Warrior's Soul (Book 3 of The Warrior Chronicles)

Chapter 39

Leyla paced in agitation, her eyes constantly returning to the hut. Behind the closed door Raphael and the Sage - no - Gabriel, had been talking for what felt like forever.

Gabriel! How could the healer be the twin brother Raphael had been mourning for years? Even if Gabriel had survived the Bone Eater attack that had killed the rest of his party, how did he survive all this time and why didn't he go home?

"Ahh," she made a sound of frustration, then seeing the worried look on the faces of three passing women, pasted a smile on her face.

"Protector," they bowed before continuing on their way.

By Tevvuk's beard! Leyla knew she had to calm down, but how much longer were they going to be? What were they talking about? And most importantly, why couldn't she get the expression on Raphael's pale face out of her mind? "Why am I so worried?"

Time moved on and Leyla forced herself to stop and watch gate as the guards changed. The man on the left was wearing his sword belt at an angle that would slow his draw. The second one needed to fix his stance for better balance. She was onto analysing the two who were being relieved of duty when Tai's panicked voice sounded across the camp.

"SAGE! We need the Sage!"

"Tai!" Her back stiff, she called the boy over. "What happened?"

"The pregnant lady," he panted, trying to catch his breath. "The pregnant lady is giving birth and the women sent me to get the Sage."

Rami wasn't meant to be due for several more weeks, no wonder the women sent for the Sage, "Alright, calm down Tai, where is she?"

"Her husband carried her to the Sage's hut," Tai replied quickly.

"Good," Leyla nodded. "You go back. Kaya is in the hut too, take her somewhere warm and I'll call the Sage -"

"I'm here," Gabriel stepped out of her hut.

"Sage -" Leyla watched his face, noticing the strain lines around his lips and forehead. "Are you alright?"

"Of course." Straightening his shoulders, the healer turned his face in the general direction of the waiting boy. "Lead on, Tai."

Leyla took a step to follow, but Gabriel shook his head. "I was expecting this, Protector. Rami will be fine, there is no need to worry."

Was he telling her to stay? Leyla watched the duo leave and turned back to the hut. If the Sage said he had everything under control then she believed it.

Moving quickly, she stepped into her room and closed the door.

Sitting against the wall beneath the window, Raphael had his knees drawn up and his head in his hands.

"Raphael?"

When he didn't look up, she knelt beide him, not knowing what to do. The Prorex of the Land of Light was always in control - even when he was upset or drunk, he too tall and strong. Seeing him like this...it made her nervous.

"Raphael...please?" she wasn't sure what she was asking for, but Leyla could feel her last defences against this man crumbling.

"He knew. He knew all along," his voice was barely audible and yet the pain it carried was sharp. "What am I going to do?" Raphael lifted his head then, his gaze lost as he looked at her. "What can I do?"

Although Leyla didn't know what he was talking about, she knew it was not the time to ask. What this man needed in that moment was comfort not questions. And yet, what did she know of comforting people? She racked her brain for words that had made her feel better in her life. It's alright...you did well...I'm sorry...

Wrapping her arms around Raphael, Leyla closed her eyes. "It's alright. It's going to be alright."

Raphael's arms came around her and for a moment he buried his face in her shoulder and pulled her tight.

"It's alright," she repeated over and over, not knowing what else to say but needing to reach him somehow; needing to ease his pain. A few more moments passed and her words faded leaving just their quiet breathing. Raphael's fingers loosed on her waist and he let her go. Suddenly they were face to face and feeling oddly vulnerable, Leyla got to her feet.

"Don't worry," a sad smile appeared on his handsome face, "I won't misunderstand your kindness." He sighed, looking out the window at the slowly darkening sky. "I'm sorry for the uncomfortable spectacle, and thank you for the comfort."

Leyla felt like protesting, but she wasn't sure what to say. Then he was standing, brushing invisible dust off of his cloak as he took a deep breath. "I need to go now."

Don't go. Her lips parted at the thought the crept into her mind. She didn't want him to leave. He still looked pale. She was worried... "Raphael, the Sage...is he..." her words faded away at the sight of his stiffening shoulders.

"Leyla," he said her name gently. Then his gaze slid past her face as if he couldn't look at her. "I know its shameless of me, but I'm leaving my brother in your care. Please, don't let him get hurt."

Raphael didn't wait for her to respond. Instead he left the hut and the soft sound of the door closing echoed like drums in her ears.