“And then it ran away?” Alban stroked his beard.

The whole group stood in the hospital waiting room, scientists not included. Alban’s crew had taken them into custody. Aria, Pan, and Sotir were there, beside Irini.

Irini shifted and looked to the halls with their hospital rooms and three mysterious doors. The emergency lights glowed, and all other lights remained off. Irini felt a little better with others, but the ominous atmosphere stuck around.

Pan said, “She took a tantrum and then, she skulked out of here.” She meant the Soffigen arcane.

Alban smiled. He walked towards the hall. “There was only one man back here, right Irini?”

Irini nodded. That man had quite a few cuts, a head injury, a few broken ribs, and of course, bruises. By some miracle, his body would heal and eventually be fine. But, the memory of being stuffed into a cabinet by an angry, unwell arcane, would probably stick with him for life. Pan said he deserved it. Irini had no opinion beyond fear of the scientist and fear of the Soffigen arcane he’d help to create. She also feared this mini hospital. Irini hugged herself.

“Come here.” Alban beckoned.

Irini searched the room. Alban’s eyes seemed to be on her. She pointed at herself.

“Yes, you,” Alban said. “Come on. Show me around back here.”

Irini tried to catch Aria’s eyes but found Aria occupied with one of Alban’s crew. Aria recounted what she learned from the scientists’ auras, including the possibility that a part-Scaldin individual helped them create Soffigen arcanes.

Irini sought Pan. Pan and Sotir talked. As if Pan could feel Irini’s eyes on her, she turned. Maybe, she had taken a cue from Sotir, who looked at Irini first.

Pan nudged Irini forward. “Go ahead. He asked for you.”

Irini started to follow Alban. He waited at the crossroads.

“Sotir?” Alban called.

“Yes?”

Alban lost the smile he’d worn moments ago. “Both of their arcanes fled into the forest. I’m thinking we shouldn’t let them roam free.”

“You want me to locate them? I think my time is better spent elsewhere,” Sotir said.

“Not now, but later, we should make it a priority.” Alban grabbed Irini’s shoulder as soon as she came within reach. He held her fast.

Irini froze.

Sotir’s voice drifted from the waiting room. “I’d rather leave them. Someone else can decide if they’re a threat.”

Pan spoke, “Let them be. They won’t trouble us, and now that there’s two of them, future scientists might have something interesting to study in a few years.”

“Pan!” Aria scolded.

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Alban stroked his beard. “You said one was male and one female. That could get ugly. I think we should find them.”

Irini felt her toes curl. She didn’t quite understand how two creatures reproduced, Scaldin or otherwise. She had the basics but not the details of how it should all fit together. What Irini lacked was experience.

“I think…” Pan narrowed her eyes and smirked. “Sotir should do a reading as soon as we solve the Era situation. He can look years ahead and see how their peaceful lives play out. He loves that kind of thing. He’ll bring passion to the project.”

Alban raised an eyebrow. “Maybe.”

Sotir straightened. “Must I?”

Irini watched Sotir and Pan. Pan smiled at him, and Sotir strained not to smile back. He succeeded, probably thinking about the two Soffigen arcanes and their futures. He might have to watch them…do it.

Irini’s imagination tried to come up with something along those lines, even though she begged it to stop. Irini worried that someday, when she had more experience, she might picture the two creatures going at it, completely outside of her control.

Irini reached for her own head, ready to push the thoughts back in.

“Irini!” Alban called. “Come on. Let’s have a little walk in here.”

Irini followed Alban. He strode down the hall to the womb room. Irini hated that they’d given it such a crass name. Yet, nothing seemed to fit better.

“These on the side are regular hospital rooms.” Alban pointed to the left as he walked. “They look pretty much the same as anything you’d find on Scaldigir. Though a bit bare.”

Irini nodded, though she walked behind Alban and knew he couldn’t see the motion.

“Now, this one at the end is where they did all their recent work.” Alban crossed the threshold of the womb room, still propped ajar by the doorstop. “Apparently, they made some mistakes when they switched to these.” Alban gestured to the wombs and shook his head. “I know a Captain who started his life in an artificial womb. Imagine if he had these scientists to shepherd him into the world.” Alban crossed his arms.

He studied the cylinders while his crew bustled back and forth. They moved between the womb room and the back room – the one that had been the arcane girl’s prison.

Irini glimpsed small cages and beds beyond the door. She also saw a good deal of blood, uncleaned from when the Soffigen scientist took a beating.

Cameras recorded every angle of the two rooms. Crew searched for records but found only very recent information about feeding and sleep cycles. The two Soffigen arcanes, now in the woods, had been the only recent patients.

“Do you know anyone born from an artificial womb?” Alban asked.

Irini startled. “You mean me?”

“You were born from an artificial womb?” Alban’s gaze snapped to Irini.

“Oh no, I didn’t know if you were talking to me…again.” Irini looked down.

Alban sighed. “Yes, Irini, I’m talking to you.”

Irini shook her head. “I don’t know anyone. My mom really frowns on it.”

Alban circled the central cylinder. “Yeah, well, it’s prohibitively expensive and invasive. I’m not too keen on it myself.” Alban rounded the cylinder and stood before Irini again. “Use your thread please and ask it to find anything necessary to our understanding of Era and her arcanehood.” Alban folded his hands in front of him and waited.

Irini asked her thread: Everything that has a connection to Era?

The thread led back through the door. It traveled down the hall, through the hospital, to some other room.

Irini turned. She looked back at Alban. Then, she started to walk. She heard his footsteps behind her. Irini followed the thread. It led to the crossroads. Then, it split into three. One fragment led to a single hospital room; another led to the lab, and the final fragment led to the closed door, the one that had been locked by key card. Irini looked down that hall and saw the door open. The interior looked dark.

“There?” Alban pointed down the hall.

“Well…that hospital room, the lab, and…there.” Irini nodded towards the mysterious door. “What’s in there?”

“Underground hot spring. I guess Era’s mom used it.” Alban started for the lab.

“Why a hot spring?”

Alban stopped. “You want to have a look?” He turned and headed for the mystery door.

Irini took a reluctant step. Then, she hurried to follow. “What’s it used for?”

“Pain management.” Alban glanced at Irini. He narrowed his eyes. “How much of a biology lesson have you had?”

Irini kind of shrugged.

Alban made a sound of weariness. “I think…oh good. A couple of female researchers. You can ask them any questions you have.” Alban crossed the threshold and stood in the presence of the researchers, with a smug expression on his face.

The women paused but finding no orders forthcoming, they resumed their work.

Irini crossed the threshold and found herself in a cave. The space opened up to reveal several pallets and a steaming underground pool. Her mouth fell open.

“It’s natural,” a woman said. “Those tunnels probably go up to the surface. They’re also natural. We think the Soffigen found this place first and decided to build their arcane factory near it.”

Irini felt her eyes narrow. “Why?”

The woman stood up straight. “Well…advertising your program to make Soffigen arcanes with a hot spring is probably more successful than if you don’t have a hot spring. Pretty much anything you could want to do would be improved by the presence of a hot spring.”

“Oh.” Irini nodded along.

“Visiting officials probably used it,” the other woman added. “There’s also evidence that they filled bottles of water with it and used that for pain management. It’s just a nice perk. They wanted to set up a research facility with some extras, and they got lucky.” The woman directed her next statement to Alban. “Should we explore much further.”

Alban shook his head. “No time. I don’t want anyone down here when Era arrives. I know it’s a hot spring and all, but let it be.” Alban approached Irini and put a hand on her shoulder. “Looks like your thread only found the places Era’s been. All the records and important bits regarding her and Soffigen arcanehood must be at the storehouse. I’ll check the lab once more, but you’re done Irini. Go have a rest.”

Irini headed for the hot spring exit. She felt heat leave her hair as she rushed for the door. Irini crossed into the hall. She heard Alban and the two researchers speaking. She almost stopped in the crossroad but made her feet go on.

Irini wondered if she’d asked her thread the best question. She asked for everything with a connection to Era. She couldn’t remember if she included Soffigen arcanehood in that request. Irini almost asked the question again – with the refinements. She stopped herself. If Irini made a mistake, she didn’t want to know.