Tearha: The Number 139

Chapter Forty-Eight: The Wayward

"Was this because we took our time?" Adelaide asked.

"Don't be absurd," Luce replied. "It would have happened either way."

The noise of the room was sang by the soft, gentle breathing of Misti's unconscious body. The girl had grown taller in the year they were locked in time, but the lost of weight from being bedridden had skinned her to a frame of what she once was. Her once short hair had grown out, sprawled across the bed she laid on. Adelle had never met Misti, but according to Luce, the girl was a bubble of excitement that could ricochet from topics to fights with boundless energy. A hard image to picture given her current state.

Josh had move Misti to Port Llamba, where they benefited from the influx of ships and doctors from across the continent that used the port as a way station to Everwind. Despite the varied medical knowledge that flowed into the growing city, none had been able to cure her. Miguel had a world-renowned healer examined Misti only to determine it a neurological damage.

Luce took a seat by her sister's bedside. Taking the younger girl's hand in hers, she rubbed the creases in the knuckles. To Adelaide, she said, "You should go see them off. We'll talk more about our plans later."

Adelaide wasn't sure how to react. Though, sensing the sombre mood, she took the chance and deduced Luce wanted some time alone.

A door out, a flight of stairs down, and a second exit later, she stepped out into a quieting twilight port scene. Stray dock workers, most on breaks and some carrying crates lingered on the waterside stretch sparsely littered the place. Half of the docks were empty, with the last ships leaving for the evening journey and no new vessels coming in till dawn. The winter Twins was rising over the horizon, half cut of their light by the raised ocean. A cold winter wind without snow blew through the place.

From northwards down the port street, The Watcher and Nadier approached, their long coats waving behind them, the latter with his hood drawn up.

The Watcher asked, "How is she?"

"Not good," Adelaide replied. "Apparently it's some sort of brain damage. Miguel said she needs a new-row-surgeon."

"Are there even any on Tearha?"

"No. Miguel said he considered bringing one from Earth, but wasn't sure if they'd be able to operate on half-elves," Adelaide replied. Upon noticing the growing look of concern – and slightly worried The Watcher would drag them into another unneeded adventure with his 'solutions' – she added, "But not to worry, Luce has a plan."

Nadier cocked a brow, an act which was almost impossible to discern under the shadow of his hood and the dark of his skin and hair. "A plan?"

"We're going south, to Citi. Their sciences are more advance. Luce thinks she can get a good doctor there."

"Katoki?" Nadier asked, surprised. When she answered with a nod, he sighed and rubbed the migraine he must be getting. "That's not a plan. That's suicide."

Unknowingly, she smiled. "You're the one who said I should go into their employ. Besides, we'll be fine," she laughed off the dangerous idea. "Josh is coming too, and those two are the foremost experts on this."

"They are the only experts on this! No one else have ever made it across alive!" Nadier exclaimed, slightly loudly and very uncharacteristically. He calmed himself before sighing, "How am I suppose to leave if you're just jumping into trouble again?"

The Watcher cut in, "You're leaving?"

Stunned, the dark elf swapped looks between a surprised Watcher and a confused Adelle, unsure of which track of conversation to continue. Finally, he replied, "Yeah. I'm planning on going north."