The Return of the Fifth Stone by Vincent Todarello

Author:Vincent Todarello [Todarello, Vincent]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vincent Todarello
Published: 2012-03-18T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Despite the comfort of my sleep, I awoke late in the night with several sharp pangs on either side of my back, high up near my shoulder blades. Two distinct spots burned and welled up as if something was beneath the surface, each pushing its way out like a tooth emerging from the gums. I tried to reach around to feel them with my fingers but I could not reach. I squirmed in my bed, rubbing and itching the areas on the padding. I felt what seemed to be two lumps or nubs. I could not fall back to sleep, so I decided to wake Lunaris to ask for help.

"What is it, Valdren?" she groaned.

"There's something wrong with my back. Would you check it for me?" She nodded, and I lifted my shirt over my head.

"Wings!" she cried. "Valdren, you are growing wings!"

I twisted my body and craned my neck as far back as I could to try to see for myself, but it was no use. Lunaris noticed my struggle and quickly retrieved a shiny, reflective silver tray from the kitchen area. She held it behind me as I looked over my shoulder. Through the foggy, warped reflection I could see that two nubs had emerged near my shoulder blades. The skin around them was reddened with irritation and pain.

"Soon you will fly!" she cheered.

I couldn't help but smile through my pain, but as exciting as it was, so too did it cause me to be fearful. My duties and responsibilities, my mortality, and the war all rushed into my mind, and my smile quickly turned to an expressionless stare of deep concern and thought.

Just then the hatch door opened, and Patreus returned. Lunaris rushed out to meet him, bringing him to me to show him my back.

"Well, it’s about time!" he joked.

"They hurt," I said plainly.

"That's because they just emerged, and they are beginning to grow," said Lunaris.

"How long will it take for them to grow out completely?" I asked.

"I don't know. Perhaps later we can ask one of the Lapisians," Patreus said as he examined my back closely. "I had a long discussion with Bantas about our history.” His mind wandered. “I told him about how Tumain left Alapis to bring the king's message to Ahaareta. He knew of this, but he said that the Lapisians largely disregarded Tumain, believing that all prophecies were irrelevant things of the past. He was intrigued, however, and agreed to allow me to speak with Ernticholok, the eldest Lapisian who is helping Deius. I believe there is some clue within Tumain's message that would help piece together part of the lost Lapisian prophecy. Between this and your newly emerged wings, perhaps there will be enough evidence to convince the Lapisians to aid the groundsmen in the coming war against Scievah." He jumped as if he was reminded of something. From his pack he took out a small jar of salve that Fiama had prepared a few days ago. "Forgive me. My mind was astray with this prophecy business.

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