The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 53: Self Sacrifice

For the time being, Grove Forest had become a place of solace and hope as Curran stood above Cecilee, offering her a helping hand.

Naitosai and the others look on wondering if what they just witnessed was real or not. Did she really do it, is Curran mentally able to make a difference? Thengol wondered. While holding his injured shoulder, he cautiously made his way over to them.

As she took his hand, he helped her to back to her feet, "Tha...thank you." she said gratefully as he knelt down to pick up her sword.

"It is I that should be thanking you." he responded while handing her the blade.

A smile appeared on her face and she replied jokingly while sheathing her weapon, "Ya know what, I think you're right."

The long tormented warrior allowed a slight grin to form on his face, "Well then, you have my gratitude."

Relinquishing his armor, Naitosai dashed to check on his mother with Llaw following behind. She actually did it. He thought while approaching.

"Mom, I'm glad you're alright."

She turned to look at her son, back to Curran, then to her son once again. Her eyes widened while taking a deep breath, then closed as she exhaled, "Me too."

He hugged her and whispered, "I was so worried."

Squeezing him tightly, "Big baby." she replied jokingly in a hushed tone.

Curran stared at Thengol, his expression hardening as he approached them. He... knows... Thengol thought gauging Curran's reaction.

While embracing one another, they each noticed something that took away from the moment and drew their attention. They released their embrace as Cecilee ran to Evenharth and Naitosai headed towards Curran.

"Oh my goodness!" she said, looking at the spell-fighter with sorrow and regret.

Concerned, Naitosai snapped his fingers, "Hey... Curran you okay man?"

"Are we losing him again?" Llaw asked.

Thengol and Curran stood only a few feet apart, staring the other down. As if a void had formed around just the two of them, they ignored all that was happening around them.

"We should really hurry back, these guys need medical attention." Chri yelled to Cecilee while checking Slarant's pulse.

Serves him right, that bastard left me for dead. She thought to herself, still bitter about what happened days before.

"I'll be right back, I promise." she assured Evenharth before leaving his side.

Trying to get their attention and be the voices of reason, Llaw stepped in front of Thengol while Naitosai held his place in front of Curran.

The dragoon waved his hand back and forth in front of Curran's face, "Hey, umm hello Curran." After three quick snaps of his fingers, he looked back at Llaw, "No luck here, how about you?"

Snapping his fingers three times as well, "Nothing." the bard replied.

Just as Cecilee approached, she noticed Slarant reaching for and grabbing the arrow lodged in his eye.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing!? Stop!" she yelled.

Hearing her voice caught Thengol's attention as he turned to see what was going on. Gripping the arrow tightly, blood began dripping from Slarant's hand as he took a deep breath.

"Fuck it." he muttered, then with all of his remaining strength, he pulled at the arrow but failed to remove the object as his head jerked downward with the force from him tugging at it.