Flower Falls and Crystal Calls

Purpose Fulfilled

Chapter 44

They made their way through the complex as silently as possible. Thankfully, they did not run into anyone, but Caius paused them when they got to the central courtyard. They would have to pass through it to get to where he was leading them, and the front gate was still open. He started to wave Elle and Yeul forward, but they all froze when they heard several sets of running footsteps. They ducked back into the hall and peeked around the corner to see a bloody Laer leading a group of six other warriors that didn't look to be in much better shape.

Elle felt her knees go weak at the sight of her best friend. He was still alive, if not unscathed. She started to rush forward, but Caius grabbed her arm and gave her a glare. She glared right back. She understood why he might be wary, but this was Laer. Plus, Mirus had already told her that his men had supposedly killed the man. She wrenched her arm from his grasp and ran out to catch the men's attention before they ran off again.

Laer's eyes widened when he caught sight of her, and she didn't even try to stop him when he rushed over and grabbed her in a tight hug. His voice was low and urgent when he finally released her enough to speak. "We were ambushed. Some of the men were killed, but we managed to fight them off. We learned from one captive that there were troops headed for the city and the plans to kill the Seeress. I sent every man I came across to hold them back before I came here."

At that point, Yeul stepped around Caius to join Elle. The Guardian still wore a frown, but he had heard enough to warrant more details. When Laer saw the two of them, he dropped Elle's arms and turned to salute the Seeress. "I am glad to see you safe."

He then took in Elle's bloody side and neck as well as Caius' many wounds that he received fighting Ingens that were still not healed. Laer frowned as he looked to Caius. "What happened? Where is Ingens? Why is he not with Elle?"

Yeul made a distressed noise that she tried to smother, and both Caius and Elle grimaced. Though Caius' voice was calm when he answered. "Both Ingens and Mirus are dead. Killed by the men that are invading. We need to get the Seeress to safety."

Laer cursed under his breath, but he nodded. He then turned to the men that had come with him. "One of you go up to the fields and gather as many men as you can. The rest go through the city and rouse the guard. Take them all out and fortify the passes. We cannot let the enemy slip into the city."

They all saluted before they turned to run and finish his instructions. Caius gave him a hard look, but he ignored it again as he spoke to the Guardian. "Where are we going? What will we need to do to fortify it?"

Caius sighed before he grabbed Yeul's arm again. "Follow and keep your eyes open. They have already had troops here, so there is no guarantee the complex is safe."

That was the last thing spoken as they rushed down the halls of the residential area. Most of the rooms were still closed and silent, dotted only by the occasional crying woman that had managed to make her way away from the front and the slaughter that had occurred.

They did not stop until they reached the tiny courtyard at the end of that wing. It was only open to the hall and was butted against the side of the plateau. That left the only opening the one they just came through, or by air. Even two of the walls were solid stone. Caius turned to Yeul at that point and gently sat her on the edge of the fountain. He knelt and looked into her eyes. "You will be safe here, I give you my word."

It was several seconds before the girl shocked them all by throwing her arms around his neck and crying for the first time since Elle had known her. Caius did not hesitate to cradle her to himself gently while she let go of the fear and tension she had been trying to hide.