A L E C , _Z I O_ &_W E L L W I S H
"I will take you to the King."
Zio breathed his relief aloud, utterly grateful that - in spite of Alec's threats and continued frustration - this boy had maintained his composure and agreed to comply with their request. Even the Prince himself had softened his countenance, although his lips remained pressed in a thin line.
"Apologies for acting like a smartass earlier with my question. Had to make sure your motivations were legitimate. You two are indeed welcome to come since it is your message you want to deliver... and the Rebellion is aware that you three are here, anyhow."
So he had sent word to the camp earlier, perhaps before Antheia sensed his presence. That much was to be expected. Not one of the three men stirred at this news, however, Zio felt obligated to offer a nod of understanding; as if to say 'no hard feelings' - or perhaps the ever-so-subtle smile he wore was more of a 'fair enough, well done' than anything else. Alec couldn't quite be sure.
Not that he had much time to think it over, of course. His eyes traced the boy's gesture. Suddenly he became aware that he was gripping his shoulder, and that the tips of his fingers were tingling and cold. His arm dropped almost instinctively, accompanied by a small wince that caused his brows to furrow.
"We have doctors. If you need."
Alec blinked through his surprise, a million different reactions cycling through his mind. He didn't know whether to reject the offer with gratitude, or laugh at the utter absurdity of it. Was he so disconnected with the situation that he thought his family wouldn't kill him at the first available chance? No, he couldn't return. His only hope was that they would hear his message and trust that he only intended to help. Zio knew of the risk to his life when delivering this message and he was willing to accept it. Alec could not be so careless.
"You... you're like the heart of this forest... who are you..?" spoke the shifter, her voice barely above a whisper. It wasn't directed at Alec but he accepted the comment as if it was, a sudden chuckle shaking his torso and thus irritating his shoulder.
"Far be it from me to underestimate a stranger, but gods be damned, you're quite the girl," he returned, drawing up his brow in a mixture of amusement and awe. "You can feel it too, can't you? The Earth's pulse; its heartbeat." The faintest hint of a smile tugged at his lips and he watched Antheia with such intensity that it was almost as if no one else in this world existed but her. In that moment, she was the only creature who deserved his attention. Perhaps even an explanation... before they parted.
"I am bonded with this world... in a strange and wonderful way," Alec corrected, gesturing to their surroundings with both arms extended. "Its heartbeat is my own, as is its pain and decay."
A slight sway in his stance had Zio and Wellwish by his side in the blink of an eye, allowing him to rest his weight on their own. Still, he didn't avert his gaze from Antheia. In fact, he seemed even more intent on getting his words out. It was a strange urge that he couldn't quite pinpoint, but something deep within his mind was telling him she should know. She was the only one thus far who'd actually felt it.
"The world is dying, Antheia, but I will be its saviour, as I was its creator," he breathed, desperation and determination fighting for a dominant role in his tone. His eyes were fierce, his jaw tense, and he struggled against his companions who were now restraining him rather supporting him. "I will be its source of power; the one who maintains its balance... its Life Tree."
His gaze searched briefly for Roan before settling on him. "Your offer may have been well-meant, but it was useless and quite stupid... I cannot be healed, nor can I allow myself to be killed - the latter is far more likely to occur," he admonished, then nodded his head towards Zio. "Take him and leave. My message is of dire importance. Erieda doesn't have a lot of time left."
Zio breathed his relief aloud, utterly grateful that - in spite of Alec's threats and continued frustration - this boy had maintained his composure and agreed to comply with their request. Even the Prince himself had softened his countenance, although his lips remained pressed in a thin line.
"Apologies for acting like a smartass earlier with my question. Had to make sure your motivations were legitimate. You two are indeed welcome to come since it is your message you want to deliver... and the Rebellion is aware that you three are here, anyhow."
So he had sent word to the camp earlier, perhaps before Antheia sensed his presence. That much was to be expected. Not one of the three men stirred at this news, however, Zio felt obligated to offer a nod of understanding; as if to say 'no hard feelings' - or perhaps the ever-so-subtle smile he wore was more of a 'fair enough, well done' than anything else. Alec couldn't quite be sure.
Not that he had much time to think it over, of course. His eyes traced the boy's gesture. Suddenly he became aware that he was gripping his shoulder, and that the tips of his fingers were tingling and cold. His arm dropped almost instinctively, accompanied by a small wince that caused his brows to furrow.
"We have doctors. If you need."
Alec blinked through his surprise, a million different reactions cycling through his mind. He didn't know whether to reject the offer with gratitude, or laugh at the utter absurdity of it. Was he so disconnected with the situation that he thought his family wouldn't kill him at the first available chance? No, he couldn't return. His only hope was that they would hear his message and trust that he only intended to help. Zio knew of the risk to his life when delivering this message and he was willing to accept it. Alec could not be so careless.
"You... you're like the heart of this forest... who are you..?" spoke the shifter, her voice barely above a whisper. It wasn't directed at Alec but he accepted the comment as if it was, a sudden chuckle shaking his torso and thus irritating his shoulder.
"Far be it from me to underestimate a stranger, but gods be damned, you're quite the girl," he returned, drawing up his brow in a mixture of amusement and awe. "You can feel it too, can't you? The Earth's pulse; its heartbeat." The faintest hint of a smile tugged at his lips and he watched Antheia with such intensity that it was almost as if no one else in this world existed but her. In that moment, she was the only creature who deserved his attention. Perhaps even an explanation... before they parted.
"I am bonded with this world... in a strange and wonderful way," Alec corrected, gesturing to their surroundings with both arms extended. "Its heartbeat is my own, as is its pain and decay."
A slight sway in his stance had Zio and Wellwish by his side in the blink of an eye, allowing him to rest his weight on their own. Still, he didn't avert his gaze from Antheia. In fact, he seemed even more intent on getting his words out. It was a strange urge that he couldn't quite pinpoint, but something deep within his mind was telling him she should know. She was the only one thus far who'd actually felt it.
"The world is dying, Antheia, but I will be its saviour, as I was its creator," he breathed, desperation and determination fighting for a dominant role in his tone. His eyes were fierce, his jaw tense, and he struggled against his companions who were now restraining him rather supporting him. "I will be its source of power; the one who maintains its balance... its Life Tree."
His gaze searched briefly for Roan before settling on him. "Your offer may have been well-meant, but it was useless and quite stupid... I cannot be healed, nor can I allow myself to be killed - the latter is far more likely to occur," he admonished, then nodded his head towards Zio. "Take him and leave. My message is of dire importance. Erieda doesn't have a lot of time left."