The Frozen Moon - By J.D. Swinn Page 0,51

of deep blue which rolled and brushed about his ankles like thick fog. It was the blue cloak of a Master Healer. He towered above them, and even if they had not been lying in their weakened state, he would have stood almost a full head above the tallest of them. His hair and skin were fair, and his entire persona seemed to be brushed with a light color of wheat and sepia. He walked with a comfort and ease that gave the impression he was gliding along the ground. The figure bent down next to Seth, who was the only one who had noticed his approached, or was conscious enough to do so, he wasn’t sure. His throat was dry and lips were cracked. He was able to force some speech, but it was strained and painful.

“The girl,” he began, raising a finger to point at Nameh before his arm fell to the ground with fatigue. He meant to continue, to describe to him how her abdomen had been clawed through, how she likely had blunt trauma as well as the lacerations, but as a healer, he would know these things. The one before him was a welcomed sight, in fact, he had never been as happy to see a healer in his life. He began his spells, and Seth imagined that he would move on to the others when he had finished. It brought him great relief to see color returning to her skin, hopefully he would be able to save her, but there was no way to know. Perhaps this would quell the feelings of failure that clung to him with unrelenting will; he had not been able to protect them.

The sounds and sights of battle swirled around him, metal shimmering like diamonds, blood glinting like gold in the low moonlight. He realized that the only thing tethering his weary body to consciousness had been concern; with this alleviated, he was fading quickly. The last thing he remembered was the fierce and sorrowful melody of metal striking metal, the song of war.

The brush mingled with his dark hair as he pressed on. Nothing more could be done here, and even less if he was dead. Though it would be much better that way, the tired voice in his head persisted as usual. He ignored it and bent new branches back; he knew that his pace must quicken if he wanted to be absent from the brutal aftermath of the war. He had no desire to respect the dead, or even aid the wounded followers he had left behind. Sickening.

Things had gone almost completely according to plan, save the unfortunate loss on the field. That foolish boy had played directly into his hands, and he drew a delicious and sadistic enjoyment from it. Toying with the emotions of youth had been an easy task, and even easier when the boy believed he was in possession of the one he loved. He almost pitied the boy-almost, for being so ignorant. This girl of his had been killed years ago in a raid, but it had been so easy to manipulate him into believing whatever suited him. In times of desperation, man’s emotion clouded even the best of judgment. So quickly he had sold out his comrades, and just now he would be finding out that their sacrifice was in vain. He had even fled from the battle when reinforcements came, probably from shame. He wondered whether or not the boy would join the Guild now, with nowhere else to go, or leave the city entirely. Werewolves always were too rash for their own well being.

Now, he could only hope the girl was dead. Nameh can’t be dead. She’s stronger than that-stronger than us. He had to remember to be more conscious of his thoughts, the will inside him grew stronger when she was mentioned; apparently their attachment had been deeper than he had thought. Even if she wasn’t yet dead, their forces would be depleted, and he had already planned his secondary attack. The Relic would be his, of this he had no doubt, he simply did not know when. He spun the glistening and intricate web of lies and deceit ever thicker, ever deadlier, like an arachnid. His mouth watered at the thought of the demise of those who would soon be ensnared. After the destruction of the Vine, there would be nothing to stand in his way. He alone could combine the nearly unlimited power of both