[Ridge]
Kadeeth helped me scrub the dirt and blood out of my hair, since I can't see the back of my head to avoid the wound. Then we separated to opposite sides of the pond and bathed. It was extremely refreshing. I don't even remember the last time I spent that much time taking care of my body.
Cony returned and took the three of us back to the GW's camp for breakfast. Apparently, the main reason the Second Chief didn't torture Kadeeth and Tellur last night was because she liked Raforn's supper so much. The Doc managed to buy us enough time for the Viscounts letter to arrive.
I still can't believe Kadeeth's last resort was to sacrifice Raforn because, and I quote, "he's simultaneously the most wanted and least needed member of our party". Even Kadeeth acknowledged our doctor's skill in the kitchen. Though he was still more than willing to use him as a scapegoat...
"Use the damn crutch." Kadeeth complains.
"I'm fine." I push it away when he offers it again. In childlike protest he steps on Tellur's heels, who's walking in front of us on the narrow path. When he fails to get a rise out of the amused elite Knight he gives up, opting to sulk internally instead.
Of course, that doesn't last long, "Are you still mad at me?" He asks as nicely as he can. Tellur snorts. Yeah, I yelled at him too. No one had to get hurt last night. Evidently, if we had talked to them like normal people we eventually would've found out they were the Grey Wanderers and we could've settled the situation a whole lot better.
"I don't know? What would I be mad at you for?" I retort with enough sarcasm to make Raforn proud, "For throwing Raforn under the carriage? Trying to maim a man? Oh! Or maybe for lying to me that I was BALD?!" My voice raises in volume until I'm practically yelling in his face as I list his recent behaviors.
"That's a yes, right? But y'know, I wasn't lying about them chopping your hair. At least I was honest about that part!" He clarifies.
I look up at him exasperated, only to see him smirking teasingly at me. This man will be the death of me. That or vice versa. I mean, there's no way both of us are making it out of this relationship alive.
Tellur shakes his head, speeding up a bit to catch up with Cony. Cony's been uncharacteristically quiet since he came back to find a half-drowned Kadeeth, a fuming Knight, and Tellur trying not to cry in the corner. It's been a chaotic morning.
~*~
The camp has really livened up with us gone. I'll just put most of that on Kadeeth since I was unconscious, and it's clearly always Kadeeth's fault over anyone else's.
The GW's seem to have discovered the delightful hobby of turning Raforn bright red. They're all gathered around the makeshift cafeteria, a graveyard of wooden picnic tables, throwing jokes and compliments at him. When the poor boy sees us returning from our adventure at the spring his eyes light up with relief.
Then, to my astonishment, he appears right beside me and puts my arm over his shoulder. He starts helping me walk over to the seat nearest to his cooking area. Raforn was pretty stubborn before, and always kept his distance. I don't remember any of Tellur and Kadeeth's recounts of last night involving Raforn. What brought about this change?
The others follow us to the table, but before Kadeeth can sit next to me, Raforn cuts him off, plopping a big plate of various meats and potatoes down in front of me before sliding onto the bench beside me. I stare at him until I realize that everyone else is looking at him funny too.
The GW Mercenaries seem to think this means we're close, and they're looking at us like the cutest little creatures they've ever seen are cuddled up next to each other. I'm very confused.
Tellur seems concerned for a minute too before he shrugs and grabs his own plate, settling down across from me. Kadeeth, however, hasn't moved. He's just standing there completely stiff, looking down at Raforn blankly.
"Sit down, Kade." I suggest as casually as I can. For some reason I feel the need to tread easily right now. Some life returns to his face, though not enough to say that he's moved on from the Doc's strange behavior.
"Yeah." He grits out. Then his smile is back in full force and he leaves to serve his own plate. I take the opportunity to question Raforn.
"Soo, what's up with you?" I ask him, trying my best not to sound too weirded out.
"Nothing." He brushes off, shoving a fork full of cooked potatoes in his mouth. I take a page out of Tellur's book and shrug it off. I go to try the food that everyone's already moaning about, but a plate slams down on the table.
It's not Kadeeth consumed by his anger again like I assumed it would be. It's the Second Chief herself. Sileena makes herself at home among our group, even stealing a piece of grilled meat off of Raforn's plate. He responds by grumbling and pushing his food around for a while before hunger overtakes him and he lets it go.
"A rebellion? You four?" She asks dumbfounded, "And somehow you got Viscount Morin involved, so it must be legit." She muses. Footsteps approach behind her.
Tellur scoots down some to make room for Kadeeth to sit, which he does, kicking me under the table in the process. He hits my good leg, intentional I'm sure, and then pretends not to have even felt it. When did I start traveling with a bunch of kids?
I sigh and turn my attention back to Sileena, "It's not just us, we have people gathering to the south. How much did Kedcoe tell you?"
She shifts a bit when I use his first name. It's actually incredible how much power he holds in just the mention of his existence. I wonder how he got there?
"Not much. He never does, but that's what makes a single letter from him so influential. It's such a big deal if that man is willing to share his valuable information with someone. You have no choice but to believe whatever he says, and seek out what he doesn't." She admits.
I think for a minute, "If you believe him, then you believe us too. We need your help."
She hums, "And I'm inclined to give it to you," she shuffles away from Kadeeth, poking him hard with her elbow in the process, "and your friends too I suppose."