Once he was over the original shock and exhaustion, Jason began recovering quickly. Charaustra assumed this was because the Amulets had been placed back by his side and the antidote administered quickly after the original wound. She knew that Dalan would not allow Jason to die that easily. Still, she was greatly relieved when Jason's hazel eyes flicked open and turned to look at her.
*Jason!* Char projected joyfully and nudged him lightly.
Hello, Char, Jason thought. Are you all right?
*Am I all right?! I should think that I should be asking you that!* Char protested, getting up and fluttering her wings. Her motion caused Genhyl to jerk awake. He had been dozing as he sat against the wall. He blinked and noticed Jason's eyes were open.
"Jason, are you all right?" he asked, leaning over to look at the place where the puncture wounds had been. The wounds and the resulting bruise had disappeared almost completely. There were only light purple scars where each of the five claws had pierced Jason's skin.
"Yes," Jason said, his voice raspy. He swallowed and tried again. "I am fine."
*I believe the Amulet of Dalan has once again intervened,* Charaustra said so that Genhyl could hear.
"I wouldn't be surprised... but I have never been quite as afraid as I was when you were wounded. You are very lucky, Jason," Genhyl iterated.
"I know," Jason agreed. For all the bad things that had happened, he and Char had been very lucky indeed. Now, they were close to being finished. "I still can't believe an Azru would betray her own temple."
"She has been ejected from the Temple," Genhyl told him. "She has been using this Temple for cover for years apparently, working her evil deeds outside and then returning here for santuary."
*Ejected from the Temple,* Char snorted. *If I had anything to say about it, she never would have awakened from unconsciousness.* She snarled under her breath, and a faint crackle of electricity formed around her.
"Easy, Char," Jason said. "Killing is only something that should be done in self defense."
*What about your self defense, Jason?* she demanded. *You almost died... again.*
"But I didn't... and even if I had, that wouldn't make it right to execute her," Jason urged. Char just snarled again and fell quiet, brooding over the issue at hand. Genhyl shook his head.
"I don't know, Jason... I'm with Charaustra on this one. If you had died, I think that assassin would be deserving of death."
"Perhaps, but it wouldn't be your job to deliver it," Jason said stubbornly. Taking a deep breath, he slowly sat up. Char and Genhyl watched him cautiously, but he seemed all right. "Where is Alexei?"
"She is still helping the Temple regroup. The outsiders have withdrawn for now, but we should leave as soon as possible."
*Jason,* Char interrupted, *I don't think Alexei intends to continue with us.*
"I don't blame her. Look what has happened here. What will become of the temple now?" Jason wondered.
"It will be forced to go on with one M'l'kai until Alexei trains replacements and hands over control to them. It may be months... or many years. It all depends on Alexei."
After a moment of silent reflection, Jason spoke. "Two more Amulets... then we can be done with this task. Are you ready, Char?"
Charaustra nodded her head. Jason gathered his legs under him and got up. He felt tired and achy but surprisingly well, all things considered. Genhyl turned and motioned to the Azru nearest them.
"Fetch the Daughter of Night," he commanded. The Azru bowed and withdrew to find Alexei. Jason swung the bag of Amulets over his shoulder and glanced at Char. She still appeared sullen and on edge. Jason knelt down next to her and wrapped an arm over her shoulders.
Two more, he repeated to her.
Two more and good riddance, she returned quietly. As much as I want to help these people, I much more want to see you safe and back on the station, where I can be sure that no strange Azru are going to try to kill you.
Background from Absolute Background Textures Archive. Storyline and characters created by and copyright © Rachel "Indyana" Gratis, 2001-2004. Dragon from Veniam Mactare.