PENUMBRA (how the flowers grow)

28. Alstroemeria

"Devotion and friendship"

Sabina hasn't spoken a word in over a day, hasn't made much of a sound, either. Flix healed her over the course of a few hours and Tuluvey helped her clean up, but she didn't so much as react as much as she just went through the motions and did as she was told.

She hasn't been left alone. Tuluvey stays with her more often than not. When someone deems it necessary for him to take a break, another one takes over or joins him. He hasn't stopped worrying since Flix and Alinrou came and found him, frazzled and covered in filth.

Alinrou and Jitho went out into an alleyway and smashed bottles and crates and came back with split knuckles that Tuluvey healed with a frown. L'gaoia talked to the town guards and reported the damage to the tavern as not their fault. He's not sure they believed her, given their reputations, but she's scary when she's a second away from driving her axe into one of their skulls.

L'gaoia paid the owners of the tavern with money out of her own pocket, her dad's pocket rather, as she also wrote him a strongly worded letter and stomped her way to find the nearest messenger so it could be sent off. Tremas found them a tavern that doesn't have a hole in the roof and they transferred there. Eggel set up a magical shield in hopes that it will offer some protection. Once L'gaoia returned, she picked Sabina up like she weighed nothing and carried her up to her room.

That night, Tuluvey cried into Sabina's lap and she just sat there. Tuluvey doesn't think she knew what was going on, but it's been a couple nights since then and he thinks she has some sense of awareness. She responds and that's good enough even if she doesn't talk.

She eats the food that's put in front of her, pushes the eggs around the plate and occasionally takes a bite. Tuluvey nudges a glass of water closer to her and she picks it up and takes a few sips before continuing to push her food around her plate.

Despite Flix's spells, she looks exhausted.

Xaniphe brushed her hair and she's dressed in some of Alinrou's clothes since her good ones were ruined. The blood came out after a few washes, but Tuluvey quietly slipped the clothes to Xaniphe, who burned them in a bin outside. She's clean and smells strongly of flowers, but that doesn't change the fact she looks dead on her feet.

Her hands tremble, haven't stopped since.

Ag'druch meows at Sabina's feet, begging to be fed. Sabina doesn't even glance down and Tuluvey thinks he might start crying again. Tears well up in his eyes and he chews on his bottom lip. Xaniphe grabs his hand under the table and holds it tightly. She's warm and relatively okay. That comforts him.

It's going to be fine, he tells himself and doesn't believe it.

Breakfast goes by with agonizing slowness, silent save for the clinking of silverware and the occasional dual meow from Ag'druch. Eventually, the cat gets impatient and crawls up onto Sabina's lap. Sabina jumps and slowly starts petting her with shaky fingers. Tuluvey breathes.

Vetsalla's face is twisted up, nails digging into the table. She stands abruptly and goes over so she can sit next to Sabina. She says something in a low voice and Sabina looks over at her, scratching behind Ag'druch's ears.

"Tuluvey," Flix calls, gesturing for him to come over.

Tuluvey stands and whispers to Sabina. "I'll be right back."

She nods and he goes over to Flix. "What is it?"

"Could you come with me to find some better clothes for her?"