SolavellanHellChallenge2020

Day 7: Lavellan

"Keeper! You have to let me help him!" The young elf, no more than a mere 15 years of age, pleaded with her elder as she remained knelt at the side of her unconscious older brother with a look of determination in her sapphire hues. "We both know there's a way to do it. Please!"

Keeper Deshana looked down at her with a deep frown. "There are many risks in this ritual, Da'len. The clan could not bear to lose you both.."

"But, Keeper!" The starlight-haired teen urged. "It has to be someone close with him, right? Someone he trusts. He's my brother! Who else could wake him??"

The elven elder remained quiet for a long moment, her mouth creasing as her frown grew. Finally, she let out a sigh. "We will put it to a vote, Da'len. Let the clan voice themselves in this matter. Whatever they decide, it will be done."

"But-!" Arana began to protest, cut off by a gesture from the Keeper.

And with that, Deshana called the clan to gather for the vote. Everyone looked at each other; some saddened, some confused, others solemn and stone-faced all waiting for their leader to speak.

"Everyone." She began. "As you may know, our dear Theron has fallen into a wakeless sleep. There is a way he may be returned to us and Arana has volunteered to perform the necessary ritual; however, this is not without risk. There is no guarantee of her success. And should anything go wrong, one or both could be taken hold by demons."

The clan all shared various looks, some whispering amongst themselves for a moment until she spoke again.

"I urge you all to consider these options carefully: do we allow her to accept the risks in trying to save his life? Or do we send him to our Creators and negate any further risk?"

There was a long, bated silence as everyone thought heavily on the matter. Arana glanced around at each of their faces, heart pounding rapidly in her chest. She could only hope they would allow her to help him. She had to help him. Theron was all that was left of her little family- he raised her after the deaths of their parents. And she would be damned if she didn't try something- anything- to save him.

After several moments of deliberation, Keeper Deshana finally spoke again.

"All in favor of allowing Arana to perform the ritual, speak now."

Another anxious glance around, a few of them had raised their hands. A timid and cautious joy filled her heart. Would they let her save him??

"All who oppose?" Deshana's voice broke her from her brief thoughts. A sudden realization hit her and her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. Far more hands opposed the ritual than those who favored it.

No.. No! They weren't really going to kill him- just like that.. Were they? They couldn't!

The Keeper's saddened gaze turned to her crestfallen apprentice. "I'm sorry, Da'len. The clan has made their decision. And we must abide.."

The elder approached Theron's resting form. A rush of burning anger and panic surged through Arana's veins.

"Don't touch him!" She shouted in protest, rushing to her sleeping brother's side. The clan looked on in bewilderment.

"Da'len-"

"No!"

Deshana looked to two nearby members of the clan, asking them forth to move the distressed mage away. Arana futilely struggled against them to return to her elder sibling, shouting with tears stinging her eyes; watching in abject horror as the Keeper ended Theron's life with a blade to the heart.

All fell silent. Arana's arms were released as her legs gave out beneath her and she fell to her knees, wide eyed and heartbroken. The clan looked upon her in quiet grief.

Deshana stood, turning her saddened gaze to Arana. "Ir abelas, Da'len.. Truly.."

The young elf slowly got to her feet, arms slack at her sides as her hands balled into tight fists until her knuckles turned white.

"Tel'abelas!" She lashed out despondently. Turning on her heel, Arana fled from the camp toward the forest. The Keeper opened her mouth to say something, but remained silent. Her apprentice would calm within the forest and return when she was well. For now, there was much to do.

Running as swiftly as her legs could carry her, Arana ran. And ran. And ran. Until her legs could run no more and once again gave way beneath her. Pushing her back up against a nearby tree, the elf  pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them tightly as she buried her face- sobbing in her grief.

How could they? To one of their own?!

Her sobbing continued until her eyes were left red and puffy, unable to produce any more tears. And yet she did not move from where she sat, silently listening to the voices of friendly spirits whispering in her ears.