A Twist of the Sands

by P R Glazier

  ~

  Amndo sat beside the still prone form that was Deanola’s physical body. He had been there for several hours. “She grows weak,” he said as he felt Nar’Allia walk to his side.

  “How can we help her?”

  “Alas, I fear we cannot. Her physical form is here, yet her spirit seems to be elsewhere, I do not know where, but it seems she is in great turmoil, as if she fights an intense battle, in a place where we cannot help her. In the meantime her body wastes away here, she still draws energy and sustenance from it, but it does not feed, does not replenish. We must do something Nar’Allia, she will starve to death within a short time if we do not aid her somehow. That is if she is not killed in another way first.

  Many people including Amndo and Nar’Allia kept vigil over the prone form of Deanola, they took it in turns. The following day Nar’Allia came rushing up to Amndo, “has she awoken?”

  Alas, no,” was the reply, “but I believe I have the answer, but I fear you will not like what I have to say.” Amndo explained the thoughts of his mind. Nar’Allia looked at Amndo in disbelief; she could not find the words to express what she felt. After a minute or two where she realised that Amndo’s suggestion may actually be the only solution, she found herself saying hopefully, “is there no other way?”

  “I’m sorry Nar’Allia, none that I can foresee, we must deceive Deanola’s assailant, if we do not end the battle that rages now, then Deanola will not last to the end of today, of that I am sure.”

  “Then we must agree this task with Deanola’s people, they must understand the risks of that you suggest.

  Amndo nodded, “then let us ask them now, delay is futile and just increases the risks. But at the same time our timing will be crucial in this.”

  An hour or so later Amndo held the cup to Deanola’s lips, Jonas held her head back to open her throat as Amndo poured the black liquid into Deanola’s mouth, they waited until they were sure that all the foul smelling concoction had gone, then they lay Deanola back down. “Now we wait,” was all Amndo said.