Chapter 106: Quiet before
Anaria woke before the sun.
She lay still for a moment, listening to the quiet. Ana was asleep beside her, her small chest rising and falling. Kenai and Kai were in the next room. The settlement was silent.
She remembered what she had told herself the night before. She would see Rylan in the morning. She would check on him.
She got up carefully so she would not wake Ana. She washed her face and changed her clothes. Then she stepped outside.
The morning air was cool. The sky was still grey. A few people were already moving through the settlement. They nodded at her as she passed. She nodded back.
The main hall was not far. The door was open. Light spilled out into the yard.
Anaria stopped at the entrance.
Rylan was inside. He was standing near the table, speaking to two beast servants. He was giving them tasks for the day. His voice was calm. Steady. Like nothing had happened.
She watched him for a moment.
He looked up and smiled towards her. It was a small tired smile "You are up early," he said.
"I could say the same about you."
The servants looked at them and bent their faces.
Rylan noticed "Give us a moment," he said.
The servants bowed and left. The door closed behind them.
Anaria walked further into the room. She did not sit, she just stood there
Neither of them spoke for a while.
The room was quiet. Only the sound of servants moving outside reached them.
Then Rylan said, "What brings you here?"
Anaria looked at him. He was standing near the table. His shoulders were less tense than yesterday but his eyes still carried something heavy. "I wanted to check on you," she said. "You were down about what happened yesterday."
Rylan did not answer.
Anaria stepped closer. She could see the lines around his eyes. The way his jaw was set. He was trying to hold himself together. "You know you can always talk to me. Whenever you want."
She reached up and touched his face. Her palm rested against his cheek. She smiled at him.
"I will always be available. What happened yesterday was not anybody’s fault. You should not blame yourself."
Rylan looked up at her. He touched the hand that was on his face. His fingers were warm.
He said nothing. He just smiled.
Anaria stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.
Before she could get down, Rylan caught her hand and held it. "Thank you," he said quietly.
Anaria looked at him, smiled and nodded "I will always be here," she said.
He nodded. He let go of her hand.
"I want to check on the people in the sick shelter," she said.
Rylan adjusted himself. He cleared his throat "Should you go this early?"
Anaria smiled and nodded.
Rylan shrugged. "Be careful."
Anaria smiled at him. Then she walked away.
Anaria returned to the sick house.
The morning was still early, but the settlement was waking up. People were moving between the buildings. A few wolf children ran past her, laughing. She watched them for a moment before going inside.
Kenai was already there. He was holding Ana, who was awake and looking around with curious eyes. Kai stood near the door, arms folded.
"You went to see him," Kenai said.
"I did."
"How is he?"
"He is trying."
Kenai nodded. He did not ask more.
Anaria took Ana from him and settled her against her chest. Then she began her rounds.
The sick house was quieter than it had been in days. Most of the affected beastmen were sitting up now. Some were walking. Their eyes were clear. Their breathing was steady.
She moved between them, checking pulses and temperatures. She used small amounts of her healing ability where needed. Nothing dramatic. Just gentle encouragement for their bodies to finish what they had started.
One of the beastmen caught her attention. A young man. He was sitting up against the wall. He looked tired, but his eyes were clear.
Anaria walked over to him "How are you feeling?"
He looked up at her. "Better... Much better."
"That is good."
He hesitated. Then he spoke again "I wanted to thank you."
Anaria shook her head. "You do not need to thank me."
"I do." He looked at his hands. "I do not remember much of what happened. But I remember you. You helped me. You stayed with us."
Anaria did not answer.
"I was scared," he said. "I did not know what was happening to me nor the people. But you were there for us"
Anaria crouched beside him "You are safe now," she said. "That is what matters."
He nodded. He looked relieved "Thank you," he said again.
Anaria smiled. "Rest. You still need to recover."
She stood and moved on.
By midday, Anaria had finished her rounds. The sick were stable. No new cases. No relapses. The settlement was healing.
She stepped outside and found Kenai waiting for her.
"You should eat," he said.
"I should check on the other places"
"Nope, You should eat first."
Anaria sighed. She knew he was right.
They sat together on a bench near the sick house. Ana was awake now, sitting on Kenai’s lap. Kai brought food. Bread, fruit, and water.
Anaria ate slowly. She watched the settlement.
People were working. People were talking. People were living.
It was not that perfect but at least it was better.
She looked at Ana. The baby was trying to grab a leaf that had fallen on the bench. She missed. She tried again.
Anaria smiled.
"What are you thinking?" Kenai asked.
"Nothing much, I was just looking at the people."
Kenai looked at her. "Are you?"
"Yes, it feels calm."
He nodded. "Yes, it does"
They sat in silence. The sun was warm. The settlement was quiet.
Anaria finished her meal and stood.
"Let me check the other buildings," she said. "Then we can decide what comes next."
Kenai nodded. He picked up Ana and followed her.