The Call of Nys #5 (Waverly Stump and The 7 Realms)

27 - J U D S O N

Due to current circumstances, Judson could not expect a tour of the Woodlands even though he had anticipated it at some point.

He relayed the dreadful news to Diarmaid and was a tad shocked that the Elf actually wept in public. He had never seen an Elf cry before and dearly hoped he would never get to witness it again. The sight could have easily ripped his heart right out of his chest.

If Phyllis had not consoled him to a stop, Diarmaid could have gone on crying until nightfall.

"How long ago was this?" He queried at last after drying his eyes.

"Four years, three seasons." Judson answered. Voicing it felt like an icy realization to how much time had really passed.

Diarmaid pinched down on his nose ridge so hard that his knuckles began to turn white. Phyllis eased his fingers with care before he could dislodge his own nose by accident. His head creaked sideways with worry and what seemed like guilt.

"She really took it upon herself to see that you were cleansed no matter the risks."

Judson nodded affirmatively.

"Is it true?" One of the other two Elves asked. She looked timid with both hands tucked under her arms as if she was cold.

Judson looked at her.

"You reached the Celestial Mountains?"

Again, he nodded.

"ei ti Zaña!" The She-Elf exclaimed with an overwhelmed gasp. She looked short of breath and slumped into her brethren's chest, who received her at once and offered comfort by rubbing down her arm.

"You accomplished a feat so great and unheard of in all the seven realms, Judson." Phyllis put out. The solemn expression upon her face gave her an air of command. "To my kin, it is even greater. It may have been centuries ago since a being last succeeded in nearing the North. You, however, reached it and returned alive. This is no ordinary accomplishment and not one to be kept quiet for long."

She sighed heavily as Diarmaid's eyes locked on hers. "Unfortunately, seeing as your position is a quite complicated one. . ."

Diarmaid picked up from where she left off. "We must stay silent in order to ensure your safety. I hope that you accept our heartfelt condolences. I understand how difficult it must've been for you all those years."

He rose from his seat and came to grip Judson's shoulder in a brotherly fashion. His eyes were the most compassionate.

"She was kin to us all, but a sister to me. I consider her my own blood."

Just then, it dawned on Judson why Diarmaid understood his pain more than anyone else. It was he who had lost a brother. And now, a sister as well. He blinked back the mist in his eyes.

"Is there anything that can be done, Commander?" Freañin questioned. His nose wrinkled in a worried frown and his hands balled into a fist, as though he was ready to physically wrestle the Chasma.

"The Chasma is friend to none," Phyllis provided, her gaze distant. "For ages it has existed and none can predict it - not even the gods themselves. There may be little we can do in that aspect."

"I met Gzrel." Judson blurted.

All eyes fell on him, all of wonder.

"You saw The Grump?" Diarmaid looked just about ready to break into the proudest grin. His gaze shifted to Phyllis for a moment. "Someone put a rein on the Shade before he succeeds in scaling Wyvernwildé on foot."

Phyllis's chuckle was light. She came to stand next to Judson. "What did Gzrel tell you?"

His roaming eyes randomly fell on an eye-catching ring on her finger, and he remembered something about her being betrothed. "Your curatorium. He claimed it held information on a way that I can find the Chasma."