The Forsaken Hero

I expected the camp to devolve into chaos the moment word got out, but the Last Light Company surprised me again. Before I even made it back to my tent, news of my declaration of war had spread through the camp, moving like wildfire. Wherever I went, Soldiers whispered restlessly, shooting uneasy, or sometimes excited glances at me. I expected as much from the older veterans, but even the young soldiers, just third and fourth level, maintained strict discipline and composure.

Elinore, arms crossed and expression stern, waited for me outside my tent. I shrank back instinctively as her gaze landed on me, burying myself further into Fable’s fur. But my wolf, intentionally oblivious to my unease, bounded the last few dozen toward her.

"Oh, stop hiding. I’m not going to scold you," Elinore sighed, her stern facade cracking slightly. "I think that duel of yours was reckless, but I won’t complain about the opportunity it’s given us. Now, hurry up and get off that beast. I’d like to do a full examination right away."

I breathed a sigh of relief and slid off Fable’s back, reluctantly ducking under the tent flap she held open. Fable pushed his head inside after me, but Elinore’s glare stopped him in his tracks, and he meekly backed out. I just make out his massive silhouette through the tent canvas, pulling my gaze away only as he circled once and dropped to the ground, taking up his customary watch in front of the entrance.

Before I knew it, Elinore had my dress off me and was examining my side and shoulder. She whispered a few words and summoned several thin strands of mana to probe the sunpurge, though what she was looking for was anyone’s guess. My knowledge of Life magic ended with basic healing magic, and I barely recognized even half of the runes she used.

It didn’t hurt, but her gentle touch sent tingles racing through the sunpurge continually, leaving me trembling, gasping for breath. After a few minutes, she gave a slight, satisfied hum and sat back.

"I can’t find any indication the sunpurge spread, or was even significantly stressed by the battle," Elinore concluded, a note of relief in her voice. "You should be fine to push yourself a little when it comes to magic, though I think it would be best to avoid anything too physically taxing or exhausting your mana completely."

"So the sunpurge really is tied to the soul, then?" I asked.

She nodded. "Everything we’ve seen points to that conclusion, but that doesn’t mean you’re completely free now that your soul is healed. If you exhaust your mana, your soul is naturally weakened. While I doubt that alone is enough for the sunpurge to spread, add any sort of impairment or injury to your physical body, and I wouldn’t be so sure."