The Missing Traveller
To the Bone

“Alister!”

The last voice was familiar. Alister rolled over with a moan, and his eyes fell on Mirielle and Ethan amongst a mass of curious eyes. She pushed a thick piece of fabric onto his leg, and he let loose a howl at the pressure when she tied it down. His friends helped remove him from the kite and stand, and he clamped his jaw shut to keep from crying out again.

One of the announcers rushed towards them. “Where are you going with him? He needs to stand up as the victor!”

Mirielle glared at him. “Can’t you see his blood is being emptied onto the ground? Give him half an hour if you want him to be alive to accept his victory.”

Without waiting for the announcer’s approval, she and Ethan helped him into the building where he’d confirmed his registration before the Flight. It seemed a meridian away. Alister took deep breaths when they brought him into a bedroom and lowered him onto the bed. His shirt was all but shredded from his fall onto the rocky ground, and the knee of his breeches was split open and soaked in blood.

Mirielle unwrapped the blood-soaked fabric from his leg.

“You wouldn’t happen to have an aptitude for healing as well as illusions and levitation, would you?” Alister’s grin faded at once into a grimace as he stretched his leg out. He kept his teeth clenched to stop himself from moaning from the deep fire that raged through his knee and down to his ankle.

Mirielle’s skin was pale as she stared at the blood. “I can try. But this is bigger than anything I’ve tried before.” Her voice was low as she placed her shaking hands on his leg. Alister drew a sharp breath; it felt as if she’d poured salt on it.

Ethan stared at her. “You’re jokin’. You can truly heal too?”

Alister gave a hollow laugh; not three days ago Ethan insisted he wasn’t impressed with Mirielle’s talents in candra.

Mirielle nodded. “Mostly small cuts and grazes. I tried to sense my mother’s chest infection once and heal it, and she insisted it worked. But I think she just got better on her own. Sensing an injury in the leg is a lot easier than delving into the chest area.”

Alister spoke through gritted teeth. “As much as I’d love to hear about the intricacies of candra practice, can we please get on with it?”

Mirielle eyed his shaking hands and closed her eyes in concentration. “Alright. Would the two of you be quiet? I’ve never even attempted something this big before.”

Ethan snorted, but his watchful eyes fixed on Alister’s leg as Mirielle pressed her palms over the blood. Alister drew a shaky breath.

The same icy cold came over Alister’s leg he’d felt when Ama sensed his infection, and when Estelle sensed his burn before healing it. It lessened the pain only a fraction, and trickled deeper into his leg.

Mirielle breathed deep, and as she exhaled, the cold enveloped his entire lower leg. The relief the cold brought to the fire seemed to now freeze his leg; it was as if death’s own hands wrapped around his bone.

The pain must have become evident in Alister’s grimace, because Ethan’s eyebrows lowered with concern. “Alright, Ali?”

Alister scrunched his eyes shut and nodded for fear if he spoke, he’d scream.

At last his leg heated up again, as if it were thrown in a fire. Deep inside his leg, something tugged and stretched at unseeable parts, and rose to the surface, the fire following it. Alister couldn’t hold back an agonised howl, and his fists clamped shut on the sheets.

The fire and pulling faded in an instance, and Alister’s eyes opened to see Mirielle slump in her chair as Ethan caught her and pulled her upright. Her eyes were sluggish, and her head drooped to rest on her bloodstained hand, the other arm hanging limp from her lap.

“What happened?” Ethan demanded to no one in particular.

Alister forgot the lingering pain in his leg and grabbed Mirielle’s hand. “Are you okay?”

Mirielle’s eyelids fluttered. “Did…it…work?” Alister and Ethan’s eyes went to his leg, and they both exclaimed.

The gaping wound which once stretched from his knee to his ankle was a deep red, with a thin filmy scab on the surface. Blood still wept, but no longer poured, from the wound, and throbbing waves replaced the fire. Alister bent his knee and gasped in pain; it was by no means completely healed.

Ethan took his hand from Mirielle’s shoulder as she held herself up. “The bleedin’ all but stopped, but it looks like it still hurts to move.”

Alister pressed the skin around his wound. “Yeah, but I’ll only need a bandage on this now. Incredible.”

Mirielle held up her head, leaving a bloody handprint on her cheek, and inspected the wound. A small smile came to her lips. “You’re right. I can try…tomorrow. Heal the rest.”

Alister shook his head. “No. That took too much out of you. It’ll be fine now.”

“The blood vessels I mended…nearly as deep as your bone.” Mirielle shook her head in wonder. “That’s why you were bleeding so much.” She was still as white as a sheet. “Will you get that blue box from the corner, Ethan?”

Alister leaned forward as Ethan rose. “When it went cold, that was the sensing, wasn’t it? Is there any aptitude of candra you don’t have?”

“Yes, the cold was sensing. Healing and sensing often come together.” Ethan handed her the blue metal box. “Thank you. As for the aptitudes…I’ve never been able to redirect.” She frowned and pulled out some bandages. “Although it often goes hand in hand with levitation. I can’t manipulate water or the shapes of even the most malleable objects.” She laughed once and, after placing a padded dressing down, wrapped the bandage around his leg. “I read at the academy, master Enchanters together in the Age of Enlightenment could control the weather, and even prophesy. I certainly can’t do either of those.”

Ethan nudged Alister. “How are you feelin’, Ali?”

“Wrecked. But I won, didn’t I?” He cracked a smile. “I did it.”

Ethan grinned. “Aye, you did. They want you back out there. Think you can manage?”

Mirielle tied the bandage and helped Alister swing around to sit on the side of the bed. He stood, all of his weight on his right leg. Ethan cast a glance around the room and opened the wardrobe in the corner.

“Aha! I’m sure they won’t mind us pinchin’ this.”

He procured a walking staff and handed it to Alister, who leaned on it gratefully. His mouth twitched at a grin to Ethan. “Circle of Thieves, indeed.”

Ethan rolled his eyes. “Let’s get out there, old man.”

It seemed like a dream, going up on stage to accept a gold wristband as his prize, the crowd cheering and stamping their feet for him. Amidst the elation, he’d never been so thankful the Defenders didn’t know his appearance, although underneath his bruises and injuries, they might not have recognised him anyway. Other fliers ranged from humble applause to biting glares, Deon Boyce among the latter kind. He can’t do anything here, Alister assured himself, and looked away from the bitter man.

Then, it didn’t matter his leg seared with pain from standing, or his face was still coloured with bruises, or that Boyce had a murderous glint in his eyes. It didn’t matter the Flight was a banned kite race, or before the week’s end he’d be in the securest city in the Union for a desperate attempt to free a fugitive, or that he’d made his way to Bastium by running from his terrible deed in Rindor.

All he could think was how unlikely it was he would win, and how he’d beaten the odds. Success rang in his ears and set his heart ablaze. He hadn’t had his cheeks hurt from smiling in months.

He came down from the stage, a huge grin still plastered to his face and his eyes lit up from amazement. He won. A boy from Rindor who didn’t ride a kite more than twice a year, who had only three days to practice, who Lachram Harlow, winner of the Grand Tournament, had bet on.

The very man he thought of seemed to appear, as if summoned, from the crowds. Lachram Harlow wore a huge grin, and ruffled Alister’s hair. “Congratulations! Money well spent, I’d say!” He leaned forward and winked. “I knew you could do it.”

“Thanks!”

Ethan and Mirielle weaved their way through the crowd, both with expressions which matched Alister’s.

Lachram rose his voice over the crowd. “Thanks for organisin’ the bets, Mirielle!” He shook Mirielle’s hand.

Mirielle’s cheeks were flushed with excitement. “My pleasure, Lachram.”

Ethan’s eyes widened. “You mean to say you’re Lachram Harlow? You were incredible last year in the Grand Tournament—”

“Enough about me, we’re here to celebrate Ali’s victory,” Lachram said with a laugh. He nodded at them all. “Great to meet you all.” His eyes lingered on Alister. “I’ll see you around, champion.”

He melted into the crowd. And Ethan rolled his eyes. “Bit arrogant, wasn’t he? Couldn’t stand to speak to us commoners for more’n a second.” His exasperation faded in an instant as a grin lit up his face. “I’ve got to say, I was preparin’ for the worst. But you did it!”

Mirielle’s chin was high. “I always said you could do it, didn’t I? I’m not one to say I was right all along…”

Ethan snorted. “Yeah, you are.”

Mirielle sent a quick glare his way, but it didn’t last. “Anyway, I have to go and collect the winnings. Don’t go back to The Kite’s Way tonight. We should be aware of Deon Boyce. I’m sure the Perigos wouldn’t mind having an extra person there for a couple of days. I’ll take the kite back. It’s not in the best shape.”

Alister nodded, and she disappeared into the crowd. The grim reminder of Boyce punctured his mood.

Ethan sighed. “You know I hate to admit when she’s right, but we probably should get goin’. I’d like to see Boyce try to follow you when there’re hundreds of people leavin’ the cavern.”

“I wouldn’t.” Alister stared wistfully at the festivities. But Ethan was right; now would be the safest time to leave.

The two of them left the cavern and made their way up to the Perigo’s street in a hurry, eager to get out of the unrelenting rain. Alister pocketed the gold wristband.

Ethan sighed when they stopped outside Emmett and Elisea’s house, and grinned. “I’ll have to pick up the slack now you’re leavin’.”

“I’ll pay to cover the next two nights, once Mirielle gets the winnings. I know I won’t be there, but that’s what we agreed on.”

Ethan chuckled. “I’ll hold you to that. So…can’t believe you’ll be off to Deemstun in a couple of days.” He smiled. “It’s been a real…adventure…havin’ you here. Findin’ thieves, lookin’ for Ronan, meetin’ The Smith, enterin’ illegal kite races…”

“Yeah, it has. Thanks for standing by me all this time.”

Ethan shoved his shoulder, and Alister winced. “No problem. I might stop by tomorrow to drop off your belongin’s. Otherwise, you can just pick them up on the way to The Smith.”

“Sounds good.”

“Alright.” Ethan grinned. “See you then, Ali.”

He ran down the street, and Alister knocked on the Perigo’s door. Elisea opened it, and brightened when she saw him. “Hi there! Alister, wasn’t it?” Her eyes widened. “You look like you’ve been thrown down the Mount!” A common expression today, Alister thought.

She let him in without question, offered him tea, and covered him in a blanket.

They walked to the living room. Alister rested his staff against the wall, and sighed when Elisea covered him in a warm, dry blanket. “I don’t know if Mirielle said anything…” Her expression tightened at the name. Alister regretted bringing it up; Mirielle didn’t even know he’d need to stay somewhere other than The Kite’s Way until that morning. “But I need a place to stay for a couple of days.”

“Then you’ll stay here.” Elisea smiled. “Any friend of Mirielle’s is a friend of ours.” She’d certainly come a long way since the awkward and icy conversation when Mirielle first stayed there.

“I appreciate it.” Elisea’s smile dimpled.

“Unfortunately, we’ve nothing more to offer than that couch you’re sitting on now. This isn’t exactly a mansion.”

“That’s fine.”

The two sat in what he hoped to be a comfortable silence.

“So how do you usually spend your time?”

Elisea gave a soft laugh. “I used to have a job as a professor at the Rogier academy. But I gave it up when we started to try and have kids…” She looked away. “Now my position’s been taken by another person, so I can’t go back. I spoke to a dressmaker down the street about being her assistant, so I might start doing that soon.” Elisea put on a smile again and looked at Alister. “What about you? You’re a traveller, right?”

Alister nodded, and set down his tea. “I haven’t travelled for long, though. Mirielle and I are leaving in two days’ time. I’m sorry to have to stay here until then.”

She waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it.”

Sitting down brought to the surface the tiredness Alister had been suppressing. The two of them sat in silence for a minute or so. “You don’t have to sit with me if you don’t want to. I’d be happy just to close my eyes here until Mirielle gets back.”

“Are you sure?”

Alister nodded, and Elisea thanked him—thanked him! —and departed. He sighed and slumped into the couch. For the first time since waking, he didn’t have to hide his pain from others. Aside from the leg and the new bruises he’d earned on his crash landing, the injuries from Boyce’s beating didn’t bother him as much as they had earlier.

He closed his eyes. Once they left for Deemstun, time for rest would be harder to come by.

Alister woke from a knock at the door, unaware at how long he’d been asleep. Rain still pounded away at the roof. When Emmett walked by the living room to the front door, it became clear it was later than Alister expected.

The door opened, and Mirielle rushed in, dripping wet. “I’m so sorry! I—I can’t even begin to explain what happened, and I just feel awful—”

Alister craned his neck to see Mirielle holding what used to be the Perigo’s kite in her hands. Now, it was a pile of snapped braces and unidentifiable fabric. The leather straps and hooks hung loose from where they were fastened, and the back saddle was no longer attached. The Perigos would be better off purchasing a new kite than trying to fix it.

Emmett drew a deep breath. “Spare me your story of how this happened. It’s alright. We don’t use it much anymore.”

Mirielle hung her head. “I’m so sorry, Emmett. All I’ve caused you and Elisea is trouble.”

Emmett gave a short chuckle. “Be that as it may, you’re forgiven. Here, I’ll take the pieces.”

Once he took the broken kite from her, Mirielle rushed into the living room and sat on the floor beside Alister. Her skirts soaked the carpet at once.

“We have to give them some of the winnings.” Her blue eyes were wide. “Not just for the kite, but letting you and me stay here.”

“How much extra do we have?” Alister’s voice was groggy from sleep. “And where’s your rain barrier pole?”

“It’s called a parasol, first of all, and I made the mistake of leaving it leaning up against a wall in the cavern. It was gone by the time I was about to leave.” Mirielle sighed, frustrated. “We’ve thirteen marks and three tenths, but we need seven and two fifths for The Smith, and some to pay Ethan back…”

“I’d like to give him two marks at least. I know that’s more than enough to cover the next two nights, but he let me stay for nearly two weeks, and most of that was for a fifth less per night.”

“That’s fair enough. We should probably keep at least three, just in case. I know The Smith organised us transport to…” she lowered her voice. “…Deemstun, and a place to stay, but it’s no use to be unprepared.” She sighed. “That leaves only one mark to give to the Perigos. I wish I could give them so much more.”

Alister suppressed a yawn and forced his eyes open. “Maybe get them something else. Not all gifts have to be coin.”

“Perhaps. Anyway, I’ll let you sleep. Great work today, Alister.” She paused, and he closed his eyes again. “I’d bet Jondar would’ve been proud.”