The Life I Gained From Dying

Chapter 40 - Transport

Via watched on from a crouching position as the anaconda slithered away from the group.

"Thank you once again for saving us." Avery said to Via in a respectful manner.

"Don't mention it, but aren't you a bit old to be afraid of snakes?" Via questioned, looking up to her.

A slight hint of annoyance entered Avery after hearing that statement, but she held back on any comment.

"Elder Claire, do you believe their story?" Mai asked quietly. "Messengers from Ignus who also happen to be a group of orphans looking for refuge..."

"... And their party was scattered after they went through a rift. It is quite the story. What is your judgment telling you, Mai?"

Mai briefly looked over to Avery and Sayu and was reminded of the first time she encountered Kaden at the peak of the mountain. She released a light sigh and faced Elder Claire.

"We should immediately join back with Elder Treya and the others." Mai decided.

"Hmm, I'm not a fan of that conclusion." Claire replied with disappointment in her voice.

"Then, what did you-"

"Via darling! Come here for a moment."

"Yes ma'am?" Via answered as she walked over.

"Here's what's going to happen." Claire stated. "I still need to honor my promise to Via, and for that reason her and I will be continuing forward. Mai, I trust you to escort our guests to the rendezvous point."

"I can't do that." Mai responded firmly. "As a guard appointed to the Elder's Council, who is accompanying one of the honored members outside of Aestus. It is required that I, no matter the circumstance, always stay by your side."

"You're as diligent as your grandmother says you are. That being the case then you should also know that an Elder's word is final. We determine when those rules can be broken, and right now, I'm ordering you to break this one."

The reckless command Mai just received from Elder Claire had her torn completely in half. For someone like Mai, who prides herself on doing everything by the book. No matter what choice she made here, there were going to be lingering thoughts that she made the incorrect decision. However, a decision had to be made. Leave Elder Claire alone in the Redwoods or disobey her orders and remain by her side.

"I..."

"I'll protect her." Via said to the conflicted Mai. "If anything happens, I'll bring her back right away. We're out here because of me anyway, so I'd feel responsible if anything were to happen."

While those words weren't enough to fully put Mai at ease, they at least gave her the slightest amount of reassurance.

"I'll trust you." Mai replied while clinching her fists.

"I'm sorry, but we didn't get your names, did we?" Claire asked.

"My name is Avery, and this little one is Sayu."

"I'm not little!" Sayu replied.

"It's a pleasure to meet the both of you." Claire responded with a bright smile. "Mai here will be taking you to Aestus, where I hope the other members of your group are already waiting for you."

"Thank you, ma'am." Avery replied.

Mai led the way with Avery and Sayu following closely behind her.

"Let's make haste, shall we?" Claire said to Via.

"Right!"

.....