The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 13 The Research Excursion

I felt pretty ridiculous having Kyle and Glass practically carry me up to my apartment where Vienna was standing in the hall chatting with Kairos and promptly panicked the moment she saw me. She insisted on playing nurse, though there was little she could do. I slept for a few hours and then feeling bored out of my mind and tired of having Vienna stare at me, I asked her turn on the television.

"In other news, there has been some severe weather in the north near Paleos, with wind gusts reaching up to eighty miles per hour, and category three tornados which have caused damage to hundreds of homes. The King is sending relief workers with aid for those who have lost their livelihood in the freak storms."

"We're a country full of people with elemental wielding abilities and we can't do a darn thing to stop a wind storm."
I shook my head at the irony.

"I bet you could stop or redirect it."
Vienna told me confidently from her perch at the foot of the bed.

"That might be overestimating my abilities, though it would be interesting to try."
I mused.

The newscaster turned the screens over to a reporter live in Paleos, which was located in the Kalnaisk Province. The footage showed large untethered items being blown down city streets and tiles ripped from roofs. The reporter was standing under the eave of a building but seemed to be having a difficult time even standing up as she shouted into the microphone.

"The situation has not improved over the last twenty for hours as previously predicted, but has in fact worsened! A wind storm of this magnitude and length has not been seen for hundreds of years. Our meteorologists are at a loss for the cause of this phenomenon and are working overtime to find the root of the storm. It seems to be blowing in from the wastelands over the wall, but what that means no one knows!"

"You know, I would love to someday see what's really on the other side of the wall. Sometimes I wonder if it's actually a wasteland, or if instead there is something out there that they are trying to hide from us."
I told Vienna.

"I think we have enough trouble within Itova already, no need to go looking for it."

"You say trouble, I say adventure."
I replied with a wry smile.

"Well, we will certainly keep you all appraised of that developing situation as new information arises. In local news, we are quickly approaching the Summer Gala at which our Magna Games competitors will be presented officially for the season."

I groaned and Vienna scrambled for the remote. Neither of us wanted to hear about our lives from the perspective of the ill-informed and easily entertained.

"You know Vienna, it's getting pretty late, why don't you head back to your apartment and get some rest?"
I suggested, wishing to be left alone.

"No, I think I better stay here for the night, what if you need something?"

"You're sweet, but really, I'll be fine. My leg will be completely healed in the morning."

"Well alright, if you're sure."

"I'm sure."

She turned to go but hesitated at the door.

"Do you need anything before I go, a refill on water? A trip to the restroom?"

I knew she meant well but I would have crawled into the bathroom on my hands and knees before I let someone, anyone, help me use the toilet.

"No, no. I'm good, thank you, love."

I breathed a sigh of relief when I finally heard the door close downstairs. I wasn't exactly a social person and I hated being doted on, though I appreciated Vienna's kindness. I shifted in the bed, wincing as the sheet brushed across the tender skin, and tried to rest my eyes, hoping morning would soon arrive.