Finally, they were back to the Nopon in charge of repairs, but where one problem was fixed, another arose. An entire day and night was going to be needed to fix it, which meant yet another day of delay for the group.
But Egil supposed there wasn't much they could do, other than help out and try to make things faster. So here he was, putting the Hode Planks into place as a Nopon barked orders at him. It was a bit loud for his tastes, but better he do something with his hands than sit around.
Tyrea, Kallian, and Alvis had set out to find food for those of them that would need it that night, and Linada seemed to be entertaining Oka's stories… So that left he and Vanea free, though his sister had just now made it to him.
"Egil, could we… talk for a moment?" She came to sit next to him, watching his work quietly. "About Alvis."
"Ah, did he follow up his apology to me by upsetting you?" Egil looked at her, frown on his face. "If so, I'll be sure to have a long talk with him."
"No, no!" She shook her head. "I just… I really still think he was the man I heard, when you were hurt."
"Vanea…" He sighed, looking away from his work. "Are you sure it's not just paranoia?"
She nodded. "I am… not sure what that means for his place with us in the future, but I felt as if I should tell you."
"I see…"
Alvis had somehow been in Vanea's head, had urged her towards placing Meyneth within Egil? It was crazy, but everything on this journey had been… So maybe Egil could actually believe it.
The way he talked about everyone else was also odd… Why use the world mortals when you were one yourself? It just made no sense to Egil, no matter how he tried to put it together in his head.
"I'll keep an eye on him, don't worry." He ruffled her hair and gave her a small smile. "If anything else pops up, I'll be sure to ask him."
"Ah, yes." She glanced towards the forest where he'd vanished into recently. "I hope it won't be too late, then…"
"Don't worry, it won't be." He kissed her on the side of the head, making her groan like the annoyed little sister she was. "Just trust your big brother."
"I'll trust you this one time, I suppose." She stuck out her tongue and poked him in the side. "But don't let him pull the wool over your eyes, either!"
"He won't, you little brat."
"Whatever you say, you big dummy!"
"Tell me, Tyrea." Kallian spoke, his voice soft. "Was Mother - Yumea. Was she a good mother to you?"
Tyrea froze at the question, unsure of what to say. She had always served Yumea loyally, listened to her every word. Taken every insult and every order as a servant, not as a daughter…
But she had also sat next to her in the tower, listened to the truth of their people. Allowed Yumea to give her a final order as she clung to her hands and stared at her with such a passion… Had let her voice crack in a way no one else ever heard…
And now, because of all that, she had no answer for Kallian.
"What about you?" She decided to bluntly redirect. "You were allowed to be known as her child, after all. I'm sure you have more to say on her state as a mother."
"She was… harsh." He sighed, clearly accepting Tyrea's deflection for now. "Always pushing me to do my best, parading me around as if I was to be the heir apparent… Only for Melia to be born."
Melia, the child of the second-consort. A cursed half-blood chosen by the emperor to lead their people next. It made her sick to her stomach, thinking about the dilution of the imperial line. But now was not the time to voice that. Not in front of Kallian.
"Did Yumea change when she was born, then?" She supposed she could understand that. Yumea was faithful to the Bionis, it only made sense that Melia's birth would upset her and change things.
"She became more secluded." Kallian frowned, looking at his hands. "Harsher, pushing me further, as if she knew Melia's role would be to rule the people when she grew. She tried to keep me away from her, poison my thinking about her in the most subtle of ways."
She paused for a moment, thinking. "And this poisoning… did it work at all?"
"No, I always found ways to spend time with Melia, and so it never took hold." Kallian gave the smallest of smiles. "From the moment I saw her tiny face, I knew I would love her with my whole heart, and want nothing more than to protect her."
"I see…" She looked away, biting down the jealousy clawing at her throat.
"To be honest with you, your face… the first time I saw it and I realized the truth… it gave me a familiar feeling." He looked at her, his eyes soft as he pat the top of her head. "You are also my little sister as well, and I want nothing more than to protect you. I'm sorry for being so late, little one."
She looked away, sucking in a breath at his words. An apology for not being there… what a fool he was! It was not as if he knew she had ever existed! It would be better if he accept the different paths of their life and leave her in the shadows, where she belonged!
But she said nothing, and simply sat there. Wondering if this was what it was like to have family. To be more than an assassin to those related to her by blood.
"So, what Alvis think make good gift from lower Bionis?" Oka spoke up late at night, when most of the group was already asleep. "Oka want to bring home souvenirs, but have no clue what down there!"
"Well, I don't exactly know what lower Bionis holds either…" He said this, lying very convincingly. "But there's sure to be some of the same things you find higher up. Animals and bugs and flowers… a whole array of things to bring home."
"Oka guess Alvis is right, but Oka is afraid she will not find goodies for littlepon and Riki if she not have an idea before going down." She let out a sigh. "Oh, littlepon would be so sad if given no gifts. And Riki never stop whine…"
"I see. That is a problem." He couldn't drop the fact he knew what was down there, not now… But perhaps he could find another way to help her. After all, she'd helped him more than words could describe already.
"Oka know." She sighed, laying down and rolling a bit. "Oh, Oka have no clue what to do! Oka is doomed!"
"Now, now…" He grabbed her, placing her on his lap. "How about I assist you, instead of you worrying? Together, we're sure to find something before we make our way back up to Frontier Village!"
Oka smiled up at him, eyes sparkling. "Wow, Alvis really mean it? He true Homhom gentleman!"
He chuckled a bit, patting the top of her head. "Why thank you, Oka."
