Khaeris Dawndancer

Long Overdue

The motion of the single scrap drew Khaeris’s eye downward with its erratic movements. The paper fluttered innocently, even as the rest of the mail flopped lazily onto the wagon’s floorboards. The alchemist ignored the rest of the mail, letting her dark fingers pluck up the paper only when it had come to rest quietly of its own accord.

There was no telling how long the note had been lodged in the mail slot. Had it arrived today? Yesterday? A week ago? A month? She had the impression it had been dislodged from a long stay unnoticed.

I have the Animal... though you would endure her as Paijwen... she is no more... come and save her. I implore you.

There was no envelop, but the few Thalassian words that took her breath and quickened her pulse.

There was no name, but Khaeris knew who’d sent it. She’d had numerous stretches of grumbled conversation with Helal about the man. And about Aeni. And about Paijwen. She had even seen him once, at the clinic’s open house. That night, she had only kept herself from doing something rash by walking away. She couldn’t walk away from Paijwen again. She already felt cowardly enough simply reading the note and knowing it might have gone ignored for weeks now.

There was no overt threat, but Khaeris knew the trap for what it was. Still? What else was there to do?

Khaeris found herself free. Earlier she had wrapped up the first round of medications for Ms. Duskwrath and her condition. Andaeros was at work. Helal… … Her teeth grit a little, thinking of him and she pushed thoughts of the wounds she’d healed just this morning to the side.

Andaeros. Her heart felt heavy, thinking of his expression. Worried, a little frayed around the laugh lines at his eyes. But supportive. Always supportive. Never angry. He never questioned her too hard, even… Always supportive even when he didn’t like it.

He wouldn’t like it. Khaeris considered not telling him. He knew she kept things from him. It weighed on him. It brought down the smile. Still, he never pressed. It would be the easiest. But it would be the dumbest thing to do. He was her best protector. When the rest of the world wouldn’t notice her absence, Andaeros had promised to rip time and space to find her. To protect her.

So there was a new note left for Andaeros on his desk just before she slipped out the city gates and on to the Bandtherion estates.

Andy,

I’ve gone to see someone about Paijwen. If I’m not home tonight, please come and look for me at the Bandtherion estates in Eversong. I’ve been led to believe Lazrael Bandtherion knows something about where Paijwen has been.

I love you.

~K

Lazrael had some questions to answer.

And maybe... Maybe she could bring Paij back. Aeni had been saved, hadn’t she? Couldn’t Paijwen, too?