Lantash

New Problem

-Selmak-

From the way Pete said the name of my host, I assume he suddenly remembers who Jacob is, though I can't fathom why a civilian would have known anyway.

I don't care, Jacob thinks, still very offended. I don't like him.

"I wish you had come sooner," Narim says. "Pary and Hovar were here." He glances down. "They died a few days ago. I haven't been able to figure out why."

"Samantha hasn't tried to figure out why?" Jacob asks in surprise. Samantha isn't a medical expert, but it still surprises us that she wouldn't try to figure it out.

"She's only stayed at the above level since arriving there..."

I don't like that hesitation, and neither does Jacob.

"..She's been sick," he finishes. "I don't think it has anything to do with what killed Pary and Hovar," he adds very quickly.

Even if one has nothing to do with the other, Jacob still doesn't like it. "You left her alone?!"

"She insisted I stay here for most of the day to make sure Pete is safe, and I'm sure you know, she's very stubborn. Almost as stubborn as you."

I think I like Lantash's new host, and he's made a good impression on Jacob as well. Is it me, or does Narim smile a certain way whenever he mentions Samantha?

It's not just you. "We could use the rings to bring Pete up," Jacob says, and then stops when he sees we entered a room with many decaying bodies.

"Er, sorry," Narim says quickly. "I've gotten kind of used to them. Use the rings..." he pauses in thought. "If you and Samantha can use something small to activate the rings, then it could bring up Pete, Pary, and I up. It would be best if I stayed. It wouldn't be good to have Pete stand among the prisoners with Pary's body alone." He makes a soft wince, and I wonder if perhaps there is another reason he doesn't want to make the climb again.

"That is a good plan," Jacob says, and he looks down at an almost empty riverbed. "This is where that water in the other room came from?"

"Yes, after the first climb, we needed to clear it in order to bring up supplies."

"You and my daughter went into that water?" Jacob could see where the water level used to be. Standing in puddles of it was one thing. Swimming under it was something I don't want to think about.

"Yes...might have something to do with why she is sick now."

Great, and I bet she smells like Narim and Lantash.

Jacob gives me a mental glare for that comment, and then starts climbing up.

Oh, this is going to be a long climb.

-x-x-x-

We made it!

Jacob climbs out and quickly looks around for his daughter, except we are in an empty pool. He sees her as soon as he stands. "Sam?"

He climbs out of the pool, and heads over to her. "Sammy?"

She's curled up asleep.

Jacob touches her forehead, and it's hot. "Sam."

"Lantash? Wait, Narim..." She opens her eyes. "Dad?"

Jacob smiles. "Yeah, I'm here."

"How?"

"We received your distress call."

"Dad," she says again, fully realizing that she is in fact seeing her dad. She sits up, and hugs him.