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Note to Readers: Whew! Two updates in one day. I hope you're not expecting me to keep this up. ::sweatdrops:: Everything was moving pretty fast down a definite course. This ride's nearing its end, but don't undo the seatbelt just yet. ^_~ Chapter Eleven Filia snarled as cold water hit her face, and weakly tried to snap at the hand on her muzzle. "Oneesan! You have to wake up!" Jillas' voice was laced with fear, and he kept shaking her. "You need to cast a spell!" Gradually the events started to filter back into place, and she was vaguely aware of the memory of the sensation of losing something worth more than her own life. Hot, wet heat from the packs covered her belly, mingling with the blood that was still flowing too quickly. With a groan, she managed to move her paws down over the incision, and forced her sluggish tongue to form words. "Blessed and humble hand of God, life and breath of Mother Earth..." As the recovery spell went into effect, the bleeding began to taper off. "I'll be okay, Jillas," Filia mumbled, her mouth feeling thick and numb. "Go get your things together, check back in a few minutes..." "Oneesan..." "Do it." She didn't remember him leaving, and had no idea how much time had slipped away when she forced her eyes open again. She re-cast the recovery spell, bringing the bleeding to a stop. Her best bet for recuperating from the impromptu surgery would be a resurrection spell, but channeling the energy for it would be tricky. It was more important to get the bleeding to a standstill. A paw stroked her muzzle, and she opened her eyes, unaware she had even closed them in the first place. "The water," she croaked, her voice cracking from the strain of speech. "Pour it in my mouth." Filia turned her head, angling her snout upward and parted her jaws for Jillas to pour the water mixed with oak bark powder down her throat. It would help with internal bleeding. "How ready are you?" "We're getting there, but when we get you inside, I'll stay with the ox. Gravos thinks it would be a good idea to pump out a few buckets of water and wash away the blood on the grass as well as we can." "Don't take too long." "We won't." "Is... is the egg...?" "Everything's fine, oneesan. Don't worry. We'll keep the little one safe, you can count on us." He stroked his paw over her muzzle as he spoke, and Filia found the gesture soothing. "Will there be a scar?" "In this body, there might be, but it's not likely there will be any on my other one. That is created by magic. It depends on the severity of the injuries, I think." Filia groaned tiredly. "I don't know. I don't even know if I'm making sense." "I think you are." "I'm going to try for a resurrection spell now. Go finish packing." Filia grabbed for the afghan draped over the back of the sofa, clutching to it for warmth as Jillas helped her lie down. She shivered uncontrollably, trying to get her limbs to work to cover herself. Jillas tucked the afghan around her, looking at her worriedly. "Do you need more blankets?" She nodded, teeth chattering too rapidly for speech, and closed her eyes. The next thing she knew, a heavy weight was spread comfortably over her as he piled up several blankets, tucking them in. "The fire's okay for right now. Gravos will put more wood on it after he finishes with the pump." "Then you'll go?" "We'll be gone before midnight, I can say that much. One of us will stay with the ox at all times, and watch the egg. We're also going to do the dishes and take care of any other bits of evidence." "Don't take too long." "We won't. We do want to make sure you'll be okay. I'll bring you some tea and something to eat in a bit." Jillas started to pull away, but she grabbed his arm. "You'll stay with the baby, won't you?" "We're not leaving the egg alone, one of us will be with the ox while--" "No. Always. Take care of the baby for me, please?" Jillas moved back to her, and brushed her bangs, drenched with cold sweat, out of her face. "We promise. We'll guard the hatchling with our lives. It should be safe in Seyruun." Filia nodded, releasing her weak grip on his arm, and closed her eyes. After what seemed to be merely moments, she felt a hand shaking her shoulder, and looked up at Jillas. "Hmm?" she mumbled, snuggling deeper under the blankets. "Your tea, oneesan. I also cut up some apples and cheese, and there's some bread here too." Filia looked to the coffee table in front of the sofa. Jillas plucked the teapot off the tray, and poured her a small cup. "Do you want me to help you sit up a little more?" She closed her eyes wearily, considering it. She did need to get her energy back up. When she nodded, he carefully slid his hands under her shoulders, helping her scoot higher up into a better position to eat. He draped another blanket around her quaking shoulders, and Filia clutched the hot cup of tea greedily, basking in the warmth it gave her chilled hands. Filia sipped it slowly, and Jillas moved the coffee table closer, bringing everything within easy reach. "Are you going to be okay, oneesan?" "I just need a bit of rest, Jillas," Filia replied between sips. To reassure him, she picked up a slice of apple, and nibbled at it gingerly. "But what about him?" "I can handle Xellos," Filia said, and hoped it was the truth. She had a plan worked out, and it went for broke, all or nothing. But so far, so good. "I'm..." Jillas faltered, and blinked back tears, rubbing his good eye. "We're leaving now, oneesan." "Be careful." "We will, don't worry about us. We'll take care of things. We'll sell the ox when we reach the port, but we won't let the cart get put into the hold. One of us will be with it at all times standing guard. Once we dock on the other side, it shouldn't be but a few days, a week at the most before we reach the White Magic capital, if the maps are right." He refilled Filia's cup and continued. "Gravos thinks we'll get there in two weeks, maybe a little over that. It depends on the weather more than anything else." "Don't stop for anything when you get there," Filia said quietly, closing her eyes as she sipped the tea. "See Amelia, or her father if she's not there. You have the signet ring. Use that." "We've got everything in hand, oneesan. Just worry about getting better, don't worry about us." "Good luck, Jillas." "You too..." He hesitated, as if he were about to say something else, but shook his head. Jillas circled the sofa and hugged her carefully, mindful of the hot tea in her hands. "Oneesan..." "I know, Jillas," Filia said quietly. "Me too." She reached up and gently patted the foxman on the head. It would be lonely beyond belief without them, and even more difficult to get by. But she'd manage. She had to. A few moments after he ducked out of the room, she became aware of a shadow in the doorway. Gravos stood there, looking uncertain. "I thought you were leaving...?" "Yeah, well, I wanted to say somethin' first." "Yes, Gravos?" "I'm sorry." Hot tears bit at her eyes, and Filia gave him a shaky smile. "I know, Gravos. It's okay. Go. Please. You haven't much time." Gravos nodded and started to turn away. "You'll take care of things, won't you?" With a backward glance over his shoulder, he gave her a toothy grin. "You can count on me, boss." "I know." It wasn't until the sky was turning a lighter gray with the dawn that Filia realized she never even once had a chance to see her egg. By the next evening, Filia felt strong enough to make a light sandwich, and tidy up the living room somewhat before retreating to her own bed to sleep. A few hours the following day were spent up and about, tending to various minor tasks and making some stew. She considered the merits of replenishing her larder, but the thought of getting dressed and presentable felt overwhelming in contrast to her energy level, let alone actually leaving the house and shopping in the increasingly bitter wind. Most of her time was spent asleep, recovering her strength from the loss of blood and internal wounds. It was so hard to remember that Jillas and Gravos were gone, and even harder to not take flight and pursue them. She knew then that she had made the right choice; had she merely waited to lay the egg naturally, or even if she had a chance to see it, to touch it, to make it real and tangible to her mind, her draconian instincts could very well override logic. During her waking hours, she rehearsed in her mind what she would say to Xellos, what she would do, how she would act. She was learning his buttons, his weaknesses, just as he had learned hers. The final door was shutting; for the sake of everyone, she had to accept her new place as willingly and wholeheartedly as she could, and perhaps he would never learn the truth. When she awoke to the shifting of weight on her bed, Filia knew it was time for the final act. "You came back," she murmured, not looking to him as she rolled on the bed to his direction. Her arms slipped around his slender waist, and she nuzzled closer, sleepy. He did nothing in response. She realized he could very well be suspicious that she thought he was Valgaav, especially since she hadn't looked to him yet. That was important. Act as though she expected him in her life now. "It didn't take long, I suppose Dynast's people posed no match for you." There. Clear up all doubt. He responded then, placing a hand lightly on her head, and chuckled softly. "Indeed. They were hardly what I would call a suitable opponent." "Good," she murmured. "I worried." "Did you now." His tone was low, purring. There was no question to it. His hand stroked her hair gently. "Miss Filia, I have a question." "Yes, Mister Xellos?" "Where are your servants?" Moment of truth. She clung to him tighter. She couldn't let him see her eyes, she wasn't that skilled a liar. "We fought. An argument. They left." "I noticed the ox you desired is also gone." "I let Jillas have it; with it just down to me who needs food, anything bigger than a garden would be a waste. I'm not a farmer. I don't know anything about maintaining crops." "Magnanimous of you." "Just getting rid of another mouth to feed, since I wouldn't really have much use for the ox personally. Besides, Jillas bought it with his own earnings." "I see." He was quiet. "Where have they gone?" "Don't know, don't really care." She sniffled, letting her voice crack. "Why are you crying then, Miss Filia, if you do not care?" She didn't answer him right away. "It's been too quiet." "Unaccustomed to being on your own, are you now?" "Are you going to leave?" "Miss Filia, stop thinking such things. I told you before, I will always be here." He started to stand, and she clung frantically to his cloak. "Don't leave me..." "Miss Filia--" "Please?" She looked up at him finally, and realized with a start that her desperation for companionship wasn't feigned. His eyes were open as he studied her. "Miss Filia, it wasn't all that long ago that you wished me gone, preferably damned into the abyss." "I don't know anymore," she murmured, frowning in confusion as she laid her head down on the pillow. "Just don't let me be alone..." Xellos was silent, then she heard an audible sigh a few moments later. "Very well, then," he said, his tone brisk. "Move over." She scooted back, but did not release his cloak. Xellos moved onto the bed beside her, and she promptly returned to his side, clinging to him as if her life depended on it. Someone's life did, if not her own. Once Filia's breathing had evened out in sleep, Xellos allowed himself a small, victorious smirk. He had chosen well with this one, he decided, watching her golden hair slip between his gloved fingers. He was happy his instincts had not let him down. The young Dragon was certainly a pet worthy of having him, Xellos Metallium, for its master. Everything was proceeding exactly as he anticipated. |
to be continued...
Chapter Twelve