The Keepers of Eternity

XXXIII

Lenore woke with a start, taking in a sharp breath and then breathing deeply through her nose. The room around her was cold and empty. How long had she been up last night? She'd tried to stay awake as long as she could, but ended up dozing off upright in her chair.

She rubbed some dried drool from her chin. Evadrian...

He was sound asleep. Sweat beads clung to his forehead and neck, and a strip of gauze was wrapped around his chest, showing a hint of redness underneath. According to the castle's healer, it was indeed a serious injury, but not life-threatening if it remained clean and didn't fester.

Lenore stood up finally, stretching her legs, and moved over to the water basin underneath an oval mirror. Looking around the room, she noticed that neither Sid nor Monfreid had decided to stay with them. Even the dog had left. Typical. She thought, mildly annoyed, and returned to Evadrian with a wetted towel. Carefully, she began to wipe his forehead.

"Lenore?" His eyes remained closed, but at least he was conscious.

"Ev. How do you feel?" She asked.

"I'm fine." He responded quietly.

He obviously wasn't fine. Why did he feel the need to do that? To lie like it wasn't obvious that he'd been stabbed in the gut?

Evadrian continued, murmuring, "It's my fault. I'm so sorry."

"No. Don't worry about it." If he meant about them having to stay here longer, she didn't care anymore. They'd lost the Night Thief's trail, and their only option now was to come up with a stronger lead than just following the bats. "This will give us time to regroup. Monty and Sid have already started researching."

"That's good." His eyes flickered open, beautiful galaxies of green. "You should join them."

"I'm here to keep you company." Lenore protested. "And I never said thank you either. You saved Sid. You saved us."

"Just...doing my duty." He said tiredly.

Lenore sighed, "What is that duty, Ev? It's been weeks since you last wore your uniform." She gently rested her hand on his forehead. "No one wants to risk their life for duty alone."

Evadrian's lips parted into a slight grin. "Maybe you should be a soldier." He stopped, then started again, "Would you fight if you could? If women were allowed to join the Swordfellows, would you fight to protect those you loved?"

She had the feeling he already knew the answer. "But the Swordfellows aren't even fighting a war now. There hasn't been any sort of battle involving Shah Neurn in decades."

"You're right," he said, "beside the forces we send to the southern nations to help with the conflict there, the Swordfellows are just a formality. Part of our oath remains this: Be vigilant unto eternity."

Lenore nodded. "I would be vigilant then. Part of me wants that—to protect my family." Standing, she said, "The other part of me hates being involved in violence."

"And that's exactly...exactly why you would make a great soldier." He said. Lenore stayed frozen. "That ideal is something many of us lack. Not all strength is equal. Many times, it's harder for us to not get involved in a fight, than to run in recklessly, goaded on by our own emotions."

Lenore felt her face blush again. "That's true, I suppose." She stood up and paced across the room to the stone fireplace. Warmth radiated through her skirt and stockings. "Why did you become one, then, honestly?"

The room was silent for a moment, but Evadrian finally said, "I was given three choices. The first, I'd have been a nobody, and inconsequential for the rest of my days. The second, I'd be given nothing, but have the chance to become something better and to make my own glory. The third, I'd be given everything I'd ever wanted. Well, almost everything."