***
With a gasp, Marina sat bolt upright. Her chest heaved as she drew breath, but then she stopped. The feeling of suffocation was no longer there. Her body felt completely fine.
“I told you to warn me if you began to feel light headed.” Shaila said in an authoritative tone. She grabbed Marina's face, looking into her eyes. “There doesn't seem to be any damage. You are very lucky.”
“I'm sorry. I was swept up in it before I really even knew what was going on.” Marina said apologetically. “Something... Weird happened though.”
“What happened?” Shaila asked quickly, her tone sounding suddenly worried.
“I was floating in complete darkness. I saw nothing, heard nothing, thought nothing. Then there was a light in the darkness, and I began thinking again. I couldn't remember who I was, or anything else. The voice whispered, and I remembered everything. I asked questions into the darkness... The whisper told me things, but I can't remember. I felt as if I was suffocating. I can't remember anything the voice said...”
Shaila eyed her silently for a long while. Marina looked silently back, unsure of what she should say. Does she think I'm crazy now?
Finally, Shaila took a deep breath. “This is quite enigmatic. I feel something strange about you, and your ability. But I think we have divined enough for one day. We will try again tomorrow, and see what we can learn. You should rest for the remainder of the day. I'm sure your body received a high amount of stress from this incident.”
“Thank you.” Marina said, rising off the ground. She made her way out of the camp and into the small forest.
She crept silently through the trees, searching for somewhere quiet she could rest her eyes. The more she had walked, the more exhausted she felt. Her mind was in a haze, as if she hadn't slept in weeks. She slumped against a tree, not sure if she could go on any further. When she looked ahead of her though, she saw Nihlen sitting against a tree not too far away. His eyes were closed, and he looked quite peaceful.
Marina smiled, and let her body slide down the trunk of the tree. She landed, rather ungracefully, onto the ground. Resting her head against the tree, she watched Nihlen as the cool air began lulling her to sleep. Before sleep could take her though, she flashed back to her conversation with Shaila.
I should follow him for a different reason...
With great effort, Marina suddenly pushed herself to her feet. She began stumbling across the forest, using trees for support along the way. As she neared, Nihlen's eyes opened.
“Marina, what-” Nihlen began, but his words were swallowed as Marina pitched forward. Nihlen rose quickly, catching her before she hit the ground. He laid her down gently, pressing a hand to her forehead. “Marina, what happened? Are you all right?”
“I'm all right.” She said thickly, grabbing the hand he had placed on her forehead with both of hers. “The divining process was quite tiring. Shaila told me to rest for the remainder of the day. I was looking for a place when I saw you. There's something I want to talk to you about.”
“I'm sure it can wait. Clearly you need to get some rest. I'll carry you back to the camp so you can sleep.” Nihlen said, reaching down to pick her up.
“Wait... Please.” She said thickly, gripping his hand. “I want to apologize one last time for what Cal and I did. For what I did...”
“Marina-” Nihlen began, but Marina cut him off.
“However, I don't want that to be the reason I follow you anymore. I want to help you restore your kingdom because I care about you. In the time we've spent traveling together, you've become important to me. I want to help you out of a sense of duty, but that is second to wanting to help you as a friend. It's just-”
“I understand.” Nihlen said, squeezing her hands with his own. “I also do not wish for us to be tied together for such a reason. It's much better to be friends.”
Suddenly she was rising into the air. Nihlen had picked her up, and held her close to his chest. Without a word he started back towards camp. Marina did not complain. She was already fast asleep, unable to keep her eyes open any longer.