REVOLUTION: A Rebel Among Monsters ✔

Thirty••Poisons And Enemies

The group arrived at the Lair, Lexa in front, Wylan and two others carrying the still semi-unconscious Melaynia in the middle, and Valnia and a wobbly Adilo bringing up the rear.

Another bunch of recruits met them in the Entrance—Valnia recognized them at once.

They were supposed to head south!

"Why are you back?" she asked, as Lexa peered around anxiously, her shoulders stiff and straight.

One recruit lowered his chin. "We... confronted a large band of rebels and lost our supplies to them."

Another fanned her face with her mask. "We barely glimpsed the pink-ish barrier before being forced to return. We're lucky our carriage was intact... we made it without any trouble."

Lexa nodded, accepting their story, but said nothing.

"Rebels... everywhere." Valnia sidled by Wylan and stared at her sleeping sister. "It's like... they expected us. Like someone warned them we planned to invade the Forbidden Side from all cardinal points."

"True," Wylan huffed, wincing as he readjusted Melaynia in his arms, "but thank goodness there are no records of rebel camps in the east and west. Those groups should reach their goals."

Melaynia muttered something, stirring, eyelids fluttering but not opening.

Lexa clapped for everyone's attention, and all stood on alert for her orders. "Wylan, and those carrying her, take Melaynia to an Infirmary and stay there until I meet you. Valnia... go with them." She focused on the others. "South group, come with me. We must talk with the Monsters who aren't in the tunnels." She removed her mask; her cheeks were scarlet, her lips nearing blue, and her gray eyes filled with more fear than Valnia had ever seen.

Without further ado, all obeyed her commands.

Wylan, flanked by the two recruits, hauled Melaynia towards Valnia's preferred Infirmary. The Healer on duty was prepared for them when they burst inside—she'd cleared an exam room and table, and they deposited Melaynia on it.

"She's been mumbling and moving," said Valnia, as the Healer swept a wet towel over Melaynia's face, neck and arms, and took her vitals.

"Thank you," the Healer continued with her business, shooing everyone out.

Biting her lip, Valnia turned away as tears rushed out of her eyes. To see her sister in such bad shape, drained, pale, tiny as if she hadn't eaten in months... she had no way to refrain from crying.

My poor Mel... this is my fault.

Wylan led her out, sussurring in her ear about getting cleaned up.

***

They bathed and changed and returned to the Infirmary. Seconds after they entered, the Healer mentioned Melaynia had woken up.

"Don't overwhelm her," the woman said, moving from the doorway separating them from Melaynia's recovery bed in her private room.

Disregarding the request, Valnia rushed to her sister's side and brushed a few stray brown locks from her forehead. "Mel," she sniffled, "I was so worried." She'd controlled her tears after her bath, but they were about to resurface.

Melaynia blinked, taking in her surroundings. "Where... am I? Am I... home?" She was quiet, her voice croaking, painful.

"If by home you mean the Lair, then... yes." Valnia's hand rested on Melaynia's cheekbone, reveling in her warmth. She was alive. "You... came back to us. To me."