271 Discussion Before Breaking the News (1/2)
The party flew for an entire day, continuing through dusk. They were too preoccupied with worry to bother changing out of their tattered, bloodied clothes.
Eventually, Rydel had stopped trying to dowse his emotions in alcohol. Dirk stopped with the first bottle while Rydel managed to go through most of his personal stash. Eliza stayed vigilant with Jack resting on her lap, waiting for the moment he opened his eyes.
Beside Eliza laid Bowzer, who now appeared to be sleeping soundly in place of lying unconscious. Eliza occasionally ran her fingers through his fur, always amazed by how soft it was considering it was able to burst into flames but was never dry or rough.
Entering the second day of travel, the three party members were all caught up in what to do next.
Dirk was the first to voice a question, ”So… What happens next? We're not heading for Trodar, so where are we going?”
”Prachten,” answered Rydel, hungover and grumpy. ”We're joining our other party members in Prachten and… we'll be cutting off their supply lines from Churstin.”
”Supply lines? Churstin's aiding Prachten?”
”It's within the grey area of the war pact, so if they're found out it's… not exactly condemning,” Rydel stammered in his uncaring state. ”Also, it should be easier than dealing with your presto of a general… and that pervert Trank.”
”That's good, I guess.” Dirk took a moment to think before touching a more sensitive topic. ”So… When are we going to bury the--”
”We're not burying them.”
Both Rydel and Dirk stiffened as Eliza cut in, ”We're not burying them. Once Jack wakes up, we'll bring them back.”
”Being them back? But that's impossible--”
”Nothing's impossible. Not with Jack,” stated Eliza as if trying to convince yourself.
”She's may have a point… You know?” Rydel coughed. ”We already have a way to revive one person… But I don't know what to do about the other.”
”What?!” Dirk's mind was getting overwhelmed. He had already been amazed when he saw Eliza, Rydel, and Jack come back from death the moment they died, so he somewhat accepted the thought of resurrecting the dead. ”Then… How exactly are we doing that? Is it some powerful spell or an item?”
”That depends. Jack's got ways of knowing these things and finding artifacts and tombs. If anyone can revive a fallen ally… then it's Jack.”
”Jack can do it. I'm sure,” restated Eliza, combing Jack's hair with her fingers.
”By the way, Eliza… Do you know how Jack got a Phoenix Lily? Or why Keela didn't have hers?” asked Rydel.
”Hmmm… And Keela?”
”She… Keela gave me a letter too, but I didn't expect her to pull something like that…” Following instructions, Eliza took out Keela's envelope. She opened it up to find a storage ring hidden with the letter. ”She… Because of her, I'm…”
”Eliza, don't blame yourself, okay?” Rydel stopped Eliza from saying more. ”If Keela did that, then sho chose to. Don't blame yourself for something… she wanted to give you.”
The enchantress remained silent, struggling to accept both Rydel's words and the clear intent Keela's actions showed.
Dirk paid close attention to the two of them. He could tell that there was more to this party than meets the eye.
The swordsman understood that this wasn't just a team put together for a mission. It was a true party made up of comrades who cared for each other. Everyone had a function and it was well balanced. And now that he knew some party members weren't present, Dirk was wondered if this party may be one of the strongest under lv. 40. He also grew curious about the remaining party members and who they would be.
Then he realized something. These last two conscious party members are going to have to break the news to the others upon arrival.