"How's he doing?" asked Fam, after they had returned with the Dawnbringer.
"Much better, finally," replied Alice, looking forward to the time when she could leave Fam and her many questions, "He even thanked you."
"Really?" asked Fam, shocked "He spoke?"
Alice, for once looked guilty "No, I just said that to... never-mind," she looked away, quickly, blushing.
"Well thank you for the information," Gedrick took Fam by the arm "We'll be off for now."
She shook him off "Can't we go and see him yet? she pleaded.
Alice faltered, "Fine, but be quick."
"Oh thank you, thank you!" Fam rushed up and hugged the saytress. Alice flinched and Fam backed away, quickly opening the door to Orpos' ward... and stopped. Exalndria was sitting beside the oni, holding one of his great hands in her's. INFOS was floating beside her, a blue light projecting from him.
"Exalndria?" asked Fam, surprised to see her friend there.
"Oh," the lexarch seemed to be even more shocked than water nymph "Fam, how are you? And Gedrick, what about you?" she continued, noticing the dwarf.
"We're okay, thank you," replied Gedrick before Fam could say anything regretful "But, why are you here?"
"Scan complete, milady," said INFOS.
"Ah yes, we were just scanning for the concentration spread of Nightfall serum and the Dawnbringer antidote," said Exalndria, flustered.
"Oh, right, of course," continued Gedrick "How did you get in here?"
"Um, we asked the doctors and I suggested that INFOS should have a go at scanning Orpos as um, he's really quite good at it and, um..." she trailed off.
"And what are the results?" pressed Gedrick.
"The concentration spread of the two substances are exactly 50/50," reported INFOS.
"Is that good?" asked Fam, weakly.
Exalndria looked between Orpos, Gedrick and Fam for a second before nodding "It means it's starting to work."
Fam let out a breath of relief "Oh, good," she looked around at her three teammates, "Would you mind giving me a minute, alone?"
"Of course," replied Gedrick, "Come on Exalndria, you can come and show me some more of that flying death contraption you call a plane."
"Um," Exalndria was still sitting beside Orpos, holding his hand. She squinted and shook her head as if clearing away a bad memory "Yes, of course. I think that even you'll be rather impressed with what I've done to it," she stood up, and slipped something into her pocket.
"There's a first time for everything, I suppose," said Gedrick, turning to leave. Exalndria and INFOS followed.
Fam sat down beside Orpos, her blue hair brushing his arm. She gripped his hand and thought for a minute, memories of the past flashing before her eyes: soldiers rushing through a village by a river... three nymphs huddled by the corner of a burning house... the eldest nymph, with white hair, cut down... a soldier carrying away a small nymph with black hair... another soldier approaching the final nymph, a young girl with rippling blue hair... a shadow of a huge creature and a flash of red skin... the soldier was sent flying as a red arm smashed into him... the creature bending down, his four eyes reflecting the fire... a beam from the ceiling falling down and the girl screaming... the creature leaning forward and catching it with a grunt... the creature picking the girl up and carrying her out... the little girl in a hospital ward with the creature sitting beside her...
Fam smiled, "Hmm, I guess its my turn to look after you now, isn't it?" she lent forward and whispered in Orpos' ear "Thank you."
She sat back and waited for Orpos to recover, just like he had for her all those years ago.
* * *
"Is everything alright, Exalndria?" Gedrick turned to Exalndria while cradling a mug of mead.
"Yes, of course it is," replied the lexarch, puzzled "Why wouldn't it be?"
"Well you've been acting jumpy lately, that's all," Gedrick stared at her, trying to read her thoughts "Ever since Orpos got hurt, actually."
Exalndria sighed, "Well that's it, then, isn't it. It's stressful and terrible and depressing. A friend getting hurt I mean."
Gedrick nodded "Yes, yes it is," he brought the mug to his lips and was about to down it when INFOS suddenly started speaking.
"Incoming mission... why won't they let us have a break?..."
Gedrick grimaced, "I suppose I won't be having any mead after all... again," he placed the mug down "What is it INFOS?"
"You have been tasked with going to the Flowing River to retrieve some kraken eggs that, if hatched, could cause damage to the surrounding area. Exalndria, Gedrick, Fam and I are all required to go. Credit reward: 5000 each. Authorization number: 2224 - Missions in the Interest of Natural Preservation."
Gedrick stood up, "I'll go and find Fam and then we can leave, okay? Pack your things."
Exalndria nodded and Gedrick left. She reached into her pocket and took out a small, black key.
"Are there any positive results?" she asked INFOS.
"None yet, milady?" replied INFOS.
The lexarch nodded, "Why is it telling us to go this way?" she gripped the key and went to pack her gear for the mission.
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