Page 96 of Storms & Sacrifice
“Yes.” Khazak nods stiffly, swallowing thickly. “He pulled the sword out of your chest, and you fell onto the altar as you bled out. I saw the life drain from your eyes, and then...”
“What?” I can remember this, when things started to go dark, but after that... “Whathappened?”
“First, the storm outside seemed to grow even stronger.” He’s able to look at me again. “The wind was howling through the cave tunnel, and the lightning and thunder became more frequent, louder. Then it was as if the mountain itself had been struck. The whole room started shaking as a bolt of lightning came downthroughthe temple ceiling and struck your body. It was terrifying, but I couldn’t look away as your body convulsed. Then it stopped, and you were still. Until youwere not.”
“I was already starting to fade, all the energy and adrenaline drained from my body. But then you clutched the altar and stood up,” Khazak continues. “At first, I did not understand what I was seeing. Then I was just happy that you were still alive. But something was off. You were not talking and your eyes looked dark, unfocused. Until you looked at one of the cult members. Then all I could see in your eyes was fury. Even after you...stopped them, you were still not acting like yourself. It was only when I was able to get your attention that I saw for just a moment that you were back, right before you passed out, and we broughtyou here.”
I’m speechless when he finishes, but when no one says anything, I press forward. “So, we still don’t really know what happened to me?”
“Though it may sound far-fetched, the simplest answer is that whatever the group was attempting to accomplish worked.” Kind of surprised it’s adoctorsaying this. “Unfortunately, we do not have a way of trulyknowing.”
“So, I’m ‘blessed’ by the gods?” Sure doesn’t fucking feel like it.
“We are going to figure this out, David,” Khazak tries to reassure me. “While you were recovering, I spoke with the remaining members of the Tribal Council. Murbank was correct about the city having more information regarding the temple, but it is not much. They intentionally asked the elves to keep it secret to prevent something like this from happening. We may not know what they really discovered twenty years ago, but we know who does, and your friends have already been discussing your travel plans for what todo next.”
“Yeah! We’re gonna figure this out together, David,” Corrine tells me cheerfully before turning to the doctor. “Would it be alright if he started seeingvisitors?”
“Yes, I think that would be fine, but only two at a time other than the captain, please.” She holds up two fingers, then looks at me. “I would like to keep you here a bit longer, just to be sure that everything is alright before releasing you.”
“Got it.” I nod. “Thank you.” It’s not her fault we don’t know what’sgoing on.
As soon as the healer is gone, Corrine nearly throws herself at me to hug me, already crying again.
“It’s so good to see you guys,” I say after she’s finally composed herself. “How are you even here right now?”
“Aside from you almost dying? Turns out our former lawyer wasn’t actually a lawyerandwas the one who stabbed you.”Good point.
“After your apparent resurrection, Redwish was one of the first ones to leave the temple in the chaos that followed.” Khazak sighs unhappily. “We were able to catch most of the others, but unfortunately not him. We searched his home and found it nearly empty, and it appears he may have forged his entire identity. We are not even sure Naruk Redwish is his real name.”
“So, because of that, they released us and a few of his other defendants early,” Adam finishes explaining.
“Considering wedefinitelydid the thing we were accused of, I think we got pretty lucky,” Corrine adds with a sniffle after fixingher hair.
“Seriously.” It’s so great to see them like this and not cuffed behind a table.
“What about you?” Adam asks, concerned. “Are youalright?”
“I guess?” Ifeelfine. “Other than this gnarly scar.”
“We don’t mean physically, David.” Corrine touches my arm gently.
“...I don’t really know.” For so many different reasons.
“We’re here for you, David,” Adam assures me. “We’re going to figurethis out.”
“Yes, we are! Pákannon is only a five day walk from here, so if we leave in the next couple of days, we should arrive around a weekfrom now!”
“The friends you’ve made while we’ve been locked up have beenreallyhelpful.” Adam looks at Khazak with a smile. “We’ve been staying with Captain Ironstorm’s family since yesterday. They’re letting us crash there until we leave. His sister already helped figure out the fastest path from here to Pákannon and then from there to Manamequohi.”
“How did you say that so easily?” I look at Adam, half-surprised and half-annoyed.
“What? Manamequohi?” Corrine asks and my look moves to her.
“Whatever,” I grumble and cross my arms. “I’m glad Ayla was able to help. Khazak’s familyis great.”
“They’ve all been so nice,” Corrine agrees, smilingat Khazak.
“Some of the rangers told us about where to find some decent weapons and armor, and that Nylan guy offered to show us around the marketplace later today,”Adam adds.
