The Isbjørn

Twenty-one

John made good on his promise. With noon he was out of bed and slowly pacing down the stairs. Had anyone seen him, he certianly would have been turned around. Aranea only caught his escapade as he was coming down the last step.

"You should not be up."

He slowly eased himself down to sit on the final step. If not for the cane, he certianly would not have made it. "My good leg was getting ready to atrophee." He was slightly winded but holding strong. John was just as frustrated with his own body as Aranea.

"How much do we really need THIS Isbjørn?" It was clear he was joking. He had a short attention span but he knew the importance of completing a task- especially one of such magnitude.

"Really? You seemed to like him."

"He's trouble." Between his baggage with Wayland and his first attempt to flee, Daire had almost become more trouble than his worth. But he had also had his redeeming moments between taking down the silver creature that attacked them outside of Theodosia and coming through when he was asked to watch over Aranea.

"You are twice the trouble and I put up with you." She spoke flatly but clearly intended humor. "He seemed to like you at least."

"You think?"

She was blatantly appealing to his ego. "We need him, John. You are not setting a foot on their land without him."

John let out a sigh. "Just thought I'd get a second opinion." He rose with the help of the handrail before taking up the cane. Aranea stood by, waiting to steady him.

"Captain Glass, glad to see you beating around." Dr. Rather came around the corner. It was actually the first time he had seen the doctor all day and judging by the way he carried his bag he had only appeared to say his salutations.

John had given up the fight on his title between the Hansley's, their maid, and the doctor. John pointed toward the bag. "Leaving us so soon?"

"Blessedly." Dr. Rather was decidedly more fond of the city than a small township like Easthaven. He would be glad to leave.

"Thank you for all your help." Aranea would not admit it, but truly had the most to lose. If not for Dr. Rather she would have lost John. Had he been any other type of man he would have revealed her to the Hansleys.

He nodded. "I've left you a month's supply of supplements. Keep to a high iron diet. Limit any intensive exercise." The doctor gave his instruction passively, fully realizing John would do whatever he pleased regardless of what he said. He could not let himself take it personally. Once a patient was out of his care their well being was out of his hands. "Once you run out you can take the bottle to anyone and-"

John was visibly tuning out.

"Captain, these supplements will continue to be necessary as long as you allow her to feed from you."

Aranea intervened. "We will not likely be in this realm in the next-"

John shot her a look. She knew very well that their mission was meant to be under raps and of everyone she was best bound to secrecy.

The doctor figured out the rest, even though she had been cut off. He knew of their situation. One was missing from their party and a missing Isbjørn was a big deal in such an unforgiving province. "Wise. I imagine you'll be going after your friend first?"

"Obviously."

He nodded. "Leaving the continental realm is very wise given your circumstances. We are on a verge of a secondary genocide." His eyes switched between the two of them. "Where is your intended destination?"

Aranea looked to John, allowing him to answer as he wished.

"We have buissness in Iaran'talamh."

"Good luck to you, then." The message flagged his departure. Dr. Rather moved away from the pair. He had a good sense that their was more to their story than either was willing to tell and if there ever was a time that their paths crossed again he would have liked to take the time to hear it.

John watched him go. "Anyway..." He turned his body to Aranea. "I think I know where Daire is."