Chapter Seven

Kaeya scrambled out of the alcove and looked back at his brother. Diluc's brow was knit, but he didn't seem very restless. The Cryo user looked up the ravine, then back at Diluc, hesitating. I need to go for help, but… I don't want to leave him defenseless like this. He drew his sword and toyed with the edge of it for a moment, thinking. I could try to carry him. That might just be the best solution. He dismissed the weapon and walked back to his brother's side. Kneeling, he reached for Diluc's shoulder to edge him out of the cave.

"What… are you doing?"

He jumped and hit his head on the rock above him. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he ducked out of the alcove and eyed the little girl standing behind him. He rubbed the back of his head and tried for a disarming smile. "Well, my brother isn't feeling well, and I was just checking to see if he's getting any better." Better to keep it simple for a little girl. No need to alarm her unduly. "What are you doing so far from Liyue? Is anyone with you?" He glanced up and down the ravine, concern growing. "Are you out here alone?"

The girl shook her head. "No… not alone. Doctor Baizhu… is here too. My name is… Qiqi." She looked at Diluc again. "Do you need help… carrying him?"

Kaeya blinked at her. "I-You want to help me carry him?"

She nodded solemnly. "I'm quite strong… for a zombie."

The Cryo user rubbed his temples. "I must've hit my head harder than I thought. Wait, you said Doctor Baizhu. Is he nearby? Could he come take a look at my brother?"

"Qiqi, where have you run off to?" A gently amused voice preceded its owner around the turn of the canyon. A minute later, a tall, slender man came into view, long green braid swaying lazily with every step. His golden eyes blinked in mild surprise at the scene. Kaeya tensed at the newcomer's arrival and slid a step sideways to shield his brother. Qiqi tilted her head curiously at him, and he cast a swift look behind him. Diluc, his scarlet hair in disarray, still lay slumped just inside the alcove, his eyes closed and his skin even paler than usual. The stranger remarked mildly, "Oh dear, this looks like quite the spot of trouble you've found, Qiqi."

The small child shifted her gaze to him. "Doctor Baizhu… Qiqi thinks that the man with fire hair is hurt. Can you… help him?"

Kaeya relaxed incrementally at the name. He nodded to the doctor. "Ah, I believe I've heard of you. Doctor Baizhu, the renowned owner of Bubu Pharmacy, correct?"

Baizhu crossed his arms, looking deeply unthreatening. "Ah, my reputation precedes me. I'm afraid I don't have the honor of making your acquaintance yet, Mr…?" His eyes glinted suddenly with sharp interest, setting Kaeya on guard again.

He performed a graceful bow. "Kaeya Alberich, Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius, at your service. I seem to recall hearing your name in connection with a pair of young siblings in our city, Anthony and Anna?"

"Ah yes, Anna's malady was quite a unique one to cure, seeing as how so many of the proper herbs were unavailable to her in Mondstadt." Baizhu's eyes flicked down to Diluc for perhaps the fifth time since entering the canyon. "And now I must dispense with the small talk. Qiqi is right, your companion is badly injured." He strode forward.

Kaeya stepped aside, but kept a close eye on the doctor. He seems genuine, but… there's just something a little off about him. I'd better walk carefully with this one. "We ran into some Fatui bent on causing trouble. We won, but the fight aggravated a previous injury of my brother's, and he was on the receiving end of more than a few blows."

The mild-mannered doctor was running a slim, experienced hand over the bandages around Diluc's torso. "I see… Has he awoken at all since the fight?

"Yes, a few times. The first time he passed out again while I was tending to his side. I think he's been running a fever, and he was delirious the second time he woke up, but he eventually broke through it." Kaeya dropped down beside the doctor, watching him like a hawk.

Baizhu seemed serenely unaware of his scrutiny. "Hmm. I can help alleviate a bit of the pain and restrain possible bleeding for now, but we will need to move him to the city for further treatment." He leveled a look at Qiqi over his delicate glasses. "Qiqi, we passed a cart not far from here. Do you remember it?" When the zombie child nodded her head after thinking hard, he continued, "I want you to take Sir Kaeya and go fetch it while I tend to the young man here."

Kaeya rose liquidly to his feet. "I don't mean to demur, good doctor, but it might be more efficient if you went with Qiqi and I stayed here with Diluc." His tone was genial, but his smile held an edge of danger. Doctor or not, I'm not about to leave Diluc alone with a complete stranger.

Rising, Baizhu crossed his arms and met his challenging gaze with a disarming smile of his own. "Sir Kaeya, I am a doctor. It is against my moral code to inflict willful harm on a patient. I assure you, I will protect your brother. He will receive no further injury from me." He rested a hand over his heart and added earnestly, "I give you my word."

There was a moment of silence while Kaeya deliberated and searched Baizhu's guileless gaze. Finally he opened his mouth just in time to be rudely interrupted.

"Quit sstalling! Good heavenss, you've got to be the most sussspicious relative I've sseen in a century!" The white coil around Baizhu's shoulders reared up suddenly, revealing itself to be a pearly snake. Kaeya's sword was in his hand in an instant, while Baizhu sighed.

"Changsheng, I'm not sure you're alleviating his concerns at all." He gave Kaeya an apologetic look. "She is correct, however. The sooner we get your brother proper medical treatment, the better."

A small hand tugged at Kaeya's free hand. "Come on… mister. We have to get… the cart for Doctor Baizhu." Qiqi gazed up at him.

Reluctantly Kaeya lowered his sword to his side. He pinned the doctor with a sharp look. "Very well." He said nothing more, but his expression filled in the underlying threat. Harm my brother and you die.

Baizhu merely smiled at him and knelt beside his unconscious patient. "Run along now. The sooner the better."

Clenching his fingers around his Aquila Favonia, Kaeya followed Qiqi out of the canyon. This had better work.