Page 45 of Stitches
“I heard there was an accident,” Braxton said, more to Levi than to Ashmedai, showing honest strain in his expression. “Are you hurt?”
“No, Master,” Levi said, not immediately realizing he had fallen into old habits. “I-I mean… no. Only Grillo was hurt, but he is going to be fine.”
“What happened?” Braxton lightly gripped Levi’s forearm.
Levi explained, the same way he had to Ashmedai, though without the tears and self-deprecation.
“And? What did you find buried?”
“Nothing. We couldn’t find the spot I saw.” Levi hung his head. “Perhaps it was an animal track that got covered. Perhaps it was nothing. I’m sorry. I wasn’t prepared enough. I didn’t bring enough crystals.”
“Levi, no one expects you to fill a sack so full it’s more of a burden than the lumber.” Braxton stroked down Levi’s arm, once again in recent memory showing a rare act of intimacy. Ashmedai thought the quick flick of Braxton’s eyes meant he might have finally noticed the missingstitches on Levi’s wrists, though hesaid nothing. “The important thing is how you acted quickly to save Grillo’s life. Soon, the threat of anyone losing a limb or worse will be but a distant memory.”
The others helping with the supplies had all started to drag their feet while continuing down the road, listening in on what Braxton might say.
“In the meantime,” he called, noticing their glances, “I can provide as many additional warding crystals as would ease the people’s minds, along with the dousing crystals already in production. I’ll make sure Daedlys receives a fresh supply.”
That appeared to placate everyone, but Ashmedai couldn’t say he felt the same.
“We should head home,” Braxton said to Levi. “You’ve had quite the day—and could use a change of clothes.” The borrowed cloak covered Levi but was not the most functional of garments.
“I’ll see you soon?” Levi asked of Ashmedai.
“Of course. Rest well,” Ashmedai said. With a controlled expression, he nodded at Braxton, who nodded back, and Braxton and Levi headed for the tower.
Ashmedai had never been so conflicted in all his years ruling over the Shadow Lands. Braxton cared what happened to Levi; that much was apparent. Braxton’s concern, his thankfulness that Levi hadn’t been harmed, was far too genuine. Even so, Ashmedai couldn’t shake the feeling that something else was going on in his kingdom.
Knowing that, and not wanting to accuse his friend of anything he couldn’t prove, left Ashmedai wondering if he had made the right decision to not tell Levi the truth.
Levi
Once, the thought of being stopped by almost everyone Levi passed on his way through the market would have terrified him, but the day after Grillo’s accident, Levi wasn’t stopped to be gawked at or ridiculed. People stopped to praise him and thank him for saving Grillo’s life.
No one blamed Levi for the lost arm. Blame fell on the barrier, on the demon, and though Levi wished he could have prevented the accident, he was starting to believe it when others said it wasn’t his fault.
“The hero himself,” Luccite greeted as Levi entered her shop. She had on a teal robe today that complemented the hue of her gray fur.
“I wouldn’t say that.” Levi glanced aside.
“I would,” a deep voice countered, and Grillo appeared from the back room, walking strong and confident as ever, and having used his new arm to push the curtain aside.
“You’re up!” Levi rushed to him. “So soon?”
“A night’s rest under our good healer’s supervision was all I needed. Besides, we still have work to do. I hope you weren’t planning to skip out on helping me finish the stalls and Klarent’s stage. I’m still getting used to this thing.” He flexed the fingers of his lizard hand.
“I am happy to help. You’re not… angry with me for not having a crystal between us that might have spared you all this?”
The expression that touched Grillo’s human, but also bull-like, face was one Levi had seen before, for Kenner—a father’s expression, gentleand patient. “You did your duty. I had no reason to think a crystal would have been needed between us. In the end, you saved me.” He held out his new arm, and Levi grasped it by the wrist. “Thank you, my friend.”
Friend. Levi supposed he had several now, but it still seemed miraculous to hear it.
“There will be no stall-building today.” Luccite breezed by them, looking especially small when compared to Grillo, since she was only half his eight-foot height. She plucked a small vial filled with green liquid from one of her tables and handed it to Grillo. “Take a sip from this twice a day until it’s gone to help the new arm adjust. If you feel any unfamiliar pains, see me immediately. And take at least today and tomorrow off from carpentry. The festival is enough of a ways out that you can rest.”
“Yes, ma’am. I guess I better let my wife know I’ll be a loaf about the house for a while.” Grillo turned to Levi. “I’m sure Kenner wouldn’t mind if you came for a visit, and I hear Yentriss owes you some bow lessons. Unless you’d prefer to let Dreya find other work for you the next couple of days?”
“Oh….” Levi had never been invited to someone’s home before, but he also enjoyed being around the other festival workers. “Maybe I’ll do both.”
“And how are you feeling?” Luccite asked Levi.
