Willo was now the sole member of Drake’s team, however the reason behind was still unclear. While on the way to the castle Drake often glanced at Willo which no doubt made her feel uncomfortable.
After fairly long walk Drake finally spoke as they neared the imposing structure before them. 
 
[color=a187be]“Tell me. Have you felt light-headed, sick, or in any way not yourself since we arrived in Kiruth. It is of great importance.”[/color]

His voice was indeed a relief. Willo was used to Lazarus being a bit on the creeper side, hell it was practically part of his character, but this particular brand of silence put her on edge. So much so that when he asked her a question she had no quip to tack on to her answer, no snark to add to her tone. 

[color=ed145b]"N-no sir, right as rain."[/color]

A pause followed before Drake spoke again.
[color=a187be]"Good. The task at hand is far more precarious than I originally suspected. Even more so now that Aelar and Ramone are no longer with us. In this castle, there is a creature, which is shrouded in mystery. I have yet to encounter one such as this, however it is rumored that it can manipulate the mind of lesser beings. Some have an inherent ability to resist it, usually those with a strong will. Aelar obviously does not. It would have been dangerous for him to join us and too dangerous to send him to the ship alone. In the end I chose you to continue on. It would seem I have chosen well. The mere fact that you have not even sensed the creatures presence speaks well for your strength of character. However, I cannot guarantee the same will be true when in close proximity to this thing."[/color] He paused and glanced at Willo, possibly to gauge her reaction.

In the back of her mind Willo was worried for Aelar, but at least he and Ramone would be alright, so long as she and Laz handled whatever beastie was holed up in Castle Bloodleaves. but of course at the [i]front[/i] of her mind was the fact that he'd chosen her to continue on with the test. She looked up to Lazarus, eyes wide and excited, smile muted only by the teeth digging into her lower lip. 

Then came the innevitable bouncing, accompanied by a squeal of delight. [color=ed145b]"We're gonna kick [i][b]so much ass[/b][/i]. Whatever the hell this thing is, it's not gonna know what hit it."[/color]

Evidentally, the idea of the creature's influence growing stronger didn't frighten her. But then she'd never dealt with anything of its caliber before, so it seemed time would tell. At the very least, her demeanor remained light-hearted. 

Drake did not respond in any way to her comment, instead he took out a small peice of paper and held in front of Willo. A rune was represented on it, the same one Lazarus cut into Aelar's skin.

[color=a187be]"If you feel yourself lost to it's influence use this. It's an unusual kind of rune. It must be drawn in blood. I hope I don't have to explain it any further. It is quicker and lasts long if cut directly into the skin."[/color] Lazarus explained. 

By now the two were nearly at the castle. A long flight of staris awaited at the end of the path they were walking.

She took the paper from him, doing her best to commit the rune to memory. To say the idea of carving something into her skin didn't frighten her at least a [i]little[/i] bit would have been a lie, but if she had to choose between that and whatever the hell would happen otherwise...well, didn't seem like much of a choice, really. 

[color=ed145b]"Thanks, Laz,"[/color] she said quietly, then stuffed the paper into her pocket. 

Lazarus only nodded in response.
[color=a187be]"Take the bandages off your arm."[/color] He then told her out of the blue.

She did, unwinding them until they came free. [color=ed145b]"You uhh...you want these or...?"[/color]

Before she could finish her sentence the sight of her arm robbed her of that. The cuts she had from the previous fight. They weren't just healed. There was absolutely no sign of them. No scarring, nothing.

[color=a187be]"Good."[/color] Lazarus noted. "You can take off the rest, Your wounds should be healed now."

[color=ed145b]"Aw [b]hell[/b] yes!"[/color] Willo quickly did just that, and tossed the remaining bandages aside. [color=ed145b]"This stuff is awesome, y'know that?"[/color]