Ashton stared off the side of the low hanging airship. Ava, watching from the staircase, silently failed to take the first step multiple times. From behind her the door to Doctor Karlsen's study had opened. Each member of his entourage went about their duties without a word.
The one with the rifle took a rappelling hook down to the ground after giving a nod to Ava. The one with a buckle of knives held a door open for Karlsen. The moment the scarred man realized Ava was looking at him, he looked away. And when Karlsen disappeared wherever the darkness of the door led him, he followed. It was then the one who put his boot to Lanon's head stood in front of it and crossed his arms. This one did not care about how intently Ava stared, returning it with one of his own.
"Don't mind them."
Now standing at the top of the staircase was Ashton, his hand stretched toward her. The warmth that accompanied his voice back in Strohl was gone now. Its stead was now a flat weariness akin to a night of troublesome sleep. She hesitantly reached a hand to him. Gently, he escorted her up the stairs and over to the railing.
He took the time to position the cloaked half of his body on the further side of Ava. Vae, exhausted, lay adorned around her neck like a rung of dead furs. All of the excitement had tuckered her out. Ashton smiled and extended the backside of his finger, petting Vae with his knuckle. With a whiff of the air, her drowsy eyes started to open once more. A friendly chirp for Ashton was all she could muster before resuming her rest.
"Goodness," he chuckled, "I take it your survey was more than you expected?"
Ava gave no answer. Despite Vae's fondness of Ashton, she could not muster the warmth. The questions in her mind flooded and demanded answers for the anomalies. Even more than answers–understanding. The urge to ask questions nearly broke past her mouth. The moment her tongue escaped her teeth she would pull back, and imprison it behind pursed lips. All the while her eyes fought the temptation to stare at or away from Ashton.
"Ava."
The calm rumble of his voice pulled her back into focus. Staring back at her was the friend she would not hesitate to have on her airship. The man who provided her with countless stories of the world outside the airship–the world she now experienced for herself. The decklights of the airship illuminated the gray streaks in his hair. Since that departure in Strohl, had more appeared?
"Are you alright?"
She blinked.
Was she?
Despite all she had seen, at this moment the only word that deemed fitting enough was only confusion.
"...I'm…"
Another stifled attempt. She took another breath and began again, forcing her lungs to expel the words bottled inside.
"Who was that man, really? And who are these people? How were they able to subdue Lanon so efficiently–and why work with them? Is this the business you attend to in Strohl? Has it always been this?"
"Listen–"
"What sort of doctor is he? And–and why did that man seem to be in so much pain if he were a monster? Why in those moments did he seem so–"
"It's not–"
"Afraid?! Why was he so afraid, Ashton?! What sort of person must this person be to make Lanon fear him so just from calling his name? What did he mean by all that he said? All I saw in that moment–despite the damage done to me or my escorts–was the same bird I saw wounded in Hoga's hands. Just a tiny thing trying to breathe–"
"This isn't–"
"Why did he have to die? If he could have been saved, why did he have to be killed like that? You were a doctor once! Would Miss Amy–"
She stopped herself.
Where the decklights illuminated his eyes was now shadow. Before she could speak again, a voice called from behind them. It was Karlsen, informing the pair that the airship was about to begin moving again now that everyone was aboard. After gripping the railing in anticipation she turned back to Ashton. His eyes were visible again, this time with a slight red tinge.
"She would have been your age now."
It was Ava's turn to look away.
"Dana. She used to say the same thing to me. 'What would mom say if…'"
He took his thumb and wiped the corner of his eye. His hollow chuckle sporadically filled the silence between them.
"Ashton, I apologize. I didn't mean to–"
"As if they ever left my mind."
Nothing but silence accompanied them on the rest of the trip back. Minutes later, they hovered above the front gate of Cavargi. A sparse crowd came from the festival, which had winded down in their absence. Front and center was the councilman, hands behind his back. From their spot on the deck, Ava saw he and Doctor Karlsen talk for but a minute before parting.
When he arrived back on the airship he called for the immediate departure of all the guests aboard. Fitz, freshly stitched and walking, was aided by Jay on the way down. Even from the airship, Ava heard the moment their feet hit the ground. Following after was Chrissy, who shot dirty looks to each member of the crew before grabbing her rope. Next up was Nathaniel. He glanced over at Ava and flicked his pupils in invitation to join them on the ground before making his exit. Last was Travlack, who gave a single nod to Karlsen before plainly disembarking.
Finally, everyone on board looked to Ava. She returned each of their glances and started to walk to the stairs of the platform.
"Ava…my son won't suffer like they did…I can't…"
She froze at the sound of his voice on her back. A single shiver ran down her back in anticipation of his next words. Her eyes focused on the staircase in front of her as she felt his steps approach.
"Miss Sinclair," Karslen stated, "Your escort is waiting."
He used one hand to gesture over to the line. With everyone's focus on her, the sound of her footsteps seemed to echo across the deck. After reaching for the rope she looked down to see the rest of her escort being taken into the village.
"We'll be back to retrieve you tomorrow afternoon. Be ready to leave."
She was on the ground before she knew it. Once she secured her footing, she let go. Without hesitation, the line zipped back up onto its coil and snapped when secured. She backed away with her eyes on Ashton, still standing at the bow of the vessel. When she had reached the gate with everyone else, they took off into the starlit night.
The trip to the ward was a blur for Ava. Questions from the forming crowd all muffled into sounds as medical staff pushed her along with everyone else. When they reached the ward, she immediately sat in a chair along with everyone else in a row.
"Alright now I need you to answer me as ___ _____ _____…."
The word seemed to melt away. She watched as Fitz was escorted into another room down the hall with Jay and the councilman not far behind. Her eyes were found lingering, and an examiner gently nudged her chin back to look her in the eyes.
"Hey, stay with me here. Pain level?"
"Uh…slight? Small? I don't know."
Her eyes gravitated to the door down the hallway. When Doctor E walked in, she shut it behind herself. The attendant examined her arms and legs for anything that would be considered concerning. The moment they let go, the inspected limb fell back down to her side. Her boots, headdress, necklaces, and jewelry from the festival were removed and organized. One by one, each of her companions were taken to separate rooms before she too was escorted somewhere else.
Behind another door was a drawn bath and rinse station. Hanging from the ceiling were lanterns doing their best to light the room. In the dim light, she reached for her neck to remove Vae, but saw her in the hands of another attendant. When had they removed her?
"Do you require assistance for this, ma'am?"
"What?"
"Assistance bathing, ma'am. Do you need it?"
She glanced at her surroundings. The railed tub stood ready to combat any filth that dared enter it. Buckets of water stood in a row next to a drain. Hung up on racks were several sizes of towel. On a nearby shelf were various products ranging from hair, fur, nails, and tail care.
"I'll…be fine."
"We'll bring some nightclothes when you're all done."
"...thanks. What about–"
"Your animal will be checked and returned in the morning. We're on it."
Vae gave a weak chirp and yawned. Each attendant left the room as quickly as they had entered and shut the door. For a while, Ava did not move. The only sounds she could hear were the occasional footsteps past her door and the sounds of nighttime bugs. A globule of dirt hit the tile like Lanon's–
One foot moved forward.
A second one.
Conscious of every movement, Ava grabbed a bucket and held it in front of her waist. Her nails dug into the side as she anchored herself to its touch. Fighting each instance of memory, she staggeredly brought the bucket above her head. Gradually, she leaned the lip of the bucket over.
Nothing.
A drop.
Now three.
A stream.
A splash.
Ava gasped for air. The dirtied water dripped from her soaked clothes and into the drain at the center of the room. She sank to her knees, barely catching herself on the palms of her hands. The clatter from the bucket falling caused an attendant to knock.
"Miss Sinclair? Is everything alright?"
"I'm fine!"
She swept the muddied hair from her eyes and regained her balance. She peeled the shirt that clung to her skin. Like–
Another bucket. Immediately when the contents of it had emptied, she reached for another and doused herself the same way before letting it fall to the ground. Before her senses could recover, she discarded the muddy clothing and threw it into a corner before slipping into the tub.
Everything from the chin down was submerged. Her knees would occasionally break the water and form islands that rose and sank in the sea of her tub. The steam that danced on the surface of the water started to dissipate. When she moved to adjust herself something fluttered by her ear. What she reached to removed was a verdant feather with bloodied–
Ava sank underneath the water, eyes shut. When she opened them, the warm glow of the room rippled through. She watched as her hair swayed in the still of the bath water. She could feel her heartbeat now. The lung's way of letting her know that her time was up.
She arose from the water and spotted something from the corner of her eye that startled her. Another attendant with a bucket of water reacted to her shock, dropping her bucket on the floor. After both women were aware of the other, they slowly came back to a neutral state.
"I'm sorry for intruding," the attendant said, "But when I knocked and heard no answer I got worried. I should have known better than to startle you with all you've been through."
"It's alright, really," Ava sighed, "I'm sorry for making you fret."
The pair avoided eye contact. The light from the hallway spread into the bathing chamber. The attendant knelt down and retrieved the ruined clothes from the corner of the room and put them into the empty bucket.
"Is there anything I can do for you while I'm here?"
Ava shook her head.
The attendant gave a polite bow and exited the room. Ava's hands gripped the assist bars on either side of the tub and rose out. She grabbed a sponge and bar of soap from the shelf and retreated back into the water.
She did not sleep in the hotel her and Cree previously enjoyed together. In a separate room of the hospital, she lay awake in bed staring at the ceiling. The clothes they gave her were comfortable enough, nothing like the fancy nightgowns she twirled in just the night before. Thinking of their time together in Cavargi made Ava almost swear she could hear her guitar.
It sounded a little loud for just being a thought.
"Rupture-borne king,
Herald divine…"
The cold of the wooden floor hit her toes. The sensation of which ran up her leg and sent a chill to her shoulders. She grabbed the blanket from the bed and formed a shawl before creeping toward her window.
"Blessed is He,
First of His kind…"
After an initial effort, she nudged the window open. There, still in her festival wear, was Cree, swaying softly to her own melody. Carefully, Ava climbed through the window and on to the soft grass. Each step came with certainty that there was nothing there that could hurt her as she traversed the dark.
"They said that visitors weren't allowed," Cree whispered, "Sorry for waking you."
"I wasn't sleeping, Cree, it's quite alright," she smiled, "How was the rest of the festival?"
Cree told her about the feeling she carried in her chest when walking off the stage. Despite Ava not being present for the ending, she already knew it would be a huge success. Her talents, Ava said, were undeniable when it came to music. Cree thanked her warmly, but her expression did not match the gratitude she spoke of.
"I finished the song and saw you weren't there anymore. You never got to hear how it ended. Did you go off with Hoga and the others? Are you okay?"
"I…"
Something was in her eye. After wiping it free of whatever it was, she sat on a nearby stump. Her posture returned to her, sitting straight with her hands in her lap.
"I want to hear the song. In its entirety."
Cree nodded. She found a nearby spot of grass that suited her stance and checked her strings. Once more she repeated the mantra that Ava taught her, and began playing a dainty melody.
"Rupture-borne king,
Herald divine,
Blessed is He,
First of His Kind
Form above form
Fin, fur and wing
Shape beyond shape
Of all living things
Shepherd, teacher
Guardian mine
Blessed is He,
First of His Kind
Her fingers twitched with mastery. Cree sang with her eyes now opened as a smile drew across her face. Ava put her chin in her hands and leaned closer as the song progressed.
"Rupture, O rupture
What did you find?
Blessed is He,
First of His Kind
Who raised the land
With power unbound
Who planted the tree
Where fruits may be found
O, sing my soul
Give us a sign,
Blessed is He,
First of His Kind…"
Cree now stepped back and forth. Her festival wear swayed in time with her. The pearls on her dress would clack together at the apex of each motion, adding a bit of rhythm to her dance.
"Rejoice my souls,
Stand still in line,
Blessed is He,
First of His Kind,
He heard our calls,
As He did before
Not standing by
As our world tore
Restore our sight
For we were once blind,
Blessed is He,
First of His Kind…"
All of her movements slowly ceased. Cree's eyes slowly shut as she sang the next part with her voice alone.
"Theri, Theri,
Are you still mine…
Blessed are you…
First of your kind…
Savior, O Savior,
As our world broke
Ran to the rupture
Before any spoke…"
After a bit of silence, she started again. Her guitar echoed her voice, cascading into the full strum of her hand.
"Who's praise is sang
Throughout the vines
Heard from the mountain
No matter the climb
Ocean to desert,
Tundra to pine
O, both of my souls
Forever entwined!"
Blessed is He…
Blessed is He…
Oh blessed is He…
First of His Kind…"
Three prompt strums cast them both into silence. Ava wiped something from her eye before standing up to quietly clap. Cree took several exaggerated bows before stepping forward to give Ava a hug. For a moment, Cree's bristly fur was all that held Ava together.
"I know you can't, but I'm going to sleep. The festival took a lot out of me," Cree sighed, "When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow afternoon," she replied.
"You'll come back to visit?"
"Absolutely."
Satisfied with her answer, Cree dug into her embrace one more time before leaving. Ava, careful as before, made her way to the open window and slipped back through. Exhaustion had finally settled into her body. The moment Ava hit the pillow she fell asleep. The last remaining thoughts of her consciousness were spent replaying Cree's melody in her head.
"Ridiculous."
Chrissy shoved another bite of food into her mouth. This had been the fourth fistful of fruit Ava had witnessed her eat at the table. Everyone seemed to be back together for the most part. Travlack and Nathaniel ignored Chrissy's ramblings and kept eating in silence.
"Absolutely no reason to do that," she muttered, "Diseased or no, that's no doctor. I don't care what he says."
Another fistful of fruit. The way the fruit blended together like–
Ava closed her eyes. To her right sat Jay, whose hand caressed her back as he ate the roots displayed before him.
"Chrissy," Jay said, "You're doing it."
Chrissy apologized. After a deep breath Ava opened her eyes and reached for an unbothered section of food from the table. She inspected the purple and orange skin before using a nail to peel away the skin like–
Nope, not fruit, she decided. The rest of breakfast was spent eating small segments of bread. Jay got up only to return with another loaf–freshly baked. Slowly, she took the entire loaf into her arms and started to work her way down.
"As I was saying," Chrissy continued, "No one has anything to say?
Nathaniel brushed the hair from his face. He did not bother to tie it back this morning, and the lack of glasses made Ava stare at him longer than she realized. After eating a carrot, he instinctively reached to adjust his glasses. When he realized they were no longer there, he rolled his eyes and spoke.
"What is there to say? Lanon was diseased."
Travlack nodded. He ate slower than everyone else due to having only one working arm. Something wriggled on the table–alive. Ava looked to see Travlack's entire plate was moving. An assortment of grubs had been laid before him to enjoy. Already anticipating what came next, Ava looked away when he brought it to his tusk.
"DLF case," he grumbled, "No longer ours. Eat."
He extended a grub over to Chrissy, who used a free hand to pass it past Ava and toward Jay. He eyed the squirming grub for a moment longer than Ava thought he was going to. Chrissy took another bite of her food and caught on, nearly choking when she made the realization.
"You're not going to–"
He did.
Turning away, Jay took the grub from Travlack's hand and bit under the shell. He put a hand over his mouth to cover them from anything that could spray. The collective disgust on Chrissy and Ava's face was palpable.
"How do you do that?" Ava asked.
"Capridae," he said in between bites, "Love the taste. Couldn't help it–"
"That's not what I meant."
Everyone at the table stopped eating. They all looked amongst each other, curious as to what she had to say next.
"How can you eat without a care in the world after what you went through?"
Everyone glanced at each other and shrugged. One by one, they went around the table and shared a reason.
"Husks," Travlack said, "Killed plenty. Used to it."
"You know who raised me. I saw my first dead body when I was four," sighed Nathaniel, "My father warned me it's what happened to adventurers who didn't eat their vegetables. That, and Travlack's reason with husks and all that."
"The shock wears off," Chrissy shrugged, "My…nevermind. Just the husk thing. That, and less than lucky poachers I've come across."
Ava turned to Jay, awaiting his reply. After another bite of a stringy root, he wiped his mouth. She looked away at the dew that leaked from the bite as if she could avoid her own thoughts.
"Do you remember what I told you when we were with Marlowe?"
"Don't tap the glass?"
"Kinda. But what I said was that the zoo puts animals behind the glass for a reason. So…"
He waved a finger expectantly. Slowly she recalled the words he spoke to her.
"...don't be in a rush to join them?"
Her entire escort agreed in unison. Ava leaned in, clutching her bread in a nervous manner.
"Wait, have you all…killed…people?"
"That's not what he meant, Ava," chuckled Nathaniel, "We're just used to how the world works. People die for all the wrong reasons every day, simple as that."
"I know that! But you're just…used to it?"
"Never."
Chrissy wiped her mouth and stood.
"We just have our own ways of dealing with it. I'll see you guys at the airship."
Nathaniel excused himself as well.
"I have to retrieve our documents from the councilman. Enjoy the time we have left here."
Travlack polished off the last of his grubs and scooted off the bench. His reason?
"Arm hurts. Going to lay down."
And nothing more. He walked off in the direction of the ward after giving a small salute. Jay sat with her for as long as she wanted him to. With gentle encouragement, Jay was able to get her to eat something more than scraps of bread. They spent the remaining hours together in Cavargi before the airship descended at the gate.
A modest crowd formed to see them off, as airships in remote villages were always a sight to behold. The children rushed to inspect it as their parents pulled them back–or pulled out of the sky–as to not touch something they ought not to. One by one, their capastras were brought on board by Yaza, who lifted each one with one arm around his bicep. When their belongings were safely tied down, he made a shout to Remy, who hit the ground to inform them it was time to go.
Doctor E and Heward were standing together waving them off. Fitz's arm, though wounded, managed to move just enough to wave with them. One after another, Jay, Travlack, Chrissy and Nathaniel boarded the ship, stepping off from the line as soon as it snapped. Ava went to grab a line for herself before she heard someone call her name.
It was Cree, who jogged over with a note in hand. When Ava opened it, she realized it was the entirety of her song. After one last embrace, Ava joined the others on the airship. Ashton once again stood on the observation deck. Instead of joining him, she went to where her escort stood on the side.
After bracing for departure, Cavargi became but a speck in the horizon of growing trees.