91 Return (2/2)

Though why they have only recently begun to manifest them, I do not know, though I theorize it is due to the lack of forest spirits breaking down the natural order in these forests, letting mutations go rampant and uncontrolled.

Regardless, if it is a darkbeast that has inflicted that paralysis upon his arm, then no mere elixir nor magic can heal it.”

”So what?” Azhar said. His voice was laden with brimming anger. ”I'm stuck with a deadbeat arm for the rest of my life? That what it is, huh?”

”Darkbeast powers are diluted,” said Launcelot. ”I sincerely doubt the effect upon your arm is permanent. It may be that it fades today, perhaps the morrow, perhaps in a week. I cannot tell you properly. But what I can tell you is that this is not a permanent fate, so stand tall and proud, my fellow warrior.”

”If only, if only I hadn't been so careless,” said Sylvie as he balled her fists upon her knees, her arms quaking. ”I planned everything ahead, set up contingencies in the case that we were swarmed, but that accursed darkbeast, that vile spider, if only that had not been there at that exact moment-”

”Quit the blamin', ya did fine,” snapped Azhar. He stood up. ”Now the hells are we waitin' for? Ain't the time to be doin' this pity party. You heard the fancy nobleman, ain't this scratch gonna' put me down for long, and we haven't gotten' our ingredients yet. Let's go back instead of wastin' time here.”

”No.” Jeanne's voice rung out an intensity uncharacteristic of her usual gentleness. ”You have to rest until you regain use of your arm.”

”Hells, when's that gonna' be, huh? Might even be a damn week later. We ain't got time for that. Our quest down in Duvin's comin' up soon.”

”You must still rest.”

”Don't be worryin' yourself bout' me. Besides, how am I gonna' keep you two safe out there if I ain't even there?”

A pained expression set upon Jeanne's face.

”Az, without an arm, you can't string a bow, and without that, you're…,” She could not bring herself to continue.

Sylvie knew what Jeanne wanted to say, and she grimaced, unable to look properly at Azhar.

”What? What's up with you two?” Azhar's eyes shifted from Jeanne to Sylvie in rapid succession, and it was evident in the rising desperation in his voice that he knew what they were thinking.

”You're a liability,” said Launcelot. He stepped towards Azhar, his characteristic smile wiped from his face and replaced with an almost stone-cold seriousness. His voice was, however, gentle, firm but understanding. ”If you truly wish to protect your party, then you should rest until you are capable of defending yourself. In the meanwhile-”

Launcelot bowed to Jeanne. ”Will you not consider taking Bulwark with you? My party and I are quite suited to the Chattering Forests with our elemental powers, and we will ask nothing in return.”

Jeanne blinked a few times as she considered the offer.

”Oh, so that's how it's gonna' be?” Azhar came up close to Launcelot and shoved him backwards with his good arm. ”You're gonna' protect em', huh?”

Launcelot put his hands up to show he meant no harm. ”My fellow adventurer, I harbor no ill-intent with my words. I know you are a bowman of superb merit – I have seen your skill with my very own eyes. But you will endanger your party should you persist in this. You must rest and regain your splendid strength.”

Azhar drew close to Launcelot, and the two were matched evenly in height, though Launcelot dwarfed him in width of frame, the difference only accentuated by his bulky armor. Azhar drove an accusing finger into Launcelot's breastplate.

”I know what you're after,” said Azhar. ”You and your party of girls, huh, mighty convenient ain't it, sir good looks? Think you're gonna' get your grubby hands on these two?”

Launcelot shook his head. ”I simply wish to protect your friends as you do.”

”Ya think I ain't capable? Think a busted arm's gonna' put me out the count?”

Li could tell with how explosively Azhar's anger mounted that this was not real rage. Of course, the hinterlander was always on the fiery side and always rough around the edges, but deep down, he knew that Launcelot was right. This was anger created from desperation, the type of anger that lashed out at anything, no matter how irrationally, because of a deep sense of powerlessness.

Li knew that feeling well. He had felt it once, too.

The wyrm who had slept through everything peacefully by the fireplace until now woke up, sensing the combative tension in the air. She glanced at Launcelot and Azhar, and sensing they were too many levels above her to challenge, scampered behind Li's seat, though her gleaming yellow eyes did peek out curiously to look at how this confrontation was going to go.

”Tell ya what,” said Azhar as he stared down Launcelot. ”Prove you're better than me, and I'll let you go. Beat me in a duel. Ain't no tricks, just our fists and the skills we've trained for. Or is all your talk about bein' a man empty?”

”Az, this is ridiculous,” said Jeanne as she hurried to get in between them.

Launcelot raised his hand to stop her. ”No, I will do it. I have my honor as a Lakely to uphold, and a Lakely does not back down from challenges.”