Looking for trouble with a candle in broad daylight.

He really shouldn't have been doing this. Not in the condition that he was in.  He should have been sleeping... or unconcious. But Alec rarely put truck in things that he should have been doing.  This is what he was doing.

By the house there was a tree. It wasn't any tree from earth, but from his world. It was a wonderfully gnarly and old tree with branches that lifted up from a thick trunk.  The leaves were large and flat.  Big enough to use as protection from the rain. It was raining now.  Up in the tree was the platform he had built for Braxious - big enough for him to lay on and observe the world down below in both his dragon and boy form.  Grooves nocked and scraped the bark, from scrambling up in the branches.  Two roots spread out at the bottom of the tree creating a sheltered sitting place big enough for a family picnic.

Alec stood in front of the tree, and tilted his head back, letting the rain wash across his face. His eyes closed as he found the song of  elements. It was always there, but harder to find with in the haze of the constant pain. He could feel them now. Strongly the water and earth, fire just barely and the air whipping around.  He focused on the earth and sent a call to it, telling it to up heave, to lift up.  Mud and then earth pushed and roiled at his feet creating a hole. He did it once then twice more, each hole smaller than the last.

Sagging, Alec almost toppled over into one of the holes. He still didn't have the energy to be doing this.

But it had to be done.

And by him. Only him.

Resting a few minutes brought his breath back.  Then he blurred from the space to the Inn.

It was easier than walking.  He just appeared in the room where his family lay. Still under blankets. Sari still so small and still... she could have been sleeping.   He knelt next to Verra, pressing his forehead against hers.  He didn't move the blankets. He couldn't do this if moved the blankets. But he ran his hand awkardly down the side of her face, whispering to her, telling her how much he loved her and how sorry he was that he wasn't there. That he wasn't able to protect her.  Resting a hand over her heart he mouthed a small prayer, unable to get the words out. 

He blurred the two of them to the tree, having her appear in the hole. There was no way he could have lifted her.  Not with his arm.  He went back for Braxious and then Sari. Each time repeating the little ritual, each time asking for their forgiveness.  Sorry that he wasn't a better father, a better protector.  Just better.

Exhausted he lay in the mud. Closing his eyes and letting the rain wash over him, wash over the tears he cried. 

But he wasn't done, not yet.

Struggling up into a sitting position, he once again sought the music. Loosing himself in it, letting it try and wash away his sorrow.  Letting his mind drift away from where he was and what he was doing.  Pushing dirt and mud into three holes. Covering their contents completely, safely away.

From there he drifted in and out of conciousness, laying, once again, in the mud, waiting to be found.

Some Pictures and maps

Verra and I got into a fight last night. A good shouting match.

It was about Sari. She's stopped talking. She's stopped saying 'poo'. She just kinda sits there.

Verra says that it's my fault and that I must have done something. Intentionally or not. Braxious turned out fine, so why's this happening to her. And I'm like... no I didn't do anything to her.

But then part of me is wondering... what if I did do something to her. Arrgh... I hate this.