Dorian Wraith's Arc

Chapter 21 of 27

Dorian's body stayed still on the cot inside the cottage. His mind was still coming back from the field of grass and the small girl with skinned knees. He could hear the fight through the walls, but he could not answer it yet. Callie's voice pulled at him from the edge of the vision. Wake up. They need you out there. He tried to move his hand and could not. By the blue front door, Evander kicked a guard in the chest and sent him back into the yard. Two more pushed in behind their shields. Evander swung his blade hard against the top rim of the nearest shield. The steel skidded off. He struck again. Nothing. The guards pressed forward, boots grinding on the boards, driving him back toward the cot where Dorian lay. The fairy stepped between Evander and the door. He spread one hand over the sword and spoke three short words. Light climbed the blade in bands of red and orange and yellow and green and blue and violet and a color Evander had no name for. Evander felt the hilt go warm in his grip. He turned the point at the men in the doorway and the blade fired a wave of light that lifted them off their feet and threw them into the yard. He followed. He brought the blade down on the first shield and the wood split open like dry bread. He cut through the next man's breastplate in one stroke. Armor pieces fell in the dirt. "You will not touch him," Evander said. "He is the man I love. You do not get to touch him." A guard at the edge of the fight reached into a pouch at his belt. He pulled out a fistful of gray powder and threw it in a low arc. It struck the rainbow blade and clung. The colors dulled. The light went out. Evander swung and the sword felt like plain iron again. The guard stepped in under the swing and drove the butt of a spear into Evander's ribs. Evander went down on one knee, then flat on his side in the grass. The sword slid out of his hand. Dorian opened his eyes. He sat up on the cot in one motion. He saw the open door, the broken shields in the yard, the fairy pressed against the frame with blood on his mouth, and Evander on the ground with a boot on his shoulder. Dorian's bound magic pushed against the seal inside him like a held breath. He swung his legs off the cot and stood. His hands were empty. The guard raised the spear over Evander's chest. Dorian took one step toward the door.