The Distance between Shadows-A Seraphims Story. (Part 6 Final Seraphim was irritated, he kept trying to get some sleep as he wandered in and out of conciseness, but the light swirling in his vision would not allow him to rest. And that wasn’t the worst, what really upset him were the people who continued talking around him. A male and a female were having a conversation in the room. Did they not see he was tired, and trying to rest? “Brother I think you treat him badly.” “Sister you know a weapon is best forged and tempered slowly in a heated flame, and tested in many trials by combat. Look at his father, is he not now a puissant champion for the good?” “I know, but Arsiquil has been through so much…” The conversation continued until he couldn’t take it anymore and tried to rise up to object, but found he didn’t have the strength. Just opening his eyes was so great an effort that he had no energy left to even speak. As he glared at the two who were speaking, he had an odd sense of familiarity. The male was beautiful, he looked like a carved statue from one of the great masters. His skin was darkened, bronzed by the sun and glowed with health. Dark ringlets of golden hair fell about his face, which shone like the sun. The woman was older but perfect of form also… and no less beautiful, her complexion was flawless and radiated a light, a kind of grace he had never seen or felt before. Seraphim tried to speak but nothing came out. “Nanna we all prepare for the worst in our own way. And I must cleanse my house first, the Greyswandir’s are the best weapons I have.” “So how long do you want me to watch over him Apollus?” “Till its time Nanna. I shan’t be long.” “What about his brother, his family?” At the mention of his brother Seraphim struggled to rise again, groaning lightly with the effort. “Ahh dear sister, it appears he is awake, and has been listening all this time.” Nanaea chuckled aloud as she turned to look at the object of the conversation. “The Greyswandir’s do have strong spirits, I’ll keep an eye on him for you Apollus.” The bronzed god of the sun leaned forward and kissed Nanaea. “Thank you sister I owe you for this.” Ruffling the young god’s hair, Nanaea waved her brother off. “Don’t think I don’t realize you are using the fact that you’re my favorite. You know I can’t say no to you… Now git, shoo… spoiled little boy!” Apollus turned to Seraphim with a look that was all too serious for the youthful face. As he stared it slowly turned into a smile. “I knew he’d be safe with you Nanna.” His attention was drawn back to the woman. She was calling his name. “Seraphim? Seraphim…” But somehow she was different, he couldn’t put his hand on it but there had been a change… “Seraphim, thank the goddess you are alive. We thought you were not going to make it,” The Nurse said. “Water....” Seraphim rasped through dry cracked lips. “Yes-yes, dear boy.” The nurse handed him a cup. “I know your dying of thirst, but I have something better. It will help give you your strength back and complete the purging of the poisons out of your system. You really gave us a scare, you have been unconscious for over a month, and on more than one occasion, we thought you were lost. But somehow you held on… The knights at temple will be pleased to know you have pulled through this. They have been coming over every day to see about you. The order was so infuriated that all the knights gathered and went on a weeklong ork hunt. I bet we wont see any more around here for months, if not years.” “Myyy, myyy…” “Don’t try to talk dear boy conserve your strength, you’re going to need it to get better.” The effects of the potion gradually crept through his body. And for the first time in a very long time, Seraphim slept peacefully.