Page 28 of Sins of the Stone

Ramuz

R amuz watched in horror as Ursulette dangled from the end of the noose, her hands clawing at the fraying rope around her neck, to no avail. Her face was turning a sickening shade of purple as she attempted to stay awake, as the breath was stopped from entering her lungs.

Even though the fire was quickly approaching and sweat was dripping down his body, the pain was no match for the ache in his heart, watching helplessly as the woman he loved was suffocating before him. A tear spilled down his face, as he fought against the metal chains that held him to the post. But he had seen objects like these with the unnatural glow in the past, and knew it was fruitless.

The fire was angry, lapping at his feet as nature’s anger devoured the logs piled around him. Tragedy joined them, and it would separate them in the most gruesome way possible. Logs were popping as the fire grew, nipping at his legs as he grit his teeth, wishing this was all just a bad dream and we could wake up and feel his precious human beside him.

The flesh on his feet was sizzling, filling the air with the cruel stench of death. Uneven footsteps drew his attention, even over the roar of the fire. When he turned toward the disturbance, he saw Ursulette’s friend Giles shuffling over to the pile. His brow pinched with curiosity as the old man silently wandered around the back of the fire, stepping straight onto embers and suppressing a hiss of pain.

He took his walking stick and pushed a flaming log away. It rolled along the ground, still alight, and was brought to a stop beside the gallows. A moment later, the flames ate the dry wood of the rickety old structure. Then the man reached forward, muttering something to undo the magic while toying with the chains. Out of the corner of his eye, the ice-blue glow faded away. Once Ramuz felt them loosen, he flexed his arms and snapped them.

“Save her,” Giles pled, stepping out of the pile and grasping at his charred clothing and surely searing flesh. “Please.” Without hesitation, Ramuz nodded and jumped up, taking flight with a grunt and ramming into a post holding the noose up. Despite the pain in his wing, it was no match for saving Ursulette. A cry went through the crowd as dozens of gasps echoed in the air. He paid no attention to them, only having one goal. The top of the structure collapsed as Ursulette tumbled to the ground, her body lifeless.

The gallows were alive and burning with the rage of the blaze as they began to creak. The fiend, Omar, was cursing and attempting to flee, but the fire surrounded him. Ramuz soared through the air and glided under the scaffolding, masking his expression of pain from his injury and scooping Ursulette up just before the rest crumbled.

The fiend cried out, making rage boil in his veins. Ramuz held Ursulette close as he landed on the ground, gently lowering her to the dirt and prying the noose from her neck. Once he knew she was not in immediate danger and Giles was hobbling over, he gave him a nod and shot up again, flying over the flames and grabbing the worm by his arms, pulling him from the fire. He would not prove himself to be better than him if he did not.

But he was not entirely merciful, and several feet in the air, he dropped him, watching as his leg crunched against the ground. His hands shot to his knee as he cried out more. His fragile bones would not hold up against the height, but Ramuz couldn’t revel in his agony. Despite his wounded wing, he sped back to Ursulette. Giles held her in his arms, but he handed her off to him when he approached.

Rightfully so.

The crowd watched with wide eyes as he brushed her dark hair from her face. She was motionless, but he swore he heard a small groan slip between her plump, beautiful lips .

“Ursulette, please wake up,” he said, his voice cracking. Her were fluttering between her lids, indicating life. That was better than nothing, but not good enough. “Please.” He pressed his rugged lips to her forehead. He raked his claws through her hair, against her scalp, rubbing her face and kissing her in a panic he could not bring himself to express.

A dark bruise was around her neck from where the noose was pressed into her skin, and he brushed his thumb over it, not enjoying the hue one bit. Her skin had changed color again, but not in a way that he enjoyed. His heart felt as if it was being crushed until her eyes slowly opened. She looked more confused than anything, but it made him feel like he could finally breathe.

“W-what happened?” she said, looking up at him. He wanted to smile, but it was masked with concern.

“You almost died.” His voice ached as he said it. That phrase should’ve never come out of his mouth, not directed at his treasure. Her eyes widened as he could see all the memories flooding back, making her tremble in his arms. She reached out and set her hand on him.

“Are you okay?” she asked. His face twisted with shock.

“Why on earth would you ask about me?”

Her brow hardened. “Are you okay?” Her voice was harsher this time. He fought back a smile. Her assertion made him realize that everything would be okay. She was back, and everything would be fine.

“I am now that you are.”

A soft smile crossed her lips as she brought her hand to his rugged face. Then her expression fell.

“Where’s Omar?”

“In pain,” he said. “Suffering.”

“Good.” Her smile ignited his heart, and he returned the gesture. Just then, Giles walked over, peering down at her. She sat up in his arms and looked up at him.

“I’m sorry, Ursulette.” His voice cracked with his words. “This shouldn’t have happened.” He sounded as if he was on the verge of tears. Watching someone you love be inches away from death was an experience Ramuz hoped never to have again .

She set her hand on his shoulder and pulled herself to her feet. Ramuz held her hips as her legs wobbled beneath her, hoping she wouldn’t topple over from the trauma of being a breath away from death. Once she was standing, she spoke.

“It’s not your fault. You did your best.” She gave him a reassuring smile. Giles looked at him with tear-filled eyes. Ramuz couldn’t decide if it hurt or lightened his heart.

“I am sorry, crea—gargoyle—”

“Ramuz,” Ursulette piped up.

“—Ramuz. I am so sorry,” he said. Ramuz brought himself to his feet and peered down at the man.

“You mean a lot to my Ursulette. If I cannot accept her friends, what kind of partner am I?” Suddenly, a torrent of miserable screams pierced the air, making Ursulette glance over at the writhing Omar. His hands were still around his leg, bent at an unnatural angle, and a spray of crimson was spilling onto his clothing from where the bone pierced his skin. Ursulette looked to Ramuz, puzzled.

“You saved him?” she asked.

Ramuz smiled ever so slightly. “Though I would’ve loved nothing more than crushing his bones in my fist, cruelty cannot be met with cruelty,” he said. “Unless you give me permission, my treasure.” She nibbled her lip, hiding her lovely smile.

“No, I’d prefer if you didn’t,” she said, turning to Giles and taking his walking stick. He balanced himself on his one leg, and despite the delicate burns to his lower half, he appeared unfazed. A staunch defender of the people rarely showed weakness.

“I’ll do it,” she said. With that, she spun around with a sly smile and headed over to Omar, who was still squirming on the ground. Giles and Ramuz shared a look but said nothing. Once Ursulette’s shadow clouded his vision, he ceased movements and looked up at her, his eyes wide.

“Ursulette…” he gasped. Her face was blank as she raised the bulky stick over her head with a satisfied expression.

“Hey worm , if you come near me or my gargoyle ever again, I’ll have him decide what to do with you. And I promise it won’t be pleasant.” Just then, a hollow thump reverberated through the air as she repeatedly brought it down on him.

Giles winced every time the stick struck his broken bone, and Ramuz was holding back a chuckle. Once more, they exchanged glances, and Ursulette turned around with a smile, waving at the two of them. Her forehead was slick with sweat, and Ramuz placed his hand over his mouth, hoping to stop himself from chuckling.

She continued her assault until she was panting and exhausted. Once she was done, the duo looked over her shoulder at Omar, who was curled and shuddering on the ground. His face was bloody, but no one approached him. Ursulette wandered back over to Ramuz and Giles, who were still slightly shocked. She pointed the bloody stick at an onlooker, making him stand at attention.

“You!” she snapped, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. “Put him in the jail.” The man’s eyes widened, glancing at Ramuz. “Now!”

The man nodded quickly and scurried over to Omar, hooking his hands under his arms and dragging him away. Once he was out of sight, she returned to where Ramuz and Giles stood with the most satisfied expression.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been dreaming of doing that,” she beamed.

“It’s been long overdue,” Giles chuckled. She sucked in a breath as her chest rose and fell. Ramuz didn’t realize how much of a relief it was to see her do such a simple action. Breathing was not something he ever wanted to take for granted again.

“I don’t know about you, but I would really like to go home,” she said. “Nearly dying is… extremely exhausting.” She sucked in a breath again, exhaling. “Invigorating, life-changing, but exhausting.” Ramuz nodded. His feet ached from the flames, but they were just superficial wounds. Ursulette was a moment away from the afterlife. He would be okay.

She looked at Giles and opened her arms to embrace him. “I’ll be back,” she said. “For real this time.” They separated, and Giles nodded, setting his hand on her shoulder.

“I know,” he said. “We will be here. I will be here.” She gave him a soft smile, then looked at Ramuz.

“Let’s go home,” she said.

“As you wish.”