Chương 35: Nothing Happened

Leah took long breaths, leaning against the trunk of a tree. Her arms, stomach and head were wrapped in bandages; every movement reminded her of the beating she had taken earlier. She looked up at Felicity.

"Did you start training like this too?" she asked.

"Did you take this many beatings when you were a child?" Felicity nodded slowly.

"Yes. I took them from my cousins and my uncles, all older than me. And believe me…their blows were a hundred times worse than the ones I'm giving you". Leah's eyes widened.

"And you survived?"

"Barely. But all the microfractures I suffered as a child caused my bones to calcify. They're more resilient than average now".

"That's…impressive". Leah hesitated, then studied her more carefully.

"I can't even imagine the pain you felt seeing your clan massacred so brutally". Felicity fell silent. Then she spoke in a low voice. This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"I didn't see anything. One day, I simply came back and found them like that". She swallowed hard.

"The bodies of every member of the clan were lying on the ground. My uncles. My cousins. My friends. Then I saw my parents and my little brother". Her eyes grew moist. Leah lowered her gaze, struck by the weight of it.

"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to make you relive that memory".

"It's fine", Felicity replied, looking away.

"The nightmares handle that for me". She turned slightly.

"Now get some rest. Tomorrow, another painful and productive day awaits you". Leah nodded tiredly.

"Good night, Feli". Felicity did not answer. She remained staring at her two swords, motionless, as if her entire story were contained within them. The following morning, the elves, still half drunk, mounted their horses, ready to resume their journey. Ethan climbed onto his large black horse and noticed Renlin standing a short distance away. He rode over to her.

"Good morning".

"Good morning, Ethan". He hesitated for a moment.

"Can we talk about it? About yesterday, I mean". Renlin looked into his eyes, then smiled calmly.

"Nothing happened yesterday".

"What do you mean? You ki-""Nothing happened", she repeated with gentle firmness. Ethan understood. He lowered his gaze slightly, then nodded.

"Nothing happened. Understood". Renlin smiled once more, then turned and returned to the other elves. Xarath trudged forward through the blizzard. The snowstorm crashed down upon him and the surrounding forest like a sentence of doom. Every few steps, he spat blood, his body wracked by searing pains that forced his eyes wide open. He collapsed into the snow, trembling, uncontrollable spasms shaking his body. Green silhouettes emerged from the swirling white.

"What is that?"

"Is it dead?"

"No…it seems to be breathing". A goblin taller and sturdier than the others approached and examined him closely.

"He's a mage", he said.

"Take him. We're bringing him back to the cave".

"Yes, chief".

"Understood, chief". Green hands seized Xarath as the storm continued to rage above them.