Starting a day in a medical bed was beginning to be far too familiar for Celia these days. While it was true that she much enjoyed the life on the road, full of adventures and excitement, the encounter with Thanatos reminded her of something. No, not reminded. It just made it much clearer the dangers of simply being what she was. And now, her son was also in the midst of this dangerous storm forming around each of them. It is untold who will be claimed inside its rain and winds. Even the pendant is large of little use to her. As she looked down at her hands, covered in gauze, she could feel the faint, but alarming, pulse of pain in her arms. She dreads to see what they looked like. It was horrific when she saw what the pendant did to James. And for such a weak attack, she is surprised that she and the rest were not dead.

Yes, her son is now pulled into the storm and must learn to navigate through it with or without her. Their mere existence endures that any sense of normalcy is forevermore gone. They will live the rest of their lives waiting for something to come, or they will have to seek the danger themselves. Lyse always had that spirit. Always had the courage to do what he thinks needs to be done. And when she saw him, helpless beneath a Plithos ready to end him, something dark and painful formed in her stomach. This was what their decisions had come to. She can live with having caused the death of an innocent girl. As hard as it is to admit it, she can live without Wilbur. Celia has prepared herself for that. But she can not live without her children. That is why she is back in this sickening game now, for her daughter

If Lyse would have died, and it was confirmed that there was nothing she could do to save her daughter, she doesn't see a way where she could live on. Even in the comfort of her sister, or Remmus or James. The only solace would probably be revenge, something that in itself will kill whatever made her who she is. It was a scary thought to her, and one she did her best to push aside.

She looked over to see her armor laying in a pile on a bed opposite the small room. The door was closed and barred, and the windows closed shut so that the only light was from the two candles at her bedside. If this was a doctor's house, she could at least feel safe here. For the time being. A doctor would never let anything happen to their patient, especially ones in critical conditions. And guards are a must if he wasn't at their side right then. Celia leaned up, not straining as she was expecting, though moving her arms was more of a chore. She removed the gauze, sure that her healing ability would have ridden any after-effects by now. She paused once she got a peek at her palm. A green spot had formed, almost encompassing the entire palm now. Her fingers felt numb, and she hoped that was just a side effect of whatever balm or salve the doctor used. From her hand, veins of verdant green snaked along with her finger, and down half of her forearm, before they eventually faded. Even now, she could see the veins reversing, but at an excruciatingly slow pace. From what she can tell, it'll take a week to recover. An entire week just for that one attack. It was her fault. This was little in repentance, and she could accept that. Although now, she felt the power of the pendant far better than she ever had before. Before, she could faintly feel it's power for probably a few hundred paces. But now, she was acutely aware of exactly how far away it was from now, and how fast it traveled away. It was eerie. She could feel the pull as well. A calling to be whole, to be completed. It pulled her in that direction.

She did her best to ignore it, but it was impossible. Like having all of the ocean crashing upon your ears. And for a Thirian, with quite the set of senses, she didn't dare try to get up and walk until she can adjust to this new seventh sense she has developed. She clenched her fists, ignoring the sharp pain it brought, and focused on that on its own. It was difficult, but she pushed that sense to the back of her mind, away from the forefront as a distraction.

Is this what it is like, James? she asked sorrowly. We still misunderstand you, don't we?

The door opened, and Celia was ready to jump up to defend herself. But she was only met by a porcelain mask of a boar, empty sockets looking at her with an immediate appraisal. Behind the doctor was Elena and Gray, who seemed to have had a conversation just before the doors opened. Elena had that same look, trying to assess her. From the way she straddled her sword, she was more tense than usual. Celia figured her to be far more of the cold and collected type, but this is something else. Gray at least was unchanged from last she saw him, still attentive. They all came into the room, and closed the door once more, surrounding her on her small bed.

"Taking liberties aren't we?" The doctor asked, referring to the gauze she had peeled back and hastily rewrapped. "Well, it seems you are doing better than before. I did not expect another of you to come here of all times, but it is certainly a worthwhile surprise."

"'Another'," she echoed, furrowing her brows. That question had yet to appear. Just how was he able to treat her at all. Does that mean he has worked on another member of Theurgy before? Maurice. "Thank you, kind sir. I feel well enough to stand at least. And my arms are numb, but that's all."

"Numb," the doctor repeated hollowly. "Well if you're fine enough to walk, you may be on your way. The treatment is done, there is no further assistance I could give anyway. I even went to the Assembly at the center of town to see if they had anything to heal those wounds of yours. But they held their teeth clenched."

"Assembly?" Gray asked.

"He means that large black stone fortress at the center of town," Elena told him. "We have one in every city. Remember the one I took you to a year or two ago."

"That book place?" Gray asked. "Sorry books really aren't my choice of poison. Speaking of which, we just got back from a tavern close by. Lyse and Edlund managed to arrange us a ride downstream. An Outland vessel. He says it'll take about five days to get to the Bay."

"Just five?" Celia asked.

"I know. I rather not, but it's our only way. Edlund didn't seem all that bothered, nor did Lyse."

"Than the man must be trustworthy," Celia pulled over to sit on the bed. "Lyse has good trust in character. If he believes that this man won't turn around to stab us all in the back and leave us at the bottom of the river, I trust him. Is that all that happened while I was out?"

"Besides him jumping down a well, no not all that much happening," Elena went over to gather the things they brought, slinging the bags over her shoulder. "As much as it pains me, I rather we get going. They're waiting at the docks for us now with the outlander. They're sitting ducks, but at least they're in the open."

"Alright then," Celia turned last to the doctor. "Again, thank you for your treatment doctor. If I may ask, the man with the same afflictions as I had, when did he get his treatment."

The doctor scratched at his palms anxiously. "You mean the last with those scars. Mmm, I say a decade ago perhaps. Maybe a little less. I remember like it was yesterday. The bastard came in covered with wounds. Nothing special. But when I healed him, the thing around his neck wouldn't let me. Some magical amulet or whatever. Had to take it off to do it. And those scars. They wouldn't go away no matter what I used on him. Was he a friend of yours, miss?"

"Yes, he was," Celia said. "A close one. I knew he'd end up back here of all places. Pumavut was always him home."

"Then I guess a sorry isn't in order. He was claimed by that well in the middle of town. The one that enraptured anybody near to take the plunge. So repulsive. We never recover the bodies, cause anytime we send someone down, they never returned. Another was claimed just this morning. May his ancestors bring him mercy."

"Mercy indeed," Celia sighed. "Please give him mercy."

There was a small knock on the door as they were preparing to leave. The doctor opened and greeted as two knights, the same pair from before, stepped into the somewhat cramped room, and immediately locking their attention upon familiar faces. They seemed a bit annoyed that two were missing, Lyse and Edlund, but this would not take long. Then they saw the one they did not initially recognize and became still almost immediately. Especially the one with the thin scar, the older man, nearly withdrew from the room and backing into the wall behind him. The woman stared intently as if disbelieving who was before them. Celia knew why, but Elena and Gray exchanged a perplexed look with one another as they stumbled for words.

"You,?" The woman asked incredulously. "Impossible. It can't be. There is no possibility someone like you would be here."

"What do you mean by that?" Elena asked them, then turned to Celia perplexed. "Do you recognize these two Celia?"

Celia shook her head, but a small sigh did escape. Before she could speak, however, it was the man who spoke, his whispery deep voice leaving as nervous sputters. One would think he'd have his hand on his sword. His tone shifted from amazement to outright fright, like some beast did some sort of trick to impress him.

"No, but we know of her," he scoffed at the two of them. "Children these days. Your father has failed you in not telling you of warriors of greatness."

"A warrior of greatness?" Gray shrugged. "Doesn't bring anything to mind I'm afraid."

"They are referring to the war," Celia finally said, crossing her arms as she looked disdainfully at the floor. "I fought in it of course, alongside my husband."

"More than that," the woman attested. "Celia Opal, you were a legend during the war. Even when Koraki was the enemy of Liontari, news of your triumphs was on everyone's ears. You led many armies on your own. My brother even fought with you over the Shared Pass. But then, almost as soon as the war ended, you disappeared. Where did you go?"

"I need not be reminded of my accolades," her stare at the ground grew even more intensely. "I disappeared because I was no longer needed. Now if you excuse me, we have somewhere to be."

I need not sound bitter, she thought to herself. I knew that I'd be recognized. The younger knights may not know much, but those who fought in the war are well aware of us still.

"Well," the man said. "We came to tell you more of those who attacked you this morning. That's why we came. They all still showed signs of healing even after all that punishment. One even managed to completely back an arm. We came to ask if there's any more you can tell us about who they are, and what they want."

"They're monsters," she told them. "Simple as that, monsters. And if you know what's good for the lot of you, you'll burn those bodies and sprinkle their ashes down a well."

She brushed past the pair, heading to the dark street lit by thin light. She rather forgets her time on the field. Of course, all those battles were covers to some extent. Meant to hide the purpose of finding and eliminating plithos at those times. The extraordinary explained with mages and spells and such. And traveling with the future king of nature assured that she would be well-spoken amongst a lot of higher ranks. She was good friends with many of the knights in Broken Arrow, who vowed to keep her past a secret. Even the common folk who cared to know of her name, would not know her face unless told outright. She tried her best, but anything short of living out in the middle of a desert will assure her secrecy. Now it will get out that she was once spotted at a city called Pumavut on the river.

How troublesome, she thought

"Wait," the female knight attempted to stop her, but she ignored them. With the sense in the back of her head, throbbing, she could tell exactly where Lyse and the pendant were now and began to walk in that direction, Gray and Elena following with confused looks passing through everyone. Even the guards, who were sitting at a small table inside, poked their heads out after the knights walked out. "Tell me, what of your husband. He was a friend of King James, yes. What of him."

She paused, her grip tightening again against her bag straps. She did not turn to them, and In a few heartbeats, she began walking again.

"That is none of your concern," she spoke. "I have much more important matters to attend to. I bid you a fair night."

(X)

The night scene of Pumavut was very much different than the day, as Lyse expected it to be. No matter how lovely a place was, the terrors that lurked outside those castle walls will still be any liveliness freely expressed. Not many walked the winding night's streets, a handle being spotted here or there quickly shuffling through what little business they had. A lamplighter walked the streets to alight the cobblestone road in full orange light, looking up the sky now and again as he moved. Lyse glanced one last time at the dark building in the distance, now seeming natural as its figure slowly faded into the darkening sky. Faintly he could see dozens and dozens of figures climbing down from the sky to the very top of towers, Thirians returning from patrols. Lyse kept his eyes mostly on the shadows, however, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.

Meanwhile, Edlund and the outlander, who revealed to them his name was Albun, were steeped in conversation. Edlund liked to talk to anyone who wasn't from the clans. Because Broken Arrow was so deep into the clans, it was extremely rare for an outlander or Hathian to travel so far. He had plenty of questions of how the world was elsewhere, which Lyse listened to passively for an answer. And Albun was readily handy. He was a polite man, and he most likely would be able to decline if he could. He told them many things, from what his home was like and the places he has had the joy of going to.

"My people have a tradition," he explained. "We call it Permidí in my native tongue. At a certain age, we would travel to become citizens of other nations to bring back wealth or knowledge. I left almost eleven years ago. I was in training to be a scholar and a scribe for our courts. I came here to study at one of the famous schools and under brilliant minds. But my fortune has not been kind. The little I brought here was taken by thieves, bandits on the road. When I did arrive, there was little I could do. I could only afford tuition for two years, not enough to secure any sort of high position. And I do not wish to return home in disgrace. So I work as a ferryman, till I can pay for the tuition once more."

"Bandits huh," Edlund tried to sound sympathetic, but he could not hide much of his fascination. "You don't have knights or anybody to protect people on the road?"

Albun shook his head. "No. The closest we have is the military elite soldiers, all of which are from Shi'Ased and rarely assist civilians without government ties."

"Must be hard to get trade out then," Edlund remarked. "We may be knights now, but we were farmers growing up. Other herders and shepherds always asked squires to protect them when heading to just the town over."

Albun's eyes widened in shock. "Farmers? How is that possible? I believed only nobility could be such a thing."

"No," Edlund said proudly, a grin on his face. "If you're skilled enough, you can be a knight like that. Nobility usually gets to the top though, because they have better access to trainers and instructors. And you have to learn how to write and read, which can be a real pain in the ass."

Lyse chuckled to himself. "You had to retake it, and have my mother tutor you herself when you were home."

"Oh trust me, I rather take another class in etiquette and proper speaking than anymore reading lessons from your so kind mother Lyse. Now that I know she's safe, makes a lot more sense how she can hit so hard."

There was a bit of movement in the alley adjacent to them, between a storehouse and a small shack. It was fairly nearby and appeared to be keeping pace with them. Edlund hadn't shown yet that it had spotted them, nor did Albun. But Lyse was ready to attack the heartbeat. And if it was Makhai, he was prepared to flee. Thankfully, his instincts proved to be wrong, as it was merely a man in a cloak, a short sword in hand as he charged from an alleyway, directly towards Edlund. Lyse felt actually relieved. After impenetrable lions, supernatural death assassins, and the weight of gods and monsters weighing upon his shoulders these last few weeks. It was tea to the heart to see just a regular man with a sword, simply trying to kill for money. He didn't bother unsheathing his blade. He just held up a hand.

"We are knights of the empire," Lyse said patiently. "Surrender now or-"

He was unable to finish the practiced words, as Edlund just grabbed the man by his collar and threw him into the nearest pole. The metal bend as the man hit it with a sickening thud, and the blade falling at Edlund's feet. The satisfied smile on Edlund spoke enough. Diplomacy wasn't his way of the sword. Another man leaped from the shadows to their left. Albun was cowering behind Lyse, which put him immediately in the sights of his attack. But instead of a dagger or sword, he pulled out a small wooden and metallic object, like a pipe connected to a curve hilt. Lyse knew what it was but never saw one up close. Still, he grabbed the wrist of the man and shattered it before the pop and smoke left the barrel of this gun. He watched the pebble-sized bullet leave the chamber and moved aside to let it strike a building instead. These were guns. He had yet to experience one, only told of their use by the Hathan military very recently. They were common further south, produced by the many factories in Hath, using the mysterious black powder that explodes. They are military tested, but not yet widely used outside cannons. He threw the man to the ground as he clutched his broken hand. The barrel bent easily as Lyse bent it, throwing it into the waters just thirty paces away.

"If you wished to be surprising, perhaps take your shots from the shadows instead of charging me head-on," Lyse told him.

Edlund kicked the man who he had just thrown. There was a painful grunt as he rolled to his stomach, and didn't move. But at least he was alive. Edlund bent down and placed a hand onto his shirt, and immediately the man's shirt began to glow, becoming rigid. Edlund had just altered its attribute with aura to become as heavy as steel. The man might as well be wearing a metal vest. He took the sword the man carried, a steel blade probably stolen or purchased illegally. It bent easily as Edlund twisted it in his hands, tossing it into the river as well. "Knew someone had to be following. The streets get pretty desperate this time at night. You think we never got mugged before?"

"It's fine Aldun," Lyse soothed him. "We will protect you. Say, which boat is yours again? We should get ready so we don't have to wait when our companions come. Besides, who knows what other dangerous men dwell in these. narrow streets."