A Heart Of Ashes - RHYSAND STORY

◘Atta◘

He wasn't sure what to think as he watched her walk to where the spear was lodged in his chest in order to examine it. Perhaps he had heard her wrong, his fading consciousness having begun to play tricks with his mind. Perhaps, even, the She-Elf herself was merely an image his hazy brain had created, taunting him with the shred of hope he now found himself clinging to. This woman was hardly able to stand at eyelevel with him, and yet she claimed capable of saving his life. Either she was some sort of sorceress, or he was losing his wits.

"I know you doubt me."

His eyes shifted to her as she spoke.

"I know you think very little of me," she continued. "And I know, that if it were a different day, you would have killed me by now without much of a thought." She looked over her shoulder at him. "And yet here we are. It matters not what you think of me, because when it all comes down to it I am the one thing standing between you and certain death."

He was silent save for a disdainful snort, but she saw passed it. His eyes were what gave him away. Just by looking into their depths, she could tell he had lost hope before she had even arrived, but a small spark of that hope had returned when she had claimed she could save him. She could see the thought of dying frightened him, and she took pity on him. It seemed even the most perilous of beasts could feel helpless when faced with a force that was beyond their power, and amidst the harsh glare he was sending her she could see it. A cry for help, although faint. It was not in her nature to ignore the silent plea. She walked up to his head once again, eyes calm and giving off a sense of reassurance as she lifted her hand to place it on his scaled cheek.

"Know I will require your full trust. I realize you do not know me in the slightest, but what I am about to do... it is essential you do exactly as I say."

He eyed her long and hard.

"What will you do?" He asked reluctantly.

"First I will remove the arrow. It will be painful, but I have good hands. As long as you remain still, it will be a clean removal. If you should struggle against me, the tip may very well tear into your heart. Once the arrow is out, I will have to reach into the wound and plant this inside you." She held up the bundle from the wagon and peeled back the cloth to reveal a shimmering blue stone. It was about the size of an orange, and it appeared to almost glow in the dim lighting. He eyed the jewel curiously, and for a moment he felt the greed settle in, but before he could marvel for long the cloth was thrown back over the gem.

"Your heart has been pierced, and without my help you will not survive the night," she continued, regaining his attention. "This stone will prevent you from bleeding out, but nothing more. However, your heart will have to heal itself, and you will have to allow it." Her eyes were firm, but they still maintained a gentleness he couldn't understand for the life of him. There was an undeniable air of authority about her, and although he wasn't sure why, he trusted her word. What choice did he have other than to put faith her? He could feel it. He was fading fast, and if he didn't allow her to touch him he would surely die.

With that last thought, he inhaled one last painful breath and blew it out through his nostrils in a defeated sigh, "Fine."

She nodded. "I'm warning you... this will not be pleasant. I need you to do your absolute best to remain still. The slightest error could mean death for you."

With that, she walked over to the arrow. He shifted his head a bit so he could watch her, and he fought not to move away when she reached up. Her hands curled around the harsh weapon, and his entire body tensed as he felt it move slightly within him, his eyes squeezing shut as he prepared himself for the pain that was to come.