They stopped at a small village near the base of Ayers Rock. The encampment, near a large spring that the people seemed to use as their main water source, was surrounded by trees that kept the whole area shaded.
While most of the homes there were a little run down, probably from the sun, heat and being occasionally sandblasted by sand storms, but there was a brand new building there with the same markings from the medical transport vehicle.
"It is a small village," Dingo said, "and a few of the tribe members are sleeping since they prefer to be awake and available at night when the clan is awake, but there are still a few beds available if you would like to rest."
"If you can point us in the direction of a few beds," Elisa said wearily, "we'd be grateful. I would also like to check in on Fox, if we could."
"Of course. Let's start with Fox, so you won't worry, then find some beds for you," Dingo said, leading the way to the medical building. "We just finished updating this clinic," he said, pointing to the newer paint job. "Auton, our resident traditionally trained doctor, just returned from a tour with Doctors Without Borders. He isn't sure if he'll stay here or return to work with them yet," Dingo shrugged, "but we're trying to convince him to stay. The people here work side by side with the gargoyle clan, and we alternate day and night patrols, keeping a look out for lost hikers and tourists. We have a few unofficially trained people here, and they can do some minor first aid and some holistic treatments that have been passed down, but we really need a dedicated doctor."
Dingo opened the door and waved them inside.
The inside was cooler, the steady hum of an air conditioner a clue to the regulated temperature.
A man, appearing to be in his mid thirties, came out from the small curtained off area. He took his gloves off, disposing of them in the wastebasket, then reached up to remove his mask. "Hello," he said in heavily accented English and a smile. "Are you here to visit Miss Fox?"
"Yes," Elisa said. "How is she doing?"
"She will be fine," he said. "She sustained a head injury in the crash, and she does have a concussion, but she will recover with rest and time."
Elisa let out a breath. "That's a relief, doc."
"Yes," he said with a nod. "Head injuries can be frightening. I wish we had access to a scan machine to rule out any internal damage, but we will monitor her through the night just to be sure. If she is in need of any more medical assistance we can either drive her to the nearest hospital, or the Gargoyles can take her there faster at night."
Elisa nodded. "Thank you for your help," she said.
"It is my pleasure," the man said.
"Auton," Dingo said, extending his hand. "I was asleep when you came in last night. Welcome back."
"Thank you, my friend," Auton said, shaking Dingo's offered hand. "It is good to be home."
"Your patient," Dingo pointed to the curtain, "Is a former… coworker of mine. She along with her travel companions here," he waved a hand to encompass Elisa and the children, "as well as two Gargoyles,came from America to meet everyone."
The doctor blinked a few times, then turned to truly look at the three visitors in the room.
"Well then. Welcome," he said. "I am Auton."
"Elisa," Elisa replied before turning to point out her children. "This is Liam and Nayeli."
Auton did an almost comical double take as he spotted the two youngsters. "I…uh…" he said, his composure temporarily lost as he sought out Dingo with his gaze.
"How is she…" he began, looking to Dingo as if for an explanation.
"Awake?" Elisa asked, then shrugged. "She just is. She's never gone into stone sleep with the rest."
Elisa caught Dingo's almost imperceptible scowl aimed at the other man, and the doctor seemed to regain his composure. Smiling again, he turned to the three Americans. "It is nice to meet all of you. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you need anything. Judging by your friend," he nodded to the treatment area where Fox was, "you did not have an easy time of it. Fox is resting now, and I have her hooked up to an IV to help combat the dehydration, and she should be more like herself this evening. You should all get some rest. I can send for you if you are needed here."
"Sleep sounds amazing," Elisa admitted.
Auton frowned at her, "You have a bandage on your hand. Would you like me to…"
"No," Elisa hurriedly cut him off. "I'm fine."
"I can show you a few options," Dingo said, motioning them ahead and saving Elisa from further conversation with the doctor. Dingo held the door for them, then closed it firmly behind him.
"He's been away for a long time," Dingo said. "First for medical school, then traveling with the Doctors Without Borders. I'm sure he did some good while he was gone, but he seems to be having a hard time readjusting to being home."
"I thought you wanted him to stay?" Elisa asked, curious but unable to shake a sense of unease that had come with the man's sudden interest in her daughter.
Dingo gave a one shouldered shrug. "It would be helpful having a trained doctor, but not if he can't live with the others here."
Elisa gave a small nod in understanding. "So, the Australian clan members live here with you all?"
Dingo jerked his head to the rock formation edging the small community. "That there is what they call Uluru. You may know it better as Ayers Rock. There are tunnels and caves spread through the area, and the clan finds those preferable to being out in the open. Can't say I blame 'em," he said. "Out in the open, I can't imagine waking up having been sandblasted in a storm like the one that just hit."
Elisa gave a cringe in sympathy. "Good point," she said.
"Now," he said, coming to a stop. "We have an empty cabin, but it only had two cots inside. Small ones," he said, eyeballing Nayeli's solid frame. "Not sure that would work for you, girl. Not to mention that there isn't any air conditioning, so with you not being used to it, it may get a little uncomfortable. There are fans, though, so it would at least get the air moving. Me, I prefer those," Dingo pointed to the large rope hammocks. "They're sturdy, and more comfortable than you'd think. It's shaded, and enough of a breeze to keep you cool."
Elisa frowned. "What if there's another storm?"
"We have watchers assigned to keep their eyes open for those." Dingo pointed to a few locations high up on the rocks. "They rotate out every few hours for fresh eyes, but we'd have plenty of warning."
"I need a phone," Elisa said, pulling her own from her pocket. "I have people that I need to let know that we are alright."
"No cell towers nearby," Dingo said apologetically. "But we can relay a message as soon as we are able to."
"Don't worry about it," Elisa said with a sigh. "No one was expecting a call. I just wanted to let Fox's Husband know she's alright."
"She still married to Xanatos?" Dingo asked with a chuckle. "Can't say it caught me by surprise that they'd get together, but never thought to see the day she'd settle down."
"Settle down?" Elisa asked, with a laugh. "Seriously? Have you met Fox?"
They shared a laugh, but Elisa's broke short when it morphed into a yawn.
"Sorry," she said, covering her mouth. "I didn't sleep last night."
Dingo nodded. "Take the cabin, and I can hunt up another cot."
"No," Elisa said, shaking her head. "My kids take the cabin, unless it's too hot for them. I'll bunk out here."
Dingo raised an eyebrow at her. "Your kids?"
Elisa sent him a look. "You had already figured that out, so why the surprise?"
"It's hard to not see the resemblance," he admitted. "Just surprised to hear you say it out loud, especially to the likes of me."
"You've changed a lot since we first met," Elisa pointed out. "Not only that, but you live with a Gargoyle clan. You'd find out eventually."
"Fair point," he said. "Alright. You have your choice of hammock out here. Those who sleep during the daytime have their own bunkhouse, so no one will bother you."
"Let's get the kids settled first," Elisa said, then followed behind the group as Dingo led them to a small cabin nearby. It was stuffy, having not been used for a while, but with the fans on and the windows open, it was just as cool as being in the shade outside. Liam all but fell on one of the cots with a groan, and Nayeli lowered herself gently to the other one, testing her weight against the bed.
When it held, she laid down with a sigh and turned to her side, allowing her wings to flare out and relax against her back.
"I'll be right outside," Elisa said softly. "Come get me if you need anything."
"M'kay," Liam said sleepily.
"Goodnight," Nayeli called softly.
Elisa smiled at them both, then went outside and closed the door behind her.
"Thank you again for the rescue," Elisa said to Dingo.
"Hey," he said with a shrug, "It's what we do. Is there anything you need from the helicopter?"
"All of our stuff is in the cargo area underneath," Elisa admitted, running her hand through her hair. "All of our bags are there. If it survived the crash, there's also a sat phone in there that was meant as a gift to the clan."
"A sat phone?" Dingo asked.
"Yeah. Really souped up, too. That sucker can transmit from anywhere and get a signal."
"My crew will go out again tonight," Dingo said. "We'll be there to help guide your gargoyles back here, and we'll try to dig through the sand to get your things."
"Thanks," Elisa said. She walked to the hammock nearest to the cottage, and lowered herself into it.
"Get some rest," Dingo said. "Daylight's wastin'."
Elisa was deeply asleep a few moments later.
