As soon as Shalt and the others were awake they were checked over to make sure they were truly okay. Once they were given a clean bill of health, Shalt asked about Lana since he didn't see her anywhere. The four of them were then briefed on what happened after they fell asleep.
Shalt was significantly alarmed and jumped off the bed he was sitting on. "Where is she?"
"Lana? Last I saw, Sil took her to the Cursed Ship to be treated. Dobin went after making sure you guys were okay."
Shalt was moving before the apprentice healer finished speaking. When he got to the infirmary of the ship, she was already gone. He waited a while for a healer to enter the empty room.
The healer was shocked to see there was someone there. The man she saw wore sunglasses but he looked distraught. The left bow of his sunglasses was hanging off his ear. She saw his eye was glowing red and took a step back.
"Ca … Can I ..help you?" she stammered.
Seeing her reaction, he took a moment to calm down. Shalt then realized he had knocked his sunglasses askew and fixed them. "I was looking for Lana. Have you seen her?"
"What does she look like?"
"She's about," he held up a hand to his chest, palm down, "this tall, blond ponyt…. Forest green ponytail and wings. She just discovered a transformation ability and prefers it over her normal form."
"Oh! That explains it! A man took her home not long ago. She's fine. She just needs rest."
"Thank you!" Shalt said as he ran out the door, back to the teleporter and back home. He had to wait for the tree to open because it didn't have time to react. Inside, he found Lana asleep on her bed with Caser cuddled up to her. He peeked into the nursery and the babies were napping as well.
Overwhelmed with guilt as if he was somehow responsible for anything that happened, he pulled a chair up to the side of her bed, sat down and took her hand in both of his. Caser woke up and yawned a lazy yawn upon seeing who woke him. He stood and stretched.
"Caser, did you get bigger?"
The maccavity seemed to smile and nod. He then waived his new tentacles to show them off.
"Did you … evolve?" Shalt asked.
Caser's grin could have rivelled the Cheshire cat.
Shalt smiled back at him. "I'm glad something good came out of this."
Caser jumped off the bed then looked at Shalt. With his two front tentacles, he pointed at Shalt then at the ground.
"You want me to stay here?"
Caser nodded then left without waiting for a response.
Some time later, Shalt heard the cries of a baby behind him. He was going to respond but he heard Dawn's voice calming the child, apparently Owen. He continued staring at the person he took responsibility for, for helping her and making sure she had what she needed. Not only did he fail himself but he failed the Tenth Leader. Will Quinn recall me for this?
Shalt sat there, drowning in self-deprecating thoughts about how maybe he deserved to be recalled when Caser returned. This time, he wasn't alone. Just behind him was a dark gray beast that looked exactly like him in every other way, just less tentacles. Shalt did a quick count. Advanced tier.
Caser smiled at him showing off every sharp tooth he had. The other cat looked nervous, eyes darting around. She was a bit round around the middle-back half of her body.
Shalt stared at her making her feel even more uncomfortable. He then looked at Caser. Before he could say anything, he heard a groggy voice, "Caser, do you have a girlfriend?"
Shalt quickly spun around to see Lana sitting up on her elbows. She was blinking her eyes as if trying to make sense out of what she was seeing. She tried to sit up more but discovered she was sitting on a wing and had to move her butt first.
"It's good to see you're okay, Shalt. You had me worried!"
"I had you worried? You had me worried!"
Lana chuckled as her eyes once again settled on Caser's friend. She suddenly realized she could hear her.
I don't belong here.
Lana was shocked and heartbroken to hear that and responded, Yes, you do.
The cat backed up a step, clearly shocked.
Lana smiled at her. Do you have a name?
I… I do not…. She looked at Caser, unsure of what was going on.
Can I name you?
She nodded, It would be an honor.
"Griddlebone." Lana said out loud. "Does that sound okay?"
She nodded saying the name to herself in her head. You aren't going to hunt me?
We don't hunt your species. I have forbidden it. I authorized only specific beasts for that. If there is ever a problem, please let me know.
I have been hunted… Griddlebone turned to show a scar on her left flank.
Lana climbed out of bed and placed her hand on the old wound. I'm sorry for this. There is another place where humans live. I do not control them. May I suggest you move to the other side here? You'll be safe.
Her eyes were filled with disbelief but Caser nodded encouragingly.
Wait. Are you The Plantwell?
Lana shook her head, that was my mother. I never knew her.
Neither did I but I heard she was friendly toward beasts.
I'm glad to hear it. Lana smiled.
Lana was feeling dizzy and it was beginning to overwhelm her so she sat on the side of her bed, rubbing her head.
Shalt got her a glass of water.
"What's the last thing you remember?"
"I was fighting a demon-tier beast… One that recognized my mother's sword and asked me who killed The Plantwell. Sil was closing up the entryway she used so we could focus on the fight. I… I used my soul weapon?" She looked around. "Did Sil go back to the ship?"
"I don't know. I went there looking for you but didn't go looking for him when I was told you were here."
"Is that my sister's voice I hear?" Lana heard from the other room and heard two sets of footsteps approaching.
Dobin and Fiza both entered the room looking exhausted but happy. "Glad to see you've finally woken up! We just finished getting the Blade kids all settled. They got extra lessons set up since Borden went with Sil and Quinn."
"Where did they go?"
Dobin shrugged, "no one will tell me."
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