cascade | kotlc

34. The Brave Ones

 Grady and Edaline weren't outside when the traumatized group appeared in Havenfield's pastures. But as soon as Sophie called for help, they came rushing out the glittering crystal mansion.

They talked. Spread the news. Elwin came over and healed her broken arm and wrist.

"How did you manage this?" he muttered, checking the brutally twisted arm. "This is going to take so long to heal."

Biana's heart sank.

"How long?"

"At least three weeks," he told her, flashing an orange ball and wincing. "You're going to need a cast."

"I can't go to school like that," she wailed.

Elwin chuckled, looking up to face her as he drizzled a vial over her arm. "Yes, you can."

"No, I can't!"

"You absolutely can, Biana. Stop being a wimp," he teased. "I know perfectly well why you don't want to wear a cast."

"Hmph."

Alden came over with him. And with Alden came...

No. Don't think about him. He doesn't deserve it.

"There's something I have to tell you," Sophie murmured to Alden. "But first, I need you to promsie that your mind is strong enough to handle it."

Alden glanced at her. She gave him a sad smile, and he nodded.

"Wait," Elwin said, handing Alden a vial filled with clear fluid. "This will take the edge off reality, if you need it."

"Surely the news can't be that bad."

"It is," Biana whispered, reaching for her dad's hand. "Alvar- Alvar's with the... the Neverseen."

The vial slipped from Alden's hand, hitting the grass with a soft thud.

"You sure?" he whispered.

"I'm sure." She closed her eyes, letting her soft breathing overwhelm her. "I hate it too. I used to..."

"We all did," he breathed.

Fitz chuckled bittersweetly from beside June. She would be fine. The burns on her body weren't as severe as the time she was kidnapped. "He was also one of... their kidnappers."

Alden wobbled as the words hit him, and he sank onto the grass next to Biana. He called Fitz to come closer, and he whispered something to June before he clung to Alden and cried. Tears slipped down Biana's cheek as she stared at her useless arms.

"Your wrist isn't that badly bent- holy fuck how did you manage that- nevermind, I guess." Elwin sighed and took his bandage again, wrapping layers around her wrist. "Your wrist is that badly bent. This'll take sooner to heal, at least. Give it a week."
Biana slumped back. "So you're telling me, for at least a week, I can't use my hands for anything."

"Well, yeah," he admitted. "But I'm sure people will help you. I mean, you're you."

"That's not what I meant," she grumbled.

"How are you taking this?" Tam asked, coming closer to her. Linh was wrapped around him, smiling slightly at Biana, her eyes flickering with something that seemed quite like amusement.

"Not great," she managed. "I... I won't be able to do anything for at least- a week, I think. And then my arm's broken for another two." She sighed, resting her chin on her legs. "You won't need me anymore."

"Hey," he said gently, taking her broken wrist and examining it gently. It didn't hurt. "I promise, we'll always need you. You were essential in the Ravagog heist."