Dragonlands(232)

"Bastian," Elinor said, her hands on her hips, "is there something you haven't told us?"

"I'm the one who took the fog down," Bastian said. "I'm also the only one who knows how to raise it again." The others who knew about the woman in the tree had died in Malum during the Descent Festival. The children would be safe and protected there. “If we do this, I will have to share the secret with the two of you. In case something happens to me, others must know how to get the children out again."

Elinor hurried to his side, the bottom of her gown billowing around her booted feet. "This might be the best idea you've ever had. We know the fog is nearly impenetrable. Hidden behind it, the children will be safe."

"And this time there won't be any dangerous beasts hiding in the fog. We just have to convince the children to stay until we come back. No wandering." Bastian stood up. "Do you think it could work?"

Connor furrowed his brows. "If there's nothing in the fog threatening to kill us, what will keep others from entering it and taking the children hostage? The children won't be safe. Anyone can walk through a fog."

"True." Bastian sat down again, defeated. It had seemed like a grand idea.

"Unless there was something to protect them," Connor said. "I could."

"But what's the difference between protecting them there and protecting them here?" Elinor asked.

Bastian spoke up. "Everyone knew death lay within the fog last time. Perhaps we make it seem as if it does again. The woman in the tree, she has the power to destroy anything that comes into the forest. She nearly destroyed me." He remembered the ball of light coming from her hand and his fall through the trees. He'd been lucky to land on a bough strong enough to support his weight.

"Then I think we should do this," Connor said. "I will take Hazel and the children and the healers if they will come too."

"I can almost assure you they will go," Elinor said. "It is our calling. Once we heal someone, often we are attached to them for life." She glanced at Bastian and smiled. "Many of the children needed healing when they arrived here. These women attended to their wounds, both physical and emotional. I cannot imagine they would abandon the children now. I will ask them."

Connor nodded. "I would like to consult with Hazel first."

Bastian shot a quick glance to Elinor. Connor was coming around, then. In the past he'd rarely made a decision without talking it over with his wife. They’d once worked as the perfect team. It made him happy to see Connor moving in that direction again.

"I think that's wise," Bastian said. Connor nodded and left the throne room in search of his wife.

"So," Bastian said to Elinor, "you're only with me now because you healed me?" He hoped there was more to it than that.

"Bastian..." Elinor said with longing. "Few healers end up romantically involved with the ones they heal. It crosses a line. We are tasked to be compassionate and caring. To heal those who cannot heal themselves. To offer our moon when someone of value is dying. To make the ultimate sacrifice for one who must survive, despite all costs." With the last sentence she looked at the floor.

"What is this ultimate sacrifice?" Bastian asked, taking Elinor's hand in his.

She sniffled, refusing to look at him. Bastian rested a finger under her chin, but she wouldn't let him raise it.

"Elinor? What is it?"

"Do you remember before we left for Malum? How I told you there was something in my childhood?" Her eyes remained trained on the floor.

"Yes," Bastian said. "I didn't want to pry if you weren't ready to talk about it."

"My father." She took in a ragged breath. "He told me that when I grew up, I would be the most famous of all healers. That I would work with him to bring the world to a greater destiny. He saw things, Bastian. Horrible things. He would wake from nightmares screaming about dragons and how he would rule them all."

Bastian kept silent. He knew Malachi had stolen the baby dragons for some reason. But to claim it was destiny? Look where destiny had gotten him. Dismembered on the Isle of Repose. He'd also gotten all but two of the baby dragons killed.

"He told me that one day I would use my moon to save the Red Queen. That she would reward us handsomely. That we would be the most powerful of all healers."

"You wouldn't do that." Bastian pulled Elinor in for a hug, her chest and shoulders heaving with every wet breath.

"I can't do that," Elinor said. "It's impossible."

"No, you have your moon back. You used it to heal me, but more than a moon has passed. You can heal again if you choose to. But I know you would never choose to heal the enemy and join her."