The Lore Wain and Her Nephew Pt. 59 (End of Book One - as far as fanfictions go)

And so, Celeste and part of the crew came up with a plan. If anyone, regardless of fangdom, were to lose themselves in a way that causes danger to the crew, the ultimate last resort would be to flee and abandon that member. The way their thought process went was that no one would want to harm a friend and leaving them would give them a chance at life and recovery. Leaving them would serve as a second chance for when they were safe once again.

After this discussion was over, Zarabean headed back below deck to share with Cynthia Echo's condition. He found her sitting with Nibble on the floor of the main cabin with her claws as far from her as she could get them. Zarabean briefly observed before stepping inside.

"How isss he?" Nibble asked on Cynthia's behalf.

Cynthia looked over at Bean with teary eyes.

"Echo is... he's fine." The ridgerunner replied, trying to hide the fact he was distracted about the discussion he had just left prior to coming there.

While Zarabean didn't believe Nibble would lose his head, he couldn't help but think about what could happen if he did. The two of them had been good friends the past few years and it was hard for him to imagine ever having to abandon the fang in his time of need. As odd as a friendship this was, Zarabean still treasured it.

Nibble noticed Zarabean's fidgety behavior and he tilted his head. "Bean, is sssomething wrong?"

"Zarabean has a lot on his mind." Zarabean forced a smile. "But the good news is that our little King will be alright."

"I-is... is he mad?" Cynthia asked with a sniff, more worried about Echo than Bean's behavior.

"No... Zarabean wouldn't say he's sad..." Zarabean replied. "I'd say Echo is more scared... But we know he'll be okay. We're going to check with a doctor when we arrive in Torrboro."

Cynthia sighed. "... Is Celeste mad at me...?"

"Of course not!" Zarabean exclaimed. "We know you didn't mean to scratch him..."

"Aw, come on, Cy... Celessste knows it was an accident." Nibble patted her on the back. "Ssshe knows accidentsss happen."

Cynthia was quiet for a long moment before she asked, "Can I go see him?"

"Yes, absolutely." Zarabean beckoned her. "We can go see him right now. He's calmed down."

Cynthia quickly got up and walked to Zarabean. "Take me to him, please."

For a moment, Zarabean saw the princess in the tormented little girl that stood before him. He nodded to her and gently took her hand in his before leading her upstairs.

The crew above deck were back to their normal stations when the two of them reached the top of the stairs. The only ones not out on deck were Celeste and Echo, who were still in the captain's cabin, and Nibble, who was still below deck.

Zarabean led Cynthia into the captain's cabin.

Inside, Echo was sitting on Celeste's cot. He was no longer crying but appeared to be in pain still. Celeste was talking to him from her desk when the other two walked in.

When Echo saw Cynthia, he immediately hid under the covers, making her feel even more awful for what had happened a half an hour previously.

Seeing Echo's reaction, Celeste looked toward the door and saw the ridgerunner and Cynthia standing there.

"May we come in?" Zarabean asked as he stood in the doorway with Cynthia beside him.

Celeste glanced at her nephew cowering under his cover and back at Cynthia. She looked conflicted, unsure of whether to say yes to her friends and no to her nephew or vise versa.

"I just... I want to say something to Echo..." Cynthia's countenance started to fall again but she tried not to cry.

"... Very well." Celeste replied and turned to her nephew. "Echo, you have a visitor. It's your friend."

Echo kept quiet and stayed under the blanket in hiding.

"Echo..." Celeste sighed.

Cynthia began walking over to them slowly. "Echo, I'm so sorry for scratching you. I didn't mean to, I promise! I'm... I've never had these..." She looked down at her claws with spite as Echo slowly lowered the blanket to look at her. "I never wanted this to happen... Please... Please forgive me... I'll be more careful. We don't even have to play anymore if you don't want to, I just want to know you don't hate me..."

Echo stared at Cynthia with the blanket under his nose and started to wonder. "... H-how did you get claws...?" He asked.

Cynthia perked up when she heard Echo speak to her but she sighed when she heard his question. "... I made a bad decision and now I have claws..."

Echo pulled the blanket down below his chin and frowned, starting to feel bad for reacting so extremely. "Is... Is there anyway to make you... normal again?

Celeste gently patted Cynthia on the back to reassure her and Echo. "The Maker can heal her. We just... don't know when or how."

Echo paused before he asked, "Cy... Did you really not mean to scratch me...?"

"I never meant to hurt you. I'm so sorry..." Cynthia replied immediately, hoping Echo could see how much she cared about him.

Echo was quiet for another moment before he got out of the cot and gave Cynthia a tight hug.

Cynthia hugged him back with the same tightness.

From that moment on, Echo and Cynthia were inseparable. Echo, because he had empathy for Cynthia's situation and Cynthia, because she had found a friend in the darkest moments of her life. In the midst of her losing her family, kingdom, and friends, she felt she could relate to Echo despite his lack of awareness of what had happened to him.

Their friendship only concerned the more wary of crew members while majority saw it was a glimmer of hope that Anneria and Torrboro could come back from this tribulation.

It was another month or so before the crew ported in Torrboro- or rather- what was left of it.

The palace that once greeted visitors in the distance was desolate, only ashes and naked wooden frames remained. The once bustling city surrounding the palace was half burned to the ground while the remaining homes were barely prestigious. There was no lack of poor or displaced Torrborian folk.

Once they had managed to port, Ramger couldn't help but lament for he was one of the first to see. He recited a poem from an ancient poet whom he had forgotten the name of:

"Torrboro, my darling awaits me,

The place, my home.

Torrboro, where I met my darling,

Please keep her safe tonight.

She's been awaiting my return,

I'm sure she misses me so.

She's been ready and has washed my stockings,

She's prepared a room for me.

Torrboro, my darling awaits me,

May my visit ease her sorrow

For she's awaited too long for my return."

The poem was strange but considering Ramger was from Torrboro and had lost his wife while he lived there, everyone remained silent in respect of his mourning.

As for Cynthia, was couldn't stop tears from falling but she also held her piece. It had been too long since she had returned home.