Pulchra Arcanum

Part III - Trouble in Paradise

Leopold woke in the night, the fire having gone out like a whisper. He listened hard for anyone else but only heard a whisper of skirts against the ground nearby. He lay as still as he could, holding his breath and listening. He couldnt see anything, but who ever it was whispered something and he heard a slight breeze and then the whisper of the skirts disappeared. Within seconds he felt a slight pressure on his leg. It was barely a touch, but he tightened his hand on his sword all the same. The pressure moved up his leg and he could feel four individual points. He opened his eyes, suddenly very aware of what it could be. He slowly lifted his head to avoid frightening the stoat. It froze, though Leopold could not see it in the night, then it scurried faster towards his face. He held his breath to try not to frighten it, he didnt want to be bit.

It came close enough that he could see it then, though it had a white spot on its nose he hadnt remembered it having before. It stared at him for a moment before biting the collar of his shirt and pulling gently. Then it climbed off of him and seemed to wait. He watched it for a moment before it tugged on his sleeve and moved just out of his sight. Leopold slowly came to his feet and followed the stoat away from the other people of Domum.

He followed the stoat back to Margarets house then it stopped and stared at him before running forward a few steps into the darkness. He heard the breeze once again and then saw the blurred form of a woman in the darkness. He stepped forward and was met with the woman wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest. Were you hurt? he heard Megara whisper.

Meggy? he laughed softly, pushing her away and holding her shoulders at arms length. There are easier ways to get me to follow you, you know. You dont need to use your magic.

I didnt want to wake anyone else. They all need their rest. Plus, it was easier to find you as a stoat in the darkness. They have relatively good noses for tracking.

Leopold wrapped her in an embrace, knowing it was improper and not caring. Having her near, after the evening hed had, was healing in itself. He felt her melt into him and he sighed. Im sorry I got angry with you earlier, he whispered.

She was quiet for a moment. Im sorry I wont help you. I heard everything. I know how terrible it was. But I still wont help, she added quickly. I cant.

We cant win on our own, Meggy, Leopold breathed. We will all die. We cant beat them. They outnumber us two to one.

Im sorry, Leo, she said, pulling away. But I cant. She stood a step away, covered in enough darkness that Leopold couldnt see her face. I just wanted to be sure you were

Alive? Leopold barked dryly. She didnt respond. I wont be by the end of this, he said shortly. So I guess this is goodbye.

He didnt want to guilt her into helping. It tore at his heart to know he was hurting her, but he didnt want her to sit by and watch her people die. He wanted her to realize exactly what her decision was meaning to them.

He heard her sniffle and step another step away from him. If thats what you believe, she whispered. Then she hesitated. I hope you fight with courage, Leopold, she said, her voice stronger. This world will be naught without you.

Then he heard her turn and her footsteps faded into the night. He heard the door close and she was gone. He walked back to the gathering of the people and found his way back to his sister and Jasper, who had joined them some time after Leopold had fallen asleep. He laid back down and tried to convince his brain to shut down, but words were clawing their way through his brain. He did his best to ignore them, but the more he ignored them the more they settled their way in his heart. I love Megara, he finally allowed the words to form. I love her more than I love my own survival. If it is the last act I make, I will protect her with all I have. He knew he had no right to think these words. They were not married, not even courting to be married. But he was in love with this strong and scared woman. And he would not allow her to be slaughtered if he had a say in it. He vowed to spend the entire remainder of his life defending her and her memory. I love her.