"Fish?"
From across the camp, Chrissy rose. Neville crawled up her leg and rested on her back, peering over her shoulder. Holding her torso, she walked over to the rest of the group and remained standing. Nathaniel
"papayas…cave moss…and…," Chrissy trailed off.
Her eyes were wide with the beautiful filet of fish laying flat upon a rock.
"Cinepi…taesuli cinepi," Chrissy grinned. "Which one of you cut a fish like that? I know it wasn't Jay"
"You know me so well, Chrissy," he chuckled.
"It was Ava," nodded Nathaniel.
"Ava–?"
Her words were muddied by a series of coughs. She turned away and covered her mouth. When finished, she saw her palm covered in red speckles. Sitting down, she used her shorts to brush the blood away. Neville dismounted and sat next to her, raising his paws to the fire.
"Are you alright, Miss Taniel?" Ava said, snapping her fingers.
"Please, call me Chrissy, you saw me get stabbed," she said, raising a hand, "And I've been worse."
"Interesting…"
"Oh please it isn't that–"
Chrissy looked up to see Ava's gaze locked on her snapping fingers. She kept at it, snapping over and over again until Chrissy spoke.
"Alright I'll ask, what's with the snapping?"
"Ava was asking me about pressure arts after I lit the fire," replied Nathaniel.
He snapped once.
He snapped twice.
A small flame appeared on his thumb.
"I thought you only knew resonant defense?" Chrissy said, raising an eyebrow.
"That's because I do."
Nathaniel waved the flame out before he continued.
"As I was telling Ava, I'm not properly trained. But she's driven to learn it for herself."
"She also cuts fish like a galley master," uttered Chrissy. She turned her attention back onto the fish being prepared by Jay. "Didn't know you had that in you, Ava. You gemheads are a mystery to me."
Jay coughed audibly. Nathaniel took off his glasses and sighed.
"I'm sorry," Ava looked up, "Gemheads?"
"I mean, yeah. You know. The gem. In the forehead. Gemheads."
The crack of the fire filled the silence. A moment later, Chrissy stammered a response.
"No disrespect to you, of course! I meant that in a friendly way, not in any–"
"Ava has had quite a different upbringing than one would expect–"
"If I may interject, Nathaniel."
Ava fixed her hair and flipped over the fish.
She spoke.
"Is that how the rest of the world sees us?"
Chrissy coughed into her palm again. She adjusted her seating on the ground with the same hand.
"I mean, every race has their thing, you know?"
Chrissy motioned toward Nathaniel.
"Cuvio brought about the end times–twice. Igosi–"
"That is an oversimplification," Nathaniel said, "Not even a fair one."
"If I had a rev for every time a world breaking rupture happened by the hands of a Cuvio, I'd have two. Which isn't a lot. Still weird. Now, Igosi—"
They turned to see Travlack sleeping underneath a tree.
"I don't know. This is the longest I've been assigned with an Igosi, and they don't talk much"
"They just don't talk to us." Jay said. "Back on Theri—"
"The person?" asked Ava.
"No, the continent—but interesting you say—back on Theri, a couple of Igosi Therians taught me a word. The way their mouths move? Yeah. Can't do it."
Ava flipped the fish.
"What about Theri? The person?"
Jay clasped his hands, "Oh, what to say that hasn't been said."
JJ groaned behind him, raising his head to the sky.
"Exactly what I was going to say, JJ," he sighed.
Jay looked off in the distance with a hand over his heart. The crackle of the fire and sizzling of the fish were the only sounds heard for a minute.
Ava broke first, laughing softly as Nathaniel and Chrissy joined after. Jay joined in confusion, chuckling as he spoke.
"What?"
"We have no idea what he said," said Ava, "But I'm sure it was quite profound."
Neville chittered and patted Chrissy's thigh. She looked down and listened for a moment.
"Oh. Ava, can you toss a papaya slice on the fire? Neville wants to try it roasted."
Ava complied and laid one out. Chrissy watched her mouth open for a moment, then suddenly close.
"Yes?" Chrissy prodded.
"You're not a Therian," stated Ava.
"Yervite as the day I was born."
"How are you able to understand Neville?"
"…never really thought about that. I don't know, I mean, I raised him. Somewhere down the line I just learned to understand him."
Neville nodded at Ava.
"Does he understand everything we're saying?" Nathaniel asked.
"Neville is a very selective listener. Has been since my brother and I rescued him. Watch—Neville Fairfield Taniel."
He turned at attention.
"He's named after my brother, Fairfield. Look—Ava says you have pretty eyes, Nevvy."
No reaction.
"Nathaniel thinks your wings are super strong."
Neville blinked once.
"There's an argia over—"
Neville took off in the direction of her finger.
"Yep. The moment he sees an argia, he forgets that I raised him in diapers."
Neville flew back and landed on Chrissy's back, chittering angrily.
"Hey—hey! I'm sorry—"
Chrissy took the roasted papaya and held it out. Neville jumped off and snatched it from her hand. He strutted toward Jay and sat next to him.
"And he has an attitude," she chuckled, "He's a twenty pound toddler with wings."
Neville chittered back.
"What? No. Enjoy your papaya."
"What does he want?" Nathaniel asked.
"His favorite story, he likes to fall asleep to it—later, Nevvy. Nixi mai omas"
Neville ate loudly as he leaned against Jay. The muffled sounds of squeaking could be heard between every bite.
"Named after your brother? I don't believe you've mentioned you had siblings," Ava said. "I grew up a single child–save for Soren, but I told Nathaniel this already."
Chrissy furrowed her brow.
"Soren…Soren…I swear I ran into a–ficia–lightfooted guy? Doesn't make a sound while walking?"
It was Ava's turn to knit her eyebrows.
"Yes…how do you know him?"
"Funny you should ask," she said, touching her fingertips together, "I was on the rooftops watching you walk the day we left. Neville had gotten loose that morning and led me to your airship "The Serendipity'."
"It's 'The Sincerity', and if he noticed you there, that means he was watching too," Ava sighed, "He doesn't trust easily."
"I saw. Your boyfriend–"
Ava burst out laughing. She laughed so hard that snorts escaped. Chrissy and Nathaniel looked at each other and then back to Ava, who covered her mouth.
"No, no, no–absolutely not. I've known him since we were kids. He's the sibling I've never had. What was your brother like?"
"Oh, Fairfield? He was something. Did a lot for me growing up until he was–"
Ava swiped a finger around her neck and clicked her teeth.
"But that's how it goes," she shrugged. She leaned away to cough as Ava spoke.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
Another wipe of the hand on her shorts.
"What? No, don't be. Just what happens where I'm from."
Everyone remained silent around the fire. The roar of the falls supplied background noise while Ava continued cooking the fish.
"Well," Chrissy stood up, "Didn't mean to ruin the mood. I'm gonna take a walk. Neville, salz."
He flew on to Chrissy's back as she walked away.
"Hey, Chrissy," Jay called, "Should you be moving around? Maybe you should–"
"I'm good. Thanks."
When she was sure they could not see her anymore her posture decayed. Her right leg dragged behind her left every other step, creating a limp. Neville dismounted and flew above in front of her, squawking in concern.
"What? No. I just don't want–"
A coughing fit occurred. She resumed after it was over.
"I don't want them to think I'll slow them down. Lanon is…it's whatever. I just gotta hold on until we get back to Strohl. I've already cost us too much."
Another round of communication from Neville. He landed on a rock in front of Chrissy and crossed his arms.
"Now is not the time for a lecture. I'm aware of what he would want for me, thanks for the reminder."
Neville rolled his eyes.
"Excuse me, Neville Fairfield Taniel, did you just–"
There was no cough. Blood escaped from her mouth as she spoke. With that last word she fell to her knees.
"Fecabre-!"
Neville rapidly approached Chrissy and tapped her with his paws. He cooed softly and waddled around her.
"No–no! Don't. I'll be alright–"
More blood. For a minute she laid in silence.
"Ugh. This is not how I die. I refuse it."
"Good."
She turned her head to see Travlack, fish in hand, standing behind her. He sat down beside her head and broke a piece off.
"Eat."
"I already ate, I'll be fine–"
"You lie. Body does not. Lay down."
Chrissy sighed out and let herself land on her back. She spat blood out onto the ground before locking her eyes on the stars.
"Eat," he commanded again.
She let Travlack feed her a bite of the fish. With his hand free of food, he placed a palm on her torso.
"Deep wound. Need medical attention."
Chrissy kept her eyes on the sky as she spoke.
"Travlack…?"
"Yes?"
"He's tracking us, isn't he?"
Travlack stroked his beard.
"Most likely."
Chrissy sighed and reached for more fish.
"Lanon is not Therian," she said between bites, "Not normal."
"Yep. His body forces feathers as fast as he sheds them. I've never seen Therianism challenge itself like that."
"Same here. DLF will look into it–"
"And if the DLF doesn't get him before he finds us?"
"Not happening."
"How can you be so sure?"
"William. Valyn. Uriel. Stronger than strong."
"Are you saying they killed him?"
Nothing from Travlack. Chrissy finished the last of the fish he brought and chewed in silence. Neville waddled past her and flew onto Travlack's head. Something he said made Chrissy laugh.
Which in turn, caused more blood to surface.
"What?" asked Travlack.
"Just Neville," she said, wiping the blood away, "Watching me eat made him hungry again.."
She felt Travlack take her hand. Seconds later, she felt her body regain energy. Though she winced at her wound when she sat up, she felt more awake than she had before.
"Travlack what are you–"
"Sharing," he stated, "Buying time."
"But–"
Travlack waved it off. He helped Chrissy to her feet and took a step back.
"Back to camp. Tell Nathaniel and Jay everything."
"What about our jobs?"
"Survive first. Job second."
Chrissy patted her cheeks and shook off the fatigue. She noticed her limp dissipated as Travlack escorted her back to camp. Neville remained on Travlack's head, staring straight ahead.
"Hey, Neville, I don't know if Travlack likes that."
Neville shook his head and chirped.
"Soft? His hair can't be that soft–"
Ava felt the brush of his hair for a moment.
"Kutax aida tir, how is that possible?"
Travlack walked on.
Together they arrived back at camp. Ava, Jay, and Nathaniel were in the same spots since Chrissy's departure. Neville left Travlack's head and landed near the fire.
"Nathaniel," Travlack called, "A word."
He excused himself from the campfire and came over. Chrissy leaned against a tree and straightened her gaze.
"Is it her wound?" Nathaniel pointed.
Travlack nodded.
"It's not as bad as–"
Nathaniel and Travlack looked at her with exasperated faces.
"Okay, it's not doing so great."
Nathaniel took off his glasses and started to clean them. He spoke after a moment of polishing.
"Let's look at what we know. His Therianism expresses itself as a rapid skewer. He looked to be falling apart, last we saw him."
"And somehow healing through it all," added Chrissy, "Travlack isn't sure if the DLF could handle him."
"Fast," sighed Travlack, "Too fast. Feathers vibrate rapidly."
"With any luck, the DLF Inspectors Marlowe placed so much faith in are handling it. If not, he could catch up to us in no time," Nathaniel said.
"And we wouldn't know he was here until it's too late," Chrissy groaned, "We're losing our jobs if we survive."
"Probably," Nathaniel muttered, "At least for sure you and I are, Chrissy."
"Why not Travlack?"
"Department keeps. Finds new use for them. Guard duty in small town."
"That isn't fair," said Chrissy.
"Department doesn't care," Travlack stated, "This was our mission. Escort."
Nathaniel put his glasses back on and cursed under his breath.
"What?" asked Chrissy.
"Jay knows of a Therian village not too far from here. Lanon's anticoagulant is too strong for your body to heal on its own. Any sort of treatment that will help you can probably be found there."
"What's the problem then? Not down to party with the capridaes?"
Nathaniel shook his head.
"I couldn't care less that he wants to take Ava to a party with nudists. I can file that under cultural enrichment. What I can't file away is if a mantis decides to eat us."
Travlack's ears perked up.
Chrissy's eyes widened.
Nathaniel nodded.
"Jay claims he knows a shortcut. Either you bleed out taking the long way, or you bleed out in mantis country and risk the rest of us joining you."
The group shared an exhale. The sound of Ava and Jay laughing brought them back. She continued trying to emulate Nathaniel's earlier trick.
"Woah, I think I saw a spark there!" Jay cheered.
"Oh, shush, you did not!" Ava giggled.
Nathaniel, Travlack, and Chrissy returned to looking amongst each other.
"Any chance she's secretly a prodigy?" Chrissy smiled.
"Very unlikely," responded Nathaniel.
"...any chance you are?"
"Even more unlikely. I don't have the resonance pool for that."
"Well…," pondered Chrissy, "What about you Travlack? Any hidden powers you wanna let us know about?"
Travlack shook his head.
Another collective sigh.
"Fecabre…Travlack shared a portion of his resonance with me. Would that sustain me through the long way?"
"Playing resonance relay is not a viable strategy. At least, not for the long way. If we–and I'm not condoning this–chose to go through mantis country, that would work. I'm still debating whether or not you passing out on the long way is worth it."
"I vote for whatever plan doesn't have me do that."
"Not terrible," mulled Travlack, "Like sleeping."
"Speaking from personal experience, it's not terrible," Nathaniel said, "Especially if you're conscious enough to hear everything."
"Okay well the rest of us prefer not entering a mild coma. Thanks. I vote mantis country."
"Hey guys!" Jay said, trotting up, "What are we talking about?"
Chrissy, Nathaniel, and Travlack shared glances between each other.
"Oh…must be a secret. My bad."
Chrissy looked at Nathaniel.
Nathaniel looked at Travlack.
Travlack nodded.
"Full disclosure, Jay?" smiled Chrissy, "I'm still bleeding. It isn't critical but I don't plan to find out."
A smile formed on Jay's face.
"Luckily for you I know of a great doctor in a capridae village. A capridae village that is also having a gathering. A gathering Hoga, Cree, and Alex said they were going to. With a shortcut through–"
"Mantis country," all three said in unison.
"Nathaniel filled us in," said Chrissy, "We're still deciding."
"Well, don't let the horns fool you. I'm a Therian first, but I'll always be a Dulim."
"But–"
Nathaniel stopped himself and pondered. A second later he started again.
"Wouldn't that be reversed? A Dulim first, and then your Therianism? You don't claim your giant heritage?"
Jay chuckled deeply.
"Oh, Boshy. Hoga was right about you. You understand Therianism. But you don't know Therians."
"Those are the same thing–"
"Focus," commanded Travlack, "How safe is shortcut?"
"Oh, I mean, it's still orchid mantises–some as big as me–but it's nothing I couldn't handle if it came down to it. Remember? Capridae eat mantises."
"Only in packs," Chrissy stated, "How much time would we save?"
"Whole day's worth, easily. Then again, it's more than JJ and I this time."
Their eyes drifted back to Ava and the animals around the campfire. Neville gorged himself on papayas, JJ had not moved from his spot, and Vae coiled around Ava's waist, sleeping softly.
"Fecabre, the pets."
Jay nodded.
"JJ and I? Virtually undetectable. Easy trip. But adding four more people and two small animals? Gets a little harder, still nothing I can't handle."
"Well if this is so easy, why didn't you handle Lanon?"
Jay slowly turned his head to Nathaniel. Chrissy and Travlack did the same.
"I'm not DLF. I'm not RRET. The Department dudes made it clear that I am not allowed to throw down."
"Why?" Chrissy asked, "Last I saw you, you're still stronger than me."
"Non-combatant."
Everyone looked at Travlack.
Jay nodded.
"Wild animals? I'm there. Natural disasters? Count me in. Giant orchid mantises? Midday snack. But Lanon, raiders, or otherwise?"
"Paperwork nightmare," Travlack added
Jay nodded again.
"I'm going to return to Ava–"
"Jay!" Ava cried, "I swear there was a spark this time!"
"That's my cue," he smiled.
Jay laughed heartily and walked away.
"The more I learn about the DLF, the more I don't regret joining the RRET," sighed Chrissy, "I thought you guys prevent the apocalypse. What's a little paperwork?"
"Worse than death," Travlack stated.
"I'd argue that there are worse things," muttered Nathaniel, "Regardless, the plan is the same. We won't have to decide until we get to the argia valley. At most? A couple of days. I don't mind giving you portions of my resonance until then."
Travlack nodded.
Chrissy sighed.
"Here's to bleeding out in mantis country."
___
Language Translation:
Kutaxia:
Salz - mount
Kutax aida tir - Kutax, aid me
Nixi mai omas - not suited for others/not for others
Ficia - liar
Taesuli cinepi - tasty fish