Autumn's Beginning, Autumn's Breeze [2]

Val--

However, you sound quite tried, Natan pointed out, chuckling. Go to sleep.

I laughed. Okay, I agreed, pulling myself from his mind and attempting to sleep. I felt Natan slip back into my mind slightly as I slept, mixing sweet words and soothing sounds into my sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isabella--

I got up at the sound of someone knocking at my door. Max watched as I walked over and opened the door. Davnix and Velna stood at more door, both looking very worried.

"Uh, Isa...we have a problem," Davnix said. I listened as he explained hte situation.

"I'll have to check with my parents, but that should be arrangable," I agreed, walking out of the room. Davnix, Velna and Max followed me.

Davnix-

We had to wait for dawn (which thankfully wasn't that far off) until we could talk to Nathaniel and Bella. They hesitantly agreed to let Isabella, Max, Velna, and myself go back to the tower to retrieve Trent.

"Talk to no mage unless you must, and if you do, ask for either Kash or Hilar. They will help you and can be trusted. Once you find Trent, come back here. Do not delay. I would come too, but i fear i am needed here more." Nathaniel said, casting the door to Natan's bedroom a sorrowful glance.


Riley-

I looked over at Gerard as Alise and Ariana walked outside. I sat down in one of the chairs, glancing around.

"How is he?" i asked softly, watching Gerard's expression that had turned dark and worried again.

He glanced up. "Who - oh." he sighed. "Not good, but my brother says he'll live."

I nodded slowly. "That's a relief."


Natan-

From what i could tell, it was a few hours before i felt Val's presence enter my mind. I smiled.

Sleep well, love?

Yes, great. she said with a content sigh.

Good. Is anyone else awake yet?

Ariana

Me and mom returned into the kitchen and started boiling the water. I walked over to sit next to Riley and looked at my father, "how is Natan?"

"He'll live, but he's not doing too well. Val hasn't left his side."

I smiled at the last bit of information, I knew she cared about Natan, and apparently she cared a lot more. After what Nathaniel did to her and Max I was surprised she wasn't running far away.

"How is she? She must be terrified of Nathaniel now."

Riley-

I chuckled. "I would be, if i were her."

Gerard smiled. "She seemed fine. A bit suspicious and wary of him, but that is to be expected. She's a tough girl."

I nodded and wrapped my arms around Ariana, kissing her hair softly. Out of the corner of my eye i saw Gerard and Alise smile knowingly. I blushed slightly but still held Ariana.

Velna-

Velna wrapped her arms around herself as she listened to what they were saying. Trent could be hurt, or dead. She shivered at the thought. Dawn couldn't come any sooner. She walked silently outside and sat down outside the house looking up at the stars, Trent was alive he had to be. He was all she had left.




Trent-


Trent got back to the tower, but the others were gone, along with Velna. She wouldn't have left him on purpose. He walked towards where they had stayed and looked around again. He heard someone walk in behind him and he spun around. A mage stood there just watching him.

"You looking for someone?" The mage asked,

"My sister, and others, they were here." He said looking around for any hint of them.

"They left, they had to get home. Though I'm sure when they find you missing they will come back." Trent looked at him surprised, "I'm Kash by the way."

"I'm Trent."

Ariana

"They like you," I said, "good thing too."

He looked at me slightly, "why?"

"Because you'd probably be dead if they didn't. They're protective like that."

Riley-

"Oh. Well then i guess it IS a good thing they like me..." i said, swallowing hard. Ariana laughed softly.

"Comforting thought..." i muttered, taking another bite of my apple.

Isabella--

As soon as it was early enough, we set off. Velna, Davnix, Max and I, that is -- the others stayed home.

I teleported us straight to the room we had been staying in when we left. It was empty, but Max picked up on Trent's scent almost immediatly.

"He was here," Max said softly, inhaling. "He's not too far." Velna grinned a little at this thought.
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Val--

Yes, everyone, I replied, slowly moving away from him. I'll be back soon, I promise.

Do not fear, love. I'm not going anywhere, and I doubt anything worth seeing will happen, Natan assured me, chuckling. I smiled, kissing his forehead before leaving the room.

"Natan seems to be a bit better," I commented, entering the kitchen. Bella turned to look at me.

"You truly care for my son, don't you?" she said, a smile spreading softly across her face. I nodded.

"Yes," I replied. "You have no idea." Bella noded slowly.

"I'm sure Natan cares about you very much too. He always was rather difficult when it came to opening up to people...for him to allow you to share his mental bond like that is...amazing to say the least."

Nathaniel-

I entered the kitchen to find Bella and Val talking quietly, both smiling. They looked up as i came in and Bella walked over, wrapping one arm around my waist.

"Breakfast?" she asked.

I shook my head. "Not yet, i want to go check on Natan first." i looked over at Val. "Is he any better?"

She nodded slightly. "Some. Not much."

I sighed and went into Natan's room. He lay still on the bed in the same position he was in when i last checked on him. His breathing was shallow and too fast, his face pale.

I bit my lip and walked slowly until i came to stand next to the bed. Holding my hand an inch above his body, i moved from head to toe. He seemed to be recovering but i could tell he was still in pain and would be drastically weakened...perhaps for the rest of his life. Dependant on a strong arm, constantly held back in some way...and at such a young age...

All because of me.

I felt tears spring to my eyes. I lowered my head into my hands, sobbing quietly. I didn't hear when the door opened...

Val--

After I finished eating, I went back to check on Natan.

I opened the door to his bedroom slowly, not realizing that Nathaniel was also in the room until I heard his soft sobs from next to the bed.

He didn't look up as I entered, nor as i walked across the room.

I said noithing, just knelt next to him and hugged Nathaniel tightly, patting his back comfortingly.


((Poor Nathaniel, this oughtta be confusing for him))

Nathaniel-

I started as i felt slender arms encircle my body. At first i thought it was Bella or Leira, but when i looked down i could only stare.

It was Val. The person who was supposed to HATE me. And, honestly, i wouldn't have blamed her.

I coughed slightly. "Erm..."

Val--

I jumped at Nathaniels cough.

"I...I..." I began stammering, unsure of what he was thinking. For a moment I was afraid I had angered him. "I'm sorry, was I intruding?" I managed lamely, taking a step backwards, just in case.

Nathaniel-

I chuckled softly. "No, Val, it's just that you were the last person i would've expected..."

"I...er...sorry." she said again.

I laid a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you. And thank you for him," i said, waving my hand at Natan.

She bit her lip, looking a bit uncomfortable. "Uh...you're welcome."

I smiled. "He'll wake up soon...i think. Don't worry."

She nodded.

Gently, i laid my hand on Natan's temple, seeking his consciousness with my own. When i finally found it, i was alarmed by how weak it felt.

Natan?


Natan-

I stirred (again, it wasn't my body, it was my mind) at the sound of my name but did not respond immediately. The voice came again, and i was surprised to hear it was my father.

Natan!?

I moaned softly. Dad?

Natan! How do you feel? I'm so sorry. I-

Dad, it's alright. It wasn't your fault. i said assuringly but didn't go into detail about how i felt for fear to make him feel worse...

I'm so sorry...

Where is Val? I asked suddenly, fearful that she was still in the room and that my father might lash out again.

She's-

I'm here, Natan Val's voice cut in. I'm right next to you.

I very faintly felt Val's hand touch mine. And don't worry, your father and I have everything worked out.

I sighed in relief. Good.

Ariana

"Yup, because I know I'd be dead right now if it wasn't for you, or still in that cave with the demon." Ariana shivered.

"Ariana!" My mother shouted, "where's your brother?"

"Still over at Nathans mom, like I told you."

Max

I could smell him coming back. At least I thought it was him for half a moment. But it turned out that it wasn't. It was another mage.

"What are you still doing here?"

"We came back for a missimg member of the group," Isabella said, I put my arm around her when the mage glared at us.

"What would his name be?"

"Trent," Vel squeeked.

Davnix-

The mage peered at us for a moment longer before his face broke out into a smile. "Ah, young master Trent. Yes, i can take you to him."

I heard Velna sigh in relief as the mage led us out into the now crowded hallway. Young apprentices were moving about, some rushing to their next lessons while others simply meandered past us, their noses buried deep in spellbooks. I couldn't imagine Nathaniel or Natan ever putting up with this. Even the mere thought made me laugh.

Velna looked at me curiously. I shook my head, still smiling, as the mage led us away.


*I don't really care: it's up to you guys, but this mage doesn't have to be Kash. It can just be some random mage that shows up and turns out to be bad...meh. just thinking of more plot twists, that's all. *shruggs**