PENUMBRA (how the flowers grow)

36. Sweet Pea

"Blissful pleasure, thank you for a lovely time"

It's after the last job that the Goldhands take that makes Tuluvey wonder if maybe it's time to give up adventuring, at least for the time being. He lost Muin to a battle on the road, and after a fight with a band of ruffians which leads to Sabina bleeding profusely from a horrific gash on her side, Tuluvey becomes uncomfortably aware that the same thing could happen to her. He knows life on the road is tough and that anyone could die at any time, but, as he scrambles to her side and frantically presses his hand to the open wound, he has a revelation.

I don't think I want to do this anymore.

His magic flows out of his fingers and the wound thankfully seals up, but there's too many reminders and the panic in his brain doesn't quite calm down even once he knows she'll be okay. His hands are slick with blood and her vest has a slash in it. Her entire left side is soaked. Jitho's crying doesn't help, either.

"I'm fine," Sabina says, trying to soothe them both, but her voice is frantic because she's not very good at it. "Jitho, I'm okay. Tuluvey healed me up."

"That could have killed you,"‌ Jitho bawls, latching onto Sabina's side and only loosens her grip when she remembers that Sabina would still be sore.

"And it would have killed you if I didn't step in."

Jitho sobs harder and Sabina awkwardly pats her on the head, face pensive and stressed. It might be funny under different circumstances, ones that don't involve near death or Tuluvey being so close to joining Jitho in her litany of sobs.

"It's okay,"‌ Sabina assures, trying to take on a calmer tone.

Flix speeds over, armed with a spell. They drop to the ground, wings folding up against their body. They press their hand to Sabina's already healed side and relax when they find that she's not on the brink of death. They shoot a worried look at Jitho and rest their hand on her shoulder.

"What happened?" Tremas inquires, coming over to check on them.

"Sabina took a scythe full on to the fucking side, that's what," Alinrou says from where he's slumped against a tree.

Gods, Tuluvey thinks, jumping. I forgot he was there.

"I'm all right," Sabina says and Tremas scoffs.

"She saved Jitho's neck, big time,"‌ Alinrou continues.

Tremas gives Sabina the fae blessing before helping Alinrou up. Flix heals Alinrou up, as the poor guy was thrown into a tree. Golems, unfortunately, have a great deal of strength.

Everyone takes some time to recuperate before preparing to keep going. Eggel has to use a mending spell on the wagon wheel, as it's cracked down the middle. Maple and Bluebell are thankfully unharmed and ran off into the trees but didn't stray too far. Xaniphe lights the bodies on fire and they leave the scene of the crime with some stolen goods (is it stolen if the owners are dead and they tried to kill you?).

Tuluvey insists Sabina sit in the wagon and it doesn't take much convincing to get her to do so. Jitho lingers, still glued to Sabina's side. She lays her head in Sabina's lap and Tuluvey leans up against Sabina's side. With one hand, she grips Tuluvey's hand and strokes Jitho's hair and velvety ears with the other.

Tuluvey rests his head on Sabina's shoulder and she sets her chin on his head. He closes his eyes and strokes her hand with his thumb. The wagon ride is too bumpy to get very comfortable in, but somehow, Jitho manages to fall asleep.