Everlong

Apart

Ed didn't remember much of the trip back to the Boar's Smile Inn, his feet had been moving without his mind really giving them permission. Qila had flagged down a farmer with a wagon full of hay that seemed like heaven to the weary adventurer's as they climbed in and settled against the crinkly straw.

Olly had almost instantly fallen asleep, her body finally giving up as her head lolled and ended up against Ed's shoulder. He didn't mind anymore, didn't feel his heart race the moment she touched him. Instead, she was warm, and it softened him up like butter as he molded his own body to frame against hers as they slunk into a deep sleep.

It was only when the wagon stopped, and Qila nudged him with her bow silently as not to wake up the two Duer's that Ed opened his eyes. The Aarakocra motioned for him to follow her as her tiny bird frame lifted up Nole like he was a sack of cotton and made her way into the Inn.

Ed got the hint that he was to carry Olly, his arms scooping her up and carefully making his way out of the wagon to follow Qila. Olly didn't stir in his arms the whole way up the inn stairs and into their room, her breathing even as her eyes remained firmly closed.

"Lay her in the bed next to Nole, they need to be near each other to heal better. Don't ask me why" Qila directed him as he walked towards the bed and gently laid Olly down next to her brother, the two of them looking like matching paintings side by side. He could sense something as he put them next to one another, a connection he wasn't invited to as they seem to go limp in bed.

"Now, you should rest" Qila said taking her position in the corner of the room with a stool in her claws. Her gaze focused on the Duer's with golden eyes as her clawed feet kicked up to balance herself.

"I want to be here when she wakes up" Ed said looking down at Olly. He didn't like leaving her, not just yet after everything.

"She won't wake for a while Cleric" Qila said with a smile across her beak "Best to be rested and well so she won't worry about you when she does wake."

"You'll watch her?" Ed said a bit worried that Qila would grow bored or cooped up and leave the two alone without protection.

"Like I always have" Qila nodded at the human.

Ed nodded, satisfied with her answer as he made his way to wash and rest and hopefully find something to eat. Olly's nourishment beads were great on the road, but when the human Cleric wanted more than anything was a pint of ale and a turkey leg to match.

It wasn't long before a few hours passed, Ed had washed himself and found food downstairs in the pub part of the inn, even snuck in some sleep as well in a booth, but as he walked back in the room and saw Olly and Nole still asleep he looked at Qila with a worried twist in his face.

"It's okay" Qila chirped at him "When I said she wouldn't wake for a while, I meant it. Her and her brother need to re-coup from all the energy they spent down there. Celestial energy doesn't just rebound like magic, it takes effort and a lot of it. They'll be like this until they are restored."

"You've seen them like this before then?" Ed said finding a comfortable chair to rest himself on, still staring at the sleeping Duer's.

"A few times" Qila said looking over at the two like the Cleric "Olly more than Nole. He was just a baby when I stayed at Arrowmoor Keep."

"You've been friends for a long time" Ed smiled "I wish I had that kind of companionship growing up. Your loyalty is commendable."

"You misunderstand" Qila said "I owe my life to Olly. Before, I was nothing but a pet, made to do tricks and for entertainment only. I was never loved or cared for like the Duer's treated me. The first time I was given an embrace was by her" Qila said nodding over to Olly "The first time I ate with a family was at Arrowmoor. The first time I touched grass, Weylyn Duer held my hand like I was a child taking my first steps. We aren't companions, she is my family. I would have been down there with you if Olly hadn't instructed me not to. She is always protecting others, even at her own cost."