Emergency!

Erinara

I was in the middle of combining runes into a new glyph, as a sudden surge in magical energy demanded my attention. Without so much as a second thought, I discarded my notes, dismissing the runes in the process, and leapt to my feet.

An emergency beacon had been activated! Mana was calling out to me from the transmitter. I closed my eyes to grant it my full attention. As per the device’s function, the released magic would surround and encase whoever triggered it. Since the shadow teleportation spell was used to summon someone else, I had to create an anchor point in the form of a rune. I didn’t have time to think, so I placed the anchoring rune directly in front of me, onto the table. It was a lot easier to teleport to a location than it was to summon something from a location, as the mana surrounding the target had to be steeped in the casting school of shadow. Only thanks to the excess mana released from the transmitter was it possible for me to imbue the spell from such a great distance. I visualized the sphere being ripped through space to the anchor point. The rune began glowing in black and deeply dark blue colors as the spell initiated.

A sphere of darkness burst into existence in front of me.
“What the-?”, I exclaimed as the shadows retreated, revealing who I teleported.
A man clad in heavy armor stood on the table.
“Knight!? What are you...?”, I cut my own question short as his legs apparently gave out.
He forced himself to remain upright with a strained grunt. I counted five arrows being wedged into his legs at various points.
“Sorry about that”, he said, grimacing through the pain, “Didn’t mean to almost fall on you.”
The fact that he remained standing at all was crazy.
“A knight should not endanger others”, he laughed, wincing in pain at even that slight motion. Despite his words, Jin sounded like he was completely beside himself.
“Easy there. Let me help you”, I said in a composed tone.
I conjured shadowy tendrils from my hands, which gently wrapped around his chest and arms. His entire weight was supported by my magic.
“How’s this? Any better? Are you okay with me carrying you to the apothecary room like this?”, I asked, “It’s nearby. I can treat your wounds there.”
Jin nodded slightly.
Using my magic, I dragged Jin through the air as I walked to the apothecary room. Once we arrived, I placed him on a bed to lie in and used my tendrils to quickly gather the reagents I’d need to cast a healing spell.
“What happened to you, knight?”, I asked him.
He didn’t react to my question, instead simply staring at the ceiling. Maybe he was in shock? What could have happened for him to be in a state like this?
“I’ve almost got the components ready, please be patient for a bit longer.”
Still no answer. With the spell components correctly prepared, I approached the knight. This was the first time I took a proper look at his legs. While five arrows managed to pierce the armor, it appeared as though multiple others either glanced off of it or got shattered on impact leaving nothing but slight dents. He was attacked by multiple people all at once.
“I’m going to have to remove the arrows before I can start casting the spell, is that alright with you?”, I asked.
Jin inhaled sharply and nodded.
“It shouldn’t hurt for long.”
Shadowy tendrils grew from my right hand’s fingers again, slithering around the front of all arrows, and cutting off the back end sticking out of the wound. For the three arrows that didn’t penetrate through to the other side, I covered the arrow head with my magic to crush the edges off, and swiftly ripped it back through the entry point. Simultaneously, I executed the healing spell’s somatic components with my left hand. In one fluid motion, all arrows were pulled from Jin’s body, and the healing spell was activated. I brushed over all injuries with my left hand. A viscous liquid flowed from my palm into his wounds. By mixing with his blood, the spell’s effect unfurled fully, beginning to knit his body back together.

Jin’s muscles relaxed as the healing magic progressed.
“There, that should help. Can you tell me what happened to you now?”, I tried asking again, “Eaglecrest?”
Jin finally acknowledged my question upon hearing the name. He sat upright.
“Yes, I’m here. Sorry”, he shook his head, “Not to sound ungrateful, but why are you helping me?” His voice sounded distant.
“It looked like you needed it. Besides, if you had the emergency beacon for shadow teleportation, clearly some things are in play here that I’m unaware of”, I replied.
“Ebiron gave it to me. I thought it would teleport me to him”, Jin said, shaking his head vigorously.
“The emergency beacon alarms the nearest user of shadow teleportation to its activation. Ebiron is currently meeting with the other executives, he's deeper in the land of warlocks. So the beacon called out to me instead”, I explained.
“I see.”
Jin quickly tapped his face with his metal gauntlets a couple times.
“That’s better”, he exhaled deeply, “Thank you, Erinara. You’ve saved me by a hair’s breadth.”
“Care to explain what happened then?”
“Enforcers were sent to kill me by the royal council of crests. I’ve been decreed a traitor to the kingdom and am to be killed on sight.”
“Why would they do that?”, I asked. Jin, even while in enemy territory, had been adamant about helping the kingdom, they could have used his blind faith in much more efficient ways. I realized that he hesitated. There was more to this story.
“You know what, you can explain another time”, I said. Unexpectedly, even to myself, I did not want to pressure him further.
“How about this”, I continued, “I’ll go fetch Kayon. Then we can get you set up with a guest room. I’m certain Ebiron would do the same. But since he isn’t here, Kayon and I are in charge of organizing the affairs in the citadel. Just wait here for a moment alright? I’ll be back soon.”
Exiting the apothecary room, I quickly walked to Kayon’s room and knocked on the door.
“Come in”, Kayon called out. I opened the door. Kayon was hunched over some documents. He looked up at me.
“Ah, hello miss Erinara.”
“Kayon, I’m going to need you to come with me real quick, please.”
He got up instantly, running a hand through his shoulder long curly hair. I led him to the apothecary room, explaining the situation with Jin as we walked.
“Welcome back, Jin Eaglecrest. Miss Erinara has informed me of…”, Kayon paused abruptly. His gaze focused on the arrows currently scattered on the floor.
“Where was I? Ah, right. Allow me to welcome you in Ebiron’s stead. We shall get a room for you, soon.”
He paused again and picked up one of the unbroken arrows to inspect it.
“Say, were you shot with these arrows?”
“Yes, five of them. Erinara was so kind to heal me.”
“Is something wrong with the arrows?”, I asked.
“The arrowheads are made of a rare poisonous material. They numb the mind and slow the body, leaving the victim at the mercy of whatever is happening, although all sensations and especially pain will continuously be felt. While I do not doubt your magical abilities, it would be best to have our guest be near you, in case of remnant poison”, Kayon explained, “Can you keep an eye on him until master Ebiron returns from the executives’ meeting?”
“Certainly. Are you alright with that, Eaglecrest?”
Jin nodded his head: “That must have been why I felt so delirious earlier. Thank you once again, Erinara.”
“It would be best to have your quarters near hers”, Kayon continued, “the room next to hers will do. The remnants of poison should clear in a few days’ time.”
“I see, thank you”, Jin said, “But Erinara’s healing already made me feel much better, there’s no need to go to such lengths.”
“It’s a mere precautionary measure. She would be able to help if poison remnants had an effect on you. Erinara would you please- Ah I see you’re already on it.” I had quickly grabbed all materials I could require for healing spells.
“All set”, I said, “I can only use healing magic with reagents, so I’ll only be able to tend to active wounds or ailments. Feel free to ask me for help if you need it”, I reassured Jin.