You promised, Robin reminded himself.
"Now what?" Robin asked aloud, looking into Ben's unseeing eyes. Caius had helped him to find the man... for all the good it would do him. He had made a promise to serve this man in order to repay a debt, but now that Ben was dead his debt was settled.
Or was it?
Robin's head pounded, every muscle in his body screaming for rest. But Aeodmir was already shouting orders: they had to move on quickly, before the enemy had a chance to regroup.
He had the will to move, but his body was beyond responding to the command to stand. Robin had lost too much blood, his constant movement had kept the slash in his arm open. He bit his lip, knowing he'd have to try it. Ben had been loyal to Aedomir, had given his life to following him. Somehow, Robin knew Ben would have asked him to take his place. He would do it, because he he could have chosen to help Ben, and hadn't. He felt no guilt, Ben had been doing fine. But he did feel a sadness, because Ben had been kind.
He lifted his heavy arms, twining his fingers together before him as if in prayer. Though his physical reserves of energy were gone, his magical reserves were untouched--as they'd been for years.
He called upon that power now, feeling his mind open up as the cool energy flowed through him and the pain receded. His skin glowed a soft blue light as his healing gift went to work. At first, he felt only that healing sensation, but in the next moment the secondary aspect of his power awakened. His eyes snapped open and he felt the cold touch of death wrapping it's hands around his heart.
Panic broke his concentration, and the light vanished, breaking the connection. His hand covered his mouth as a sob escaped his lips. His brother was not dead, he refused to believe it. "He promised," he reminded himself. His brother would never break his promise. Never.
Robin grabbed his sword and got to his feet, numbly stumbling to where he could be useful.
))
