Silver turned back to beg Ethyn's forgiveness for leaving, but the boy was already rushing headlong toward Lily. The three hurried toward the inn, where a beautiful brunette was lying still on the ground in the middle of the dining hall.
Sage's head was cradled in Katherine's lap with Aristos working frantically to stanch the growing pool of blood forming at her waist.
When the Fate had made her startling appearance, the men guarding Sage had abandoned their post to join the battle, but never returned. If not for Katherine finding her shortly after, Sage would have slipped away all alone.
As it was, the knife wound had gone deep, much deeper than even Borit had realized, and the life was rapidly draining from Sage's body. Her breath was uneven, and already she had lost consciousness.
"What happened?" Ethyn cried as his mouth dropped open.
"Borit stabbed Sage when she tried to stop him from killing Silver." Lily answered quickly, choking back a sob.
"What?!" The boy could hardly believe it. He would request the full story later.
Without pausing, Silver rushed to her side. "Sage, can you hear me?" he touched the woman's cheek. It was icy cold against his skin. "No!"
He hastily pulled the knife from her side—something Aristos had been reluctant to do—and more blood came rushing out. Silver bit his lip.
There was so much internal damage. Using his magical vial of light on her wound would be like plugging one hole in a bursting dam. It would do no good. Sage was nearly gone.
"Hanna!" Silver screamed, his voice full of desperation.
The Fate appeared in the doorway, gliding effortlessly toward the scene. "You called?"
Silver's body was shaking as he turned to the ethereal creature. "You have to help her," he pleaded.
"My hands are tied," Hanna started, but Silver interrupted her.
"That's not true, and you know it. Please, help her!"
"Are you sure? You know what that will mean." Hanna arched her brow. The favor he was asking was no small thing.
"I don't care. I can't let her die." Silver was overcome with grief.
He had lost his birth parents, his second family, his home, Haven, and even his former life before he became a Guardian. He would not lose the woman he loved. Yes, Silver realized he loved her, flaws and all, and he was done losing.
Hanna was silent for a long time. Then the mysterious smile that Silver could not name touched her lips. "Very well," she said.
With a fluid motion, the Fate swept Sage into her arms like she was lighter than air. With how much blood she had lost, it was not much of a stretch. Hanna floated to the door.
"Where are you taking her?" Ethyn called.
"Her home, of course." Hanna answered over her shoulder. "I'll return shortly. Do not try to follow."
"We won't," Silver assured her. "Thank you."
Hanna shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. "Don't thank me yet."
As the two disappeared from the inn, Silver stood and wiped off his hands on a cloth offered by Lily. His gaze shifted to the wall as if he could see through the hardened wood to Sage's small cabin. His hood obscured his face, yet those present could feel his pain as much as their own.
Ethyn tugged at Silver's sleeve. "What's going to happen?" He small voice raised the question everyone was thinking.
Pulled from his trance, Silver tousled the boy's hair gently and sighed. "A miracle, I hope."
-----------------
Time for the Fates being relative, it was many hours before 'shortly' came about. In fact, the sun went down while the party still waited anxiously.
After cleaning up the tavern of the inn, the group relocated to the large hall at the front of Conall's home. At the door, Katherine, Conall and Gilbert reunited.
"Dad, Mom!" Gilbert hugged them. "The children are all back with their parents," he reported to Silver. "Each is safe and accounted for, sir."
Silver smiled and shook the teen's forearm. "Good work."
"I'll say. Uh, as I have said before, Gilbert will make a fine soldier and a great asset to our group," Conall beamed with pride. "Thanks for your bravery, my son."
"Is there room for one more?" Aiden knocked on the doorframe as he watched the last of them enter.
"Please do," Katherine welcomed him. "We are about to have a great exchange of stories, and I will need someone to keep my husband in line lest he exaggerates."
"Whoa now, woman, watch your tongue! I've never told the tinest fib in my, uh, whole life." Conall pulled out the chair for his wife to sit at the long table.
"That's because you only tell whoppers!" Katherine retorted. The mayor gripped his heart but could not offer any argument. He took the seat next to his wife and kissed her cheek.
Lily went first: she told of her capture, escape and recapture. Making sure to highlight how Sage had seen the error of he ways, the blonde told of how she had made it all the way past the glen before Lily was caught by one of Borit's men. The man had meant her harm, but the soldiers from the fort had arrived just in time to "take her off his hands."
Katherine told how Gilbert had found her and gotten her out of town before the military came to put down the "rebellion."
Aristos picked up the plot and explained how he had joined forces with the teen. When the hunter had arrived mid morning, he realized the town had been overrun. He had seen Gilbert lurking on the edges of the village, and together they had watched until the moment was right to act.
Aidan and Conall gave an account of how Sage had distracted Borit while the rest escaped. Finally, Silver told of everything that had gone on both at the Baron's manner and in the village square.
That only left Ethyn. "How did you happen to summon a Fate?" Lily asked expectantly.
Ethyn shifted in his chair and yawned. "It was not a big deal. After Gilbert and I escaped, I ran into the forest to find Silver…"
The boy told of how he had eluded the soldier and then taken off in what he thought was the correct direction.
"But by morning, I knew I was lost. I…I fell asleep. When I woke up, I knew I had failed. There was only one thing I could do." Ethyn paused, realizing he had the rapt attention of everyone in the room. The redhead relished the drama.
"What?" Conall finally asked impatiently.
Ethyn sat back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head. "I called for help. Part of me knew that Hanna would hear. She's a Fate, after all. But when she appeared, she nearly scared me to death. You never mentioned the Fate was so…overwhelming."
"You have no idea," Silver chucked.
Ethyn continued, "Anyway, I begged for Hanna's assistance, and she told me head back to Rynnlee (she might or might not have given me a little push in the right direction with some wind). Even without her saying it, I was confident that somehow she would meet me here."
They all pondered his words, unsure of how to answer. There was something equally terrifying and comforting about the Fate, making them both fear and trust her.
Eventually the group broke off into separate conversations. Lily and Aristos sat off to one side, speaking in hushed whispers and shared secrets. Aiden for his part worked hard to buoy everyone's spirits when things got quiet. Silver listened to the chatter, but his mind kept drifting to the young woman fighting for her life. The waiting was torture.
About the time they were all ready to fall asleep (Ethyn had already passed out on the floor from exhaustion), an old woman wandered into their presence unannounced. A spiderweb of wrinkles creased her face, yet her eyes seemed oddly familiar.
Lily was the first to notice her. "May we help you?" she asked politely. The others turned their attention toward the noise. Silver immediately recognized the Fate.
"Hanna," he called breathlessly, flying over the table to the lady's side. "How is Sage?"
The old woman's face broke into a weary smile, sending new cracks across her face. "Sage will live," Hanna announced. There was a great amount of joy and celebration from those in the room. Even Ethyn, who had just woken, seemed very pleased with the news. Hanna leaned in and whispered so only her Guardian could hear, "I only hope you can live with the consequences."
Silver nodded slowly. He was all too aware of what Sage had just gone through. His heart ached as he wondered if he had made the right decision. "Can I see her?"
Hanna's laugh tinkled through the hall, "Well you aren't doing any good lollygagging here. Go on then." She shooed him as he passed her, though he needed no encouragement. Silver was gone in a flash.
Once the Guardian had passed through the door, Hanna turned to the rest of the group and sat down casually in the chair nearest the door. "Now, what were we talking about?"