Fallen - 3

Hours passed, then days as we traveled further and further from my home. Yet even then, even with every passed step, every move towards newer pastures this bird still stood with me. At meals and at passing hours.

It was there, always, just a pet away from a nuzzle. I felt content, every day was filled with the joy of the bird. Every hour, every minute.

Until it wasn't, I was not sure what it was. An orb of malevolent hate, one that shocked me from my seat. I tried to stay calm. To keep my smile. But I could not, as I gasped and gave in to those baser desires.

My knees buckled and my head felt wet with sweat. 

"Sir!" One of the knights yelled, yet still the voice was dizzy. I could barely hear it. It was like some sort of spell had been cast upon me.

"I-" I tried to say before a bout of nausea hit me. I gagged for a moment before the previous day's supper fell from my mouth and onto the carriage.

For a moment I just sat there. My mouth hung open as I gasped for air, for anything that might help with my situation. But it happened again. Another bout of nausea as those orbs grew ever closer.

I heard shouts echo through my bleary mind, the shings of swords drawn and put to bear. But there was nothing I could do. Even as the brilliant orbs grew weaker and weaker.

One even did not make it, I knew that if I did not do something soon. That if I did not move that poor orb would fade to nothing, a death more permanent than I could fathom.

And so I leaped into action. Or more like stumbled, as even with the guidance of the orbs I was only able to avoid the malevolent ones. I was not able to avoid the terrain, those that tripped and felled me.

Eventually though the fights grew quieter as my ears perked up. Death hung in the air, of mostly the malevolent souls. But of the imminent death of others. I could not stand idly by.

And so I pushed myself harder, each step raged against the blindness and stumbles of the previous.

Eventually I did reach one of them and I quickly placed my hand against the only uncovered part that my hurried hands could find. I had some help by the bird but that was all.

I placed my hand on her neck and felt as her pain was transferred to myself. I hurled stomach acid onto the ground. Blood dripped down my nose and into my mouth. The taste was coppery, but I did not mind. 

My smile did not waver, not for a single moment. And soon, within seconds, the knight was well. But my work was not over.

So, even through the wounds and aches, the deadly pain that threatened to place me to the ground, even through all of that. Through everything, I made my way to the other knights. 

No matter the size nor severity of it, I still kneeled by them and healed to the best of my ability. 

…

…

…

I yawned, the morning sun and exhaustion beat upon my body. Even as I curled over the pillow in the carriage and took comfort in its warmth. I could barely move. Not that I could if I wanted to.

As with a turn of my head I saw the orb of light, so bright, stood atop my body. It watched vigil and a twitch of my own, meant to pick my body up, was only met by a gloved hand. It pushed me back down and into the pillow again.

"Thank you…" I whispered and before long I was asleep again. There was nothing else to do but that.

And so, the journey continued. But it was like the atmosphere had greatly changed. Each and every meal there were knights that hounded me. In askance of my favorite meal, or to show of their latest catch. Even if they knew that I could not see.

And I only giggled, even as I took care of the wounds they gained from their hunt, as I ate the food they prepared for me. However coarse it was.

Soon though, the manor came into sight. For the knights at least. But for me I knew because of the bright lights of the city. A sense of awe came to me.

At the variety of orbs that littered the city. At how many people were there. But most of all, of the brightest soul that I had ever seen. 

I gasped and almost leaped towards it, only distantly did I remember my manners and thought better of myself.

But even then I could hear the giggles of the knights as they watched my body practically vibrate with excitement.

"Is he the one?"

It was sudden, so sudden that I could barely even register that it happened.

A light brighter than all of the souls of the city combined. I looked up and gasped at the presence. At the feminine voice that asked that of the knights.

Who gave a greeting and an affirmative.

"I see…" She said and with a sudden force my hand was grabbed. There was no respect for my emotions, or even if I wanted to be grabbed at all. A ruffian.

But still I obliged. If I had assumed right this was to be either my mother in law or my wife. It did not matter which as either one of them I would need to be demure to. To let them do as they please.

I stumbled and stumbled, each step of mine taking me almost crashing to the ground. Only to be caught by the woman who held tightly to my hand.

"Are you blind or something?" It was said normally but I could do nothing but nod and agree. 

There was a sigh before I yelped, my feet swept under me and my back held tightly.

"You should have said something." it was said softly and directly into my ear.

But even then I could do nothing but shiver and nod.