Ronald's features were cold

The physician has said his body had entered a state of mana shock, of utter depletion, so now it was leeching the warmth from his body in order to fill his reservoir of mana.

Humming violently at first and now dimly, was that rune that Ronald wore around his neck.

It vibrated and resonated an energy that continued without rest.

As if shouting, "You will not die."

It was the only thing keeping him alive.

And not for long, the current doctor said as he packed up his belongings and left as the previous had done before him.

Only for another doctor to waddle in and attempt everything that those before him couldn't

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Every treatment from crackpot to medically and magically proven had been tried.

But to no avail.

Whisperings of his death, and of the next heir began to circulate the halls, which then found their way into the city.

From there it began to flow into the Course of the World.

Quests sparked up, "Save The Heir".

Without hope, family members began to say their farewells.

His father never came.

Stating that a true heir would not die of an illness as common as this.

Robert had begun to spend his days traveling from doctor to magician to hags less credible than black market gear.

Only to return crestfallen and angry.

I stayed near Ronald's side.

His ice-blue eyes were now a dim sky color.

The veins that once flowed with power, were now dull and weak.

Life was fading away.

Staring out the window of his hospice room, I saw the day bright and beautiful in a city of prosperity. Yet, in these walls, I felt none of the beauty, none of the possibility, and none of the hope.

My friend was dying.

And there was nothing I could do.