Dawn came. Ryon lay on a bed in the fortress's infirmary, while a healer bound his head in a bandage. It gave him a roguish air, but the same was not to be said about the large expanse of bandages that covered his back and ached whenever he moved. Sharpear and Blackreed stood at his side, conversing with him as he checked on the island's condition.
"Is everybeast all right?"
"Other than about threescore killed in the battle, and a few others wounded, everybeast is fine, Ryon."
"How are the other ships?"
"Well, seeing as the Sea Hordes turned tail before the others could get to them, except for the Javelin they're all in good shape."
Ryon lay back, nodding and smiling. "Good. Very good." He then looked seriously at them both. "Ready the fleet to travel as soon as I'm fit."
The two saluted, and left. Ryon's next visitors were Lucar and Birchleaf. The latter sat on the edge of the bed. "Are you alright?"
Ryon smiled, and grunted with the effort of propping himself on his elbow. "More or less. How are you two?"
Lucar showed him a cut on his cheek. "From an arrow. Birchleaf is fine though."
Birchleaf examined the bandages that were showing under Ryon's tunic. "What happened to your back?"
"Ballista bolt. Hit the deck and threw up a lot of splinters. It was like being hit with forty darts at once. Quick and very painful."
Lucar winced as he turned on his stomach to show them the amount of bandages and poultices that covered his back. "Ouch."
Ryon rolled back over. "Will you two leave, please? I feel tired."
They nodded and left, leaving Ryon to fall asleep.
The squirrel captain was floating in a gray mist. He called out for his parents, but instead creatures that he could not make out appeared out of the mist. They surrounded him, clawing at him as he fought for breath…
Ryon jerked awake. He had been pressing his face into his pillow, and had nearly suffocated himself. The door opened. Ryon turned his head towards it. Two guards walked in, carrying a young mouse, sodden wet and carrying still-healing wounds, which they laid on a bed beside Ryon. Seeing that he was awake, the guards moved over to his bed. The three conversed in whispers as the young mouse lay there, motionless.
"Where did you find him?"
"A scout ketch brought him in. He says he has vital information, but we shouldn't wake him now."
Ryon nodded. "You're right. You're both dismissed."
The two guards saluted and left. Ryon went back to sleep, folding his arms over his chest as he drifted back into the soft seas of dreams.
The sun had risen again by the time Ryon woke. The young mouse was still lying there, but a healer was nearby and said that by now he should be able to stand up. Ryon did, and surprisingly felt almost no pain. He made his way onto the jetty. The sun was rising over the sea, but because of the high rock walls the basin was in shadow. It was already warm, promising it to be a hot day. Ryon took off his tunic, and jumped into the water. He would sometimes do this when nobeast was on the wharf to see him. Ryon did not swim with the grace of an otter, but he did lie on his back, enjoying the cool water.
"Not often you see a squirrel swimming."
Ryon jolted upright, his footpaws kicking to keep him afloat.
Birchleaf sat on the jetty edge, a faint smile on her face as she watched Ryon's shocked face. "Come on, Ryon. There's nothing you can do to stop me looking at you."
Ryon's face burned. He dove underwater for a moment, and when he came up for air she was still there. She looked amused now. "Mind if I join you?"
Ryon's eyes grew wide. "No," he blurted out.
She took off her tunic and dove in, right next to him. They stayed close to the jetty the whole morning, talking with each other. It felt good for Ryon to feel the water on his back. If he had taken off the bandages, he would not have done this, as salt water stung wounds. The bandages would start slipping off however, if he didn't get out soon. They both climbed onto the jetty again, and allowed the sun to dry them. Ryon's attitude gradually grew grimmer. As Sharptail walked by, he barked at him. "Prepare the fleet!"
I think we're getting close to the climax now. I've lost track. Anyways, R and R!