Gravity Rises (S3)

Epilogue: Part Three

THAT AFTERNOON

Mabel had only been expecting one celebration at the minotaur village. But there was more than just her grunkles' birthday happening today.

"Dad? How are you feeling?"

Caleb Chiu squinted in the sunlight, looking down at Candy as he exited the prison hut. Moira supported him, which was good, because Yingtai and Candy were certainly too small to. And Caleb needed supporting. He stumbled a little with every step.

"Dad?" Candy said again, sounding a little worried.

Caleb took a moment to respond. "I'm okay," he said.

He sounded disoriented. Mabel wasn't surprised. Caleb had just endured limnatásh: the intensive mind-reading spell the elders had ordered him to endure before he could be released from prison. The magic had taken a lot out of him.

"Here," Candy said. She took Caleb's hand and led him to a patch of grass in the shade. With Moira's help, Caleb sat down. Yingtai and Candy immediately sat beside him.

"Is Andrew talking with them?" Yingtai asked, gesturing toward the prison hut.

Even though her voice was quiet, Caleb still winced a little bit at the sound. "Yeah," he said. "They're deciding my fate in there."

Mabel couldn't tell if his tone was joking or serious.

Candy gave Caleb a hug. "They'll let you go. I know it."

"Thanks, Candy," said Caleb.

Mabel smiled at the Chius. She was a good distance away, just watching the scene. Her own family was around her.

"I hope they let him go," said Greyson.

And Greyson. He was there, too. Mabel glanced at him. "Have you gotten to talk to him at all?"

"Yeah," said Greyson. "They let me visit him with Candy. He's cool."

Mabel nodded.

"I went to some of the classes," Greyson added. "You know, the ones about Cipher that the elders taught Caleb. They let anybody come, so sometimes I did. I learned a lot. Mostly that Cipher is terrifying."

A shudder went through Mabel. She knew. She knew Bill's terror all too well. Four months' time had softened the pain of her memories, but it hadn't erased it.

"So. . . thanks," Greyson said softly. He seemed to realize that he'd made Mabel uncomfortable. "Thanks for stopping him."

She managed a smile. "Thanks."

Wait. She'd said the wrong thing — she should've said you're welcome. She blushed and ducked her head.

She thought she saw Greyson do the same out of the corner of her eye. In fact, he seemed to have a blush every time he looked at her. What was up with that?

The sound of footsteps took Mabel's attention away from Greyson. "Caleb, hello. Are you all right?" asked Ford. He came over with Lee, Pacifica, Ásham, and Enoch following (plus Fidds' ghost, probably). They had been making an offering at Xítway's grave, and had stayed there longer than Mabel and the others had. Pacifica had relayed a conversation with Xítway — Ásham in particular seemed to be in a good mood after that.

"Yes, I'm all right," Caleb said to Ford. "Happy birthday."

Ford and Lee both smiled at Caleb. They had apparently coordinated with the elders to have Caleb's release be today, on their birthday. All the more reason to celebrate, Mabel supposed.