Puppet {ManxMan}

CHAPTER 41

"Everyone is pretty on edge because of what Rhett said," Cass was explaining, standing in the training arena with Ian in front of him and me sitting on a bench on the side of the matt, "We've gone on overdrive looking for the Fer-de-Lance in every crevice. If that guy really got back with all the information, including where we're located, then it could end very badly."

"So people think they'll come to hit us directly?" I asked, and Cass nodded.

"That's the good theory. The bad one is they went to the Con Rồng, which would be about a hundred times worse," he reached out to steady Ian as he was staggering, gripping his walking stick with both hands, his eyes wide, "How's Dakota?"

I looked down and shrugged, "Better. He isn't staying in bed all the time now and he's eating again. I'm hoping he'll join us later for dinner or come down to the arena or something. He can't hold up in his room forever."

"I hear that," Ian said, and I rolled my eyes, watching him stand straighter and reach the long pole out to feel around the matt, trying to get a feel of the area, bumping against Cass' legs before smacking them hard enough for Cass to jump.

"Ey, watch it, that hurt."

Ian just smiled with a hum, "Did it?" he asked, holding the pole up and tapping his fingers over it, seemingly deep in thought, "You know, Beth's favorite comic book character was Daredevil," he grinned, "Maybe I can take the part on?"

"Good luck," I said, a little humored at the idea, but I wasn't going to discourage him.

If he thought he could function in the military as a blind vigilante who fought with a metal walking stick, then that was fine with me. As long as he could be independent and proud of himself again. I was already happy seeing him trying hard like this, it was really nice to see him thinking of ways he could get back to doing what he used to, despite his handicap.

"Hey," Arthur's voice called and we looked over to see him walking towards us, looking tired.

For once Malachi wasn't glued to his side, and I frowned at his absence, "Where Malachi?"

"Resting, finally," Arthur sighed, "We both haven't been sleeping much. He's so on edge because of the Fer-de-Lance, and I'm still trying to get Gale to speak. That's why I'm here, I can't find him."

"Gale?" Arthur nodded and I stood up, "What happened?"

"I wish I knew," Arthur shrugged, "He hasn't eaten in days, he won't sleep, I finally got him to at least lay down and I fell asleep sitting with him, but when I woke up he was gone. I've been looking everywhere for him, I'm worried. He's so spacey who knows where he could be?"

I nodded, looking down at my feet before lifting my head back up, "Want some help?"

Arthur looked exhausted, "Would you?"

"Yea, I'll look around outside."

"Thank you," Arthur sighed, rubbing at his face and turning away as I gave Cass a two fingered salute and followed after him.

Gale had been acting more out of it than usual ever since Jayden, but I wasn't surprised. He'd been really attached to the pilot, literally the only one who seemed to be able to understand his airheaded tendencies and the weird looks he would sometimes get. He was Gale's rock, and with him gone, Gale was probably so confused.

The two most important people to Jayden were Gale and Kailas, and though he didn't say it outright at the time, the look in his eyes when he said their names was enough for me to guess what he was trying to say. He was asking me to look after them both; and I promised I would, I said I understood and made a vow to myself that I would look after them both.