Resilience Run

Chapter 19

After everything that happened, the first thing I desperately needed was some sleep, which Rhys and Daniel happily agreed to after the boys were made aware that I was okay. I made sure to snuggle in close to Rhys that night, and when I woke up the next morning, I didn't move until she woke up.

"Are you okay?" Rhys asked when she did so.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked.

"Early to bed, early to rise," said Rhys, "That's always been you. Still reeling from what happened before?"

"Why wouldn't I?" I asked, "Now that the adrenaline's worn off and I've had time to process everything, can you blame me for being a little clingy?"

"Hey, I'm not complaining," said Rhys, "Though we shouldn't keep the boys waiting."

"Good point." I said. With that, the two of us finally got out of bed, dressed, and met in the main room of the Inn with Baugh, Jagos, and Daniel. Baugh ran over and hugged me the moment he saw me.

"Don't worry kiddo, I'm fine." I said, scratching the area behind Baugh's ears that he really liked, making him give me a big smile.

We all ate, trying to ignore the stares and smiling for the people that asked for my autograph - or 'scripture' as they put it, which kept making me smile, especially when the kids would ask, much to their parents chagrin.

Once we were done, we made our way to the jarl's longhouse, where Gervais was waiting on his throne, as per usual.

"Well, if it isn't our resident heroes!" said Gervais, "Did you take care of that sea monster for me?"

"Everything seems to be settled," I said, "As far as we can tell, anyway."

"The lake merpeople wanted to take the Haka's body for study," said Daniel, "I'm sure they could produce evidence of the creature's death if you just asked."

"That's fantastic news!" said Gervais, "Hanwin owes you all a debt of gratitude - and a reward, of course!"

As he said that, another man who had been standing next to him stepped forward and handed Rhys a small coin bag. Rhys peeked inside, then glanced at me, eyebrow raised.

"Is there anything else you need?" Gervais asked, "I'll help in any way I can!"

"There is one thing," I said, "We need to get across the lake as quickly as possible. There's a village on the other side with a spellcaster who can send me home."

"Say no more," said Gervais, "I'll get my finest boat for my finest, and favorite, heroes. In the meantime, feel free to bask in the glory of being a village hero and spend another night in the Inn."

"We very much appreciate that, Mr. Jarl." I said.

As it turned out, Baugh wasn't good on the water. Rhys and I figured that out the hard way when we were onboard the ship, holding Baugh's hair back as he puked over the side of the ship for several minutes. When he finally finished, at least for the time being, the two of us, with a little help from Felice's magic, managed to carry him down to the beds so he could rest for the remainder of the trip, with a little help from a sleeping potion Rhys had on hand.

"You'd think a half-harpy wouldn't get motion sickness." I mumbled as we sat by the boy on his bed, bucket at the ready.

"In his defense, he's never flown since his wings didn't grow in properly." said Rhys, "He's not used to it."

"Fair point." I said, "Hopefully he'll sleep through the rest of the trip."

"And if he doesn't?" Rhys asked.