The Death of a Dream [hiatus]

Chapter 9

Precipice

"This isn't the slightest bit awkward," I chuckled with a low voice as I stared at the hundred pairs of eyes that watched me.

We had arrived at the base camp the troops had set up just outside the gates of Liberty Shores. Red tents littered the clearing in random fashion with healers running to and from each one to tend to wounded soldiers.

Once word of our arrival had spread, the injured were gathered around a campfire on Bacchus' command. I stood in front of them, eyes darting around at the bandaged faces and bleeding bodies. Red was indeed Caledonia's color, but this shade was an unwelcome one.

I was to sing for them, to heal their wounds, but being hurriedly placed like a centerpiece on a bleeding dinner table only made my nerves take over.

"What's the matter, Myst?" Bacchus asked, stepping forward to whisper in my ear.

I gulped. "W-what do I, uh..sing about?"

The general blinked as the lines on his old jaw tightened before being pulled back into a small smile. "Anything to help in their recovery," he whispered through gritted teeth.

I nodded, not wanting to the cause for any more lines to suddenly appear on his deeply wrinkled face.

The general stepped away, signaling for Innes and two others to follow him. I watched them disappear into a large red tent not far from me, deep in conversation. I had to finish singing these men back to perfect health lest I miss out on any important information regarding the Dawn.

Turning back to the injured soldiers, I exhaled and straightened my posture. I began the song with a light note, trying to uplift their spirits.

"Rest your broken bodies,
Ease your fading spirits.
Come dawn, come daylight
Your strength can go the distance
Once more."

Sky blue petals began raining down from above, making themselves welcome and landing on their injuries. Some of the soldiers began unravelling their bandages and stuffing their bruises with the petals they'd plucked from the ground.

When my song stopped, so did the supply of petals. Two men near me began to shove each other in hopes of grabbing enough blossoms to cover their wounds before its light blue magic faded.

Is this all they want from me?

Seeing the way they fought ravenously for the flowers caused my stomach to turn, a feeling I'd become all too familiar with since my first performance in Luster City. They way their eyes shifted from me to the Aegil blossoms and never returning felt akin to a knife to my back. I'm not selfish enough to keep my powers for myself when it would benefit others though I'd wished someone would at least thank me.

"Is it truly them?" a voice asked.

My ears prickled and I glanced over at the large tent the general and captain had disappeared into. Leaving the soldiers to their own squabbles, I slid into the shadows at the back of the tent and nestled myself comfortably between the cloth and a nearby tree, my back leaning against its dulled bark. I shut my eyes and focused on the sound within.

"Yes. We intercepted a messenger from Orzon. We have reason to believe Camilla is hiding there."

"Camilla, you say?. Speak of this no more until I've questioned her. I'd like to know what her reasons may be. For now, our focus should be on freeing this port."

"Do you have a plan?"

"Already in motion."

Suddenly, a shuffling of footsteps followed by a panting echoed in my ears.