Board Thread:Short Stories and Fanfictions/@comment-44544645-20191211195811/@comment-44544645-20200122202254

Twenty-Six

The Black Swan members got themselves organized and leaped the prisoners to Eternalia, and a moment after the last group—Lovise, Dex, Grady, and two of the dwarves—arrived, the Councillors started to emerge from their castles.

“Do their pajamas seriously match their crowns?” Keefe muttered to Sophie, and she had to fight hard not to laugh.

'It was true that while all twelve Councillors were wearing their circlets and silver cloaks as usual, they were all in their pajamas, looking as if they had just ''woken up. And yes, Oralie’s pajamas were pink, and Alina’s outfit was the exact same shade of green as the peridots on her circlet, and Emery’s sapphire ensemble matched both his crown and his eyes. The same thing held true for pretty much every Councillor. But that wasn't the most important thing going on.'''

'''“We can handle it from here,” Councillor Emery declared with a yawn. “Well done, and thank you for trusting us. We’ll be in touch over the next few days about this, but for now, our priority is securing the prisoners.”'''

'''“What about the dwarves?” Grady asked. “They might not have wanted to join the Neverseen, but the stellarlune could have forced them to. We have no way of knowing.”'''

'''“You raise a good point,” Emery conceded. “We’ll secure the prisoners in Exile for the time being, but we’ll make examining the effects of stellarlune on the dwarves a priority.”'''

“Do you need help, or—” Sophie was cut off by Edaline.

“It’s getting late, and I’m sure any business the Councillors have can wait until tomorrow.”

'''“It can wait,” Oralie agreed. “We’ll be working with the dwarves to get the prisoners temporarily in Exile, but that’s between us and the dwarves. You’ve risked your lives enough tonight. Thank you.”'''

'''“What about Alvar?” Fitz asked, walking towards his brother. “Is he…..”'''

He trailed off.

Sophie came closer to Alvar, placing two of her fingers on a place near his throat.

She felt a pulse, a faint one.

'''“He’s alive. Barely. And I think….he’s in a coma.”'''

***

Sophie tossed and turned in her bed that night, unable to sleep.

So much had happened in the past few hours.

And it was good, right?

'''They had captured two Neverseen members, and one more had died. Three fewer elves that could hurt them. And all eight of the superpowerful dwarves had been captured, leaving only twenty-two normal ones.'''

'''Jax had group-hailed everyone who had been at the hideout, and had assured them that while Linh’s injury was bad, it wasn’t life-threatening, and Elwin was sure she’d make a full recovery. '''

They could do this.

'''“You okay?” Edaline asked, coming into Sophie’s room. “Trouble sleeping?”'''

'''Sophie nodded. “Yeah. It’s just…….a lot to process.”'''

'''“Linh’s going to be okay,” Edaline assured her. “And the Councillors are going to handle most of the reprocussions. You guys did really well today.”'''

'''“It’s partly that, and also……..I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about people dying,” she confessed. “Like, I feel good that those three can’t hurt us anymore, but there are still more Neverseen members out there who are going to be trying to kill us. And Luzia didn’t seem that bad. She saved us, and then betrayed us and tried to heal Ruy, and then she just died? I thought she was Tam’s friend. And why’d Alvar join the Neverseen? Just because of a troll hive? There’s so much stuff that we don’t know.”'''

'''“I faced some of the same problems when Brant died,” Edaline admitted. “Keep this in mind: what happened to Luzia was an accident. And Brant, and even Umber. An accident that you had no control over. And don’t worry about this now. Get some sleep—we can try slumberberry tea, or sommalene, or Silveny can help you out.”'''

Sophie nodded, closed her eyes, and transmitted to Silveny. Hi!

'SOPHIE! SOPHIE! SOPHIE!'

How are the babies?

'BABY OKAY! BABY OKAY! SOPHIE OKAY?'

Yeah, just tired.

'SLEEP! SLEEP! SLEEP! '

Silveny sent her a stream of calming images.

Flying and dipping and spinning.

Diving among silvery clouds.

Peaceful.

Relaxing.

Safe.