RUNE FABLE: Fire & Ice

Ch33 - The Meeting

Chapter 33

The Meeting

Celestia stirs and grumbles a little as the morning sun greets her with its bright and cheery embrace. The smell of fresh-baked goods from the bakery below bring a wide smile to her face. She opens her eyes to find herself still lying on the couch and wrapped in a thin blanket.

“Blaisy?” she croaks as she strains to look about her living room.

“I'm here, Lesty,” comes his reply. He sits at the table, thumbing through the ancient rune tome.

Wrapping the blanket tightly around herself, she stands and drapes herself around the warm man with the glowing reddish-orange irises.

“Good morning,” she whispers softly.

Blaise smiles as her cheek presses against his. “Feeling better?”

She nods a little. “Anything interesting in your old book?” she asks.

He shrugs. “Nothing I haven't looked at a hundred times already, although I am noticing a few interesting things here and there that I would like to study a little deeper when I can find the time.”

Celestia is silent as she watches Blaise thumb through a few more pages, then stands and begins fiddling with his unruly hair.

“We have to figure this out. I can't go on wondering if there are more of those horrible Darklings that are going to try and kill us again tonight. I feel like I'm going to have some sort of a breakdown every time I think about it.”

Blaise feels her hands trembling a little as she speaks. He rises and takes her hands in his own.

“I know. This whole thing is absolutely horrible. I've sent for someone that might be able to help us. Why don't I heat up a bath for you to soak in? Maybe it will calm your mind a little?”

She nods and looks into his eyes. The snivelling little child of a man was growing up a little more each day it seemed. She liked it when he offered to care for her like this.

Before long, she finds herself lounging in a steaming tub of water. She breathes in the vapor, her worries and anxiety ebbing further and further away with every exhale.

A muffled knock at the front door catches her attention. She hears Blaise greet someone and asks them to enter. With a little grunt, she returns to reality and reaches for her clothing and rune ring.

“Thank you for coming, I'm sure Lady Celestia will be joining us in a few...” Blaise trails off as Celestia enters the room, her eyes blazing a frigid blue.

Captain Ramsys stands and gives a little bow. “My Lady.”

Celestia is taken aback a little to see the Captain in her home, but recovers quickly and returns the salutation.

“Captain,” Blaise begins. “We were attacked by another Darkling last night. We were able to overcome it with aid from a friend and look upon its demonic face. The creature vanished into smoke shortly after it perished, however.”

“I'm afraid there are more of these Darkling creatures! And I'm afraid they're going to try and kill Blaisy again and anyone else that gets in their way!” Celestia cries out. The level of fear in her voice surprises even herself.

“Blast it,” Ramsys curses to himself.

Blaise and Celestia exchange glances. Captain Ramsys seemed to know more than he was letting on.

“What are you not telling us, Captain?” says Blaise, his eyes glowing a little brighter.

“Yes, there are more of them,” the Captain of the guard says quietly. “There were two the night I came to check on your condition, Lady Celestia, when you lay injured at the home of the old Pastor.”