Emergance

Eithyne stared at the rack of armor that sat across the room, glowing softly in the shadows. Her entire body ached, she’d been lying in bed for days now, recovering. It was almost impossible to believe that she could not feel that warmth, that soft glow of comfort...

With a deep sigh, she closed her eyes and rested her face in her hands. High Watcher Ahbramis would have to be informed of this.

Stupid fool!

She slapped herself, hard, across the face, bringing tears to her eyes.

How could she be thinking of duty at a time like this? Her son was dead, her one source of protection was gone…how could she defend against this curse with nothing more than plate armor?

She thought of High Watcher Ahbramis. He was one of the shield, as she was, but he held no allegiance to the Light. Somehow he, and others, had gained strength and honor in the Eyes of the Vigilant One. But what did a warrior know of curses?

There came a slight rustling from outside the door, and it creaked open. A bright-eyed, silver-haired toddler squealed in glee and tottered quickly over to the bedsite. Eithyne scooped her up into her arms, grimacing at the weight, but smiling on the outside. Little Rhoswane giggled and reached up to touch her mother’s nose.

Eithyne did not see her father in the doorway, holding a bowl and cup. She embraced her daughter tightly, holding back tears. The little girl kept saying, over and over again, “I love you, mommy, I love you, mommy! I love you, mommy!” Her mother did not know if she knew what she was saying, if she could tell the difference, but it did not matter. Those four words broke her heart.

The dam shattered, she clung to her daughter tightly. Tears flowed freely, and, even as Rhoswane kept repeating herself, her little voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper, Eithyne made a promise, an oath.

I promise, baby, I promise I won’t let you fall to this curse. She bit her lip as Rhoswane squeezed her neck, I will protect you.

“Even if I have to do it on my own.”

~

Jorgan eyed his daughter and granddaughter for a moment before leaving the room, quietly closing the door behind him. The food and drink could wait, Eithyne had a decision to make.

But he suspected she may have already chosen.