Once Upon A Fae

Chapter 24

"There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed."
Mahatma Gandhi

Chapter 24

Slowly life at the crèche compound began to return to normal. The Warriors would leave on assignment only to return days or weeks later, the trainees were in the field working hard to become the fighters the council decreed them to be, and the young began to laugh and play.

On the surface it was as if nothing had happened, that their entire world had not been blown apart. No mention was made of the twins disappearance. Faith spent her days hiding her worry for her family. Wondering when the council would come down on them for their parts in the escape of the twins.

Calix left the day to day running of the Crèche to Dmitri, while he continued to take assignments. His purpose being that Dmitri was missing a team member while his team was whole.

Everything came to a head one quite spring morning. Faith stood in the kitchen watching the sun rise over the budding trees. Her young had been fed and sent off to train and she had a free moment of peace while Jaden napped.

The still of the moment was broke with the screeching of tires and slamming of doors. Yelling voices accompanied rushing footsteps. Faith jumped as the front door slammed against the wall.

"Esteban, get the healer! Faith, we need warm blankets, towels, anything you can find."

Ebon and Calix led in a group of warriors. In their arms were pups. Some limp and covered in dried blood, others whimpering softly and clinging to the males. Following them was a small group of shock still, hollow eyed teenagers holding each other up.

Shaking off her surprise, Faith ran to get all the supplies she could find. Ripping blankets off of beds she bundled them all together to drop on the living room floor. On her second pass through the house she started water boiling before grabbing first aide kits.

"Ebon, leave the worst for Luch, he should be here soon. Tell me where to start."

Faith was not sure when her brother had arrived. Hours later the cries of pain had finally stopped and all the surviving pups were nestled into blankets around the room. They had only lost two of the injured. A stoic teen who had not told anyone about his injuries until it was too late, and a beautiful little girl who couldn't have been more than three.

The smallest, Micah, lay sleeping in her arms after being fed. He had been treated for exposure and malnutrition. His road to recovery would take time and care. Much like the rest.

The pups showed signs of habitual abuse and neglect as well as obvious signs of acute trauma. Now that they had access to regular meals and shelter from adverse weather they would hopefully begin to heal.

Faith laid Micah down next to Jaden in the playpen and went into the kitchen. The two teams were sitting around the table silently eating the stew she had prepared that morning for lunch.

"How could the council order such a thing, Faith? How could they think we would just blindly follow such a directive?" The flat monotone of Ebon's voice was belied by the abject despair in his eyes.

Looking at the other males, Faith saw the same look of hopelessness. Whatever the council had done it had broken these strong warriors. It had destroyed a part of their souls.

Sitting gently in the free seat next to Calix, Faith laid a comforting hand upon his arm. Using what energy she had left she pulled his sadness into herself, leaving peace behind. With widening eyes the straight laced team leader stared back at her. With a small smile he gently kissed her forehead.