[color=gray]
[center]
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXNMxvylEC8&index=3&t=0s&list=PLB-O2GTFANKUsDax7YWVVizYqNu9Iype-][Mood Music][/url]
[h3][b][u][color=white]Chapter 7[/color]
A Bittersweet Respite[/u][/b][/h3]
[/center]

Topesh's jolt of aetheric energy into the footman's body did well to make him lucid for a bit longer. But the man was fading too fast to get all of the information they needed out of him. Gwynne raised a brow at the mention of Valdi. For once, it was a name she was unfamiliar with. She wasn't sure if the man the soldier mentioned was after any one chosen, or after the group in its entirety. It left a strange feeling in her. Gwynne was half expecting the man to mention her own pursuers; after all, she had just fought for her life against them mere hours before joining with the rest of the chosen. If the magi were still near, then it was likely they were involved in some way. Perhaps they were aligned with Valdi's goals? It was too hard to say, and there was too many if's and but's in the theory to really come to a solid conclusion.

Nevertheless, there was a new piece on the board. Gwynne called out to the other chosen who weren't gathered around the footman. [color=white][b]"We have an enemy with a name, everyone. We need to learn more about him, and I doubt this soldier is able to give us any more. Is anybody here familiar with Valdi?[/b][/color] Gwynne looked around at the chosen, hoping at least one of them would know who they were up against.

Her eyes traced over the other chosen who were busying themselves with other things. Nobody ever talks about what work must be done after a fight. Collecting fallen friends and finishing fallen foes, attending to injuries, and looting and maintaining equipment were only just a few chores that needed to be seen to. The smell was always rank. The feeble cries of broken warriors, who had somehow survived the battle despite their injuries, added a very somber and humanizing atmosphere that could make anybody question their own morality. Worst of all, was when the combat high came down, as adrenaline levels lowered and the fighters all began to uncover things they hadn't realized in the heat of the battle. Minor and grievous wounds, bruises, scrapes, and sores all became apparent. Worse yet, the realization that the only thing keeping a person standing, was their grit and sheer force of will. More would fall and die in the minutes following the battle.

While Gwynne was calling out to anybody who might know Valdi, she started becoming more and more aware of just how battered she was. Her body was shaking as both adrenaline and aetheric energy wore off. The injuries she had sustained while she was surrounded stung at first, then felt hard. She felt over her shoulder, looking for the wound given by a spear piercing through her shoulder. Instead of a bloody hole, she found a hard, crystalline surface. The crystal was flush with her body, and seemed fused to the skin. [color=white][b]"Topesh... What is this?"[/b][/color] She asked as she looked down at the injury on her leg. That wound was also crystallized.

[color=dodgerblue][i]"T'would seem the energy that flowed through your body used your injuries as a form of escape."[/i][/color]

That seemed familiar to Gwynne. She ran her fingers over the surface of the crystallized injury, [color=white][b]"Much like the convergence point of a leyline..."[/b][/color]

[color=dodgerblue][b]"Indeed. Use this as a lesson, Apostate. If you're willing to contain aetheric energy within your body, don't go getting yourself injured in the process. I've no doubt in my mind that if I supplied you with more, that crystallization would only be more prominent."[/b][/color]

Gwynne bit her lip while she studied the injury. [color=white][b]"These injuries are never going to truly seal... Is it possible that aetheric energy will continue to bleed out from them whenever I use magic?"[/b][/color]

[color=dodgerblue][i]"It is possible. For now, I suggest you observe the crystal formations."[/i][/color] Topesh's voice had a lack of surprise in his tone throughout the conversation.

[color=white][b]"You knew this would happen... Didn't you, Topesh?"[/b][/color] Gwynne said in a scolding tone.

[color=dodgerblue][i]"I know of the phenomenon. But worry not, Apostate. You are a talented fighter. So long as you refrain from leaping headlong into a group of trained soldiers, you shouldn't get so badly hurt. Thus, you shouldn't require aetheric energy to keep you standing. Thus! You shouldn't see this condition spread!"[/i][/color] Topesh let out a little chuckle.
[/color]