Ayda's Point of View

Top of Helmsforth

Racing down the mountain until I caught up to Cass was tricky. Thankfully, it was unnecessary. Cass was sitting on the stairs with a concerned Sherry and Rennal standing a few stairs down trying to help her. Once I saw her there, part of me felt awful about how horrible her condition must be. Given how I felt after last night and how physically and mentally exhausted I was, I knew it was nothing compared to Cass.

As I slowly walked down towards the group, my eyes focused on the redhead, and newfound respect began to build within me. Never before would I have ever expected a Human to be able to sit there, not to mention go through our day, and act like nothing was wrong. Her pain tolerance might’ve been high, but she also knew the stakes, and I had no doubt she was acting.

Rennal looked at me as I stepped behind Cass. “Lady Farro, would you help Cass?” She asked me. “I think her head is still bothering her from all the drinking.”

Sherry looked at me, confused. After all, she knew neither of us were truly drunk when we left.

“Drinking?” Sherry asked.

“We continued at my place.” I told her. “I was more of an issue than her as I kept using my magic.” Lie after lie will add up quickly enough.

Both women were starting to get suspicious if their looks were anything to go by. “Ayda wanted ta talk.” Cass cut in. “We just so happened ta have a few drinks as Ayda used her magic. Probably not the smartest thing we’ve ever done.”

Rennal moved to help Cass. “Let me at least help get you on your feet.”

Quickly stepping in between the two started the other Elf. “Sorry.” I said after a second as Sherry looked just as surprised. “However, I feel responsible for this. Would you allow me to take her home? Surely Austin must be worried by this time, right?”

Cass looked at me and then at Rennal for a moment before nodding. “Okay.” She said tiredly. “Rennal, Ah’m gonna head home and rest for the day. Sorry bout all this.”

She smiled a little bit, but she looked slightly hurt as well, which made me uneasy. “Of course. I understand completely. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

“Ah’d like that.”

My attention quickly shifted to Sherry. “Can you get down to the Lowest Rung on your own?”

Sherry scoffed. “I’m not a child, Ayda.”

With no other prompting than that, I gave the two a nod and quickly teleported us away. Once back at Cassidy’s home, she collapsed. Thankfully, we ended up in her bedroom, but my magic was still low, so I wasn’t sure where we’d end up. Helping her to her bed, Cass trembled from the pain as sweat just started to pour off of her.

“I will make sure Austin is out for the moment and come right back.” I told her.

There was no reply, so I quickly moved through the house. It appeared to be empty, which was a huge relief. Austin could’ve been doing his chores, though, so I placed a spell to alert me should anyone enter the house. Once that was done and I had headed back upstairs, Cass looked at me from the bed. There were tears in her eyes.

“You did well today. Far better than I expected.” I told her and rushed to her side. “What little magic I have, I can use to try to ease the pain.”

As she shook, her voice came in softly and pitifully. “Please.” Was all she said.

Activating my magic, I began the process. “Cass,” I began as my head started to throb from the low magic levels. “You won’t be able to recover fully.” She rolled her head over so she could look at me. “Not until we are done. This is only going to get worse for you.” I explained, and there was a tint of fear in her eyes.

“Ah.” Cass let out in an accepting tone.

“However, I will also have more magic now that the largest portion of the runes is finished. That means it will be easier to dull the pain.” She merely sighed as a response. “There is something else you should know…” I became quiet for a bit, which seemed to unnerve her.

“What?” Cass pressed after a moment.

“There are consequences to this process. For me, I mean.” I clarified, and she looked alarmed at that.

“Why didn’t ya tell me that? What’s gonna happen?” Her head perked up at that as she looked at me, concerned.

With a small smile, I replied. “Once we finish, I will tell you.” She opened her mouth to respond, but I cut her off. “We cannot stop now. If we do, you will die, Cass.” The finality of my tone got her to close her mouth. “When your runes are complete, I will answer your question. As it stands, the two of us made our own choices. You wanted this and are putting up with the pain. I agreed. That is all there is to it.”

Her eyes started to get heavy as her head thumped back down onto the pillow. “Thanks, Ayda.” Is all she was able to say as she passed out once more.

I replied despite knowing she wouldn’t hear me. “Don’t mention it.”