Maya had returned.

The priest gently disengaged himself from the sleeping Veil, smiling sadly as he gazed down at her for a moment, noting her condition. Her skin was paler, almost transluscent, her cheeks sunken, and her faced was lined, giving the false illusion of age. Despite it all, she was still beautiful in his eyes, and he leaned down to kiss her forehead lightly and caressed her cheek. “I won’t be long mela, rest well lisseamin…”

Strongbow quietly climbed out of bed and donned a pair of trousers, then crept to the door silently and opened it a crack and peeked out.

Bags of herbs were everywhere, their contents spilling out slightly where they lay. Books littered his laboratory table, something unnamed smoked on the heating stand, and glass beakers, some empty, some half-filled, sat about in countless numbers. Maya had her back half turned from him as she stirred some new concoction. A wisp of her silver hair hung down in her eyes, and she would futilely try to blow it out of her face while she worked.

Strongbow couldn’t help but grin. Veil’s sister was so dear to him. Possibly more than she knew, for they shared a unique bond. He opened the door and stepped up behind her, gently placing his hands on her shoulders, massaging them gently.

“Still at it seler?” he asked in a low voice.

Maya jumped slightly then relaxed into his hands, smiling up at him from where she sat. She sighed softly, her brow furrowing a bit before answering, “Uma… I don’t know what I’m doing wrong… I swear I’m doing it just like the book says…”

“Well… you did it before, not the same spell, but from the book right? What is different this time? How did you manage it last time?”

“Hmm... Veil helped… with the sword… an… an…” her eyes widened, “Maybe that’s it! I didn’t even think of that, I was so focused on just getting her well Von!”

Strongbow nodded, smiling softly, “Sometimes that happens hon. We get so wrapped up in what we’re doing, we can’t see what’s in front of us…”

“But... but… Veil’s sick an... an… she can’t help this time! What can we do?”

He paused, thinking while he pulled her hair back, gathering all her stray locks into the ponytail once more. “I wonder… Nim’Alkar is an elven blade… maybe it would react to me … I know the bladesong; it’s as much a part of me as breathing. Maybe we could work together, like you and Veil did?”

“It might work.” She conceded, “Can’t hurt to try anyway…” Maya glanced back to the door, “How is she?”

“The same… if not a bit paler.” Strongbow answered, his voice strained. “Let me look at the book for a bit seler, then we’ll see what we can do.”

Maya placed her hand and arm protectively over the book, “But… I promised not to let anyone…”

A female voice spoke from the top of the stairs, startling them both.

“Usstan think dos could make an exception in this case Maya.”

Zhi K’lyn stood there smiling at them. “Dos both each have what is needed. The skills, and the love of the one dos wish to see well again.” She gazed at Strongbow curiously for a moment. “It will be interesting to see how Nim’Alkar reacts to having a jaluk hold her… Xas?” Zhi chuckled softly as she turned, descending the stairs, and left them staring after her.