* * * *
Ezra was pacing Farkas' tiny hut.He believed he could sense Rourke coming closer, but something had shocked him.What could've shocked him?He didn't think he was injured, but something wasn't right.
"I think they're coming."He didn't look at Farkas, instead, he kept pacing.
"Okay."He sounded calm.How could he be calm?
A few minutes later, there were voices outside, and Ezra rushed toward the door.Farkas blocked his way before he could reach it, having moved so fast, Ezra took a stumbling step back.
"Let me check first."
Ezra almost growled but stood back as Farkas opened the door and looked out.For a few seconds, nothing happened, then Farkas stepped aside to allow Ezra to exit.
Rourke was carrying someone.Ezra stepped out into the night and gasped as he saw Jiprix."Oh no."He rushed closer and hovered with his hands over him.
"Do you know what happened?"Rourke studied him.
"It's Shixyll's skin-shrinking."
"On half the body?"
Ezra shrugged."She decides how much to do.This is a lot."
"Will he heal?"Outwardly, Rourke gave nothing away, but Ezra could feel guilt stir in his chest.
"You didn't do this."
"Didn't I?"
Ezra shook his head."No, this is Shixyll.This is how she rules."
"By hurting and sacrificing her people?"
Ulric opened the door to the hut next to Farkas'."I'll get a fire going.It's pretty cold in here."Then he disappeared.
Rourke took a step toward the hut, then turned to look at Farkas."Meeting in...forty-five?"
Farkas nodded.
"Is there anything you can do for him, Ezra?"
Ezra nodded.It wouldn't help much, but he'd fix some soup or something."I'll make something."Then he rushed toward the main building.What to make?He had nothing but ingredients for lacy oatmeal cookies in Rourke's room.Jiprix most likely wouldn't want cookies in the middle of the night.Soup, perhaps.
He hurried into the dining hall where two men he had yet to learn the names of were sitting."Hi."He nodded to them, then slipped into the kitchen.Everything without a name on was free to use, Rourke had said so.
He grabbed a big pot and rummaged around in the pantry.There were potatoes, carrots, and leeks.The refrigerator was mostly empty, but he found some chicken breasts in the freezer without a name on them, so he grabbed them and threw them in a bowl with warm water.He only needed them to thaw enough to be able to cut them.
He chopped the vegetables while he waited.The magic woke up inside, and he slipped into a familiar flow.It didn't keep the worry at bay, but it was calming.
The water was boiling, and he added spices he found in the cupboard next to the stove.
"Smells good."One of the men who'd been by the table was balancing on the threshold.
"Oh...I haven't started yet."But maybe he should make more.He glanced at the carrots and potatoes he'd chopped and walked over to the pantry and grabbed more.People most likely wouldn't want chicken soup for breakfast, but maybe everyone awake now wanted a bowl before going back to bed.
Time passed, though he was only distantly aware of it.As always when his magic flowed, he disappeared into a sort of trance.He was aware of his surroundings, but he was...floating.Warm and relaxed.
He stirred the pot and breathed in the scent.It smelled good.Fishing out a piece of potatoes and a carrot coin, he tasted them both.
