Life of a Phoenix - Chapter 16 -  Faint Nightmares and Unforgiven Trespasses.

Erdric shifted slightly in the chair, his head winding up in the crook of the wing and back, safely secured. His legs were sprawled over the arm of the chair, and his arms were curled around himself protectively. His hand clutched the crystal pendant so tightly that some of his fingers were cut upon the edge of the pendant.

A faint line appeared between his eyes, frowning slightly as he felt fingers brush across his forehead. His lips parted slightly, breathing shallow as his eyes started to flutter, his mind caught in a dream.

Pain ripped through his mind, caught in the spell of the past, the flames of the dead. He could still feel the flesh of his back hanging in ribbons, and feel the warm wash of his own blood as the whip came down again, arching him, making him cry.

A set of fingers fluttered over his cheek and further still until they brushed over the curve of his jaw. The fingers gently brushed some strands of wet hair out of his face and Erdric sighed, leaning slightly into the touch to make the pain ebb away.

His lips moved slightly as if trying to say a name.

"Erdric," the voice sighed. "Wake up, silly."

With a faint whimper, he cracked open his eyes, his dreams and torment fading into the darkness.

"Rosa?" he whispered softly.

"Erdric, Rosa's gone."

Erdric brought his hand up to his face, rubbing at his eyes before he finally recognized the soft lavender hair that fell around the woman's face. "How long have I been sleeping?"

"An hour, maybe a little more. After Aryun left, I came in to keep watch over you." Nara watched him intently, moving like he was stiff. "Erdric, why did you say her name?"

He shook his head, clearing the fading images. "No reason, just thought . . . Well, what I think isn't important at the moment." He rubbed his temple with a slight frown. "I take it Lady Aryun has returned?"

"Aye, and she's got a visitor who wishes to meet us all. He's one of the Tetrarch."

Erdric slipped out of the chair, nimbly twisting and jumping to his feet. After raking a hand through his hair and replacing his pendant, he brushed down his shirt, making sure that his armor was still laying upon his bed. He nodded to himself and waved Nara away from him.

"Erdric, are you sure you're all right?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" He snapped somewhat irritated.

"I just thought I'd ask you. You really don't need to get snappish, Erdric. Yes, they're both gone, same as he is gone. You should not allow dreams of the past to haunt you when other avenues lay before you to choose." Nara flipped her lavender hair over her shoulders before she walked out of the room, for once, becoming more irritated at him than she had ever been in the past two years.

Erdric watched her go, his irritation changing into sorrow. "The past is the past, true, my angel, but it has shaped who and what I am. That I cannot change."

With a sigh, he stretched and padded quietly out of the room to the common area in front of their rooms.

What greeted his eyes was very unexpected.

There were several chairs and couches set around a large, round table at which his friends sat, along with the Lady Aryun and another man.

The man is what caught his eye, and he was frozen in midstep as the man looked up at the new arrival.

The burnished gold eyes caught Erdric's and it seemed like time had stopped. Everything seemed frozen save for a chill wind that brushed across his face. The golden eyes shimmered in sorrow before he looked away, nudging Aryun with his arm to bring her attention to him.

Time started again as Aryun waved him over, motioning to the seat beside her and Nara. The breeze had stopped and left him at a loss of what to do.

Erdric was indecisive for a few seconds before Aryun waved him over again, and he joined the group. His eyes still lingered upon the new arrival.

"You missed it, Erdric," Xristis chirped. "This is one of the Tetrarch."

Erdric nodded his head. "I know. The Lord Thanatos, if I am not mistaken."

Alena, Xristis and Brey stared at him in shock, while Mara and Nara watched him in worry.

Aryun blinked slightly. "You know Lord Thanatos?"

"We have . . . seen each other, Aryun," Thanatos acknowledged as Erdric nodded his head. "You know the answer to your own question now, Chosen?"

Aryun frowned in slight confusion. "How do you know him?"

Erdric glanced at her, then continued to look at Thanatos. "He used to . . . follow me after . . . well, before I ran into Nara and Mara. I saw him one time before, then about three times after. I never saw him this past year until now."

Thanatos laughed. "Lightly spoken. At least you are not near me this time, Lord Erdric."

"True, would you like to finish what was started?"

"Perhaps . . . later." There was an enigmatic smile that adorned Thanatos' face. "I would hate to see how much you have improved."

"That was desperation."

"No, that was talent, young Regent. Talent pure and simple."

"Given the circumstance, it was desperation."

Thanatos laughed. "Stubborn as you are beautiful, young Regent. You should give your elders leeway for what they indeed know and understand." He shook his head, black hair spilling around him like water. "Have patience, young Regent. You will yet have a chance to test yourself." Golden eyes watched Erdric and they glimmered brightly. "If you are keen to finish this, perhaps now would be a good time?"

"Only if you insist, Lord. I wouldn't wish to make myself look like a fool."

"You or me, young one?"

"Me of course. How could you make yourself seem a fool?"

"KimVay has done it on a few occasions by stealing those I delere."

Aryun had stood, watching the banter with interest and mounting concern. She did not want this fight to happen, and it didn't matter that they had been involved before. Her heart was constricted, painful, and she hated that fact. She hated that it seemed her heart wanted to lean against this young man, so she did nothing as she struggled with herself.

She would willingly let Erdric receive whatever blows would rain down upon him.

Aryun watched as the rest of the group rose, and immediately, the chairs and couches that were there, were gone. Thanatos stood relaxed, hands loose at his sides as he stood watching Erdric's easy posture.

Neither one was fooled by the ease. They each knew that the other was coiled for attack.

The only question remained was what would the weapon be, or who would make the first move.