Victory, of sorts

After getting Sadie comfortable in a cot in the medical tent, you gather your girls to have a conversation. You explain what happened with Halid, and how you ‘cured’ Sadie. Then, before the questions can start, you turn to Yura. “So, how did you know what to do here?”

She looks at you, nodding at your arm. “The spell is old, taught to all selkie with the sight. It is a ward against demon corruption. You need a powerful connection to the one carving the runes, or it will not work as well. Since this was the strongest I have seen, I knew you needed the strongest bond.”

You nod. “And the part where you mentioned you saw it in a dream?”

Yura looks into your eyes, and you’re stunned by the ageless nature of that look. Somehow her purple eyes project ancient wisdom despite her youth. “Some prophecy can not be explained in full. If I told you that you would be corrupted by absorbing a demonic spell, you would avoid it. But if you did, Sadie would be dead now.”

You nod. “So am I corrupted now? Can what happened to Halid happen to me?”

Yura shakes her head. “As long as the spell exists, you are safe. Halid accepted the demon lord’s gift, which allowed the control.”

Kali speaks up, “Even if he did have access to your mind, he would need to override your will to take control. Halid was much weaker than you are, I don’t think it would be so easy, even if he could get in.”

You sigh. “Now the other unpleasant subject. Will Sadie be ok?”

Kali nods. “Physically she is fine, though she will have scars.”

Lynn speaks up. “S-she probably won’t be herself for a while. The sounds she was making...she was in incredible pain until Kali and Anna started healing her, and even then...she was still whimpering...”

Anna looks at you sadly. “I could feel her pain as we healed her. It was awful, master...”

Maya toys with the tablecloth as she speaks quietly. “I never want to see one of the family in that kind of pain ever again.”

You take her hand and squeeze, but she just looks at your rune-carved forearm and shivers. She leans her head on your shoulder, and hugs your arm.

You sigh, looking around at the stress and sadness on the girls faces. Even Uzume is subdued by what has been said. “We won, but we suffered for it. We should head back to the castle in the morning to plan our next move.”

Everyone agrees, and you all go to spread the word.