It was hours later, hours filled with Cretis's panicked screams. What made it more worrying was that he was not screaming out of pain or any discomfort, but out of fear of another child being taken away. Of having to go through that heartache for the hundredth time.
Mazis sat next to the now asleep Cretis, bandaging the deep scratches on his arms the Kortil had given him in his panic. The fountain water was completely black, a soft blue glow pulsating deep beneath it, like a heartbeat.
It would be a while before the child would awaken. For now, everyone had a chance to rest.













