Wings of Shadows ~ Book 1 ~ Beginnings ~

His name

"I couldn't stop it," Elias muttered between clenched teeth, his body slick with sweat, trying desperately to fight off the blight that covered him. His Lucent sat on the edge of the mat, shivering miserably, sharing his Draycent's pain and buying him precious time.

"Tell us what happened," Raze demanded as he and Roake quickly prepared themselves for the cleansing ritual. If they didn't begin soon, it would be too late. Too many had already been lost getting the new Lucent.

"It wasn't like ordinary shadows. My light could barely scratch it. And then the boy..."

"What happened to the boy?" Roake interrupted.

"It was the strangest thing... I think he did it to try and save me." He paused and shook his head sorrowfully. "He let the shadow in, and there was nothing I could do to stop him."

"I assume you managed to kill it before it could fully realize its strength?" Raze growled, dawning the white ceremonial robes.

"I told you, it wasn't like ordinary shadows. I barely escaped with my life."

The Draycent ruler grimaced irritably and turned on his brother. "This is what I mean. You are too soft, and look what it cost. The weaker tainted ones should simply be eliminated before they spread their misery."

Roake's eyes narrowed dangerously, unmoved by his criticism. "If we start killing dying children, how are we any different from the dragons?"

"They are already dead!" Raze cried. "It just ends up a matter of how many more lives they take with them when they become those abominations, extending their miserable existence until they die horrifically, all remnants of their soul devoured by madness and darkness."

"You know we don't just leave them to become shadowlings. This is the first time something like this has happened."

"Well, it won't happen again," Raze glared.

"I thought it was going to kill everyone," Elias interrupted feverishly. "But he didn't... if that stupid monk had just kept his mouth shut..."

"We should hurry," Roake said, ignoring his brother's threat.

Motioning for the Lucent to move aside, the two of them stood on either side of their blighted comrade and drew their swords. The weapons allowing them to more precisely channel their power, they placed the points into the ground right next to Elias and called upon the light granted them by their Lucents.
Elias cried out in agony as light so blinding and intense, both brothers had to close their eyes, enveloped him, slowly burning away the blight.

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Exhausted, Raze cast aside the ceremonial robes now tattered and burnt from the ritual.

Roake leaned against the wall, his strength spent as well. Elias and his Lucent lay passed out on the mat.

"Who all knows about the boy's fate, besides the four of us?" Raze asked at last.

"No one," Roake answered quietly, already knowing where this conversation was headed.

"Good. Keep it that way."

He nodded. For once, he agreed with his brother. Rivynn had already mourned the loss of her brother, she didn't need to have to deal with this too.

"And to make sure this never comes back to burden her, I am going to send out one of the Hunters to take care of this mess."

"His name was Rain," Roake said, interrupting.

"You know he probably won't remember now."

"Still, that's his name, and he deserves a chance to hear it again before he dies."

"Fine," Raze relented irritably, but he did it only to appease his brother. "I'll make sure the Hunter knows."