-Casimir-

Casimir did not know how, but they did it. Dai had promised them two steps, ​and he delivered. His spell brought them halfway, putting a great amount of distance between them and their pursuer. Another step, and they were practically at the cathedral's door. It was built similarly to the Academy cathedral in Lutèce. It was smaller, but Casimir thought it was no less magnificent. In the raging storm, it promised shelter.

Thérèse started to falter, and Casimir and Dai each took hold of one of her arms and ran forward. They felt some sort of barrier hit them and pass over them, then Thérèse cried out in pain as she was forcibly ripped from their hands. Casimir and Dai halted. Thérèse struggled to her feet, and where she reached forward, her hands met a golden wall. Inside the golden barrier, no wind whipped around them and no rain pelted them. The storm seemed distant, even though it was right above.

"Help me!" she shouted. "I can't move forward." She looked back, and they heard thenot-so-distant scream of the creature chasing them.

Casimir hesitated. What was he supposed to do? How did they pass through the barrier, but Thérèse could not? Dai took the lead and ran towards the center front door, jumping up the steps with a grace Casimir could never hope to match.

"Please, may we seek sanctuary?" Dai called, raising his staff, and knocking hurriedly on the door. "Please! Our friend is injured and in trouble!"

Casimir stayed near the barrier, but nothing he tried would let Thérèse through. His arm was outstretched, hands clasping hers, but he could not pull her through. He looked behind him, feeling ill at ease with the looming angelic caryatids watching him from the walls of the cathedral. They seemed as if they might move if he looked away and when there was no answer from inside, he wondered if the cathedral was deserted.

There would be no barrier if it were, his anima, Eta, explained.

Dai called once more. This time, a man appeared from around the side of the building. Casimir felt Thérèse tense, her grip tightening on his. The man was average height, slightly shorter than Casimir and Dai, but he stood proudly, carrying the front of his heavy scarlet tunic with one arm. His eyes were golden, and narrowed; not in distrust, Casimir realized, but rather as if he could not see clearly.

"Why are you here?" he demanded. His voice was accented, but they understood him clearly enough. "And how, might I ask, did you pass my barrier?"

"I cannot answer honestly about the barrier," Dai said quickly, bowing his head in respect. "Two of us came through. My friend, she's still on the other side."

"Where you should be," growled the man, his eyes glowing softly.

"Please, we ask for sanctuary," Dai insisted. One of the doors to his left opened slightly, and Casimir could see another pair of eyes watching from the shadows. Dai continued, "There's a sanscoeur, a white one, unlike any I ever thought existed. We barely managed to escape."
The man's expression changed to shock as another scream pierced the dawn. His gaze went from Dai to Casimir to Thérèse, and finally to the burning blue-white monster that appeared out of thin air. The man's golden eyes widened, and they shone more brightly.

"By the Wings of Elam," he gasped. "What kind of sanscoeur is that?"

Dai turned around, where Casimir had retreated fully from the barrier and was holding onto Thérèse. "We don't know," Casimir heard him say, "but it has already killed two of our team. Both our Communicator and our Healer were lost. Please, let my friend pass through and grant us sanctuary."

The man nodded, keeping his voice steady. "Very well, yes, of course."

The door to Dai's left opened much wider and a woman stepped out. "No, Eremiel! You can't! What if someone finds out?"

"Dai!" screamed Thérèse, her voice ringing in Casimir's ears. There was true terror in her voice, something Casimir had never heard. Tears streamed down her face. She pounded on the barrier, looking over her shoulder as the white sanscoeur stalked forward. "Dai!"

'If you're going to do something, Dai, now's the time!' thought Casimir, clenching his teeth.

"My sanctuary opens its wings to her," the man chanted swiftly, and Casimir felt something shift in the barrier.

Thérèse fell forward, no golden wall now to hold her up. She and Casimir scrambled forward as the monster lunged for them, screaming. As it hit the golden barrier, its howls, along with its body, disintegrated. Stardust, for that is what it looked like to the Élu, whipped up and floated away with the Stream. The raging storm died without another sound. Casimir let out the breath he had been holding as Dai rushed to help him with Thérèse.

"Eremiel!" gasped the woman from the entrance. She wore a light gold silk gown, and her hair was bound up with ruby-studded gold jewelry. A toddler clung to her skirt. The woman's skin was a deeper brown than the man's, her hair blacker. The child was a perfect mix of the two, with terracotta skin and large, round eyes, golden, like honey.

The man, Eremiel, looked at the woman, silencing any other protest with a sharp glare. "Batel, take Ariel upstairs. I will occupy myself with our visitors."

With a fearful glance towards them, the woman nodded. She swept the child up in her arms and walked deeper into the cathedral. Casimir watched as Dai smiled and waved lightly at the child, whose eyes lit up as a smile spread across her own face. Her fingers wiggled in response as she nestled her head in her mother's shoulder.

"We thank you for your hospitality," offered Dai with another polite bow.

"It is our Oath," Eremiel said. "Even if we may not be friends, I will honor it in good faith. Elam only knows how few of us still do. My humble Laon Cathedral welcomes you, for now."

Laon? wondered Casimir. That meant they were still in the Kingdom of Avennio, but very far away from the capital.

"We don't hope to trouble you overlong," Dai said. Casimir let him handle the negotiations. He did not trust the Déchu, and Dai was the much better mediator. "We ask only for a place to rest and tend our companion until aid arrives. She's lost a lot of blood, and neither of us are healers."

"And how long will that be?" Eremiel asked.

Dai shook his head. None of them could have answered that, and that was the part that worried Casimir. "Since we lost our Communicator, we can't contact Lutèce ourselves. We can only wait until someone comes looking for us."

Eremiel frowned, clearly displeased. "You may stay for as long as necessary," Eremiel promised, though clearly with some reluctance. As he spoke, Casimir felt the barrier shift again, as if Eremiel's words somehow wove themselves into the barrier, and the Élu could breathe easier knowing they were fully safe within the sanctuary.

"Thank you," Dai sighed, and they walked inside the halls of the cathedral.

'Be careful,' warned Eta. 'Our magic is still diminished within the golden dome.' Casimir frowned and glanced at Dai, who acknowledged this with a very short nod.

'I hope he knows what he's doing,' sighed Casimir.

'He does. His anima is very wise.'

'Unlike another flighty spirit I know,' Casimir jabbed with a grin. Eta harrumphed and retreated into its own inner world, leaving Casimir alone with his thoughts for a moment.

Eremiel waved off Dai's thanks. "My wife, daughter, and I are the only Guardians here. You need not fear any others." He nodded towards Thérèse. "Would you like me to look at your wounds? You mentioned you lost your Healer as well. Perhaps I could assist."

"Why?" spat Thérèse, like a cat with its hackles raised. Eremiel raised his eyebrows.

"Forgive my friend," Dai said. "She's in no small amount of pain, though she won't admit it."

Eremiel looked at Thérèse when he spoke, though he did not answer her question directly. "I have never seen a sanscoeur such as that creature chasing you, nor have I ever seen one give chase with such ferocity. They are not intelligent creatures, and usually give up a chase in favor of easier prey."

"What's your point?" Casimir asked. A warning look from Dai caused him to rethink his question. He cleared his throat. "What makes you say that?"

The Déchu man frowned. "I cannot give an explanation, only make an observation. I simply find it unusual for a sanscoeur to act this way. You know nothing about it, then?"

Dai cut Casimir off before he could respond. "We do not, I'm sorry. It appeared out of the Stream as any other."

Eremiel seemed to consider his words. "Might it have anything to do with your auras?"

"Our auras?" Casimir repeated.

"Yes." Eremiel's gold gaze scrutinized each of them. "The two of you have unusually bright auras, and they are pure white."

Casimir was not in the mood for more talking, and his agitation was showing. Dai, however, remained patient as ever. "We are not taught about auras. We cannot see them. What colors should they be?"

"Ours are gold," Eremiel explained. "All Guardians born with Elam's Gift have golden eyes and auras. Most sorcerers, in my understanding, have white auras tinged with another color. Your friend's, for example, is tinged with red. Like her sash."

This Casimir did find interesting, though he did not like the Déchu's use of the word sorcerer. "Dai and I are rarissime," he offered, ignoring his anima's sudden protests. "That may be why our auras are brighter, and why we were able to pass through your barrier when Thérèse could not."

A slight frown curved Eremiel's lips, but he did not ask anything more. He had not warmed up to them, but he had relaxed his guard a little, Casimir thought. The Déchu gestured towards Thérèse, asking once more, "Would you like me to look at your wounds? Our Gift is pure and well suited to healing."

His tone made it clear he would not offer again. Thérèse looked ready to pounce if he so much as laid a hand on her, and Casimir felt as if he were holding her back more than holding her up. Dai pressed the blade of his spear-shaped staff gently to Thérèse's chest, a frightening smile on his lips.

"Tere, this gentleman has offered to make sure you aren't going to die before we get you home. The least you could do is not bite at him."

"You treat me as if I'm some wild animal!" she argued. Casimir choked back a laugh, holding his fist to his mouth. He decided it best not to comment, as enticing as it was.

"Tere," warned Dai.

"Fine." Thérèse grumbled. Casimir helped lower her to the stone floor. Eremiel knelt and crouched over her, murmuring under his breath.

"I don't need prayer," snapped the Battlemage, rolling her dark green eyes.

"Perhaps I do,"Eremiel countered.

He looked at her, and Thérèse pursed her lips as if wanting nothing more than to do exactly what Dai had warned her not to do. With an exasperated sigh she tried to slip out of her tunic, which was stuck to her skin where the blood had congealed. Unlike her companions, Thérèse wore a black tunic and knee-length leggings. It was an adaptation of traditional Élu robes, better suited to combat. Ansgar had been the first Battlemage to introduce such an outfit and make it standard for Armement mages.

Eremiel glanced at Casimir and Dai. "Normally we would have female healers attend to women, but I'll not have Batel dragged into this if she wishes not to be. I take it my administering treatment is not offensive to you?"

Thérèse made a sound, but Dai quickly covered it up with, "Not in the least." Casimir and Dai, both suppressing a grin, turned dutifully away.

***

-Dai-

Dai gazed around the cathedral. He and Casimir remained quiet while Eremiel tended to Thérèse. Behind them, Dai heard a few sharp words from Thérèse, then she screamed. It was quickly muffled. Dai turned his head, trying to keep from appearing overly anxious. Tere had taken her red sash, twisted it around her fists, and was biting hard on the silky fabric. Dai respected her resolve, but wished she would not care so much to show pain. Not to him of all people. He sighed and turned back around, and a few moments later he felt the warmth of Eremiel's healing wash over him. It numbed his own pain, dulling his aches and bruises even as he stood there.

"She is sleeping now," came Eremiel's voice, smooth as honey. Dai turned around.

"Thank you," Dai said, and hoped his words sounded as sincere and grateful as he truly felt. "How is she?"

Eremiel looked at her. "I cannot see how she was even moving," he admitted. "Her wounds are deep and blistered. It's as if whatever sliced her open also burned her skin at the same time."

"Will she be able to fight?" Casimir asked.

The Déchu shot him a glare, and Dai swallowed a groan. This would not go well if Casimir continued making this man angry.

"She will have no scars, nor any limited use of her muscles," Eremiel said flatly. "I would not disgrace the Oath by failing to render all the proper aid."

Dai relaxed and felt Abi's comforting thoughts. 'Be at peace, wielder, your intuition was good and true.'

"But," Eremiel continued, "they will not heal soon. Something about this sanscoeur's magic makes it very difficult to purge, almost as if it were immune to my magic. If we were not within the cathedral's walls, I do not know what I could have done. I would ask you to tell me about it, but I am not certain I care to know."

"I'm happy to share what we do know," Dai said, "but if you'll forgive me, my friend and I are in great need of rest, first."

"Of course. In a few hours' time, I begin services, so if you'll allow me to show you to a place in the cloister, you might find sleep there."

"Grand reception," mumbled Casimir.

"Forgive me for not spreading tapestries," Eremiel retorted through clenched teeth.

Dai sighed. This was not going as well as he hoped, but it was going better than he had honestly expected. He bowed, hoping to salvage the situation further. With a start he realized that in their haste, formalities had been overlooked. "Who can we thank for helping us?" he asked.

The Déchu stared at him. "I am Eremiel of the House of Eleana, Guardian of Laon."

'Aah,' Abi sighed. 'You stand before a great bloodline.'

Aloud, Dai responded, "We seem to be in the presence of one of the great houses of Elam's Host. All the more reason to express our gratitude to you."

There was something in Eremiel's expression that Dai could not read. Regret? Irritation? Eremiel bowed his head, as if to accept and dismiss Dai's words as quickly as possible.

Dai indicated himself first, "I am Adept Dai Lang. These are my companions, Adepts Casimir Élysées," Casimir nodded briefly, "and the angry one is Thérèse Chevalière."

As he spoke their names Eremiel's face became a mixture of disbelief and exasperation. He laughed softly, though it was without humor. "How auspicious," he murmured, and sighed. "Eleana has truly forsaken me, to have brought the three bloodiest names in Lutetian history to my doorstep."

"I don't understand," Casimir began, but Dai cut him off. Eremiel was gazing up at a stained-glass window of three panels, each depicting what appeared to be an Élu mage. Casimir followed their gazes and frowned.

"A story for another time," Eremiel said dismissively. "Not that it matters much, now that you're here. Come, let me show you to the cloister. They are not grand by any means, but they are secluded and quiet."

"You'd prefer we stay out of sight," Casimir guessed.

Eremiel closed his eyes. "I offer services, and you are welcome to join us. As I said my halls are filled with Ungifted during this time, and it can become quite loud. I just assumed you would want to sleep, first. I'll make sure to bring a meal afterwards, for you to eat at your leisure." A loud clap of thunder echoed around them. Eremiel frowned. "Though, given the storm, my gathering may be sparse today."

Before Casimir could make another comment, Dai accepted Eremiel's generosity, then walked over to Tere. He bent down and gently lifted her while Casimir took hold of her malachite staff, wincing as his hand scraped across one of the sharp thorns along its stem. They followed Eremiel to the open-air cloister, entering a room furthest from the cathedral's main entrance.

"Lay her down here,"Eremiel instructed.

Dai set Thérèse on the bed, careful to keep her on her side. She still did not wake up, and it worried Dai. He looked around the tiny stone-walled room. There was hardly any decoration. A sun wheel adorned the wall across from the bed and a small table of polished wood was within arm's reach. There was a sound behind them, and the three of them turned to see the woman from earlier. She wore a crimson scarf loosely draped over her hair, now, which complemented her sepia-colored skin. Balanced against one hip was a large, painted pitcher with a ladle. In her other hand she balanced three cups.

"Batel?" Eremiel asked.

"Water," the woman answered quietly, pushing past them to set the pitcher and cups on the table beside Tere. Then she reached inside her robe and pulled out strips of clean cloth. "And bandages."

"Thank you," Dai told her. She looked at him, frowning, chin held high. Then she turned and left, as if she could not wait to get out of their sight. Eremiel watched her leave. Dai filled a cup of water and handed it to Casimir before pouring one for himself. They drank voraciously and filled a second.

"If the two of you will follow me," Eremiel said after a moment. "The men's rooms are just across the courtyard."

Dai looked at him, then at Tere. He had expected to stay with her and watch over her. Worry must have been plain on his face because Eremiel smiled softly. "She will be fine. Batel will tend to her."

"I thought she wouldn't be involved?" Casimir blurted in a loud whisper.

"If she had chosen not to be, she would not have come at all. Your friend is in good hands. My wife is from the East, and therefore very traditional. She does not take kindly to men in the women's cloister. Please, this way." Eremiel motioned for them to follow.

With great effort, Dai nodded and followed him, Casimir at his side. When they had been shown their respective rooms, even smaller and sparser than the one given to Tere if that were possible, Eremiel bid them farewell for now, promising to return after evening services. Dai and Casimir slunk into their guest beds, hoping for a restful sleep, even as the sun was rising higher above them.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Thank you so much for coming this far! Beginning with this chapter, new updates will occur weekly unless demand is high. I hope you have enjoyed Crimson Storm to this point and will continue to read it as chapters are released.