“With what? It must have been something poisonous or it’s infected! There are black lines radiating out from it and it’s red in the center. An angry red!” Rhalyf was now plucking at the collar of his shirt.
“Really, I’m fine–”
“Why didn’t you say anything? Here, let me heal it!”
There was a wash of golden light and the cold burning sensation went mostly away. Dulled perhaps. Finley reached up with his fingers and touched where he’d cut himself. It was healed, but there was a raised section of flesh that was sensitive upon touch. He gritted his teeth and snatched his hand back.
Rhalyf’s brows were drawn tightly together and down as he regarded the healed wound. “Does it still hurt? It–it scarred. That shouldn’t have happened. It should have healed without a trace, but–”
“It’s okay, Rhalyf. Don’t worry.” But even as Finley said this, he was worried. Very worried. Was this the cost?
Scars are nothing, right? I don’t care about my looks. And really, it’s a small price to pay for such power.
“It’s not okay. Once we get out of Illithor, I need to take a closer look at this,” Rhalyf began.
If you let him see the price before you show him what you can do, he’ll try and dissuade you from using the magic, the professor told him.
“No!” Finley jerked away, out of Rhalyf’s arms with a sudden, powerful movement. He held his hands up as if to physically protect himself.
“Finley, I… ” Rhalyf sounded wounded.
Finley blinked, bringing a hand up to his forehead. His head was starting to pound. “I’m sorry, Rhalyf. I didn’t mean that. I want you to look at it later. I just… my head.”
Immediately, Rhalyf looked stricken. “The pollen. Gods, I should have gotten you out of there immediately, but I was so… so glad to see you that I forgot.”
Finley gave him a lopsided smile. “I am glad, too. You’ve no idea.”
Rhalyf is a good person! He’s my friend! He’s a Mage, too. He’ll understand, Finley told the professor.
Finley, he’s used to seeing you as a helpless, useless human. He’ll want to protect you. He’s an immortal himself so the magic you wield now will be unnatural in his eyes, too, the professor warned. And if you were so sure of him, you wouldn’t have pulled away. I don’t control your behavior.
No, I know. People are going to misunderstand this magic.
Or those who won’t, will want to abuse it, the professor pointed out. You’ll have to be very careful who you tell and what you do with it. You’re its keeper now, Finley. The first one in over fifty-thousand years.
Fifty-thousand?!
Yes, no one who has the power to truly wield it has passed through the doors of the temple in some time, the professor assured him. You truly are special, Finley. You’ve no idea how special. But you know what happens to special people, don’t you? You’ve seen how your friend Declan was ostracized.
So was I.
Yes, you were. They sensed the difference in you as well. But this difference–this specialness–will set you even further apart, the professor warned. You must be careful. You must be circumspect, yes?
Yes, you’re right, professor. I’m so glad that… that you remained near me until I could hear you again, Finley confessed softly. Though…
What, Finley? What concerns you?
If you’re here with me then that means you haven’t moved on, Finley frowned. That isn’t what I wanted for you.
Oh, dear boy, the professor chuckled softly. Don’t you worry about me! Time is different for the dead. A decade–two, ten, one-hundred–well, they just aren’t the same for me as they are for you.
So you’re okay? You’re not stuck or anything? Finley didn’t have any understanding of what happened to souls now. He actually believed in souls now. It was amazing and strange.
Another dry chuckle. I’m quite well, Finley. I knew that you had a great destiny before you. I wanted to be there to help you. And so here I am!
A great destiny… Finley rolled those words in his mind. That sounds wonderful, but also overwhelming.
Of course! And you’re smart enough to see both sides of this coin! But don’t worry! You’re not alone. I’m with you all the way, the professor assured him.
