paying the price

M  A   E    A I talked to God to no avail Said, "If you won't save me, please don't waste my time." The night was a blur of swaying lights. Electrical lights and strange luminescent plants traded place with pale stars, and turned i to the comforting orange glow of firelight. Maea floated, drifting on currents in a semi conscious state, carried by someone when her own legs failed to support her weight. Breathing was painful, a process of careful sips and enduring the need to draw breath, lest greed enduced another fit of coughs. Time was impossible to keep track of, slippery as a mud-coated Magna, and nothing of what went on around her made sense. She barely noticed when the cool night air was changed into the soothing calm of the infirmary, where the scent of herbs and clean linen whispered promises of help and comfort... and she needed both right now. Her body had never been strong, and now that it was ravaged by poison, the flame of her candle burned hot and fast, threatening to bring her closer to Ludo than she had planned on this early in life. A sinking sensation, and cool sheets rose up to support her back. Around her there was a connection of others being brought inside, but though her thoughts lingered in the darkness beneath the Spire, om Roana and Lucas, and Jigano, Amalia and Rory who had gone down after them... though she wanted to ask if they were alright, Maea couldn't speak. She was dying. Slowly, but surely.