Chapter 56
Chapter Fifty-Six
Auster had nothing to contribute. His brain was so full of worry about taking Autumn back to Charan that he didn’t have space for anything else.
So he just made himself listen while the others laid their plans and nodded when the Highest turned their attention to him and asked if their plans were acceptable.
“I just want to make sure she’s safe.” Auster was saying when Valor walked into the room, leaning briefly on his arm before going to stand in front of Light and nodding.
“And that is our signal,” Light patted Valor on the head. “I will go and see if I can do more to heal her. Once she is up, you will leave for Charan.”
“Yes, Highest,” Auster turned to go after Light, but was stopped by a wave of Courage’s hand. “Might I serve, Highest?”
“I would see your skill,” Courage said. “I have assessed the other two, but you are a mystery.”
“I am happy to demonstrate,” Auster manifested the Prism Blade. “Would you like to examine the weapon I wield?”
“Come with me, and we will do this.” Courage led the way through the halls of the Bastion to a set of practice circles. “Here is where I will assess you.”
“I fought in Charan for years.” Auster took up his stance. “There are creatures there that want nothing more than the taste of blood.”
“That should not be,” Courage said. “Charan is meant to be a place of rest. This is yet another thing that we will handle, but for now I would like to see your skill.”
Auster nodded, but that was all he had time to do.
Courage was fast, faster than Auster had been expecting, and wielded both a staff and a sword akin to Auster’s own.
Auster knew how to defend against the blade, but the polearm was more difficult.
It had been some time since he’d gone up against Boreus, the only other person he knew who used a polearm.
And he felt the lack, striking and guarding against the Umbral Blade, and then the polearm and back again.
Courage called a break and nodded. “Better than I was expecting, but not as good as I would like.”
“I can feel the lack in myself,” Auster said honestly. “I am decidedly out of practice.”
“Then we will get you back in it.” Courage said with a firm nod. “It will be at least three days before Autumn can answer to her duty in Charan; in that time we will work to get you back to an acceptable standard.”
“Yes, Highest,” Auster said, but that was the only thing he managed before Courage came after him again.
Courage dismissed him, and Auster felt like a wrung-out dishcloth, knowing that he was to go back the next day. Autumn was asleep when he made it back to their room, and Auster leaned down to kiss her softly before he headed for the bath to soak the aches out of his muscles.
She was awake when he came back, smiling at him but she didn’t try to sit up and Auster nodded, smiling back. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I was run over by a cart.” Autumn pulled a face. “Light says it’ll be at least four days until I can get up and she mentioned something about Courage wanting to see me.”
“He saw me today,” Auster shrugged and winced as the muscle in his shoulder pulled wrong. “And he wants to see me again every day until we are to leave for Charan.”
“I’m not allowed to sit up, but could you bring me some water?”
Auster nodded, “of course, love.” He went to the side table where there was a pitcher of cold water and a cup made so she could drink lying down.
He helped her drink, petting Solace where he was still lying next to her. “Where has Valor gone?”
“He went with Boreus somewhere,” Autumn said. “I think they were going to the library.”
“Well, I’ll stay with you and we can plan for how we can guard you in Charan.”
* * *
Boreus didn’t come back until well after nightfall, and when he cleared the doors, he looked wrung out. “Intellect is exhausting.” He said, flopping down into one of the chairs. “We were in at least half the books in that library today, looking for more information on the locking sigil.”
“I think—” Autumn shook her head and Auster saw her swallow hard. “I think, if I look at all of this, and some of the nightmares I was having when I had the miasma in may head, that the remnants of Magic want me for a very specific reason.”
“What is that?” Boreus reached down and stroked her hair back from her face.
“I think it’s because I can sing the Song.” She closed her eyes. “Magic held it caged for centuries, only allowing it to sing when it benefitted him. I think if it takes me over, it can force me to cage the song again.”
“Why does that matter?” Auster asked.
“Because if it can cage the song again, and force it to change reality, it could bring Magic back.”
“That is quite the theory,” Intellect walked out of the air, a book in his hands.
“Unfortunately, it is also plausible. Steps will be taken to ensure that it does not happen.” He set the book down, tapping the cover and looking at Boreus.
“This is what we were looking for today, I am going to take Autumn’s theory to the others and we will see what we can come up with. ”
He left through the door, rather than the air and Autumn just sighed and shrugged, raising a shaky hand to pet Solace. “I hate it when he just comes in from nowhere, it makes me worry he’s always listening.” She blushed, “even?—”
“I think he can always listen, but he chooses when to hear.” Auster said thoughtfully, gesturing to the light on the wall. “There’s a watcher there, so I have to imagine that’s how he knows when to cut in.”
“Probably,” Boreus looked up at the light. “You could always make that watcher another eagle-fox.”
“I don’t choose that,” Autumn said. “They come to me, when I need something I can’t supply for myself. Solace, Valor, both things I needed right then.”
“Dinner, I think,” Boreus said. “Let’s eat and we can discuss this.”