Faefalling (working title)

11-When I say don't try this at home, I mean it

 By the time the kelpies decided enough was enough, the sun had joined the party. Any longer and I might've died. It certainly felt like I had one foot in Annwn as it was.

They dragged me back to the posts, and I didn't move to stop them, couldn't anyhow. My hands were lashed to the base of the spike in nothing more than a flimsy knot. Nothing more was needed of course. The kelpies left me there, sprawled in the dirt, and ran off hooting and jumping, practically leaping with glee. Not an ounce of my usual spite bothered to make an appearance; a glazed calm was all I could muster.

Long after they'd gone, I hadn't moved a muscle, hadn't even answered Lazuli's quivering calls. Just being hurt. Cuts ran up the length of my back and throbbed with my every breath. By the gods, there hadn't been a time when I'd yearned for unconsciousness to sweep me away so.

My shirt was now an ugly red, or, that is, whatever remained of it hanging in tatters over my shoulders. My gaze found its way to the fading flickers of stars overhead. Up there, nestled amongst constellations and galaxies, a clear image of my father's face coalesced. I could've sworn he smiled, could've sworn he reached out a twinkling hand. A tear slid down my cheek. I wanted to join him, more than anything in the whole wide world. Coughing, I strained to lift a hand in return. Perhaps he'd haul me up.

"Cae...Caedmon... say something. Please," Lazuli urged.

As if frightened by her words, Dad vanished. He was gone; I was on the ground. Stars were just stars. It was enough to summon more tears. I'd have throttled Lazuli if I hadn't sworn to keep the human safe.

Keep her safe... not that I was doing a good job of it. I bit the inside of my cheek, anything to distract from the wave of despair that threatened. Keeping Lazuli safe, that was all I needed to think about, something to focus on, to keep myself sane. A promise was a promise, sacred, at least in my mind. I couldn't break mine. Not this time, not with her.

Her voice rang unfamiliar as she pleaded with me to get up. It cracked over my name, and she broke into sobs.

"Leannán..." I croaked.

"Caedmon! Caedmon, oh thank God! I thought they... thought you... that you were..."

With great strain, I shifted onto my right shoulder and met Lazuli's stare. Tan cheeks were darkened with trails of tears. My brow creased.

I forced out a brief smile which she answered with a shaky laugh, apparent relief coating her twisted features. Worry lingered of course, or what I assumed to be worry. Strange, to see someone worried, seemingly for me, out of innocent concern. No ulterior motives to take into account, at least none I could sort out. I had to get her out of there.

Something that loosely resembled a plan dropped into my mind. Better late than never, I supposed. Biting down on my tongue, I began to shift.

"What are you doing... Caedmon, stop moving. The bleeding, it's..." Lazuli gulped.

Bleeding be damned. This was her only chance, and I wasn't about to let it slip by because of a little blood.

Fifteen minutes passed before I worked my way close enough to hook a foot around my vambraces. Lazuli's potential saviours lay discarded on the dirt. It was another ten before I managed to drag them all the way to her side, twisting up my bonds in the process.

"Inside... check inside," I murmured.

Lazuli plunged a hand into each piece. Whatever questions she'd held faded as the handle of a sleek dagger found its way into her grip. She fished it out with a gasp and chuckle. Then came the back and forth, up and down, blade fraying the rope. Much as I strained against it, my eyes threatened to shut with every passing moment. The monotony of Lazuli's frantic struggle lulled me closer towards a peaceful sleep. All I could do was lay there, a metallic taste coating my tongue.