He understood why Godfreed was talking about an hour. Observing the speed by which sand was leaving the upper portion, Saer thought one hour was an utter exaggeration.

Saer crouched to have a closer look at the bronze needle. While focusing on the tiny needle, he saw blurry background of Commander Evar sitting on a rock. Saer got upright then saw the commander holding Wernh’An’s staff. Hugging the staff, he looked at Saer – who still couldn’t get over the fact that he had slept for about two days.

Saer stumbled on a pebble and tasted mud right infront of Evar’s feet.

“Go back to the cave.” Godfreed to staggering Saer, “You will need more fragrance to recover well.”

“Is he breathing?” Evar also left the rock.

“Yes.” Godfreed said but Evar was doubtful regardless. Godfreed helped Saer to take few steps. And in the duration, Commander went close to the bed. Evar placed his finger infront Wernh’An’s nose to feel his breath.

“NO!” Godfreed screamed.

Saer flinched too.

“Don’t touch him.” Godfreed left Saer before taking him inside.

“I wasn’t going to.” Evar raised both of his hands.

“You were also affected by toxics.”

“I have control over my muscles.” Evar stepped back.

“Then control your skeptics as well.” Godfreed lowered his voice, “You don’t want your fingers to be the reason for our lord to lose big part of his power.”

Saer turned back quick after hearing what message the murmurs carried. He kept on his walk to the cave instead of trying to listen more.

“Can’t you let him rest for an hour?” Saer heard Godfreed before he got back to the cave.

Time, which the mage had given, Saer had wasted all of it. He tried to think of what to do in the room where passed out soldiers were breathing loud. Hopelessness covered Saer’s eyes when he found he didn’t have much time to think either. Saer could not trust his strength and weapon skills because he was nowhere near good state to pick up fight with Commander Evar. Killing Evar would have been near impossible in normal days.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I can’t let Wernh’An wake in any condition. Saer reminded himself. To accomplish it, he needed the commander out of his way but he had no idea how he could do so. The blessing of fire had brought him to near invincibility. Then something clicked him.

He recalled the fire in Godfreed’s laboratory.

With a bit of breeze…. Saer still was unable to make sense out of the mage’s saying. He was aware Evar was reluctant to breaching the nature of fire. Soldiers near him coughed more violent. They were recovering.

One thing Saer did not want right now was addition of enemies. There was something which could be done against it so he moved towards the bubbling pot. Despite of no fire underneath, it was boiling.

Saer kicked the pot, emptying every drop of liquid inside it. Potion on floor stopped to make bubbles first then fragrance faded away within seconds. Soldiers who were coughing moments ago wore silence.

Soon foam bubbled out from their mouths as they twitched in suffocation.

I should break the blessing of Evar to defeat him. It was the only logic he could make from the Metal Mage’s vague answer. But how? He converted the answer into riddle by himself.

While the soldiers around him were taking their final breaths, his eyes fell on the lamp’s flame near to lose the fight against air from Hilcastle.

With a bit of breeze. Saer smirked after seeing a set of bow and arrow near one of the dying soldier.