Swordborn

Chapter 16: Ice

"How old am I?"

"You are four hundred years old," Coral replies. "We believe you were born soon after Erasbin was banished to the spirit world within Shadowsbane. Four centuries passed as your mother wandered alone in that world, and in all that time you never grew."

Day stares at rain running down a stained glass window in Jitmit's study. She spent the night watching over Cain as he shook from the poisoned bite of the slime monster. He eventually calmed, then drifted to sleep in her arms. Day watched him sleep, considering how her world has changed since her conversation with Maldacht. As the sun rose she slipped out of bed and crept up to Jitmit's study, where she found Coral and Jitmit conversing beside a candle.

"I know who I am," Day says. "Maldacht told me."

"Maldacht," Jitmit grumbles. "Then it was the dark wizard who discovered your strength."

"Yes."

"Please understand," Jitmit says, "when you were given to Coral your mother asked her to treat you as a child, so you wouldn't grow."

"It seems silly now," Coral says, "treating a goddess like a child, but we honored your mother's wishes, and now it appears our duties have ended."

"You're still my family," Day says. "Maldacht asked me to stay in the City of the Dead so he could protect me, but I feel safer here. Am I safe at the temple? Can you protect me?"

Jitmit opens his fist, creating a swirling web of energy in his palm.

"Like no other, Princess Day." Jitmit replies.

"Day... " the princess says to herself, "that was my mortal name. I'm different now, and I require a name befitting an immortal. I wish to be called Dayleth."

"A good name," Coral says. "If you intend to stay here then we will bring you into our confidence. You need to know that tomorrow we're going to the northern kingdom, to trek across the ice fields. Cain is weak, and he'll likely fail the trial."

"No," Dayleth says, "he won't. Not ever."

"What a mortal is he," Jitmit replies, "to have the favor of a goddess?"

"Can I ask you something?" Dayleth inquires.

"Anything."

"Who would win in a battle between you and Maldacht?"

"Why would you ask him that?" Coral asks, casting Dayleth a surprised look.

"I'm just curious."

The wizard's reply sends chills through Coral.

"It would be a nightmare."

In the early afternoon Azaya breaks away from her studies and visits Dayleth and Cain. Azaya tries several healing fruits on Cain, but none help. The poison is beyond her ability to cure, and all she can do is attempt to hasten the healing process. Maldacht insisted that Dayleth take the blue armor with her for protection, which pleased her greatly. She propped the armor against a shield, and glances at it regularly.

The next day Cain is still quite ill, and unable to move his arm. Dayleth bandages his arm, shoulder, and torso as best she can, then secures his arm in a fir sling. She insists he wear a heavy cloak for the trial, knowing they'll be in the snow. She pulls the cord on his crossbow back, then sets an arrow in the groove. She straps the crossbow over his good shoulder, then helps him equip a quiver and numerous weapons. She dons her blue armor, then straps her staff to her back and her sword to her belt. When she's content that they're both as prepared as possible the two walk through the temple and out onto the field.