Music and Magic by Foster Bridget Cassidy

Author:Foster Bridget Cassidy [Cassidy, Foster Bridget]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Frye hardly slept that night. Exhaustion hovered at the edge of his awareness, but kept free from his grasp. Instead, he sat on the side of his bed and watched Markle. The man was restless in his dreams, likely haunted by the harsh truths Frye had forced upon him.

I could have been more diplomatic, he concluded. Broken the news more gently. But done was done. He didn’t necessarily regret it, it was best Markle knew the truth. But Frye’s behavior had been out of line. Sharpened, like a knife to stab, he’d wanted to hurt Markle, initially.

The kid had said such awful things. Casting the same accusations as the people of Frye’s village. Those fools hadn’t believed he was innocent; the thought never crossed their minds. If they doubted the words of Sabriea, they doubted the words of the goddess. It had been a beautifully orchestrated plot, no way for her lies to be revealed.

At least Markle was willing to listen. Was willing to learn.

He’ll mend from the blow I gave him, Frye thought. This wound will only make him stronger.

Markle continued to thrash in his sleep, issuing murmured phrases that didn’t quite reach Frye’s ears. On impulse, Frye stood from his bed and walked to Markle’s side. Though the dimness of the room, Frye couldn’t make out many details, so he used his hands. He reached out and touched Markle’s hair, a gentle pet. His fingers trailed down to his cheek. The flesh below felt hot, feverish.

Frye pulled back the covers and slipped beside Markle. He snuggled in close, his hand lightly resting across Markle’s stomach. Once their bodies touched, Markle seemed to calm. At least for a few minutes. Then he began to twitch again.

With softly murmured words of comfort, Frye gently moved his hand back to Markle’s hair. He smoothed down the strands. Surprisingly, his fingers felt damp. Maybe the kid was sick. Maybe Frye’s unkind words had broken him.

Suddenly, Markle jolted awake. He flailed for a moment, fighting off Frye like he was an attacker.

“Markle, calm down!” Frye said, batting off Markle’s attempts to strike him. “It’s me!”

“F-Frye?” Markle’s voice shook, but at least his body stilled.

“Yes.”

Frye went to pull away, but Markle’s arms extended to wrap around him, pulling him closer. The kid’s whole body shook violently.

“A nightmare?” Frye asked.

“I…I don’t know.”

“Well, it’s over now. You’re fine. Take a couple deep breaths.”

Markle’s inhale was loud in the quiet room, but after, he stopped shaking so hard.

“What happened? Was it because of what I said?” The guilt that flashed within Frye hurt him with its intensity.

“No, at least, I don’t think so. There was fog. All around. And I thought I was back home, lost in a boat in the water. But then a voice called to me. It knew my name, and it echoed through the thick air. A deep voice. A commanding voice.”

Frye’s own body froze. It sounded familiar. He’d seen a place shrouded with fog in his own dreams. But he’d never heard the voice.

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