"Exactly what I want you to do." Eramus smiled and took her face between his hands. He kissed her lips before she could protest further. "I love you. Keep your sword ready. I'll be back soon."
She groaned as he walked away. "You'd better," she called after him, bringing a smile to his face.
The moment he left the forest, the thick haze burned his lungs. Eramus pulled his tunic over his mouth and nose, hoping the thin cloth would help. He passed a few men scrambling between piles of smoldering ruin, but otherwise the camp was eerily empty. The only sound was the crackling of flames as they ate away at several larger tents, leaving any surviving material exposed.
Eramus jogged deeper into the camp. He stopped when a long groan sounded from his left. Inching his way through the smoke, he conjured his aura around one hand. The light did little to penetrate the haze, and he could barely see.
Another groan met his ears, and a wooden wagon appeared from the smog. His heart thundered against his ribs as two figures came into view.
"Confound it!"
Arnan coughed several times from where he leaned against the wheel and winced. Kieran attempted to pull him to his feet, but Arnan moaned and jerked free of his grasp. "Stop yanking on my arm!"
"If we don't get out of this smoke, your arm will be the least of your concerns," said Kieran.
Eramus rushed towards them. Blood stained Arnan's left pant leg and his sleeve around his elbow. A long scratch oozed blood above Kieran's brow, and dirt coated his skin. Their fight with the mercenaries had left a mark, but at least they were both alive.
"Eramus!" Kieran stepped forward to meet him, gripping his shoulder as he peered into his eyes. "Evree…did you find her!"
"I found her. She's safe in the forest. I came back to find you."
Arnan scoffed. "Been nice if you'd come back before they tried to slaughter me."
Eramus crouched down beside him and tried to examine his wounds, but Arnan shoved him away. "I don't need you fussing over me." He shifted on the ground, wincing again.
Kieran coughed, and Eramus abandoned any calm temperament he had left. He threw his hands onto Arnan's leg, and the man yelped, his fingers digging under Eramus's palms to pry them away. Blue light swirled around them as Eramus pressed harder to keep contact with Arnan's squirming body.
When the spell concluded, Arnan panted with pinched eyes and a deep furrow over his brow. He rubbed his hand across his leg and stared at Eramus in confusion. "What did you do?"
"Healed you. Now, if you'll quit moving, I'll take care of your arm."
Arnan drew his brows, hesitation clearly visible in his expression, but he didn't jerk away. Eramus placed his glowing palm on the inside of Arnan's elbow and repeated the incantation. Healing Evree had given him confidence, and now the words flowed with ease. In seconds, the cut sealed and a faint scar took its place.
Half stunned, Arnan examined his arm. "That's useful," he muttered.
Kieran offered him his hand and lifted him from the ground. "Let's get out of here. Lead the way, Eramus."
Eramus’s lungs burned like an inferno by the time they reached the forest, and a deep cough made breathing difficult. Leaves crunched beneath their feet as they trudged through the overgrowth with nothing more than moonlight to guide them. Evree stood with both hands gripping her sword when they approached. Upon spotting them, she immediately discarded her weapon and ran to Kieran. He held her in a tight embrace, muttering in her ear.
"I suppose I owe you some gratitude." Arnan's voice came heavy, and he refused to meet Eramus's gaze. "You saved my niece, even when I thought it was impossible and foolish to go after her." His hand subconsciously rubbed over his elbow. "And you saved me as well. I could barely stand. I'm not sure I would have made it out of there."
Somewhere in those words was a hidden apology. Arnan kicked at the leaves and sighed. "You understand what I'm saying, don't you?"
Eramus fought to conceal a smirk. Perhaps it was terrible of him to taunt the man after their ordeal, but he couldn't help but find amusement in Arnan's struggle. "I'm afraid I don't understand."
Arnan growled, finally looking over at him. "Thank you."
Evree bounded to Eramus's side and threw her arms around him. She hugged him tightly, but only for a moment before pushing him away and whacking his shoulder. "You were gone too long! I was worried sick about you!"
He laughed, but it turned into a cough. Evree's face twisted with concern. "Can you use your magic to clear your lungs? Surly if it can bring me back from the brink of death, it can do that?"
"Brink of death?" Kieran stepped closer, his eyes growing wide as they darted to the dark stains on her dress.
"I'm fine, Papa," said Evree, patting his hand. "Eramus used his magic to save me."
"Then I'm even more indebted to him than I realized."
Eramus shook his head. "No one owes me anything. I'm just glad everyone escaped serious harm. As for clearing our lungs, I'm sure magic could do so easily. I suggest we wait until we are home, however. Aldeth has much more experience with healing spells than I do."
Although, today he'd certainly had his fair share of practice.
Smoke billowed behind them as they made their way through the forest. Eramus conjured theillustristo guide them, and soon the village came into view. Aldeth healed their remaining injuries and cleared the smoke from their lungs with the wave of his hand, but magic did little to cure Eramus's heavy exhaustion.
It took convincing to bid Evree goodnight. After everything he'd learned, the idea of letting her out of his sight tormented his mind and heart. King Delran had hired mercenaries to assassinate her, and Eramus was certain it would not be the man's last attempt at revenge. How long would it take for the king's spy to relay that the plan had failed? Did he already know?
The questions plagued his thoughts deep into the night, and sleep became a notion lost to the sounds of morning. Evree was no longer safe in Izarden. How Kieran would respond to him making an offer for her, Eramus couldn't say, but he would do everything in his power to keep her safe. Today, he would divulge his intention of marrying Evree and hope Kieran would grant his blessing.
