Chapter 49: Happy

"Where is the girl?" Michael briskly walked into the office.

Veretta was laid out in the backroom upon the bed. Tomas was knelt down by her side with his face buried in the bedside. Michael flung open the door and stared down apathetically.

Tomas' eyes came up viciously, catching sight of him. He lunged at him without a moment's hesitation. Michael immediately sidestepped and flung him towards Ace.

"Deal with him," he sighed.

Tomas turned back enraged but Ace caught hold of his arm, "wait, Tomas. Just watch,"

"What do you mean just watch?!" Tomas snapped, "he murdered her!"

"Tomas," Yona tried to console him but pulled his hand away. He crossed his arms with barely contained rage and remained standing at the door to the backroom watching Michael suspiciously.

"What are you doing?" he interrogated.

"Bringing her back to life," Michael uttered in low voice, "so I'd appreciate some silence so I can concentrate. If you distract me, I might actually kill her. You wouldn't like that would you?"

Tomas gave an irritated grunt and fell back with the others. "This is a trick," he declared upon reaching Ace's side again.

"No," Ace said, strangely enraptured, "just let him try it,"

"What about Silthus?" Yona turned to the general apprehensively.

"He's gone," Ace replied in a daze, "he actually left without a fight. I could hardly believe it,"

Yona watched him with uncertainty and turned back to Michael inquisitively. He was slowly pressing down points on Veretta's skin one after the other. He brought his hand above her forehead his hand shimmered a slight golden colour.

"Impossible," Ace let out an unsteady breath.

"Master, what is it?" Yona stared up surprised.

"Her magic is returning," Ace stared on in disbelief, "I can feel it,"

"She was dead," Tomas glanced at him suspiciously, "you said so yourself,"

"I..." Ace brought a hand to his face in bewilderment, "It seems I was wrong."

Suddenly, there was a loud gasp. Veretta's eyes opened and she sat up with wide startled eyes inhaling breathlessly. Everyone turned to her in disbelief. For a moment, Tomas just stared completely in shock. Finally, his senses returned and he pushed past the wizard.

"Veretta!" he cried, "Thank the gods! Are you okay?"

"I think so," Veretta stared down at her hands slightly trembling, "what..."

Her eyes panned up to Michael wide with astonishment. He met her gave a glance then quickly turned away. Ace and Yona were both standing still in shock. Michael took a seat by the fire. Ace's eyes panned down to him soberly.

"Thank you, Michael," he said almost as surprised at himself for saying the words as he was to actually have to say them.

"Words I never thought I would hear," Michael scoffed indifferently, "Finally learning some gratitude? Good for you,"

Ace shook his head with an incredulous smile. He looked at Veretta and Tomas who were embracing tightly through silent tears. Yona was watching them too. For the first time in her life, she felt a strange emotion come over her. Her chest felt tight and she wanted dearly to leave. Ace glanced down quietly.

"Yona?"

"I...feel unwell," Yona said quickly, "please excuse me, master,"

She gave a hurried bow and darted from the room.

**********

The next morning was a strange contrast to the day before. Everyone was crowded excitedly around the breakfast table. Even the general had managed to make it downstairs and was now collapsed against the table half-asleep. On one side, Yona was listening to Tomas recount with great enthusiasm the events of yesterday as though they had not been there. Meanwhile, Veretta was quietly listening with a small smile. She was covered in bandages but was well enough to join them. The breakfast had not been planned, but for whatever reason, everyone had arrived downstairs with an eager and refreshed energy as if a storm had just passed.

Only, Michael did not come to the kitchen table. Midway through the breakfast, he passed by the other side of the house silently and went outside. He turned to the back of the manor a little into the garden. The sun was gaining heat approaching midday. A cool breeze rushing through the trees gave him quiet comfort. He looked up to the sky and smiled.

A few moments later, Ace joined him outside, "Ah, I can't stand in there. The kids are so loud,"

"That's so funny coming from you," Michael laughed, "You're nothing but a brat yourself. Still an antisocial brat at that,"

"You can talk," Ace gave a yawn and sat down on the grass sleepily, "Why am I awake again?"

"How can you sleep on a day like this?" Michael scoffed, "why don't we go riding? Or for a walk?"

Ace gave an annoyed groan, "since when are you so energetic? I thought you said you hate everyone and everything,"

"I...guess I don't anymore," Michael's brow furrowed, "How strange,"

Ace peeked up with one eye open, "Wait, are you serious?"

Michael was staring up at the sky in childlike wonder, "I think...I'm...happy?"

"Happy?" Ace sat up with a frown, "you've never been happy,"

"Maybe I'm sick," Michael shrugged.

"Well, I'm glad you're happy..." Ace said slowly, "but you know this isn't over. Silthus isn't going to stay quiet for long. He has already sent his wizards here. This is the calm before the storm,"

"You worry too much," Michael dismissed, "I know exactly what we're going to do,"

"Care to enlighten me?" Ace stared at him dubiously.

"We're going to steal that book back," Michael declared.

"How?" Ace asked baffled.

"Can't you just trust me for once?" Michael sighed.

"No," Ace returned flatly.

"Well that's too bad since you don't have a choice now," Michael grinned and started off towards the forest below.

Ace remained to stare at him in disbelief. He shook his head and collapsed back onto the grass.

Veretta who was sitting across the open door caught sight of Michael descending the slope. She quickly rushed out of her seat.

"Veretta?" Tomas turned back in surprise.

Veretta was already out the door and halfway down the slope. She caught hold of Michael's shirt. He turned back with a mistrustful eye, "you should be inside,"

"I know, I..." Veretta hesitated, "I just wanted to thank you...Michael,"

"What are you thanking me for?" he scoffed, "look at yourself,"

"You could have killed me and you didn't," Veretta inhaled deeply, "you saved us from Silthus,"

"Hardly," Michael dismissed.

"But I am grateful to you," Veretta breathed, "My friends were in danger because of me. Thanks to you they are unharmed,"

Michael gave a shrug. He turned to start walking again but paused. "Will you join me then? As thanks?"

"Of course!" Veretta answered in surprise.

"I am curious about you," Michael smiled, "I thought you were just a stowaway witch, but the others seem to really care for your wellbeing,"

"I don't deserve their kindness," Veretta said slowly, "I've been such a fool,"

They reached the edge of the forest. A great tree with sprawling roots blocked their path. Michael took a step over it and offered his hand to Veretta. Her eyes widened in surprise. She took it without hesitation and they continued on into the forest. It was streaming with soft light and alive with the sound of birds singing sweetly. Michael was walking slightly ahead. Veretta began to wonder where he intended to go. Before she could ask, he glanced back with a smile.

"So, you've given up on your revenge, is that it?"

"I...just... want to be free," Veretta's brow creased, "I thought I couldn't find that freedom in a world where Silthus existed. It wasn't until the moment I thought I was going to die that I realised how much I regretted everything I had done,"

Michael's face was overcome with an uncharacteristic soft smile, "I see," he turned around and continued walking.

Veretta was left standing for a moment hesitantly. In that instant, it was almost as if Errik was there with her. Was she wrong? Was there still something left of him there?

After walking again for another while, Michael finally came to a stop, "this should be far enough," he said quietly.

He glanced around the forest clearing. It was a dreamy hollow sheltered in shadow and light.

"Far enough for what?" Veretta asked uncomprehendingly.

"Far enough so that they won't hear you scream," Michael smiled darkly.

Veretta flinched under his cold stare and began to step back, "Why did you save my life? Only to bring me out here to kill me?" she said quickly.

"Don't worry, I won't kill you," Michael chuckled, "If you answer my questions,"

"Questions?" Veretta hesitated.

"Yes," Michael put a hand to one of the trunks of the tree and the smile disappeared from his face. His gaze turned to her fiercely and Veretta felt the desire to run. But how far could she get with these injuries?

"What is it you want to know?" she let out an uneasy breath.

"You can start by telling me what you did to me, witch," Michael's eyes narrowed.

"What are you talking about?" Veretta stammered.

"I was wondering what all this Errik business was about, so I took a snoop around the house," he smiled, "did you know your little blonde-haired friend keeps a diary? Most of it is pointless waffling, but somewhere amongst the moronic ramblings, I found something useful. You brought me back from dead, named me like a dog and kept me on your little ball and chain?"

Veretta began to shake her head, "It wasn't like that!"

"It's funny," Michael scoffed, "I honestly, couldn't comprehend it. Why do I feel so different? Me, happy? How can that be? Now, I know it is because of you and your disgusting necromancy. I despise dark magic. It's for weaklings. What exactly did you do to me, witch?"

"The spell...I didn't have enough magic. I never intended for your memories to be affected!" Veretta protested.

Michael ignored her and pinned her down to a tree, "In the diary, that boy calls me the black wizard. What's that supposed to mean?"

"Everyone... calls you that," Veretta hesitated, "You were the second grand wizard of the Empire, but you killed the Emperor,"

"What?" Michael stared at her with incredulity, "What are you talking about?"