One of my Hosts was known as Tit for her True-Bonded name. To clarify, her Bonded form was that of a grey crested tit, a bird.
Oh… yes, that would be awkward, wouldn’t it?
She… we got used to it after a while. Just like you and that dress, we owned it.
“Legs,” I sounded out the name. Auwei was right. It wasn’t the worst.
“I sense there is a story behind that name,” Dove said with a grin.
“Yup, but that’s for later.” I was curious. “How long…?”
“Five days since the attack.”
Five days!
We were… very hurt. A Lumani can lend a little energy to help their host heal a bit quicker, but it’s not much. I am very grateful there was a healer present at Silverveil to tend to you. If not for them… things may have been much worse.
And I am very grateful for your presence,I said and meant it.
You’re going to have to live with me now, for a long while, or so I hope.
Me too.
“Who…?” I asked, still limited in my energy. Yet she seemed to understand what I was asking.
Dove shrugged. “They don’t know who was behind the attack or why they seemed to be targeting you. Though…” She pressed her lips as if she’d said too much.
“What?” There was something in her look which scared me. “Tell me, Dove.”
She sighed. “The attackers were assassins from the borderlands.” That wasn’t the bad part. No, given how she still looked shaken, I was sure there was more. “And… it is believed they were working with a mistweaver.”
I instantly went cold and heard Auwei’s internal gasp of horror and fear.
“No,” I whispered. “That’s impossible.”
She nodded. “So we all thought. But…” Again, she pressed her lips together for a long moment. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know more now, so I didn’t prompt her, but she spoke after a few deep breaths. “There were two assassins taken alive, but before they could speak or tell us anything, something killed them. Some otherworldly force, taking the shape of mists, attacked them, killed them. There was nothing we could do.”
Well, wasn’t that just horrible.
Also… why in The Pits did a mistweaver want me dead?
This is bad.Auwei sounded more terrified than anytime I’d known her. Lumani were energy and couldn’t be killed. When their hosts died, they lived on. But… a Lumani could be killed by a mistweaver with enough strength.
I know.
Auwei and I stewed in our fear and horror for a long moment.
Dove, clearly sensing our confusion and dread, laid a comforting hand on the side of my head, stroking my hair. “You’re safe now,” she said softly.
Ah… no. I was being hunted by a mistweaver. I’d never be safe, ever again! But I didn’t say anything. I let her have her comforting words; hopefully they comforted her.
We stayed that way for some time, and I managed to rest, even if I couldn’t sleep or truly relax. After a while, Dove said: “I’m going to stretch my legs… maybe my wings. And it’s time for you to have something to eat. Also, there are some others who would like to see you, I think. I’ll be back.” She leaned down to kiss my forehead, then rose and left the small room.
A moment later, there came a short procession of people. Master Crown came first with a tray of food, setting it on the chair Dove had just left. Behind him were Hearth and Pebble, neither had their avatars visible. Had they Bonded? I hoped so.
“How are you doing?” Crown asked softly as he sat on the edge of the bed. He pressed his lips together and I sensed a healthy dose of shame coming from him. “I’m sorry. I should have been able to stop this, or… something.” Then he forced a smile. “I’m just glad you’re well.”
“I am, thank you.” I tried to smile and failed.
