"I'm all done." Sylvie said with a satisfied sigh.
We'd finally finished eating, and now we were just sitting back, letting the warmth of the meal sink in.
Sylvie lowered herself to the ground as gently as she could, brushing leaves from her hair. She clung to my sleeve, her wide eyes darting between Toby and me, like she was afraid to look away.
I kept her close, wrapping an arm around her to keep her steady.
Together, we looked at Toby slumped against the tree, his breathing shallow and skin pale as paper.
We couldn't keep going like this.
Toby needed proper help, and fast. But moving him without a plan would only push him closer to that edge.
I knelt beside him, my voice low. "Toby, we need to figure something out. You can't keep going like this."
He gave a weak chuckle,"Yeah, I figured as much." His eyes shifted down to the place where his leg had been.
He tried to force a smile, but it looked more like a wince. "Guess I'm slowing you two down now, huh?"
I shook my head. "This isn't about slowing us down, Toby. I just can't keep you safe if you're incapacitated" My gaze flicked back to Sylvie, her little hand still gripping my arm. "I need both of you safe."
Toby took a shaky breath and sighed, letting his head fall back against the tree. "So… we're both thinking the same thing, then. Maybe it's safer if I stay behind."
"I..." Words failed me. Rationally, leaving Toby behind was the safest choice.
If something ambushed us in the cave, he'd be not much good than Sylv. But even knowing that, the thought of leaving him gnawed at me.
"We'll think about it later."
"But- " Toby tried to object, but I cut him off.
"No buts, Toby. For now, we sleep and take turns keeping watch. I will be first." I pushed myself up from where I was sitting, brushing off the dirt as I spoke.
----
I sat by the fire silently, not too far from the two of them.
My gaze wandering to the moments prior, and my thoughts to what was about to come.
" What's occupying your mind " I heard Toby's voice but I didn't turn around.
Looking at the shining moon, I sorted my mangled thoughts.
" The gift, Toby. What do you think it is? " I turned around and looked into his eyes.
" It's not for us to shoot in the dark. The cave isn't that far away Sirius. We can go and check it ourselves "
" And what if it's a trap? Who even was it? We killed the guardian Toby. You and I... We both did together. "
He didn't speak for some time. His eyes darting around, as if to think for an answer.
In the end, he just shrugged and said " There's no way to be certain. We can taks this chance, get to know the truth. "
He took a second to speak again.
His eyes now focused on mine, and he slowly spoke " Or we can turn around, and lose this chance. Maybe forever "
Maybe forever, he says.
His words had weight, this could be my only chance to get to know my past better.
Toby was bound by the blood oath and this was supposedly something my mother left.
" I have to see it though " I spoke, my voice filled with determination.
"Then it's settled. We stop guessing and go see it ourselves. Remember, we are in this together "
I just nodded.
I knew we were in this together.
This man here, has saved my life many times.
Both emotionally and physically.
Back then when we were hunting duskren as a job, he was not just my partner, but a guide...
A mentor.
If I ever had a brother, it was him.
And I left him behind to start anew. It was necessary, I know.. and yet, it was selfish nonetheless.
And now, he lost his leg while fighting beside him.
I looked at him, my eyes having a round up of nostalgia.
" What? " He asked.
" Nothing " I quickly changed the topic " I just remembered something. What about the cottage though? Do you think we should check that out before? "
He shook his head, " I don't think there's much there. If the person knows about your mother's gift, chances are they already have it"
" What if they don't, and that's why they need me? To use me for whatever my mother left? "
" That's a possibility. We shall take a detour then. It won't take much time, and who knows we actually might find something "
" Now, the most urgent thing. "
I looked at his leg, " We need a plan for your leg "
" I thought about it, and the best route is for me to stay he- " I was about to open my mouth to protest, when he gestured me to stop.
He continued " But I know that we can't do that. So maybe we should tie my leg with a wooden stick, and I can use an extra stick for support too. This way I can atleast move around, and I will stay some metres away from the cave alongside Sylvie. If you find something amiss, give us a signal and we will all retreat. What do you think? "
I gave it some thought, the idea was plausible.
" That can work. You won't be able to fight but you would atleast be able to walk and protect yourself, and Sylv. "
" That's decided then. Now go sleep, i will keep a watch. If something happens, I will wake you up "
I nodded and moved towards the two of them. Sylvie was sleeping peacefully, though the creases on her brow betrayed the truth.
She was having a nightmare, but who could blame her?
She's been through more in days than most face in years.
From a peaceful life, to losing her mother.
If that wasn't enough, her father was fighting something she had no idea about.
She couldn't be sure if he will come back alive or not.
And then she saw Toby in this state.
She's five, and she's already seen death, fear, and pain ... more than any child should.
I laid down beside her, watching the shadows dance on the forest canopy.
" You are a really strong girl, Sylv. " I whispered as kissed her forehead gently.