Outside Pella, the Territories of Ilsylvania. Day 03.
After some time of restless sleep passed, Tyree forced herself out of bed. The floor jumped at her with every step she took, but Tyree managed to steady herself with the cane Logan had left her.
The house was quiet, but it was still light outside, meaning she couldn’t have been out long.
In the living room, Aliyah was asleep on Logan’s largest couch with Alyx and Lynn cuddled with her. Tyree could have stood there, watching the soft up and down of their deep sleeping breathing.
Her gaze drifted to a rocking chair in the corner. The silver-haired Halzy was resting with his feet on a stool. He stirred when he saw Tyree staring at him. He glanced at her sleeping wife and children, then nodded towards the kitchen.
“I’m glad to see you back on your feet.” Halzy whispered as he poured them both a drink. “Your kids are wonderful. They have a mean curiosity streak that reminds me of my grandson when he was their age.”
“Grandson? Your hair is grey, but you can’t be much older than I?” Nevermind the fact that Tyree had never heard of Guardians having kids.
“Ah, you might not be up to speed on some things. I’ll give you the abridged version. Despite my appearance here, where I’m from, I’m very old. My seventy-sixth birthday just passed. Time works a little differently for us. About twelve of your years for every one of ours.” Halzy paused. “The last one hundred and twenty or so of your years, we Guardians acted more like puppets controlling these bodies. All the while we were in our own world, who knows how far away from here. That changed three days ago.”
The man’s words brought back more memories from that fight with the other Guardians. A conversation she’d overheard them having before Tarik Kronos and the rest of her squad had been murdered.
They’d said something about a game. “Is our world… Our lives just a game to you and your kind? You come and go as you please because we don’t matter to you? Because you’re just puppets?”
Halzy was silent for a long moment. Long enough that Tyree wondered if he’d “left” her like the Guardians sometimes did. When he did speak again, he sounded tired. And older than he looked.
“Prior to three days ago, I’d have said yes. But I say that with much more meaning than I can possibly express. This world was a way for me to connect with my grandson. I had a sickness, Alzheimer's, we call it, that made me lose my memories. Memories of my wife. My son. My two daughters. They could be standing in front of me and I didn’t even know who they were.
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“But when my grandson showed me this world and introduced me to this world’s alchemy, everything just clicked. I was a life-long chemist. I would come here with my grandson, even if I didn’t remember him, he would show me things here. I met a good group of people who helped me learn other aspects of this world. Somehow, I didn't lose that despite losing my family.
“And then, three days ago, whatever magic put me in this body… It cured me of that sickness. I can see life with a clarity I have not enjoyed in almost a decade.”
Losing your memories? To be in a room with your own family and not know them, how terrifying. That was a fate Tyree hoped she would never suffer or let her family suffer through.
Halzy continued. “This is a second chance for me and one I don’t intend to take lightly. It is a gift I can never repay. And that is why I intend to continue fighting to make this world a safer one. Not just for you and yours, but everyone.”
Halzy reached into his bag and pulled out several large chunks of a black stone. “Your daughters told me this is what they were searching for when they found you. A meteor had fallen. I managed to find it. These are for them.”
Tyree picked up one of the stones. It was smooth and cold to the touch. She’d been around enough forges to know that this was real sky iron ore. And it was incredibly pure. There was enough here to make two full-size longswords.
“Thank you, Halzy. But you should probably keep that hidden or they will never stop pestering us until we turn those into swords.”
Halzy gave a soft, hearty laugh. “You’ve got it!”
“Can I ask you a favor?”
“Ask away. If it’s within my power, I’ll do what I can.”
“Would you mind taking me to the barracks to see my team? I assume their bodies have been taken there.”
Halzy’s smile gave way to a frown. “They were. I saw them. I really don’t think you want to see—”
“I need to!” The words came out harsher than she’d intended.
Both she and Halzy turned in the direction of the living room. Her family, thankfully, didn’t stir. Tyree knew Aliyah would not approve of this. But she hoped Aliyah would understand.
“I mean, they were my team. I need to.”
“Believe me, I understand. But you’re in no condition to ride. We can go tomorrow if you’re feeling better. I can make a brew with strong healing properties. I can give you a little today and a little tomorrow. I was informed by Aliyah that non-guardians must heal slowly, but we'll go as quickly as she allows.”
“No, that won’t work. There’s a disease going around. The king has issued a command that the dead be burned to prevent it spreading worse than it already has. Their bodies will be burned tonight and their tags will be sent back to Castera. I need to see them before that happens. That’s why I am asking you to take me now.”
Halzy studied Tyree for a long moment. “And I presume you don’t want your wife finding out?”
Tyree gave him a nod. “I think this is a request where it would be easier to beg for forgiveness than to seek permission I know won’t be granted.”
A mischievous smile crept onto Halzy’s face. “I was young once. If you can get dressed for riding and make it to the stables on your own, we’ll leave as soon as you’re ready.”