Severely hypothermic and unable to walk, Wared and Kyra struggled to get Tarun back to the car. He mumbled incoherently all the way back to the car. Wared drove back to the apartment as quickly as the conditions would allow. Kyra called for a doctor to meet them at the apartment, and also notified her father. Tarun seemed oblivious to everything, whispering to himself in the back seat as his body shook uncontrollably, even with the heat turned up as high as Wared and Kyra could tolerate.

When they arrived at the apartment, the doctor was already there, as was the Departure Agent responsible for Tarun. Tarun was taken directly to his bedroom. The doctor closed the door and gave strict orders not to be disturbed. Tarun's Departure Agent took up post outside the door to enforce those orders.

All Wared could do was wait. While Kyra took it upon herself to go fetch them both a set of dry clothes, Wared settled in on the couch in the living room with a blanket and a cup of hot soup prepared by Alice.

He couldn't help but wonder why Tarun had gone all the way out to the trailhead on a stormy night when it would me next to impossible to make it up the trail? Why had he not returned to the car after seeing the condition of the trail, just as he and and Kyra had? There was nothing worth seeing off the trail where they had found him, yet it seemed clear he had been there long enough to suffer from exposure to the elements. And why would he do all of this on the eve of his Departure? It made no sense.

When he finished his soup, he returned the cup to the kitchen. The Departure Agent, who had introduced himself as Ruban, was helping himself to a glass of water.

"How is he doing?" Wared asked as he put his bowl into the dishwasher.

"Tarun is resting, as he should be. Not to worry, the medical staff is taking well care of him."

Wared nodded and smiled. "Will he recover?"

"That is the expectation, yes. Once he does, the Departure will take place as planned."

Wared felt a little uneasy about Ruban's sudden focus on the Departure. Was it so important to send a sick person off right away? Was it not better to let them heal and recover first?

"I see. How soon do you expect that to happen?"

"That is difficult to say. Tarun needs to recover sufficiently, naturally, but if all signs are favorable, it could happen as soon as tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? That seems a little soon, doesn't it? I mean, in his current condition—"

"Obviously, he cannot participate in the Departure in his current condition."

"No, I know, but—"

"As I stated, when he has recovered sufficiently, the Departure will take place, as planned. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to return to my post."

Ruban turned without waiting for Wared's response and left the kitchen. Wared sighed and shook his head. Everything felt rushed. What was the harm in taking their time? Surely they wanted Tarun to enjoy the experience too? The Departure was, after all, the step into the next phase of his life.

As he walked back into the living room, Kyra and her father walked through the front door.

"Kyra told me," Henrin said after the customary greeting, a concerned look on his face. "How is he doing?"

"He's expected to recover according to agent Ruban."

"Oh good, I'm so glad to hear that. We wouldn't want him to miss the journey of a lifetime," Henrin added with a smile.

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"Yes, isn't that wonderful?" Kyra said as her previously solemn face transformed into a smile. "He'll be able to take his journey before long."

Wared had to resist blurting out something rude. Tarun's situation wasn't good and the only thing people around him could think about was the ceremony. What about concern for what had happened and why? No-one seemed to care that he had ventured out in the middle of a storm to attempt a hike no-one in their right mind would even consider in that weather. Why was the ceremony so much more important than his well-being? He held his tongue and just nodded in agreement.

The next few hours passed mostly in silence. Kyra fell asleep on the couch and Henrin spent most of the time either talking to the Departure Agent or outside the apartment handling other official business. It left Wared fending for himself during the next few hours.

Towards the afternoon, the weather improved. The rain stopped and the skies cleared, revealing a clear sky and sunny weather. When the attending doctor came out of Tarun's room, it felt as it it all was a sign of better things ahead.

Wared jumped to his feet and grabbed the doctor's hand. "How's he doing?"

"Oh, he's doing just—"

"Never been better," Tarun responded from the doorway into the living room, a smile on his face. He still looked a little tired, but he seemed more like his normal self.

Wared embraced him with a laugh. "Tarun, you had us all worried. I wasn't sure whether you'd live or die."

"I'm feeling great. I'm sorry you were so worried. Have you had anything to eat since you came here? Either of you?"

Just then, Henrin stepped through the door. His face lit up when he saw Tarun on his feet. "Candidate Tarun, I'm so glad to see you're feeling better."

Tarun said after a moment's hesitation.

"Oh, my apologies. I'm Overseer Henrin, Kyra's father."

"It's a pleasure," Tarun said with a slight bow as he glanced over at Kyra, then looked at Wared with raised eyebrows. Wared met Tarun's look, then averted his eyes as he felt his cheeks flush.

"Likewise. We were worried there for a minute that your Departure would be jeopardized because of your condition. I see that you're fully recovered. That's great news."

At the mention of the Departure, Wared noticed that the smile on Tarun's face lost the genuine feeling he had noted just moments ago. There was still a smile on his face, but it was clearly forced.

Wared cleared his throat. "Tarun, I don't believe you've met Kyra," he said. "She helped save your life last night."

Tarun held Wared's gaze for a moment longer than normal, then turned to Kyra and bowed. "It's a true pleasure, and I am eternally grateful for your assistance."

Kyra, who now stood next to her father, smiled and nodded.

"I'll arrange for the ceremony to be rescheduled for tomorrow," Henrin continued. "We'll also take care of notifying the guests. Of course, Kyra and I will also get out of your hair so that you can take the evening with your nephew and relax before the big day tomorrow."

Tarun blinked a couple of times, then nodded. "Yes, of course, Overseer. I'm looking forward to it."

"Very well. In that case, we'll see you at the Departure Hall tomorrow. For your convenience, Departure Agent Ruban will be stationed outside in the hallway, should you need anything."

"I appreciate the consideration but that really isn't necessary," Tarun said and gestured towards Wared. "I've got Wared, he'll be able to help me if I need anything."

Henrin smiled and nodded. "Of course, I understand. But, I insist. That's the least we can do to support a Candidate in need. He won't be a bother. We'll see you tomorrow."

Tarun nodded as Kyra and Ruban followed Henrin out of the apartment. The doctor left a few medications for Tarun and followed close behind. When the door closed, Tarun slumped into one of the chairs in the living room and sighed.

"Finally," he whispered.

"What's the matter?"

Tarun looked at Wared for what seemed like an eternity. When a single tear rolled down his cheek, Wared knew something was very wrong. He put his hand on Tarun's arm. "Uncle, you need to tell me what's going on. What's wrong?"

The question seemed to snap Tarun out of his deep thoughts. He quickly wiped the the tear from his cheek and clear his throat.

"Wared, my friend, there's nothing to worry about."

"I can tell that's not true."

Tarun stood up and sighed, then looked at Wared and shrugged.

"It doesn't matter. Listen, I need to rest. My ceremony is tomorrow, and I need to get some rest."

"But—"

Tarun held up his hands. "There's nothing left to discuss. I'll see you in the morning, ok? Feel free to stay here on the couch if you like. You know where to find the sheets."

Wared watched with his mouth wide open as Tarun turned and disappeared into his bedroom. He heard the distinct click of a door locking. What is going on? It was clear to Wared that something was amiss. Tarun had been a babbling wreck when they found him. The doctor had brought him back and now he seemed fully recovered. How was that even possible?

~~~