Ash and Aftermath
When Caleb came back from his trance his throat was coated in ash it was hard to breath. He saw Essek with his back towards him and the person who hadn't been reduced to ash locked in place by magic. Nott and Cad were next to him. He couldn't tell what they were saying, but they were talking about something that seemed very important. He couldn't see Yasha, Beau, Jester or Fjord he assumed they would be nearby. Caleb tried to get back up from the ash pile he had fallen into, but he fell back down. This caught Cad's attention, and he moved to help Caleb sit up careful to avoid his wings.
"You shouldn't push yourself Mr.Caleb you are very unstable," Cad said. Caleb felt a sharp pain in his right wing as he sat up. Caleb winced, and looked at his wing. His wing was covered in embers and ash he must have fallen on it. He looked away before he could focus on the clipped feathers.
Caleb spoke quietly his accent was thicker than normal, "What happened?" Caduceus quietly dusted the ash off his wings and face before gesturing for Beauregard to come over.
"You collapsed after reducing ten people to ash," Beauregard bluntly stated. Cad nodded then gave Caleb a worrying look.
"Has this ever happened before Mr.Caleb?" Caduceus questioned. Caleb found it difficult to speak so he nodded instead. Essek walked towards Caleb and helped him stand.
Caleb leaned on Essek for support, cleared his throat and spoke, "It has been roughly three years around the same time the war officially started during one of the first battles." Caleb winced in pain when he stretched his right wing. He wrapped his wings around himself as if shielding himself from the memories of the blight he caused. The pain within his wing was a phantom that constantly followed him; it was a reminder of the choices he had made and the pain he had caused others.
"Cad, remember what the first question you ever asked me was?" Caleb said while looking up at the firbolg. His expression full of pain and regret. Caleb, without support dusted off his coat before anyone could stop him.
Caduceus stood silent and perplexed for a moment before responding, "Yes, or at least I believe I do."
"I wish to change my answer," Caleb said simply. Caleb took a vial of crimson liquid and drank it causing his minor wounds to heal.
"Once this is all over I will let you pull the clipped feathers," Caleb specified.