The road from the forest to the World’s Edge stretched long. I recalled only a little of it: endless walking, agonizingly slow. My lungs ached and rattled with every breath. The illness in them threatened to drown me – and so soon after I wished it gone. Had I been more circumspect, I might have strode ahead in good health, but it was too late for regret. Every inch of tissue in my skull was devoted merely to moving: ever forward. Evangeline’s russet shape led for a time, dark under the moon and fire with dawn. But I could not pace her, even at her slowest; my limbs grew weak as a newborn’s, and shuddering with effort I was forced to lean on her, at last. An inglorious homecoming, at its best. The arrival slipped from my thoughts even as it happened; my eyes dwelled on the ground, where grass rustled and snagged at my toes. Can I rest now?

We slipped once more under the cover of trees, though I barely registered the darkness – abrupt under the eye of a burning sun. Winter still clung to my hide, despite the day; I felt it all the way to the depths of my bones. And somewhere, guiltily, I knew I must be dying – too early, or too late. My limbs would go no farther; my sides expanded rapidly and deflated too fast, rapid shallow breath a quiet gurgling in my chest. At last, Evangeline was not enough to bear the burden of my weight; even leaning against her, I could no longer move. I stopped, at last, somewhere beneath the trees.

It would be suicide to lie down; I had known too many who went down in their final moments, quietly giving up. But exhaustion made the choice alone; I resolved to rise again even as my limbs folded. Grunting, I collapsed against the earth, only distantly mindful of the mare somewhere above. ”Rest… a moment…” My voice rasped out, faintly, from somewhere in my diseased chest. Yes, it would only be a moment – to catch my breath. My heavy head slipped down to rest on my forelegs, mud grating under the bones of my chin. It was much better, on the ground. I breathed a little sigh.

”Hope your healers…” I muttered. The rest of the sentiment lay forgotten somewhere in the back of my mind. When had I last slept? It was before the forest, before Evangeline, and Rostislav… sometime. My eyelids flickered, but with some resolve, I forced my eyes up to Evangeline. I should remain awake, at least. Instinct borne of knowledge insisted… So I watched her, unable to force my mind into recording anything about the forest, for the moment – all of it slipped out as it came. Evangeline alone remained a comfortably familiar sight. She would do.

”You know better.” Evangeline spoke sternly, as if she were the older of us, and I a silly foal. And perhaps I was too wise to lay down like a lamb in the face of this illness, but my body no longer kept up with my mind. Small spasms ran though my folded limbs – punishment, perhaps, for pushing them so far. I wished only to sleep and yet Evangeline was next to me, suddenly – her side a warm wall, smooth and soft with the curve of flesh over her ribs. My nerves tingled distantly with surprise. Was I so weak? My ears flopped briefly as her muzzle found the mop of forelock on my crown (demeaning). And yet I felt strangely at peace, to be near her – as if her presence alone were enough to make me whole again. Comfort and confusion ran at equal pace, both left behind, eventually, by the muddled thickness of exhaustion. It proved slow but all-consuming.

”Where did you go?” The next question reached me from somewhere distant; my attention wandered farther into darkness as I listened to the awkward rattle of my lungs. Where? The memory stirred distantly. Isilme had succumbed to darkness, and I… where had I gone? Nowhere – anywhere. I had sentenced myself to a life of exile quite by accident. It was nothing exciting, save the part where I forgot one must eat and sleep, and subsequently fell prey to disease. And even the disease had been of interest, in its early stage – but now I wished only to rid myself of its grasp, and concentrate on other things. What could I say to her? ”Away.” The word rasped, sluggish, from my throat. Where was Roanne? My head lifted with a jerk; the sound of hoof beats reached us, distantly – and I on the ground.

It was a mare. I drank in the sight of black and white with little hope of remembering the pattern. She moved so quickly… my ears tilted back, mixed irritation and alarm beginning to pool hot in my blood. I was no longer certain it would be enough to stand – I was so tired – but I watched her, awake for the moment, and caught with some accuracy the noise of her words. Resplendence -- a name? But a word, as well… one inappropriate for the situation. She acknowledged me with a word; I stared back, exhausted simply by the sight of her nervous movement. Be still. But then more noise…

Another mare. This one wore ivory and pearl. She broke from the trees like a hunted beast, and something bright above her – Tallis? When had Tallis gone? Another dragon sat on the mare’s back, talons busy as she circled, her eyes like searchlights. An academic gaze, I thought; the level of attention threatened to overwhelm, but I narrowed my eyes onto this newest stranger. Resplendence? I could not be sure. She looked first to Evangeline and then to me. It was all quickly becoming too much; I needed to stand, with these women darting about like flies. The stringy muscles of my legs all quivered ominously, when I called on them. I lay tense, peering up at her with one eye only a little covered by black forelock. So, she was Resplendence… and by the sound of it, some kind of healer. My rattling breath stopped short to make room for a quiet snort.

”I can speak,” I rumbled, hoarse and far more pitiful than the situation called for. A wet, shuddering cough belied the valor of the words; I had no strength left for theatrics. Her ear was at my side, soon, anyway; with a roll of my eyes I breathed in, out – simple enough to hear the croaking rattle under my ribs. It crackled like dead leaves, and I coughed again, dripping phlegm onto the ground. Her touch was not particularly welcome, though I bore it with what little grace I had – ears back, body leaning without thought much closer to Evangeline, who was at least a known quantity. Nor had she become frantic – an admirable trait, and one this healer ought to learn from.

”It’s in…” I drew a deep breath as the mare moved away; breathing became more difficult with the excitement. A rattling snort. ”It’s the lungs,” I said, bracing the weak muscles of my legs. Some movement caught my peripheral vision – another damned spectator, just when I wanted most to be left alone. ”Some kind… infection.” It had seemed like a cold, at first, but it had clearly become more than that in the preceding months. I wished to detail the finer points of its progression – the quiet slipnoose tightening of choking in my lungs, the lack of appetite, and lethargy – but I coughed again instead, and decided against it. The newest stranger had a dog, a wolf, or something – running about like a wild animal. Even with my senses dulled, it smelled lethal. I rocked back at last, my forelegs twisting out to stab madly at the ground in front of me. Stand -- I would stand. If it would quiet them all down, anyway…

Of course, being upright seemed a sensible idea, but I had lain down for a reason – and a good one. My forehand took the diminished weight of my skeletal body with surprising ease, but as the haunches rose to meet it, my legs spasmed in outright betrayal. With a grunt, I began to sag. Oh, pitiable, embarrassing thing I’d become… I spread the weight of my hooves, but leaned toward Evangeline – toward whoever might be around. They were so many – at the very least, they might be helpful. Gasping with the minimal exertion, I allowed my head to fall, nose dripping mucus freely into the grass. A moment ago, I had wished to speak… But forgetting that, I let my eyes flick dully toward the pearly mare instead. Work fast. My usual skepticism faded wholly in light of my desperation. Perhaps she would prove useful, and I would be healthy once more, after all… It hardly mattered. I had either to trust her or lay down and die – and I had already decided against the latter.

Although Kahlua had not been calling her name, the sense of urgency in Kahlua’s voice put Alysanne on alert, waking her from the fitful nap she had been attempting. The shout did not sound as though it had come from far off – should she at least check? It couldn’t hurt, and she certainly would not be able to settle down and get anything done once she made certain that everyone was safe. Things were more-or-less back to normal but she still worried at shadows and felt a sharp hit of fear when there were shouts. She approached the group but moved no closer than Kahlua once she realized that someone was sick, a stallion that she did not recognize. There were others – Aaron, Resplendence, a chestnut mare that she did not yet know but recognized, and of course Kahlua. Coming to a stop beside her friend, she reached out with the intention of touching the mare softly on the shoulder as way of silent greeting. But her eyes quickly refocused on Resplendence and the sick stallion as he explained that there was an infection in his lungs. Uncertainty led her to stay where she was – she certainly did not want to add to the crowd that was right there unless she was needed – and besides, what could she even do to help? She was still learning about the herbs, relearning about how to be a healer, but she wanted to be here so she could help if she was needed. “If you need me, Resplendence, I’m here.” She echoed Kahlua’s sentiments with one of her own, her voice quiet and soft – she wanted nothing of her presence to be intrusive unless it needed to be. Those large wings pressed tightly against her sides as if that action alone would make her smaller and less in the way. She had every faith in Resplendence’s ability to heal though she had only ever seen her keep the wraith sickness at bay - the faith the herd had in her was not for nothing. If anyone would be able to help this stranger, it was most certainly her. ooc: huzzah! I know I said that she wouldn't jump in but Abba pointed out that it'd actually be a good idea so here she is :P

Alysanne</style>
I lit a flame in my heart to guide you home.</style>

Through the narrow window of a dwindling consciousness, I focused my attention on the healer. She proved quite thorough, though stubborn – I knew better than anyone my own state! Were I more generously disposed, I might have scolded her, but then I would never have needed her help, anyway. Brought low, instead, I merely stood and awaited some action. The small herd gathered around me existed solely in periphery; only where I leaned against the spotted stallion, did I notice him at all. Though smaller than myself, he at least proved a reliable anchor.

Resplendence drew away at last, though only a small distance. I recognized the growing look of concentration on her face: the way the eyes stared far away, the tension of the muscles given entirely to something other than physical effort. With interest, I pulled my head head up, a few hair’s width higher than before. And then darkness – pure, ephemeral wisps of shadows – gathered around me. It was her doing, of course, and it recalled a certain other power I had once used, but a tension of fear ran bright in the back of my mind. Wasted muscle drew taut beneath my own hide; were I hale enough to move, I might have, but my hooves only twisted, clumsily, without the strength to lift. And as the magic took effect, I realized with certainty my instinct ran in error; a feeling like the warmth of soothing flame began from somewhere deep within my chest, not fire but cleansing, winding outward. A sudden jerk, and my body shuddered as I stepped back, of my own strength, and deeply inhaled.

A last, lingering cough shook loose what evil remained. Neck flung out, I shook out months of dust and old debris from my filthy hide. Thick masses of mane slid forward to cover my face; thrown back with irritation, they soon cleared to reveal the mare, her condition deteriorated. I blinked, curiosity overtaking the brief – very brief – surge of guilt. Was that, then, how it worked? The magic took from her and gave to others? I counted myself grateful to be under the eye of so dedicated a healer, though I wondered, despite my sudden recovery, about the efficacy of such a spell. Another snort, and I swung around to more properly face her. My eyes fell on the others as I moved, acknowledging silently. What could I say? They had me thoroughly disadvantaged – surrounded and known to them, yet beholden myself to ignorance. A winged mare had joined them at some point; I stared in her direction longer than the others, recalling similar creatures of my acquaintance.

Gone, now.

My attention returned to Resplendence once more as she addressed me. Her explanation drew my ears up, and I wondered at her selflessness – it seemed not entirely a boon. Yet I had manners, at least, to cover my private thoughts. Slowly I inclined my head; the world remained so steady, so reliable, the illness felt almost a dream – almost. It was rendered painfully real by the strange forest, the eyes of unknown creatures all around me. Only Evangeline – my eyes twitched, nervously, to catch sight of her orange hide – remained a point of familiarity. And Evangeline! I bit back one of a thousand questions I had for her, for the healer, for the others. All must wait. I had learned patience long ago, but cognizant once more, I found my discipline sorely tested in exercise.

”Thank you.” I forced out less interesting words instead. ”You are truly gifted, and for that I am grateful. It has been a long time since I came across one of your caliber, Resplendence.” Unless I counted myself, but as I was always in my own company, the point seemed invalid. I paused to take another deep breath, measuring the capacity of my ravaged chest. It was not perfect; some ache remained, very distantly, and I wondered if some damage had been done, deep within, that amounted to scar tissue – healed and yet defective, and thus beyond the reach of all but time. Or perhaps the body was merely adjusting to the sudden removal of so antagonistic an illness… I dared not think on it too long, for fear of appearing forgetful, and so I glanced at the others, still unnerved by their eyes. I had, until a short time ago, no intention of settling anywhere, in any capacity. Evangeline’s presence, however, had drastically altered everything.

”My name is Ruske,” I said at last, to buy time. My tail twitched, unhappily, behind me – a nervous tic I hoped they managed to miss, ignore, or forgive. ”I am – acquainted with Evangeline,” a rough gesture in her direction. Further explanation felt beyond my fraying nerves. ”I would prefer to remain in her home, if your leads do not object. I have been a healer in the past, and a teacher as well. I would do what I can for your herd, as I have for others that held my allegiance. And… it seems I am in debt to you, anyway – to Resplendence, at least. I would be remiss if I did not attempt to repay you.” As to who had the authority to grant my request – perhaps none of them did. A sobering thought; I did not wish to beg again for a different audience. Yet I supposed one of them might, and pinned my hope on that – I was not worthless, at least, as had been my younger self. And if I appeared now tarnished with sin, perhaps I could offer repentance, in the name of a new start. Again and again I managed to escape death; I could, at least, do my very best to stop inviting it in.

Alysanne had seen the healing mists before, but they had been ineffectual against whatever it was that had taken a hole of Aurelia before she and Resplendence had fled from the Edge. Now, she watched with complete awe as she got to see the Moon Doctor do her work. There was no doubt in her mind that she would be able to help the horned stallion, and indeed she did! Even going as far to give her own energy to aid in the process, a wonderfully selfless act that only made sense for Alysanne. Selfless was easy to understand. Bright green eyes watched as the male found his feet again and remained upright without too much difficulty. Her attention quickly returned to Resplendence as she asked for them to find some herbs to replenish her energy. “Of course.” Alysanne paused with Kahlua when her friend looked back, but when it became apparent that she had other things on her mind the Pegasus quickly turned away from the group and hurried after the red dragon. She was doubly thankful – both for having the guide and because peppermint was one of those herbs that she knew well. Finding where it grew would take longer for her than recognizing it. The smell had once been her favourite, reminding her of her father who perpetually smelt of it, and she picked up the pace as she found her way to one of the streams coming down from the mountains where she should find… yes! a cluster of peppermint growing in the moist soil nearby. “Over here, Valiance!” She called out to the dragon, her voice still kind and undemanding despite the hurry she was sure they both felt. Hastily she uprooted a couple plants and encouraged the dragon to grab what he could as well, unsure of the dosage but knowing grabbing more would save them time. She wanted to make sure they had enough to keep Resplendence conscious and get a little bit of energy back in her. What she really needed was rest, the plants could only do so much, but if she wanted peppermint than Alysanne was happy to oblige her. With two whole plants – or as much of them as she could get – in her mouth she cantered back to the group but slowed as she approached Resplendence. Mindful of Valiance, she flashed the other Moon Doctor a smile as she gently laid the herbaceous plants on the ground before the mare’s hooves. Stepping back then, she returned to her previous spot – out of the way but close enough if something else was required.

Alysanne</style>
I lit a flame in my heart to guide you home.</style>