An Immortal's Favour

Gale- Reunion

*

"Excuse me? What do you mean you don't have the brew?" I breathed.

"I gave it away."

"To who?!" Jacob flinched as I shrieked.

"Karlton..."

My eyebrows furrowed as I took in his words. "But what use has he for it?"

"I'm so sorry."

Swallowing, I tried to push back my irritation. It was bad of me to feel such a way; I knew Karlton was going through a difficult time, like Abal had been all those weeks prior. But Jacob and I had a situation at hand ourselves, and there's only so much one can worry themselves about at any given time.

"The only thing to do is for me to get more. There should be an access point close by, though it'll take me time to get back."

"Sorry, what?"

"Back. To Danso. Where else would I go to get the brew?" I near snapped.

"I really am sorry." Jacob pulled at the fabric of his trousers.

I stopped myself and tried to smooth the edge to my voice. "It's okay. You were just trying to help him. I apologise. It's just that everything's so muddled now. It doesn't help that I'm so afraid."

"I can understand that," Jacob said, his shoulders sagging in relief.

"I'll set off this evening. I should be back in a few days time."

"Okay." The two of us returned to our work.

At around two, the sun rose a little from behind the clouds. It was already hot, stuffy even, but now the greyness outside gave way to a faint light.

My fingers stiff, I rolled off of the bed, bunching up the green covers. "Break time."

"C'mon, I've only got a few left."

"No. You've been sitting there all day," I chastised, cracking my joints. "Let's explore the mountains. The view from Mount Catava is amazing. After that, we can part ways, and I'll start towards Danso."

"You go ahead. I'll join you later." Jacob continued with his work as I grabbed my bag and a coat, deciding to leave my journal with him; there was no point in me taking it to the Spirit Realm, only to forget it there.

"Fine, Chief Broody. See you soon. Watch over my journal for me."

I tied the sleeves of my coat about my waist as I left the squat little hotel behind, appreciating the cool breeze that occasionally relieved the back of my neck from the churning heat. Swivelling on my heels, I looked back, half-expecting to find Jacob pushing the front door open, coming after me. But my eyes were greeted by the greying sky and the neat flowerbeds of the hotel's garden.

Despite the gloom, people still roamed the paved streets of Dorem's suburbs. The houses- coloured mainly in varying shades of blue, green and grey -laid low over the ground. Waterhoppers sprung from their fountains, finding purchase on others, or on the edges of the wild, black roses and blue dragonfly flowers that sprung up between the foliage.

Though far from quiet, the was a certain air of calm over the city. Even as Mount Catava loomed closer, even as the crowds thickened- attracted to the various stalls around the mountain's base, no doubt -the tranquillity prevailed.

I reached the mountain at last and joined with others who'd started their ascent already. One of them turned towards me, and I waved. She waved back, shifting uncertainly on her feet before returning her attention to another woman.