The Chaos of Healing

[saerwen]

Jaedon knew that the horse was right...She needed to go and help Neron. Even though she was scared of what might happen along the way, she needed to do everything in her power to make sure that he made it to wherever they were going. She wasn't really used to riding on the back of anything, seeing as how she was a woodland creature, but she would cope this time. Without hesitation she walked over to the horse and pulled herself up on it's back, right behind Neron, her arms gently surrounding him, acting as restraints for his broken body. When she was sure that she had a good hold on the horse she said, "Alright, let's go."

When Cecily mentioned that she had a friend in the ares that would be drawn to the scent of flesh Damion almost jolted back. What on earth was she thinking? but then she calmed his immediate alarm by saying that he was a gentle sort. Although lacking in trust, his heart wouldn't allow him to believe that Jaedon and Neron were that kind of trouble. He just shook his head and went back outside, starting to pace again.

[»Míríel«]

As soon as Tarian heard Jaedon's voice he started off with a smooth gait and was soon in the air. Their speed was astonishing, the ground beneath them speed by quickly. This made the wind loud and It would be nearly impossible to speak. Even though the speed and wind was astonishing, the ride was gentle and smooth.

Neron felt the ground leave them and he tried his hardest to stay awake. Those arms of Jaedon around him gave him security for a moment, but even then the pain took over. He was trying to fight the darkness, he was trying to battle it off, for Jaedon's sake. It wasn't working. His body grew hot with fever and his eyes glazed over. "I can't hang on... I can't" A tear felt from his eyes before the the consciousness slipped beyond his control. The world that was flying past him was then cloaked in darkness.

Tarian felt Neron's weight grow heavier. The poor boy had passed out and he wasn't surprised. That guy had endured an excessive amount of pain. He had to go faster, the widow of time between life and death was growing shorter. "Come on old boy, move that hide of yours." HIs neck strained forward in urgency. It was a good thing Jaedon was here, without her Neron would probably have fallen off.

The little house was in view now. It was only another minute before he dove into the doorway. Despite the frantic flying, the landing was rather smooth. It was something his species prided themselves in and he was no exception. As soon as he made it in, knocking some herbs from the tables and shelves around them he folded his wings so Jaedon could dismount. It must have been a frightening sight for them all. A boney horse with dragon wings carrying two beloved friends One looked dead.

"Well, speak of the dvil, there he is. Perfect timing as usua-" Cecily started.

"There is no time for pleasantries Cecily this boy has been poisoned.

"Well he probably deserved it where did you find the ragmuffi-"

"Cecily." Tarian's voice was deeper.

Cecily blinked and bowed her head. "Fine.. I was just having fun." She moved with amazing quickness, cleared the tea table. For once she was acting like a person instead of a free spirit captured in a body. The others had probably never seen her obey so readily." Well let me get a look at him."

Miriel was shocked and horrified when a living skeleton suddenly burst into the room. What got to her the most was the two ark forms on the horses back. "Jaedon? Neron? What happened?!?!" She made a move to go forward, ready to heal. The two of them looked terrible, Jaedon looked worried and Neron, Neron looked dead. " He isn't, he didn't...."

[saerwen]

Jaedon felt like she had been on the horse for just a moment when she felt them land. That was the fastest flight she had ever had in her life, and she prayed that it would be her last. She liked to feel the ground beneath her feet. When they weren't she was usually in trouble and this wasn't a different case.

When they landed and she dismounted, Jaedon was shocked to find that the horse was ordering his friend to examine Neron. Jaedon almost laughed when she recognized Cecily's playful tone. It was out of place for sure, but it was amusing that this horse and she had had the same friend in mind. She wanted to stay close to Neron, but she knew that she would only get in the way. The life of the man that she loved was now in the hands of Cecily. She soon caught sight of Miriel coming towards them both. Poor thing was frazzled, and as always, ready to steal the pain of her loved ones.

"Not this time, Miriel," Jaedon spoke gently to her friend, "you aren't strong enough to help him, but Cecily can help." When she asked what had happened Jaedon's visage hardened, "Ares attacked Neron, and then poisoned him. Tell that to the Damion if you get the chance."

Damion was outside, staring up at the sky. He knew the reason that he had not felt normal. He couldn't look at the little building where the rest of his friends. Chills were running up his spine. His usually bright and happy face was dark, haunted and fearful. After all of the dark feelings that he had had, he should have guessed that something like that was going to happen. His bad mood, everything had been caused by one thing.

As he had looked to the sky, he had seen Jaedon and Neron come flying from the sky and into the house. He heard, even now, the sound of voices, one of them not belonging to any of his friends...There was someone else there, but for all of Damion's might, he couldn't see who it was. He understood only one thing, he had felt something very similar before. It was like standing next to...he couldn't even think her name. There was only one person in this whole world that Damion could say that he hated, and always would, and the presence, now unseen, felt so much like her that he could hardly keep himself there. He wanted to fly away, but he prevented himself. Why had this had to happen? It was a dark day from the very beginning...

[»Míríel«]

Cecily made sure that Neron was placed on the table, he was flushed with a fever. With a critical eyes sh walked around, crouched over and circled Neron. Little clucking of disappointment was heard. "Tarian, Tarian... you know I don't do healing I only create poisons."

"We both know that isn't true. You worked with healing potions long before you started with poisons.." Tarian stepped closer.

Cecily sighed deeply and looked at the scratch marks. "Obviously these were inflicted by some sort of claw or talon, perhaps a Lion's? He's my last customer, a strange fellow. I gave him some pretty potent stuff..."

"Cecily, just fix it."

CEecily waved her hand absently, "I will, I will, gosh no need to be so ornery. You know what it will require though." She lifted an eyebrow and studied Tarian. He nodded and walking over she plucked one of his hairs. "Ahhh, A wonderful thing the hair of a-"

"CEcily, the time."

"As yes, do forgive me." Turning she walked over to some shelves gathering this and that, crushing one soaking another. It seemed that she was taking her sweet time making the potion.


Miriel looked on the group with wide eyes. She felt so helpless, so very helpless. Reaching up her hair was slowly being twisted around her finger, a sure sign of her nervous nature. "Why would Ares do such a thing why? Perhaps I shouldn't have healed him. If I hadn't then this never would have happened." THose jade eyes were sorrowful. "Jaedon...I'm so sorry." Turning to Jaedon she wrapped her in a hug. "I am so sorry...This is my fault..." Then releasing her she wiped a tear away and changed the subject, "I will tell Damion, actually you could he's right outside...He seems to dread this place."

Tarian turned his attention to the girl called Miriel. She was a healer it seemed. His head cocked to the side. He wanted to meet this girl, healers were always a major attraction to him. Walking towards the back of the house, in the shadows, he seemed to dissipate from view. What appeared from the shadows was a totally contrasting figure. A man walked out, bright blond hair shone almost white as intelligent blue eyes shone forth. HIs moves were graceful and though his face didn't show to much emotion a small smile played on his lips. It didn't take long for him to get back to JAedon and Miriel. " Ah, Jaedon, why don't you introduce me to this lady here."

Cecily was measuring a liquid and turning she shouted across the room, "His name is Tarian, he has a terrible habit of forgetting to tell people his name. Probably because most people can't see his true form. Forgive his poor manners, though they are quite appalling."

Neron lay on the table, dead to the world, even his mind was almost gone. Every moment he felt hotter and hotter and more and more numb. He seemed close to something, some place that he had never felt before. A place of peace, yes peace. It was so close, so close. There was a light in the darkness. Light with such beauty he was attracted immediately. He wanted to go to it, but his feet felt so heavy, something was holding him back. Yet with every passing moment the weight seemed to be lifted a bit, and traveling was much easier.

[saerwen]

When Miriel embraced Jaedon, she couldn't have persuaded Jaedon that she was really to blame. Jaedon felt more like she was comforting Miriel than the other way around. She spoke softly as she looked at Neron's completely still form. "It wasn't your fault Miriel, it was Ares' fault. He made his choice, just like we all have, at some point in time or another. He won't be bothering us anymore, though." Jaedon choked on her last words. "I never wanted this to happen, but somehow, I am always left with the choice of murder of self-defense." she murmured quietly.

Damion dreaded this place? Jaedon paused for a moment. Why would he dread a place like this. Poison were almost null of him, he was a dragon. What did he have to be scared of. Granted, Cecily knew a few that could put him out of his misery, or into it...either way, but that shouldn't be enough to drive Damion away. No, there was something else.

"Don't you think you should see what is-" she was interrupted by the man named Tarian, who was obviously the horse that had born her and Neron to Cecily. Jaedon's manner changed from secretive to exhausted, "Yes, this is Miriel. She is my best friend." Jaedon didn't mind Tarian's lack of manners. It was nothing to her, whether or not the man had manners. After dealing with Neron for so long, manners were lost on her. In order to finish her previous thought to Miriel, she gently dug her elbow into Miriel's side and looked at the doorway for a moment.

Damion had collapsed on the ground, sitting with his back against the pillar that he had previously been sitting on. It looked like everything within him was in agony over some unknown decision. He held his head in his hand and his mouth was clenched tightly shut in a firm line. His stormy blue eyes were closed. The wind blew softly against him, causing his white hair to fly into his face and tease him, but he did nothing. He wouldn't leave until he knew that everyone was safe, because that was his responsibility, but he couldn't go into that room. So there he sat, unable to do anything.

[»Míríel«]

Miriel studied Jaedon's face. Her kind eyes were glistening with tears. "I understand." Ares was dead, that's what Jaedon meant. Miriel bowed her head in silence for a moment. Her hand reached out and gently landed on her friends shoulder, "Neron will be fine..." Her gaze drifted to Neron, "He'll be fine." Hopefully those words didn't sound as empty as they felt. What if Neron wasn't going to be fine, what if he died?

Luckily Tarian approached, breaking her from her thoughts. He looked so different than before. How could he have such a bright appearance when in his true form he was a dark, demon-like, horse? She smiled brightly at him. "Hello Tarian, It's nice to meet you. I want to thank you for everything that you have done." Jaedon's elbow was digging viciously into her side. Miriel took the hint, "Um, perhaps we will talk later, I must tell Damion what is going on." She smiled again and turned toward the entrance. When her back was turned from them the smile diminished until it was nothing but a straight line.
Picking her way through the fallen herbs and a broken glass or two, due to the entrance of the three, she made her way to the doorway. It didn't take long and her figure was soon to be seen at the doorway. Damion was exactly where she had left him. When her eye landed on his white figure they filled with tears once more. How could she tell him? She knew more than anything else she needed a comforting hand. Quickly she made her decent, calling out to him on the there. "Damion! Damion, they are back! They have returned." She was by him now. "Neron's badly hurt, he looks near death. Ares attacked him and almost killed him, if it wasn't for Jaedon. Ares is dead now. Will you come in? Cecily is working on healing Neron, because..." She stopped, she couldn't finish the words, "I can't". Her words had been a jumble to, there was so much information needing to be told and she was in a frenzy almost, making her words chopped and scattered.

Tarian smiled as Miriel left the room, she seemed like a nice girl, caring and gentle. He felt that the two of them could have a friendship. His blue eyes fixed themselves on Jaedon, "Keep your chin up. This chap has a great deal of spunk in him, I'm sure he'll pull through." HE turned from her and made his way over to Cecily. It might be unnerving how calm he was around death. True, he didn't know Neron and Jaedon that well, yet still, most people would be shocked and nervous, even among strangers. Also the fact that he had eaten a carcass of Ares was a bit strange as well. Yet that was Tarian, calm, smooth, and well acquainted with death and those who knew it.
"You know, those two girls look remarkably alike. Both have black hair and beautiful green eyes. Yet they are so different." Tarian's voice was lowered so that just Cecily could hear.
"Tarian, I am trying to concentrate. Go away." Cecily scrunched up her nose and narrowed her eyes as she carefully mixed two liquids together.
"And so beautiful might I add." Tarian added.
If Cecily didn't have the control over herself like she did, the potion would have been ruined and spilled all over the floor. She shot an angry glance at Tarian, "And taken might I add. Now go away.Before I make you sip some tea."
"Sad...Ah well one of them might not be taken for long if you don't hurry up. I saw you made mint tea."
" Cecily poured the last drop in smoothly and taking a wickedly long needle she starting sucking some up into it. She shook her head, tilted the needle up and let some of the liquid spit out from the tip. " GO AWAY! I'm done SEE?! Sometimes Tarian...sometimes..." Her body turned suddenly. Even though she looked aggravated, she really didn't mind Tarian rushing her that much, or teasing her in his serious manner. One thing that Tarian said had gotten under her skin, that was him mentioning the other girls. Cecily knew she had to fix Neron, she couldn't let Tarian be interested in the other girls, now Neron couldn't die, she wouldn't let him. If Tarian ever hooked up with someone, Cecily wouldn't know what to do. HE was very close to her and she almost never got to see him. So when she did she was very possessive. Another girl taking the precious time she would get to spend with him got her blood boiling. Stalking over to Neron she glared at him for a moment. Then motioning to Tarian she said in a quieter voice, "Bring me those scissors." Time was ticking and it was showing on her face. For once she actually looked a hint worried. The scissors were placed in her hand by Tarian and she bent over Neron, the scissors wide and ready to bite.

The closer Neron got to the light the better he felt. All of his worries and his fears were dropping away. Peace, he was starting to feel pure peace. Now he could tell that the light was in the form of an arch, with a gate out front. Why did he feel so light, so free? It was like walking on air. As he neared the gate he saw a familiar face. "Mother?"

[saerwen]

When Damion heard Miriel's voice his head shot up. He heard that something was distressing her greatly by the stress in her voice, then it all came pouring out. Like someone had jsut unleashed water trapped behind a dam, Miriel let loose a tidal wave of worries to set afresh on Damion. He became instantly aware that sending Jaedon and Neron after Ares before hearing their plight was not the wisest thing he had done. He should have given them time to explain, seen that Neron was not well, and then gone after Ares with Miriel. Nothing like this would have happened had he not been so angry and unfair.

Damion felt sorry for Miriel. He knew that she wanted to heal her friend, and he knew that it pained her to think about giving her precious skills to someone that had turned against them. He had never thought that Ares would do something like that, but considering the fact that Neron was much less willing to start a fight unless need called for it, and Jaedon was also trying to turn over a new leaf, he could almost fathom it. At first, Damion wanted to become depressed, but when he saw Miriel's face he knew that he couldn't think about himself right now. However much he was tempted to, however much he wanted to run away, he couldn't. He had to stay with Miriel and he had to stay with Neron and Jaedon.

"I know they've come back. I saw," he choked the words out in a hoarse voice. Her eyes were filled with tears and she was so upset that she could hardly speak coherently. Damion's blue eyes looked at her with a gentle and reassuring gaze that seemed to say everything would be alright. He leaned over towards Miriel and put a comforting arm around her, pulling her into a close embrace. He began to stroke her hair, "Calm down, Miriel. You are a little ahead of yourself, don't you think?" He spoke softly and added a little amusement at the end. "Why don't we just stay here for a second. It might be better for you to get away from there." He looked to the doorway as he spoke, wondering if Neron would be able to pull through, if Cecily would be able to save him, and what would happen to Jaedon if it took a turn for the worst.

When Tarian tried to cheer her up, Jaedon just looked at him with dull green eyes. She wasn't at all comforted by his words. She knew that Neron could pull through a lot of things, but this was calling it too close. When Cecily asked for the scissors Jaedon didn't know why, but she felt like losing her stomach. She had seen something like this so many times before, and she had done things worse before, but for some reason, this sight caused her to have to turn away.

[»Míríel«]

Miriel felt Damion's arms envelope her in a securing hug. She melted into his arm, resting her dark head on his chest. Tears were flowing freely now. How could she have lived without Damion? IT seemed like he had always been there, always. Those cool hands of his running down her hair relaxed her and it didn't take long for the tears to stop flowing. Clutching onto his shirt she buried her head into his chest a bit more. "I love you Damion. I love you." Pulling her head from his chest she moved her hands from his shirt to around his face. Their lips touched for a moment before she circled her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Damion is just who she needed at this moment.

Cecily raised an eyebrow at Jaedon, "Don't get to excited over there." Then she placed the bottom of the scissors blade at his collar bone, than with one smooth motion Neron's black shirt was cut in half, revealing his bare torso. That white skin was mottled with black and blue bruising making it look more like some sick painting other than a human's chest. Also on his left side there was a half revealed gnarled scar that was a fierce some trophy to past battles. This scar was pierced by the claws of Ares and due to the stickiness of the blood the cloth stuck like glue to his side. She didn't have time to peel this away just yet. Taking the needle she muttered to herself, "The poison is to far along, this must go straight to his heart..." With a determined look on her face her hand raised the needle and stabbed it into his chest. Pushing down the fluid she took the needle away and stood back. "Hopefully I didn't screw things up this time." A memory plagued her, but she brushed her hair out of her eyes and wlaking over grabbed a pink ribbon and tied her long silver hair back. Then she grabbed a rag and warm water.

Soon she was back by her patient. Dabbing the warm water on the cut shirt she started peeling it away from his skin.

"Good thing he's out." Tarian observed the process with eyes filled with pity.

"Yes, hopefully he won't be for long though." Cecily peeled the last strip away and started cleansing the wound and putting some sort of paste on it. Then standing straight up she sighed, "I can't do much else until he can sit up..."

Neron shook the last of his weights from his feet and he was before his mother before long. Her large sapphire body gleamed in the intense light, but her large body was blocking the entrance.
"Mom! Please let me through!"
"NO son." HEr eyes turned gentle, "It isn't your time."
"Yes it is, I'm ready, please let me join you. I miss you."
"No. Someday you will join me, and the day will come all to soon, but now you have someone back there that needs you more than I do. You must go back."
Neron shook his head and tried to come closer to her, but his mother shoved him away, a spit of fire came from her mouth an hit him on the chest, right above his heart. He winced.
"Go, Jaedon needs you. Your love needs you."
Jaedon, how could he have forgotten about her. He gave his mother one last look and nodded before turning back. He understood now.

Tarian was observing Neron's face closely. It had grow increasingly pale with the loss of blood, but now it was starting to get some blood to it. "He's ocming back." Walking over to Cecily he placed his hand on her shoulder, "He'll be fine, nice work Cecily." His blue eyes were warm and gentle."Nice, work."

Neron's hand twitched slightly and his eyes fluttered slightly. A groan passed his lips. Pain was flooding his senses. "Jae...JAedon/." HIs voice was filled with pain. HE stopped and closed his eyes again as his jaw clenched. Pain, it was everywhere, he couldn't breathe without pain, he couldn't even think without pain. His hand clenched as the anti-poison flowed through his veins, it caused a burning and needling sensation, it was almost worse than the poison. A groan escaped his lips as his forehead beaded with more sweat. HE wanted to go back to the light, he wanted to have the feeling of freedom from pain and peace. He knew that he couldn't it wasn't his time yet. "Jaedon." He still had a fever from the poison and he was slightly delirious, thus he murmured Jaedon's name softly. His voice was hoarse and filled with agony.

[saerwen]

Damion was glad to see that he had managed to stop Miriel's tears, but she was clinging to him like someone on the verge of drowning, holding fast to drift wood. He would serve as Miriel's one little bit of salvation for as long as he could. He wouldn't trade the feeling of holding her for anything in the world. He chuckled as she told him that she loved him.

"I know that, you silly girl, but I still love to hear you say it," he was trying to cheer her up, but he couldn't tell if he was failing or succeeding. "I hope that you know that I love you more though. There is nothing that will ever change that."

Jaedon was able to gather herself when she saw what the scissors were for. She still felt sick, but it began to die away until she saw how many bruises and scars were all over Neron's body. That bloody lizard was giving it his best. She almost let out a curse, but withheld it, knowing it would do no good. She watched as Cecily continued to work. Jaedon was unaware that she was holding her breath until she saw Neron open his eyes again. It all came out in a sigh of relief and stress. She walked over to the table, making sure to stay out of Cecily's way as she tried to pull the shards of Neron's ripped shirt from his wounds. She found herself at the head of the table, next to Neron's head. She just barely heard him say her name. She looked at him with worried eyes that glistened with tears that had been incapable of falling. She hadn't been able to cry, fearing that it would mean all hope was lost, but now that she saw that Neron was safe, her eyes were filled with the watery substance that had been a stranger to her before meeting Neron and Miriel.

The tears stayed where they were as she forced a smile and answered him softly, "I'm right here. Be quiet," she brushed some strands of his black hair out of his eyes as she spoke.

[»Míríel«]

"I will never grow tired of saying it Damion, never. I love you." The words were muffled by her position. she hugged him a bit tighter, allowing her worries to fall off her shoulders. Neron would be ok, she knew it. He had to be. Thinking of Neron made her realize that they should probably return back. Jaedon was alone and she probably needed them. Still Miriel didn't want to leave this embrace.

With a deep sigh she gave Damion a squeeze and murmured, "We should probably go see how things are fairing..." Even as she said this she kept hanging on to Damion, though her embrace was slightly less intense. She was going to absorb every drop of this she could.

Neron seemed at some peace when she said she was there. He felt her gentle touch as she brushed some strands out of his face. He seemed figity, like he had something on his mind. "Jaedon...Ares... You didn't hear. You didn't hear...did you?' His green eyes were like a mirror, reflective and smooth. Those green eyes slightly resembled that of a snakes. They were panicked.

Cecily shook her head. "Simmer down Neron, you should take her advise and shut that trap of yours. " Cecily had been moving around the room gathering a bowl and filling it with cool water and a rag. Now she presented it to JAedon. "You might want to dab this on her forehead, his brains are probably about to fry." Now that Neron wasn't as in danger, though he was still lurking on the line, Cecily's normal amused expression appeared on her face.

Tarian, seeing that Jaedon was busy with Neron, and Cecily no longer needing him, he decided to break the news to the two outside. Walking nonchalantly toward the entrance he paused at the embracing figures. His face didn't reveal the stab of jealousy and pain that he felt. He wanted to turn away, he wanted to go back into the room, but he knew that the same thing would surround him in there. "Excuse me, I hate to break you chaps up, but I have a little tidbit of news."

[saerwen]

When Miriel mentioned going back inside Damion let out a sigh. Even though she released her hold slightly, Damion did not. He didn't want to. He inhaled deeply, reveling in her sweet smell. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew that he would have to let her go and that he would have to watch as she left him because there was no way that he could go into that building, not with that guy in there. It was too much of a reminder for him. He hoped that Miriel would understand, even though he would never admit to her why he couldn't bring himself to go in there.

"You go ahead, Miriel, I-" he was interrupted by the arrival of Tarian. He didn't know who this guy was or what he had done other than that the feelings his presence aroused were uncomfortable. He didn't want to dislike this person, seeing as how he was probably the person behind Neron's survival, but he knew that it would take a long time for him to replace all of his current misgivings with trust. Damion pushed Miriel just slightly away from him, but still held her pretty close. "I hope that it is good," he spoke with a little emotion, knowing that if he betrayed anything that he was feeling, everyone would dislike the effects.

As Neron spoke Jaedon became slightly exasperated. Would he stop at nothing until he had used up his last bit of strength? Why couldn't this one piece of information wait for just a few moments? He was so ardent about telling her soon that she was becoming very curious as to what could be plaguing him so. Even though she urged him to be quiet, she secretly hoped that he would find the strength to tell her.

"Forget Ares right now, you can think about this later," she took the rag and cold water from Cecily and began to dab the icy cold water on his forehead. Neron was so hot that it didn't take long for the rag to become hot. She found quickly that if she continued to used the water, it would practically be a waste, so she aired the rag out quickly when it became hot, using the water for when it became ineffective otherwise. As she did so, she thought about Ares, and she thought about what had happened. Her eyes started to grow darker. She had killed him...Ares was gone. She had killed Neron's friend...Would he ever forgive her? Then the thought struck her like a blow to the gut. What was there to forgive? Neron didn't care for her. She was dead to him, at least as far as affection went. Her worrying about forgiveness was useless. He didn't care.

[»Míríel«]

Miriel felt Damion push her away slightly at the appearance of Tarian. Her eyes looked up an Searched Tarian's face for any hint to the nature of his new, but the man's face was unreadable. Why did people have to hide things so well? It was distressing. She felt the wish that she could read mind like Jaedon rise within her. Unlike Jaedon, she would have to wait for an answer, and it was driving her insane.

Tarian smiled slightly and nodded. "The boy is awake. Poor boy has been through a lot and he isn't quite out of the bloomin woods yet. But I believe he will make it. He's a fighter that one." He shook his head in admiration.

Miriel couldn't help feeling of delight bubbling within her. "Neron's alright." She whispered this for a moment, testing out the words. Then turning to Damion with happiness she said louder, "Neron's alright!" She bounced up and down once or twice, her face looking like that of a young girls. Then wrapping Damion in another hug, a quick one this time, she let her hand slide down to his. "Let's go see them shall we?"

Neron sook his head and reaching up with a sudden movement he clutched her hand that held the rag. The pain caused him to pause and close his eyes. Through a clenched mouth he muttered, "No...Jaedon." His eyes opened once more and he gazed at her features. His eyes grew soft, softer than she had ever seen them. He seemed to study her face for a couple moment, speechless by her beauty. "I..." He blinked and then continued, "I love you." He clutched her wrist tightly for a moment longer, to prove his feelings, than his hand dropped with a jolt back to the table. His eyes closed and his face turned away from her to hide the pained expression. He had said what he had wanted to.

Cecily Sighed and with a little cough she interrupted the two. "Sorry, but I need you to sit up Neron. Oh..and it's going to hurt. A surprise to you I know." Without much more warning she started to push him into a sitting position. Neron let out a cry of pain and his head fell forward , his face covered by shadows. Those hands of his were now sporting white knuckles.It was interesting to see Cecily, someone with such a slight form, being bale to lift Neron up into a siting position, yet somehow she had accomplished it. Still her face showed the strain of the motion. "Hold him will you/" She spoke to Jaedon with a tight voice." I have to wrap his chest. "

[saerwen]

Damion was already starting to like Tarian, he was British. For some reason, Damion was always more apt to trust English people. It would probably come around to bite him one day, but he wasn't going to worry about that now. Miriel became instantly excited at the good news and Damion couldn't help but smile. It was good to see her happy again. When Miriel took his hand to go in and see them, Damion felt his stomach lurch. The feeling of discomfort came back with a new rush and this time it was almost intolerable. He had to try so hard to make sure that he didn't jerk his hand away from Miriel.

He forced himself to his feet,"Very well, let's go."

He would go as far as the doorway simply to gratify Miriel, but that was about all he could do. His wearied expression returned to his face with a new shadows. Everything about him seemed tense and unnatural. He wondered if Miriel was able to tell how distraught he was. He hoped that she simply mistook it for being worried about Neron. And in truth, Damion was worried about Neron, but he was so preoccupied with other fears that fear for Neron's life became just another mixed up jumble in his pot of worries.

When Neron reached up and took her hand Jaedon almost jumped. Why did he have to act so impulsively? She was about to shush him again and take his hand away from hers, seeing as how the movement had caused him a lot of pain, when seh noticed the way that he was looking at her. Was this what near death experiences did to Neron? His eyes looked like an angels. It was like they were pulling her towards him, and it took everything in her to stay away. Stop it. You are just teasing yourself. Those eyes aren't looking on you with anything special.

She had pulled herself out of the trance and looked away from him, putting the rag in her other hand and resuming her work just as Neron started talking again. She rolled her eyes, wishing that he would just shut up. It was torturous for her and she could hardly even say why. When he finally finished his thought though, Jaedon didn't know what to do. She stopped mid-movement and her eyes got a little bigger. Neron probably would have felt her muscles tense up. She closed her eyes for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. She eventually came to the conclusion that Neron was feverish and that he wasn't in his right mind. She had heard what he said to Ares. There was no mistaking it. Yes, it was the fever talking. Those words cut through her like a knife, but she simply went back to putting the cold rag on Neron's head. She didn't have the courage to say anything.

When Cecily pushed Neron up, Jaedon couldn't help but think, Couldn't you have done that any harsher. She then came behind Neron and put her arm around his shoulders to keep him propped up as Cecily finished her work. It was only now that she managed to say anything to Neron. In a very hushed voice she made a plea for Neron to stop torturing her so. He had used her once, and even though she didn't mind too much, it hurt to know that it wasn't real, "Don't worry about it, Neron. You really need to stop talking." Jaedon was glad that she was behind Neron, he wouldn't be able to see the tears that streaked down her face.

[»Míríel«]

Miriel took a couple of steps before the mood of Damion made its way through her excitement. Her feet stopped and she turned. "Is everything alright Damion?" Her green eyes roved over his face. Damion seemed darker than usual, moody. Something was bothering him. Then she remembered his aversion to Cecily's place. He wouldn't want to go near it, it seemed he still hated the place. Her expression saddened slightly, "Oh... I'm sorry, I thought you would have cooled down by now..." Her face showed some confusion. She shook her head and dropped his hand. "I'll go in alone I guess." A cry of pain came from the house. Miriel fidgeted slightly and looked at the doorway, " I'm.. going to go." She looked at Damion, "Come in when you are ready." She smiled slightly and made her way up towards the doorway.

Tarian watched the couple separate. It was strange that the white man didn't want to follow Miriel into the room. He seemed to have something against Cecily, or perhaps against Neron. That wouldn't make any sense though, why would Miriel go and tell someone that their enemy was alive? What a confusing situation. When Miriel started towards him Tarian was taken away by her. She was so alive, with raven black hair moving behind her life a stream, pure skin like a lilly's petal. He had to remind himself that she was already taken, but the feeling didn't leave him. It had been so long since he was around anybody who was so joyful, and had the ability to see him in his true form. His eyes went from Miriel to the horizon. The sun was just past the highest point. He was just about to turn and head in when he noticed how close Miriel was. What really got his attention was that her foot hit a loose stone and she lurched forward slightly. Stepping forward Tarian caught her. "Be careful of your step Ma'am, these rocks are sly little things."
Miriel looked up at him with a smile and as soon as she was up she felt his supporting hands leave her. "Thank you."
Tarian bowed slightly in return. "Not a problem, only a scoundrel would let a lady take a tumble." He motioned to the door, "Shall we?"
Miriel nodded and continued inside, Tarian followed right after and the two disappeared from view of Damion.

Neron managed to hold back the groans of pain. He was unable to speak for fear of crying out in pain again. Once Jaedon wrapped her arms around him he felt her warmth, but something wasn't right. "Don't worry about what? Jaedon I love you. Can't you tell? I will worry about you because I love you. Why hadn't I said it before? Why? Ares is right, from the very moment I saw you, you captured me in your spell and I have never been able to escape. You have bewitched my heart. Surely you feel the same...right?[/b]" The thoughts raced through his head he hoped she would be able to sense and hear them. She had to. "I love you."

Cecily had long strips of cloth and she started binding his chest with it. She was wrapping it tightly to give his chest support and to keep the dressings on his wounds in place. At least the two of them weren't being so mushy now. She shook her head as she tied a knot in the cloth and stepped back, surveying her work. "You can let him down. My work is done now." Her eyes drifted to the doorway where Tarian and Miriel entered.

Miriel rushed to Neron's side just when she heard CEcily's orders. "Oh I'll help you Jaedon." She tried not to stare at the bruising and the large scar on Neron's side. It was a perfectly gastly sight. " Welcome back Neron." She glanced at Neron shyly and got ready to lower him back down.

Tarian looked upon the three. The boy was in pain and he knew just the thing. Turning he started browsing the shelves, picking up one vial, shifting them around. He had been to this place many times and he knew his way around. Even still, Cecily arranged her things in a random manner, one that had no rhyme or reason to anyone but herself. It was amazing to see her remember where everything was in that room. She had tried to explain it to him once, she never attempted again. "Where is it." No that Neron was no long unconscious it was time for him to relax a bit. Tarian knew just the thing, Now he just had to find it.

[saerwen]

Damion let out a sigh when Miriel asked if he was alright, "Yeah, I'll get over it," he gave her a reassuring smile, "you go ahead for now."He felt revolted by how stubborn he was being, but it was hard not to be. As she turned to leave he murmured, "I am afraid that it isn't about cooling off, darling. It's worse."

When Miriel fell, Damion became even angrier with himself. He watched as Tarian supported her and felt himself burn up. It wasn't that he was mad for Tarian catching her, he was mad that it wasn't himself who caught her. His hands clenched into fists. He was jealous of Tarian now, but he knew that it wasn't going to start a decided dislike of the man. His jealousy would pass in time and he knew that he would come to like Tarian eventually. Eventually was a word that dreaded though. When they were both gone Damion did something that he rarely ever did. He started venting of objects around him. It wasn't long before the ground was coated in a thin sheet of ice, rocks were ice sculptures, and flowering grasses were in cryostasis. It was obvious where is had all come from seeing as how the ice started at Damion's feet.

Jaedon was now too tired to care about anything. All she wanted was to make sure that Neron was alright. She longed for the comfort of her bed and a place where she could release her feelings in solitude. She couldn't keep them bottled up for forever and it was starting to become obvious to her. She had never tried to keep her emotions inside, they were usually the things controlling her. If she had let her emotions control her right now she would be in a state of indecision, fighting over whether or not Neron really loved her or not. She wasn't listening to his thoughts, or anyone else's but she would have if it had meant that she could escape her own. If she had decided to listen in on anyone's thoughts, they would have gotten more out of her than anything.

She was relieved when Miriel came in. Blessed relief...I can't take much more of this. Jaedon thought to herself. She had forgotten that there were still tears on her face, and as she let Neron down, one fell straight down onto his cheek. When she saw it she got angry with herself and turned away in order to viciously wipe the rest of them away. It was because of this little angry outburst that her protective walls came down. She was glad that she had turned around so that neither Neron or Miriel could see her face. Her eyes began to turn black, and she didn't even know it.

Her power had just been unleashed on the entire room. She had access into everyone's thoughts and minds. It was like listening to broken record players at the same time. She closed her eyes tightly and tried to regain her composure, but failed miserably. She heard Tarian's thoughts about finding the vial, she heard Miriel's thoughts of trying not to look at Neron's scars, she heard Cecily's thoughts of Tarian and Miriel, she also heard Damion's thoughts...He was going insane. But it wasn't just him, Neron was having a slight mental breakdown as well. Damion's was much more alarming, but Neron's drew her more. His thoughts were hazardously jumbled, but they were all on one thing. Herself and the word love were connected interchangably. It was like they were synonymous in his thoughts. Had it been more than the fever? Was Neron really telling her the truth? He had to be...His mind couldn't lie to her even though his words could.

She opened her eyes a few seconds later, still pitch black. She placed her hand against the table that Neron was laying on in order to steady herself. She felt dizzy and weak. She could still hear everything...As she listened she realized that it was a good thing that she had lost control. She still couldn't register that Neron's thoughts really were true, so she turned to her other worry. Damion. He really was going insane. She had never heard thoughts like this coming into his mind. It was like he was in a delirious state. Flashes or gruesome images were constantly plaguing his mind and being smothered in icy hatred as he tried to switch his thoughts to something more cheerful, but failed. He was trying so hard it was almost painful to see. As she focused all of her power on his thoughts she found that the other voices faded away. Her invading power that would have been felt by any with slight magical ability left slowly, like a snake slinking itself back into its hole. When she turned back around she looked at Miriel with flashing eyes.

"What did you do to Damion, Miriel?" she was very accusing in her words. Miriel was the only person that had been near Damion for the past few minutes, so she was the first suspect. If she was innocent then Jaedon would interrogate Tarian and Cecily in their turn.