"I know what I feel," Kithra said, turning to face the Keeper. Her eyes shone emerald green. "Dekahda has been touched by the Shadow and is slowly deteriorating."
Throwing up his hands, the Asha'man muttered, "And they say we're the mad ones..."
Kithra continued, seemingly unaffected by the outburst. "Alone, there is nothing I can do for this woman." With clenched hands, Robocat stared, anger flaring momentarily in his eyes before he schooled himself.
Kithra barely noticed as she turned towards Asha'man Aneid, green eyes fastening on brown, her stare level. The Keeper had voiced his opinions, but this was the man's whose decision would carry. What would, no must, come next was unheard of, but a woman's life hung in the balance. Kithra wighted her words carefully, seeing reflected in the hard eyes before her an echo of the Keepers reaction. "There is a way to reverse what has been done to her, but it's chances of success are slim. With each beat of her heart her life force weakens. The taint is rooted so deeply that she may not survive." In the doorway Gangorn shifted, his sharp glance unwavering. Trying to keep the distaste from her voice, Kithra continued, chin raised. "I must link with another. Someone with strength enough in the Power to anchor me while I excise the Shadow's touch."
Robocat's hiss of indrawn breath was echoed by Dekahda. Quickly convering the distance between them, the Keeper gripped Kithra's arm in an attempt to turn her. "You cannot be serious....What you suggest has not been done since before the Breaking." In one fluid movement, Gangorn was between them, his sword still sheathed yet no less armed. His steely blue gaze left no doubt as to what would happen should the Keeper continue. Sadin wielder and Warder faced each other grimly, neither man moving, yet both poised to strike.
"Aggghh...no!" On the bed, Dekahda collapsed, convulsions wracking her body. Sweat beaded her forehead, the pallor of her skin leaving her looking even more frail. The Keeper's eyes flew to her writhing form, concern and dread etched on his face. "Linking is her only hope. Will you stand by and watch her agony draw out until death takes her?" Kithra's gaze remained locked on that of Aneid, awaiting and dreading his answer. What am I doing here? Can I link with a madman weilding the Oner Power? I don't know which would be harder to bear...the nearness of the taint or the death of this woman on my hands....
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