The Choice (Version CEDRUS, PT.2)

Part One: Loss

Amalia

Almost a week has passed- Yugo hasn't said a word about....her. And Cedar... his emotional state led him to get very ill. Though unconscious, all little Cedar does in his fever is clutch dearly onto his mother's pendant. His adoptive father hasn't left his bedside. A soft knock distracts me, and I look towards the doorway to see Halzi. She looks exhausted. I jump up from Yugo's desk. "How are-" Halzi's expression cuts me off. It's unreadable, which sends cold claws down my back. She sinks to the floor and I rush over to her.

After a few tense moments, she sits back against the door-frame. Halzi gives a tired, broken, yet relieved smile. Overwhelmed with relief myself, I stumble to sit as well, suddenly feeling weak. "He's going to be okay," I breathe, and Halzi nods wordlessly. I sigh and though the older Eniripsa had shared relief for a bit, we both knew we had more work to do. We help each other up, say our goodbyes and head our separate ways- Halzi to her potions, I back to the desk. I continue sorting the papers, trying to make sense of it. So far, I've gotten the hang of reading the delicate parchments, but not yet what all of the diagrams mean. I've been studying them, trying to keep myself busy. After a few more hours of deciphering, I stand and stretch, looking out the window.

Sunset already, huh? I think to myself blankly. Carefully closing the book, I head over to check on Yugo. Entering silently, I look over to see Yugo gently resting his head on Cedar's bedside, while Cedar sleeps peacefully for the first time in a while. With his face turned away from me, when I close the door Yugo shifts slightly. Is he asleep? I hope I didn't wake him... he hasn't really been resting lately, has he? I grab an extra blanket and gently drape it over Yugo's shoulders. Asleep or not, it's a bit chilly in here.

I watch over them for a while,  wondering how things could've gone better...