A Little Sacrifice
Chapter I
While travelling to Oxenfurt, Tallulah started to feel sharp pains in her chest. At first she brushed them off, hid them, that was until Cheyenne noticed she had started falling behind. She was gripping her flute to an intensity that was weaponry, sweat beating down her face. She stumbled, then fell, Chayanne was quick to catch her, shouting for her to respond. Upon hearing the commotion behind him, the crow stopped dead in his tracks. He whipped around to see his child furiously shaking Tallulah. Although he cried as he knelt on the ground next to her, she didn’t move. Philza was putting all of his alchemy knowledge to the test, rushing to the children and sussing out whatever symptoms he could. The cause is unknown, how long she’s been suffering to get to this point, unknown.
They set up camp and watch over her intensely. Day breaks and Philza had not slept, Chayanne was barely rested, waking up constantly to check on Tallulah. Her staggered breathing is her only movement and sign of life. Eventually Philza decides that they need to keep moving, staying for long wasn’t safe, his potions were running low, and he only knew so much about healing.
Her fever stays for the next week. They are careful when moving her and they keep the horse at a slow and steady pace. Heading north at this time of the year is tough, but with Tallulah's condition only worsening, things start to turn, and quickly.
In the night, she started to stir, it was common for her to have nightmares but this was different. She arose abruptly, her whole body shook. Taking small steps, stuttering her way through the motions. Philza watched her approach Chayanne, he was previously fast asleep but woke when he felt Tallulah's hand left his. He sat, staring up at her, her eyes remained closed as she got closer.
The crane medallion that hung loosely around Philza neck came alive with a hum. His eyes widened in realisation, although he never prodded wilbur about her other parent, it really wasn’t his business who it was, but now this told him all he needed to know. About what she is.
“Chayanne, I’m going to need you to listen very closely. Move. Now.”
“But Da-“
He didn’t have time to reply. A burst of energy came from Tallulah, her outstretched hand touched Chayanne's forehead. And with that he felt an intense burning sensation. He had never felt magic before, at least not in this form. It was hot, sending sparks and shivers all throughout his body. Tallulah held her hand strongly against his skin, even as he flinched backward.
Philza was quick to separate them but he was not able to pull Tallulah off in time. The gentle girl put up a fight and scratched his neck deeply. However, once her connection to Chayanne ceased, she collapsed and all traces of her chaos vanished. Her fever returned but with far less intensity. The crow cast Axii in hopes of settling the poor girl back to rest.
Chayanne however, laid on the ground, unmoving. He was in a daze and completely immobilised. Phil moved to rest Chayanne's head in his lap, brushing the hair out of his face, he found Elder written where tallulah's hand had once been.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have questioned you sir.”
“Shhh it’s ok Chayanne, you didn’t know. Now rest, we need to make it to Oxenfurt tomorrow. I don’t know how much longer I can take care of you two like this on my own.”
Phil casted Axii once again, leaving him with two sleeping children, and a lot of questions.
In the morning, they pack up camp with haste. Tallulah now rode with Philza instead of Chayanne, and the silent road was a constant reminder of their mission.
While their initial plan was to only stop by Oxenfurt for a day to rest and do some much needed shopping before winter, they had new plans that could now be avoided.
Philza’s distaste for the large city hadn’t lessened, but he knew he needed to extend his planned stay, for Tallulah.
The first stop once they reached town was a small but familiar shop.
“Hello and welcome to- Philza and Chayanne, it’s been so long, where’s Tallulah?”
“Hello mate, I would love to catch up but I really need your help Niki, it’s about Tallulah.”
The crow held open his cloak to reveal the little girl sleeping in his arms. Niki was a longtime friend of the Witcher and he found that only she could provide the best quality supplies for his potions. She also had a significant amount of knowledge when it came to hearing magic, which she often used in her baking. She was trustworthy and that’s all Phil needed.
“Oh my gosh, yes, bring her right into the back, I’ll clear space for her to lie down while you explain everything you know.”
“I- I have no idea what happened, we were on our way here, only a couple days out and she fainted. I don’t know how long she’s been ill but she’s been unconscious for about five days. It looked like just a fever until she started to absorb chaos. I don’t know where this all came from but she casted something on Chayanne. She left Elder written on him, do you know anything about this?”
Niki paced around, clearing surfaces and looking for various plants. She motions for Phil to place her on a table where she had laid out a blanket and candles. With her laying down, Niki was able to start working. Philza and Chayanne watched closely as the elf began to speak in Elder.
“So she is able to harness chaos… and use it in some capacity. What exactly was left on Chayanne after this incident?”
“Han Ichaer.”
“Elder blood. She has Elder blood. Luckily this means that Chayanne will be fine, even her subconscious was insistent on protecting him, it was a measly beginner spell, similar to Quen. Although I am worried about where she is drawing this chaos from, she is drawing from herself. That would explain her feverish state, it really took her out.”
Niki poured a small vial over her shoulders, and the girl seemed to finally be at ease.
“Thank you Niki, how much do I owe you?”
“Nothing, I would do it ten times over for you and Tallulah. But please Phil, you must understand what this means, you have to talk to Wilbur about this.”
Philza picks up Tallulah in his arms once again, nodding at Niki, and turns to leave, Chayanne waved to the elf before following in his shadow. After the door closed, the crow sighed. He knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but he really had his work cut out for him with these kids.
Chayanne mounted his mare once again and Philza placed Tallulah in his arms. They headed for an inn where they could eat, rest, and give them some time before they turned back south. It didn’t matter what his previous plans for the winter were, he needed to find Wilbur, and soon.
Philza laid the children in bed, tucked them in, then sat at the desk for the night. Here, he would watch them sleep. Chayanne held Tallulah close, in his protective grasp, the two were normally inseparable but Chayanne held so much fear now. Hoping that Tallulah would wake up the next day, after her visit with Niki, Phil turned away from his family and began writing a letter to a close friend. He just hoped that his crow would be able to deliver it in time.