"Dying into a dance,

An agony of trance,

An agony of a flame that cannot singe a sleeve."

~W. B. Yeats, "Byzantium"

***

Soundtrack of the chapter: Anakin's Theme by John Williams

Media: Banner by reen-zette

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Chapter Four: Struggles

By time Elijah had finished showing them around, it was already noon. Cady was exhausted, from all the walking and reeling in Zoroth's shadow. When the sun was at its highest, it was the hardest, for shadows strengthen in increased light. The shadow pushed and struggled, trying its best to shred the petite girl it was encased in.

She excused herself from lunch, much to Jo's horror, for the Feorhs had served up a most appetizing kidney pudding.

"Cady, are you certain you're fine?" Thomas asked for the umpteenth time of the day. "Do you need to see a Stellium?"

"I just feel a bit giddy. If Elijah asks, tell him I went to lie down for a bit," Cady said truthfully. Her head was spinning, and Zoroth was feeling no better either. He had been groaning in Cady's head since morning, for being squeezed into the shape of Cady's former shadow was horrendously painful.

Before Thomas could say another word, Cady pushed past the Feorhs and went straight to her dorm.

Making sure that the door was locked, she released Zoroth.

The moment her Consort resumed his true form, Cady sagged in relief, crashing into a pile at the foot of her bed. Zoroth sprang over at once and caught her.

"This really isn't going to work. Just look at the toll concealing my shadow has taken on you," said Zoroth as he laid Cady carefully on the sheets.

Cady caught Zoroth's arm. "We will make this work, we have to."

Zoroth brushed her damp hair from her sweaty brow. "But, you're hurt."

"And so are you." Cady closed her eyes. Zoroth got onto bed and drew Cady into a hug, wrapping her up with his enormous wings. She ran an exploring finger over his soft wings. Even after several months, Cady still marveled at them; one the color of obsidian, and the other as white as snow.

"It hurts me more to see you suffer," Zoroth murmured into her hair. Cady didn't want to argue with him anymore, for Zoroth could be very stubborn at times. She was scared. The Hall of Spirits terrified her. Raphine Sanguinis was a daunting sight, his presence shaking Cady to her very core.

"If only the Hall of Shadows still exists, we wouldn't need to go through so many lies."

Zoroth laughed lightly. "We all wish that we can change the past, but the past shapes the future. If the Hall of Shadows still stands, we might not have met. My father often told me, everything happens for a reason, no matter how terrible it is."

"I can see where you get your philosophical mind from," Cady grumbled. "You're boring me with your high intelligence."

"You're just jealous," he said.

There was a sudden knock on the door. Cady shot up like a scalded cat while Zoroth melted into her shadow.

"Who's there?" she called out.

"It's Elijah." A familiar voice floated back to her. "Thomas said you're sick. I've come to see to you."

"Hurry," Zoroth warned. Cady shaped him back into her human shadow. She bit her lip from the sudden pain. Then, she crossed the room and unbolted the door.

Elijah stood by the door, concern lacing his soft features. He held a small leather pouch in his free hand, staff in the other.

"May I come in?"

Cady nodded. Elijah limped into the dorm and signaled for Cady to sit down.

He placed a hand on Cady's forehead and drew back in shock.

"You're burning up," he said. "You should've told me sooner."

"Sorry," Cady said weakly. She couldn't tell him that her fever came from her shadow restraint, not of ordinary means. However, she waited to see what would happen next.

Elijah opened his leather pouch and drew out a curious array of objects, including several clear vials.

"What is your name?" Elijah asked without looking up.

"Cadence Gates, but just call me Cady."

Elijah nodded. "That's a nice name."

Elijah took a pinch of powder from a container, added some crushed herbs before throwing water into a vial. He swirled the contents of the little vial until he was satisfied and handed it to Cady.

"That should help with the fever. All Oracles have systems that adapt particularly well to Spirit-grown herbs. Take this and rest, you'll be cured by tomorrow."

Cady closed her fingers around the vial tightly. She couldn't drink that, who knew what effects of a Spirit potion on a Walker would be?

"Thank you, Elijah."

"Call me Eli." The High-Priest-in-training smiled. "I'd prefer that. My friends all say that my full name sounds somewhat unctuous."

"Uh, okay."

Eli zipped his pouch and straightened up. "I best be going, the Oracles must be wondering where I went, and I have a brief meeting with the High Priest in an hour. Meanwhile, rest. I'll see you in the morning."

Cady bade Eli goodbye, closing the door behind her. She looked at the vial in her hand. The glass caught the brilliance of the sun and sparkled. Taking in a deep breath, she walked toward the window and hurled the vial into the sea as hard as she could.

She heard a small 'plop' where the vial met the sea and sunk like a rock.

Cady dropped onto her bed and buried her face in her hands. To be an Oracle was so much harder than she thought.

***

"Come on Toulouse, stop being such a baby."

A young boy leaned against the door of the Hall of Spirits. A quiver of arrows was slung across his powerful shoulders. He crossed his arms, impatience clear on his handsome face.

"I don't like adventures, why must you force me to accompany to every single stupid expedition of yours?"

The other boy, whose brotherhood with the impatient one so stark it couldn't go unnoticed came out in the sun, with much reluctance.

"I am trying to help you become a man, and to prepare you for the ladies. What is her name again? Dear me, was it Emery Greenthumb, I really cannot remember."

The boy, Toulouse, blushed so hard he looked like the setting sun. "It's Emery Greenfield. And things are not what you think is."

"Just admit it already, you're going to get married with her and have one hundred babies. And she likes hunters. I am doing you a favor, so stop yapping."

Toulouse looked happy at the mention of babies.

"You know, Ti, I have always dreamt of having a child named Elijah. It means sacred in the Old Tongue." He looked dreamy, while running a finger down the sheath of his hunting sword.

"You will Lousie, you will. You're only twenty, plenty of time to get married." The older boy grinned as he leapt onto his horse in one swift movement. "Come, let's go hunting!"

"Don't call me Lousie," Toulouse grumbled, reaching for his arrows. "That's a very stupid name."

"Lousie," the other boy taunted before kicking his horse by the side. The stallion released a loud neigh before thundering into the woods.

"Oi! Tithonus! Wait for me!"

Cady watched the younger boy race his brother into the woods. She already knew it was a dream, and she couldn't touch any of them. Toulouse Sanguinis, he must be Elijah's father. She turned toward the Hall of Spirits, admiring its beauty when she spotted a young girl hiding behind the well with a most dreamy expression plastered on her face.

She was a beautiful lass; dark hair tied into a sleek braid and twinkling blue eyes.

The girl skipped toward the forest and placed her hands over her heart.

"I love you too, Toulouse. One day, you will be mine."

The scene faded into wild churning colors, drawing Cady from the dream and back into reality.

Cady opened her eyes. She was back in the dorm. Turning to her side, she looked out of the open window, wondering why her dreams came back to haunt her, again.

"Bad dream?" Zoroth asked. "You know, although we share the same mind, there are certain parts that deny me access."

"Not really a bad dream," said Cady. "Just a rather confusing one."

"Sharing is caring," Zoroth grinned.

"It's personal." Cady said. "Now I want some peace, so hush."

"Rude," Zoroth chuckled. He retreated, allowing Cady to have some private thinking space.

Her mind wandered back to Eli. Her dreams started after meeting him. He must play some significance to everything, or else why would the dreams return?

She sat up. Eli Sanguinis survived the Great War. Most of her dreams were connected to the Great War. She had dreamt of Capella Sanguinis, her children, even Tithonus and Toulouse. If only she could find the relation between her dreams and the Great War, it might give her some clues to her past, to everything.

Cady decided to visit the library soon. Perhaps she could come upon some archived information regarding the Great War. There were too many loopholes in all versions of stories she heard. No one could blatantly start a war without a good reason. The consequences were to ghastly. And perhaps, she could find some leads to the mysterious Elijah Sanguinis.

*****

A/N

Oh no, Cady has fallen ill! And her nightmares are back to haunt her. Why do you think she is getting those dreams again and what may be the connection between her and Eli? :D

Remember to vote and drop me some feedback! ^-^

Moldy Donuts,

Stef