He finally noticed Cadrel standing near the ruined bowel that once held the final flavor, eyes unfocused. The older man staggered, clutching at his coat. On the back of his wrist a tiny glyph shone purple—one he'd drawn in secret for warmth and clarity—fizzled.
In its place was the fear again, and it returned in full force.
Slowly, he…changed.
Cadrel's posture sagged and he looked over his shoulder every now and then.
"Yes, o-of course," he said, so soft Lucian strained to hear him speak. The once gruff and dry-witted Brother Cadrel that moved to protect the door from the King had disappeared.
He looked like someone who stepped out of a memory that wasn't his.
Alice slowly stretched her hand out to him and he shrank back, like he could make himself disappear if he tried.
Merry said softly, "He's shellshocked."
Lucian watched Cadrel sit down and turn slightly away. "It's like he's dissolving."
+
