The Ballad of the Bygone Drifters - The Caregivers

╔═════════ The caregivers - Chapter ONE ═════════╗

803 Words

The Governess ushered the group out of the Order’s cavern - well, ushered was the wrong word. After her impromptu arrival in the Order’s Domain she and her two flanking Handmaids had spared them barely a second to collect themselves before they began heading off.

The Vayrons had to run to catch up, with Cailu having no issues matching their stride with his long loping bounds. The Governess regarded the smaller beings by her side out of the corner of her eyes, a glance that came across as quite condescending.

“You can rest in our sanctuary.” she stated, a sentence that was spoken as a fact, rather than posed as an option. Mari nodded solemnly, although she and Otho had escaped harm, Grizz was another story. The fluffy puller plodded through the caves with weariness, every step seeming heavier than the last. Otho tried his best to tend to her open wounds while they walked, slathering a sickly green poultice atop her matted fur.

Thankfully it wasn’t long before the group found themselves in the Caregiver’s Sanctuary. The air here felt light, and a soft breeze ruffled their fur. Mari took a deep breath, appreciating the smell of fresh water. Otho and Grizz beside her tensed, their minds returning to their escapades in the Depthstrider’s territory and their narrow misses with drowning.

“Please,” said the Governess as she gestured to the pool, “Enter the pool.” Grizz and Otho shared a worried glance. Mari took a tentative step forward, dabbing a paw in the still waters. On its surface she saw herself, but it was… off. It was like looking into a mirror where your reflection wasn’t reversed: uncanny. She pawed at the water again, her reflection distorting briefly into a monstrous beast - red eyes and twisting claws - before settling once again into her own uncanny visage.

“I’ll go first.” she declared, turning back to face her companions and giving them a wry smile. She hesitantly stepped into the pool, each step becoming more and more confident as she proceeded further into the water. Her legs stretched, toes barely touching the floor as she gave one last push off and let herself float into the middle of the pool.

Seeing it was safe Otho was the next to enter the pool, quickly paddling over to Mari’s side. Grizz took a bit more convincing, wincing as the water coated her wounds. She stood for a moment, water up to her chest as she stared down at her own reflection. Otho, noticing her pause, finally took note of his own distorted countenance. He lurched backwards in an attempt to move further from the twisted ripples.

“What are these waters?” he queried, voice shaking.

“These waters show your true self.” explained the Governess, “They will not harm you. You must simply relax, and reflect.” she motioned to Grizz, encouraging her to fully enter the waters. The fluffy puller frowned slightly, but reluctantly continued through the water to meet her companions.

“...Now what?” she queried, pulling her paw through the ripples.

“Close your eyes, and bare your heart.”

The three Vayrons shared a confused glance, Otho shrugged and leaned back, letting himself float belly up. He let out a contented sigh, “Well,” he whispered, in a tone low enough that only the other Vayrons could hear him, “I am more than happy to float around in this pool for a while. My bones are weary and deserving of a rest.” 

Grizz nodded and let her muzzle sit atop the surface of the water, blowing bubbles from her submerged nostrils. “I am in full agreement. After my set-to with Shira these waters feel heavenly.” she bubbled happily.

Mari smiled warmly at her companions and settled into the water beside them, eyes closing. “Wake me should I fall asleep.”

“Ha! Only if you do the same.” Otho chuckled, splashing her gently.

Minutes passed, ten, twenty, and the room held still. Cailu and the Governess were at the water’s edge, the former having tucked his paws beneath him with his head resting on his wing membrane. Soft snores buzzed from his chest. The Governess however did not sleep, she sat unmoving, watching the outsiders submerged in their pools. The Handmaidens had taken up posts around the circumference of the pool, having been joined by more from their ranks.

The crystals at the bottom of the pool twinkled slowly, pulsating in a rhythmic dance, matching the Vayron’s soft breaths.

Otho floated with open eyes, staring at the ceiling as the crystals nestled in the rocks glittered one by one. He found himself almost falling into a trance, counting each blink as it passed. He sighed and allowed his eyes to close, the blinking crystals still thrumming away in his mind’s eye; a light piano melody, a melancholy lullaby that eased his tired thoughts.

╔═════════ The caregivers - Chapter two ═════════╗

809 Words

A long-furred stood atop a snowy mountain, the cold piercing her bones. Soft snow coated her red and black fur, merging with the white patches that covered the majority of her coat, giving her a natural layer of camouflage in this stark environment. She let loose a soft breath, watching the steam rise from between her lips.

She was here to complete a task, one that would make most Vayrons falter and re-evaluate their path in life. Not this Vayron. She had seen her fair share of battle, taken too many lives to turn back now. She sighed, maybe this would be the last, maybe it was time to settle down, find a partner, open a shop. She smiled to herself, there was a Vayron back home to whom she had been growing closer. Perhaps after this mission she would finally work up the courage to ask her to dinner.

She shook her head and started down the mountain, she could think of that later. For now she had a mission, a mission to eliminate two traitors to her leader’s cause.

The sun was setting, and at the base of the mountain two pullers made camp, one long-furred and one short. The short-furred puller had already busied herself setting up lanterns and warm pelts to bed down on. The long-furred puller, younger and with a coat of white and brown, nervously watched his companion flitting back and forth in their tent.

“Margrave,” he gently spoke, “Don’t you think we’re too close to the bastion? We’re only a few days out they could easily find-”

“Hush child.” the short-furred puller didn’t turn to acknowledge him, instead closing the door on the lantern she was lighting. When she did face him it was to bed down on their pile of pelts, piercing gaze regarding him. The long-furred puller frowned, he was not a child, not by far. It was an insult to his experience, he knew they were too close, yet all he could do was argue. His ward had made her decision and would not be moving til the sun rose again,

He sighed, taking his place beside Margrave on the pile of pelts. “I came with you because I wanted out of that life, we are not enemies.” he huffed. She watched him for a second, her expression relaxing.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” she paused for a second, before continuing carefully, “If we are to travel together you may call me Mari.” the long-furred puller smiled,

“I’m not sure what else you could call me other than Otho.” 

“I’m sure I’ll think of something.”

Soon the lanterns were snuffed, and the pair settled down to sleep. At the peak of the night, the full moon lighting her way, their tail pushed her way under the heavy hides of the tent walls. Crimson eyes scanned the darkness, finding their target. There, two pullers, one short-furred, one long. The short-furred puller will be your biggest challenge, dispatch her first. The male is fast, but weak. He will be easy to take out once the female is gone.

She lunged, teeth finding flesh. A gurgling cry escaping a strangled maw. “Mari!” shouted her companion, and the assailant’s blood ran cold. She had barely a chance to loosen her grip when Otho slammed into her side, knocking her away.

“Mari?” whispered the assassin, watching helpless as Otho sprang to action, covering open wounds with their bedding and applying pressure to stem the flow.

Her heart beat fast, and her breathing was ragged, crimson eyes filled with uncontrollable tears. No, no, no, why is it her?! Breathing became harder, more painful, even though she was gasping she was drawing in no air. No, no, no, no! Was the only thing that prevailed in her mind, her own survival instinct refusing to kick in as she struggled to breathe.

A wet snout lifted her own, a face of black and soft pinks, tainted by the sickly red fluid that once coursed through veins. A sturdy brown and white body snaked its way underneath her own, lifting her from the pool of ichor.

“Grizz, breathe!” a familiar voice, a comforting voice. Grizz drew back her head as she was finally able to fill her lungs, salty tears mingling with the untainted water of the pool. Her body was soon overtaken with wracking sobs as Otho - assisted by the Handmaidens - helped her to the edge of the pool.

“I know love I know,” Mari whispered to her partner, “We saw it too.” tears christened her own cheeks as Otho let Grizz stand on her own, shoving his face into her long fur.

“You didn’t know Grizz, you didn’t know.” he sobbed, “It’s alright, everything turned out okay in the end.” The pair comforted the still bawling Vayron, whispering their understandings and reaffirming their love for each other.

╔═════════ The caregivers - Chapter THREE ═════════╗

821 Words

Cailu and the Handmaidens stood to the side as the three Vayrons continued to weep. The Handmaidens seemed completely unphased, with the Governess regarding the group with a quite amused expression. Cailu on the other hand, stood awkwardly with the other Haedians. He had no idea what the pool had shown his wards, but he felt that he shouldn’t be privy to such a display of raw emotion.

The Handmaidens approached the three, gentle hands ushering them from the pool. Grizz, who was still beside herself and injured as well, stumbled out of the water. The Handmaidens helped her stand, hands supporting her chest and back as they led the group to a pile of pillows and throws.

The second the soft fabrics were beneath her, Grizz let her legs collapse, crumpling heavily into the pile with an exacerbated sigh. Even after her meal of healing potions, the bubbling in her lungs was apparent, and was made even more obvious by her stilted breathing as she tried to stop herself from bursting into tears again.

Mari and Otho wasted no time in lying beside her, “You’re still hurt.” whispered Mari, “You need proper healing.” Grizz snuffled and laid her head on her paws, obscuring her mouth.

“I’m alive and breathing. It can wait.” she huffed. She paused, refusing to look her partners in the eye. “I shouldn’t have gone in those waters. I wouldn’t have, if I’d known.”

“But you didn’t know Grizz,” whined Otho, “Besides, we can’t erase the past.”

“And we shouldn’t.” added Mari, “The past is what makes us stronger, and brings us together.” Mari and Otho peered up at the Governess and her Handmaidens, who they now realised were still watching them intently. Behind them a throng of other Haedians had joined them, most of them wearing loose fabrics not unlike the ones the Watchers donned.

Mari’s fur at the back of her neck bristled, as she warily tried to decode their expressions. Cailu looked a mixture of concerned and ashamed as he wrung his hands with anxiety, and the new onlookers behind him wore a look of quiet curiosity.

The Governess cocked her head to observe all three Vayrons, “Thank you,” she stated, “For bearing your true selves.” she turned to look wistfully at the now still pool, “You’ve shown us vulnerability and compassion both.”

Grizz looked up at the Governess, her eyes welling with tears once again. “A warning would have been nice.” she huffed.

“A warning would have meant you guarded your mind.” The Governess stated dryly, however her tone turned compassionate, “We needed to know we could trust you, although your memories were… troubling, we can see the love and care you hold for each other.”

“You saw that?” Grizz whispered. If she had no fur her cheeks would be flushed red. “You must think me a savage. As if our fight with Shira didn’t illustrate that already.” she murmured.

“Shira is a savage in her own right.” Cailu whispered gently, “She would have outright killed you all had the Governess not intervened.” he gazed at them solemnly. 

Throughout this exchange Mari’s gaze had been trained on the crowd of Haedians that had joined them. Even though they were in the realm of the Caregivers she was still on edge after their fight with Shira. Otho glanced over to her, giving her a slight smile. “Relax Mari,” he whispered, “I think we’re near the end.”

Mari cocked her head slightly, Otho was right. When they started this journey all those weeks ago - traipsing into the dark caverns below Vitalus with their new companion Cailu leading the way - he’d told them about the nine clans who lived in these enclosed caverns. The Forgotten, all the way through to the Caregivers. Her heart skipped a beat, soon they could return home and truly relax.

The Governess held out a hand to the three Vayrons, an invitation and a gesture both, “Once you are rested and fed we can move on. My kin will look after you.” At her shoulders various timid Caregivers stepped forward, some bearing potions and some carrying food and water. These were placed at the Vayrons’ feet, with the gift bearers quickly slinking out of sight.

Cailu found his place beside them, tucking his back feet under his stomach as he plucked a bread bun from a woven basket. “A rest is truly needed after your tangle with Shira.” he nodded in agreement. “You should be proud.” he noted to his wards.

Mari smiled up at Cailu as she passed a bun coated in some sort of fruit jam to Grizz. “We are proud.” she said quietly, “And very, very tired.” she added, chuckling. 

Otho nodded and sighed dreamily, “I miss the snow of Roenden.”

“And I the warmth of the fires we would make to stave off its cold.” Grizz paused to survey her meal, “And I miss marmalade.” she lamented.