Chapter 345: Bluegate Keep
Early the next morning, I sat on the edge of my cot with my hands clasped in my lap. Elinore stood beside me, her eyes closed and hands on my shoulders. Soothing pulses of Life Magic flowed through her hands into my body, easing the ache of the Sunpurge and warming my soul. As her spell drew to a close, a shiver of pleasure trickled down my spine and tail, and I let out a contented sigh. In the weeks of travel, the Life Mage had made incredible advancements in her treatments, combining the special salve and her magic to wipe away almost all of the pain.
Gradually, the soft, green light faded and Elinore opened her eyes. She sagged in exhaustion, but let out a long, satisfied breath. The soothing comfort lingered after she stepped back, and a loose, dreamy smile fluttered across my face.
"Thank you," I breathed, "It feels...wonderful."
She smiled tiredly and dragged a sleeve across her forehead, wiping away the loose sheen of sweat. "You’ve made remarkable progress. See what happens when you actually listen to me?"
I looked down, nodding meekly. "I’m sorry."
Elinore laughed, a soft musical sound. It wasn’t something I often heard from the stern woman, and my head rose again, eyes wide.
"You’re always so timid," she said, shaking her head, "But it makes me wonder how you possibly get in so much trouble."
I nodded, not entirely sure what to say. Eventually, I swallowed and asked the question that had my stomach doing circles. "So, um, can I go?"
"Yes," Elinore said, her smile fading, "But on a few conditions. The first is that you’re not allowed to use arrays. The second is that you avoid combat, or even physical exertion, at all costs. Your body has only just managed to stabilize, and even the slightest disruption to that balance might cause your Sunpurge to act up."