Chapter 20 Alar
ALAR
"A truth quietly spoken in darkness often carries a profound significance once illuminated by the passage of time."
—Elurian Proverb
"Alar!" Kailin called out. "We need help over here!"
I hurried over to where she and Shovia were kneeling beside a large-framed man with a chest wound. His breathing was labored, and blood had soaked through the makeshift bandage they'd applied.
Recognizing him as the other worker who had been decorating the stage, I wondered how he'd gotten a chest wound and then managed to walk from the front of the plaza to the back.
"He is too heavy for us to lift and get to the medics," Shovia said.
"How did he get here?" I asked.
"He was walking and then suddenly collapsed right next to us," Kailin said.
My hackles rose, but I reminded myself that I wasn't in a position to investigate. I could, however, make my suspicions known.
"Codric," I called out. "We need you here."
Together, we carefully lifted the man while the girls kept pressure on his wound. It was an awkward shuffle, but we managed to get him to the medics, who rushed to take over his care.
The guy seemed to be in critical condition, and I doubted they could save him.
"I saw him working next to the stage," I said. "I can't imagine how he got hit in the chest and then kept wandering around for nearly an hour."
Shovia frowned. "That doesn't seem right. I'd better tell someone."
I was glad that she'd picked up on my suspicion, and I didn't need to spell it out for her.
When she left, I put a hand on Kailin's shoulder, feeling the tension in her muscles. "You should go. Everything seems to be under control now."
She snorted. "That's what the guard told us only minutes ago, and then this guy collapsed at our feet, and no one was paying attention to him. It's still a mess."
"Much less so than it was an hour ago. Let the pros take over now. The medics are here, more guards have arrived, and you've done more than your share."
The situation was under control. The initial chaos had given way to organized rescue efforts. The wounded were being treated, the dead were being respectfully covered and moved aside, and the guards were beginning their investigation of the blast sites.
Shovia returned from talking to the guard and put her arm around Kailin's shoulders. "We should go check on your grandmother, see if she needs help at the apothecary."
The adrenaline that had kept Kailin going seemed to be wearing off, and as exhaustion settled over her features, I observed her resistance crumbling.
"Okay," she agreed, turning to look at me. "But only if you come with us." She pinned me with a look that brooked no argument. "Shovia and I are not leaving unless you and Codric come along."
Nodding, Shovia crossed her arms over her chest. "I second Kailin's opinion."
Codric put a hand over his stomach. "I gladly accept the invitation. I held it together when I had to, but I really need to visit a restroom."
Poor guy. I'd forgotten about his upset stomach.
"Where is your father?" I asked Kailin. "Has he gone home?"
"He left with my grandmother," she said. "They went to the apothecary."
Codric perked up. "Is that where we are going? Because I could use something for my stomach."
Kailin gave him a tired smile. "My grandma will take care of you."
A grin spreading over his face, he waved his hand. "After you, ladies."
We began making our way out of the square, all of us covered in dust and grime, our clothes stained with the blood of others.
I wanted to take Kailin's hand and convey how much closer I felt to her and her people now, but that was a gesture reserved for couples in a relationship, and we were not there yet.
Regrettably, we never would be.
The four of us had bonded through disaster and trauma, not as romantic partners but as brothers and sisters in arms. In a way, this kind of bond was superior to one born of the fickle desires of the heart because it couldn't be achieved in any other way and was everlasting, no matter who we ended up with as partners.
Somehow, that made the horror of what had happened more tolerable.
Codric and I should probably head to the lodge instead of intruding on Kailin's family time, but Codric needed something for his stomach, and I wasn't ready to be alone with just my cousin.
After what had happened, I needed to be close to more people who had shared this experience with me.
Hopefully, Kailin's parents and her grandmother wouldn't mind hosting the two Elurians who had helped their daughter leave the square unharmed and had also assisted with the rescue operation.
As we reached the shop, the smell of the herbs growing in the window boxes was an oddly peaceful contrast to what we had left behind.
Kailin led us to the back room, where her parents sat at a large wooden table, flanked by two wooden benches. Her grandmother stood next to the stove, measuring herbs into containers while waiting for the water to boil in the kettle.
Kailin's mother jumped to her feet and pulled her daughter into her arms. "When I saw you on the roof, I cried with relief." She let go of Kailin only to embrace me next. "Thank you so much for helping Kailin and Shovia."
"That was quick thinking on your part." Her father offered me his hand. "We haven't been properly introduced yet. I'm Jayron, and this is my wife, Milly."
"A pleasure to meet you both." I shook his hand. "I just wish it were under more pleasant circumstances. I'm Alar, and that's my cousin Codric."
"I know." Jayron grinned. "My mother told us all about your visit to her store earlier today. She kept talking about you all the way here. She's impressed with your leadership skills as much as she is with your impeccable manners."
"Thank you." I dipped my head to the older lady. "It was very gracious of you to speak of me in such a complimentary manner."
"You see?" She waved with a sachet of herbs. "Impeccable manners. Now, invite the boys to sit because poor Codric looks like he's going to keel over."
"I'm sorry." Kailin's father motioned to one of the long wooden benches. "Please, take a seat."
The girls flanked Kailin's mother on the other bench, and as Kailin took the trembling Chicha from her mother and held the little dog on her lap, Shovia turned to Milly. "Are my parents okay? Did you tell them I was fine?"
Kailin's mother nodded. "They were home when the explosives detonated, and your father ran out to ask what happened. He was trying to get to the square, but the guards wouldn't let him through. Thankfully, one of them knew you and told your father that you were fine and helping with the wounded."
Shovia let out a relieved breath. "I should call them."
Kailin's mother put a hand on her shoulder. "It can wait. They know that you are okay. Have some tea first."
"Yeah, I could use some." Shovia sighed.
During their exchange, I'd taken the opportunity to glance around the apothecary's back room, feeling like I had been admitted into a secret society or a witch's kitchen.
Dried herbs hung from the rafters, filling the air with a blend of aromas, and jars of all sizes lined the shelves on two sides of the large room, containing items that I didn't want to contemplate.
"Tea will be ready in a couple of minutes," Kailin's grandmother said. "We all need something to calm our nerves after all the excitement."
"Can you make something for Codric?" Shovia asked. "His stomach is bothering him after overeating at lunch." She gave him a fond smile. "Though after the hard work you've put in, I would think that you burned through all that roasted goat meat."
"It's better than it was," he admitted. "But I still need to use the restroom."
"Out the back." Kailin's grandmother pointed to the back door. "There is a sign you can't miss."
"Thank you." He rose to his feet. "I'll be back soon." He clutched his stomach. "I hope."
Kailin's grandmother gave him a warm smile. "Take your time. The tea needs to steep for a while."
Codric managed a weak smile. "Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate it."
"Call me Jaida," she said, pouring hot water over the herbs. "Everyone does."
He smiled again and ducked out the door before anyone could stop him.
Stroking Chicha's fur, Kailin murmured soft praises to her, but the little dog kept shaking. Her eyes were alert, watching the door as if she expected more trouble to enter or maybe just for Codric to return.
"This dog is a treasure," I said. "She has better instincts than all your fabled Elucian Guard put together."
Kailin's father winced. "Normally, I would be offended by such a remark, but I have to agree with you. I don't know how they allowed something like that to happen."
He walked over to a small, old model television set that perched on a tall wooden stool next to the stove and turned it on.
The news was covering the attack. "Six confirmed dead," the announcer was saying, her face grave. "Fifty-two injured, five critically. All victims have been evacuated to the infirmary and are being treated by our medical staff. May Elu grant them all a quick and complete recovery."
"I should go help." Jaida set cups of tea in front of us.
"They have enough medics." Jayron curled his large hand around the cup that must have been scorching hot. "There are plenty to help the injured. Because of the pilgrimage, there are probably more trained emergency medics in Skywatcher's Point right now than can fit in the infirmary."
Jaida's face fell. "No one respects the skills of the elderly anymore. I've been treating wounds since before most of those medics were born."
"We need you here, Mom," Kailin's mother spoke up. "The infirmary might need more supplies, and you're the only one who knows where everything is in the shop."