Aloy opened the door to the room she and Kotallo had been assigned to find him sitting up in bed, reading on his FOCUS.
“In bed already?” She asked and he deactivated it and blinked, looking at her. “Old man?”
“I’m out of practice drinking ale.” Kotallo chuckled. “Don’t tell Erend that.”
Aloy looked at the children in bed, feeling a twinge of guilt. “I’m sorry, I should have helped…”
“You had other things on your mind.”
Aloy changed into her sleepwear. Kotallo held the covers up so she could slide in next to him.
“It feels so…closed it.” She admitted.
“Despite my best efforts, there are gaps in the cabin where air still flows,” Kotallo let Aloy snuggle close, “in here, there is no air flow.” She could feel his eyes on her head. “How are you feeling?”
“Good. Fine.” He went to speak but she spoke first. “Did you contact Hekarro?”
“I did. He said we’re always welcome at his table. I said I’d be in touch when we knew what our movements were like.” He cleared his throat. “Aloy…”
She drew the covers up. “I’m really tired.”
“It’s been a big day.” Kotallo said after a long moment, in a resigned voice. He deactivated the lights. The only glow was from the little night lights near the children’s beds. Jay was sucking his thumb, his quilt clutched in his hand and Cassie had her plush Tallneck in a headlock, holding on tightly, her eyes closed, her FOCUS still on her temple.
Aloy felt Kotallo settle into the bed, the pillows different to what they were used to. She gazed at the wall where her case of clothes lay open, worrying her bottom lip.
“Did you hear about the Quen?” She asked softly.
“Yes.” He yawned. “Children saved and relocated…”
Aloy blinked. “Changing the world…”
“Mmmm…” Kotallo’s murmured was almost incomprehensible. “One child…at a…time…”
Aloy’s grip on her blanket tightened. It took her a long time to go to sleep.
The next morning, Aloy and Kotallo were asked to attend the daily breakdown meeting. Cassie insisted on being a part of it and Jay wouldn’t leave his parent’s sides so they all ended up on chairs in the control room.
“There used to be more of us here,” Tomas explained, pointing to the empty seats, “but they’re all out doing what they can.”
The hours in the rejuvenation capsule had restored his health but Aloy could sense a kind of tiredness about him that an old man might exude. He wore glasses to help with his eyesight and though he was walking upright, at dinner the night before he’d been using a cane.
They took their seats around Gaia who linked their meeting in with others wearing their FOCUSES across the world. There were some familiar faces but many Aloy didn’t know.
“Greetings to you all,” Gaia said, able to communicate directly with them all at once, “and thank you for taking the time to connect with home base. Firstly I would like to welcome Aloy, Kotallo and their children, Cassie and Jay.”
There was a cacophony of greetings from people speaking to waving hands and beaming smiles.
Aloy smiled as best she could, not entirely sure where to look.
“Now to the daily report.”
They heard from several ‘missionaries’ that had been sent out with FOCUSES and knowledge to reach tribes that were struggling with the technology or who had other problems. Aloy didn’t know most of their tribal names and felt oddly out of touch and very ignorant.
“…and they’re becoming quite a problem.” Nil said, taking prime place on the screen. “These bandits are insisting on hunting machines and people. They’ve rejected any and all attempts to reach them and as you know, they killed my second.”
“These humans must be restrained,” Hephaestus insisted, his white, eternally staring visage appeared, “should you fail in the next attempt, I will do so myself.”
“Hephaestus, you should know I do not like ultimatums,” Gaia replied firmly, “or mass killings.”
“For all the violence the Eparat tribe causes, there are innocents within the tribe that don’t deserve to be wiped out.” Zo added. “I, for one, don’t want to take a HADES line and wipe the slate clean of their tribe.”
“I have an idea,” Nil spoke up, “I’ll revitalise my old skill set and knock off the leaders and cells that are the most violent. Maybe if I whittle them down enough, I can find the thinkers inside the tribe that I can actually talk to.”
“Nil, you might be an excellent warrior but do you really think you can handle this on your own?” Erend asked.
“Well…unless an old partnership would like to be renewed?” Nil looked through his FOCUS directly at Aloy, a jungle backdrop behind him. “What do you say, Aloy? Join me on a dangerous adventure taking out bandits?”
Aloy felt Cassie grip her hand tightly. She swallowed.
“I think you’ll find my arrow tips are rather blunt these days.” She replied.
Nil raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me motherhood has dulled your appetite for the hunt? I thought we were kindred spirits.”
“No, Nil, we were never kindred spirits.” Aloy shook her head, unable not to smile.
“We’ll send a pair of archers to you,” Beta looked up from her FOCUS readout, “not to kill but to immobilise. Once the worst of the tribe is contained, see who will listen.”
“Ah the joys of being a diplomat,” Nil gave a short salute, “signing off.”
Beta checked her list. “I’ll see if Talanah has any Carja warriors she can spare to send. Alva, you’re up.”
Alva nodded and stood up, facing Gaia who projected her image to everyone watching on their FOCUSES.
“As you are all aware, the Quen tribe have been unresponsive to our offers to assist, to train and to connect. Even after the revolution that saw most of the Imperial Family killed and completely changed the Quen political structure, we were still met with silence. However, in the past week, we received a request for connection and help. The Quen tribe possess a vast empire with multiple cauldrons and cradles to not only utilise but restore. Even a brief overview has demonstrated the challenges, environmental, mechanical and digital that they are experiencing. Hephaestus is reluctant, understandably, to assist because of their history regarding machines.” Alva looked at Kina. “Because of this, I am leading an expedition to the Quen to help teach them about their FOCUSES, about our shared past, about our ancestors and the truth behind many of the fallacies we have come to believe. I am relieved to be going home,” she smiled, “but I am also intimidated by the work to be done. There is such a range of problems to deal with that on my own, it would take years to sort it all out. Even with help, I suspect it would take months but that’s why I am asking for volunteers to join me on a mission to a previously untouched continent almost on the other side of the world…” She looked around at the faces that gazed at her. “My home…needs you.”
Aloy’s heart leapt in her breast as Alva spoke. She found herself leaning forward, her mouth drying out and her hand starting to raise…
…then she looked beside herself and saw Cassie gazing at Alva, wide eyed, soaking in every word and Jay next to her, playing with a toy and then, next to her son, leaning against the chair with his arm draped behind their heads, sat Kotallo.
Aloy swallowed and as subtly as she could she lowered her hand and rested back on the chair, pressing her lips together.
Volunteers put their hands up for Alva’s mission and the date was set for cast off. Because of the long journey, they were going via Tideripper barge which would be large enough to carry all their equipment and supplies and far faster than any Quen ship.
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When the meeting was over, the small crew broke for the midday meal.
“One day, I’m going to volunteer!” Cassie declared to Aran as they crossed the common room.
“Can I come too?” Aran asked shyly.
“Of course!”
“Aloy,” Kotallo carried Jay over to her, “he’s almost asleep. Could you put him to bed? I need to talk to Zo.”
“Of course.” Aloy hoisted Jay into her arms and carried him into their room. She tucked him into bed, his fingers curled tightly through her braid. She had to untangle them before she could leave him to sleep. When she came out, Zo walked by her, winking.
“Have a lovely flight.”
“Huh?” Aloy frowned then jumped as Kotallo’s hand snaked around her waist. “What?”
“Fly on the Wings of the Ten with me.” He drew her towards the western exit.
“What about Jay and Cassie…”
“Zo’s going to look after them,” Kotallo picked up a small satchel and slung it over his shoulder, “come…fly with me.”
Aloy wasn’t accustomed to being taken anywhere. She was used to being in control. Sunwings were plentiful and often perched above the base, making them a convenient mount for sky travel.
“One each?” Aloy asked.
“Why not?” Kotallo winked. “You don’t need me to control them anymore.” He tapped the side of his head and nodded at her.
A thrill of joy ran through her. Aloy had been unable to ride machines with Kotallo being with her in case Ally suddenly shifted into being. On a Strider it wasn’t so bad or even on a Stormbird which had a wide back and seatbelts. But a Sunwing was a fast, bare backed thrilling way to fly and Ally could be killed falling from it if she was caught unawares.
Aloy mounted a Sunwing and launched into the air, the breeze fresh on her face and as thrilling as the first time she ever rode one. She glanced to her side, feeling the pulse of another flier next to her. Kotallo chuckled.
“That’s a proper Aloy smile.”
“So where are we going?” Aloy asked.
“Follow me…if you can keep up!”
Kotallo darted away, streaking across the sky. Aloy urged her Sunwing into a faster flight, trying to keep up. Kotallo was heavier than she but he knew where they were going, making it hard to gain ground as he dipped and soared, however, Aloy was on his heels the entire way. They crossed over the barren landscape where the Tenakth Desert Clan had once lived. The decimated ruins of Scalding Spear had been left as they were, the remnant of the tribe moving to Arrow Hand. Then they crossed over a mountain range, heading into the thick forest region of the Lowland Clan, Memorial Grove somewhere far below, almost hidden beneath the opaque canopy.
Further on Kotallo flew but Aloy wasn’t complaining. She was loving the freedom, the exhilaration as her small braids were whipped about her face, her clothing flapping in the air currents and the beautiful expanse of land stretching out beneath her. And then, they crossed the mangrove swamp and the small stretch of golden sand and flew over the water, turquoise and frothy, the waves crashing so loudly she could hear it from up high.
Forgoing gaining ground, Aloy dipped her Sunwing into a dive, pulling up at the last second and leaning over to scrape her fingers through the water. A random wave rushed towards her and she was splashed, shaking her face and laughing at the taste of salt water.
Kotallo flew towards an island, almost inaccessible except by Sunwing unless one braved the turbulent waters around it. He landed on the beach and jerked his head towards the western side, around the base of the small hill that dominated the island.
Aloy landed and dismounted, feeling a sense of foreboding.
They had been on this island before.
She had brought Kotallo here…right before she ended their brief relationship.
It had hurt him and Aloy wished she’d never done it.
“Surely…surely he can’t have forgotten…” She murmured, following his footsteps in the sand to the shaded side of the island where an arch of rock formed a natural frame as the waves rolled in, gently crashing on the shore. Kotallo had put the satchel down and removed his shoes and socks and even rolled up his trousers. “Kotallo?”
“I’ve never forgotten this place,” he sighed, leaning against the rock, not caring if the waves caught his clothing, “secluded…quiet…beautiful.” He looked at her for the last word and Aloy swallowed.
“Kotallo…when we were here last…I hurt you…badly.”
Kotallo sat up. “Aloy,” he breathed, “you think I’ve brought you here to hurt you?”
“I…” He grasped her hand and drew her down gently. “I just…wasn’t sure…”
He kissed her forehead and chuckled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring back old memories.”
“Then why…”
He sat up and faced her. “I wanted to talk to you about something…”
Aloy removed her shoes, mimicking Kotallo’s posture, sitting away from the sun a little as she burned quite easily with her fair, freckled skin.
“Okay.”
Kotallo looked as though he was bracing himself. Aloy wanted to urge him to speak but restrained herself.
“This mission to the Quen homeland…I think you should go.” Aloy’s jaw dropped open as Kotallo continued. “The range of challenges they’ll be facing…you have the skills to be able to help in ways that no other can. And now that you have a FOCUS that should minimise any shifts into Ally apart from those that we can’t account for, you can go back to doing that which you love.”
Aloy stared at him and he held her gaze calmly. “But…the children…I would be gone for months!”
“They’re old enough that I can care for them on my own.” Kotallo said firmly.
“Alva leaves within days…”
“There is nothing you require that cannot be acquired before the Tideripper sets off,” Kotallo folded his arms, “even if you missed it, you could catch up on a Waterwing within a matter of hours…but I don’t want you to miss it. I want you to have this opportunity to recapture your first love…your passion for exploration, danger and excitement.”
Aloy studied him, looking for any shred or hint of doubt but Kotallo was unwavering. She licked her lips and lunged forward, kissing his cheek. “You are, without a doubt, the most amazing, wonderful, thoughtful man on the entire planet.”
He smiled at her, lifting his hand to touch his FOCUS. “We should let Alva know straight away…” He didn’t get to touch it, however, as Aloy’s hand stopped him. “Aloy?”
“I don’t want to go.”
Kotallo gave her a stern look. “Yes you do.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Aloy,” he twisted in the sand to face her, taking her hands in his, “I saw your expression when Nil asked you to help him subdue the bandits. I saw how your hand lifted to volunteer for Alva’s mission.”
“For starters, I never liked killing people,” Aloy said firmly, “and as for the mission to the Quen homeland…I put my hand down.”
“I know,” Kotallo nodded, “you looked at the children.”
“Yes.” Aloy sat on her hip, her knees resting on his legs. “When I became a mother, I knew my children would be my first priority. I can’t just go skipping off to the other side of the world on a whim.”
“It’s not a whim,” Kotallo argued, their soundtrack the soft rush of the waves and the cry of seagulls far above, “it’s who you are.” Aloy shook her head but Kotallo held her chin and made her meet his gaze. “Aloy, you have given me the most wonderful gift. You made me a father, something I thought I would never be…certainly not with the woman I love most in the world.” He dropped his hand, resting it on top of hers. “But I’ve always been aware of what you gave up doing so…and how being a mother was not something you wanted but rather you became for my sake.” He swallowed, licking his lips. “I don’t want to keep you from being who you are. I don’t want to be the shackle that keeps you from your dreams. I made a vow, a long time ago, that if we found a way to stabilise your shifts…that I’d be brave enough to let you go.”
Aloy’s eyes stung and she gave a small laugh to cover the sob that was trying to rise.
“It’s true, in the beginning, I wasn’t sure I had what it took to be a mother,” she swallowed, “even now I feel hopelessly inadequate,” she pressed on despite his light protestation, “but…when I looked at the children this morning…I didn’t feel obligated or shackled to this life I have with them and you. Instead…I realised all the things I would miss out on.” She looked at the water, shaking her head. “Cassie’s been invited to stay the night at a friend’s house…I never had friends when I was a child…or a mother. I don’t want her to miss out…and I want to be there, to watch her grow. Six months in the life of a child is an eternity of new experiences. And Jay? He’ll start prep years at the Cradle while I would be away. I can’t miss out on that.” She paused and turned back to Kotallo’s pale blue eyes. “And…I can’t lose six months of you…it’s…unthinkable.”
Kotallo shuddered and leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers. “I’m glad I’m in there somewhere,” he whispered, “but Aloy, what about your love of exploring? Your capacity to learn and expand?”
Aloy sat back and smiled, content and at peace. “With my FOCUS, I can go into the Cradle. I can catch up on all I’ve missed and believe me, I want to soak up everything. And as for exploring,” she leaned against his chest, hearing his heartbeat, “we can take the children to Devil’s Thirst or the Ring of Metal…or we could travel to the Cut and visit Cyan! All these places I’ve seen, I can share with you, with Cassie and Jay…” She reached around his chest, holding him close. “I think that’s what this journey was about…realising that what I yearned for is in the past and that there are others changing the world. But you are my adventure now, you and Cassie and Jay. Let others save the world and receive the accolades. They’re more than capable. I’d rather be a good mother and wife.”
She felt Kotallo’s arm wrap around her. “Are you sure?” He asked softly.
“I’m sure.”
She felt his chest shake. “Aloy…I was prepared to let you go,” he sobbed softly, “but I am so relieved I don’t have to.”
She looked up at him, his cheeks damp with rare tears and gently wiped them away. “Six months without you,” she said warmly, leaning close to his lips, “that’s…too long…”
She kissed him, the light press deepening into a precursor which they both understood. Kotallo tried to say her name but she kissed away his words, twisting around to kneel so that she could hold his face.
“Aloy,” he drew back, bumping his head on the rock behind him, “we…the timing…if we do this…you could fall pregnant.”
Aloy’s eyes sparkled. “I’m ready for a new adventure…aren’t you?”
Kotallo’s fingers threaded through her hair, pulling the tie from her braid, causing the locks to cascade in curls across her shoulders.
“Always, my love,” he said as they kissed again, “always.”
Zo was sitting on the floor playing with Jay while Cassie and Aran were using their FOCUSES to play a word game when Aloy and Kotallo returned to the base. She looked up, immediately recognising a contentment about them. Aloy’s arm was around Kotallo’s waist and his eyes were adoring. The restlessness that Aloy had arrived with was dispelled. She was at peace.
“Jay, look who’s here.”
“Mama!” He ran towards them and Aloy squatted, sweeping him into her arms. “Wet!”
“I know,” Aloy laughed, “not even a brisk ride on a Sunwing was enough to dry me out.”
“Nice dip?” Zo asked with a wink and Aloy blushed. “Don’t answer.” She shook her head. “It looks like it did you both the world of good.”
“Indeed.” Kotallo said, gazing at Aloy. “Did Cassie even notice we were gone?”
Zo shook her head and moved away. Aloy tapped Cassie on the shoulder who blinked, paused the game and looked at her.
“Oh, you’re back!” She eyed her. “You’ve been swimming! Oh…I wanted to go swimming!”
“Tomorrow we’re going to visit Memorial Grove and Chief Hekarro,” Aloy explained, “but how about you go swimming the day after? At the beach?”
“Really?” Cassie’s eyes widened and she looked between her parents. “You’re both coming…right?”
Aloy glanced at Kotallo who held Jay in his arms then turned back to Cassie.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
The End