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Merry and Berta had been much help to her as had been Dysa, but now there was nothing more left for anyone to do, than to pray.
“You need some sleep. I can sit with him.”
Fia didn’t turn to see who had entered the cottage, she knew who it was. She had gotten used to the woman’s soft footfalls. “Thank you, Dysa, but I prefer to stay with him.”
“You will do him no good if you do not tend to your own rest and care.”
“I am good, worry not,” Fia said.
“I will fetch you a hot brew,” Dyas said.
Fia felt a swirling wind before she heard the door open.
“How does he do?” Varrick asked, stepping in and shutting the door.
Argus’s eyes opened suddenly. “He is here. I feel him. The God of Death has come for me.” He reached his hand out slowly to Fia. “Do not let him take me, my lady.”
Varrick hurried to his friend’s side to see Fia take hold of Argus’s hand.
A strange feeling gripped her when her hand closed around Argus’s, and it frightened her. It was almost as if she could feel his life beginning to fade away.
“He is close. So close,” Argus said and shivered.
“You can save him,” Varrick said with confidence in his wife.
Fia wondered if she could, feeling a heaviness of sorts fill the room.
Fight him!
Fia recognized that voice. It was her grandmother’s and it filled her with courage. She gripped Argus’s hand tightly.
“You will not take him!” Fia called out.
“You sound as strong as your grandmother.”
Varrick’s hand went to grab his sword.
“Your sword will do no good against me.”
Fia turned to see a dark shadow hovering in the corner of the room.
“I am not here for you, Varrick. I never came here for you,” the powerful voice said. “You do not possess what it takes to fight me, but your wife does.”
“I do, and I am as strong as my grandmother was, and I will fight you as she did,” Fia challenged.
“Wilona was a worthy opponent and beat me often. I quite enjoyed our encounters. It was the reason I took her fast when Lord David came upon her in the woods. I did not want to see her suffer.”
“For that I thank you,” Fia said, relieved that the horrific memory of what her grandmother had suffered was dispelled forever. “I am curious as to what brought you and your hell hounds here.”
It was difficult for Varrick to admit this was a battle he had no knowledge of how to fight, and it angered him. He had no choice but to leave it to his wife. Besides, he was as curious as she was as to what had brought the God of Death to his doorstep.
“Deaths that were blamed on me but not of my doing. I know what you do, Fia, and you cannot delay me with talk. I will take Argus.”
“Nay, my lady. Nay. Do not let him take me,” Argus pleaded.
“Do not worry, Argus. I will fight—”
“And lose,” came the powerful voice.
