, but afterwards, do not come to me for favours or help, because I will turn you away.” I nodded.

“I understand.”

“Now, we come to the matter of the human boy, and the Seal too. We do not know what it is that is killing him – we probably never will. But we can sustain his life for a little longer. Help his heart to beat. We can keep him alive for perhaps a week longer than he already has, however there is no telling whether he will be affected by this whole experience. He may never wake up.”

“it’s a risk we have to take.” I said grimly, “The life of one… it cannot be placed over the lives of countless others. And he would die anyway.”

“I know that is how we see it – the way an unbiased party sees it. however, I fear his sister will not see it as we do. Her protectiveness over him could may well hinder our progress. But only time will tell if our magic gives us enough time, and even then we will be racing on borrowed time.”

***

“Tell me dwarf,” Natona said brightly, sitting across the fire from Hadir, “How old was your father? He forged the Seal and the Ancient Blades… he would have to be as old as stone!”

“My father was well into his third millennium.” Hadir said swiftly, “Most of our kind, when we reach that age, crumble away slowly, our skin petrifying and we turn to dust. However, my father had much to stay for. He was the leader of my clan – he was needed to keep us safe and well, and there was me, of course, who he needed to train in the ways of the Old Ones.”