The infirmary doors creaked shut behind me.
The three days I spent inside after waking up had felt like an eternity. Maybe the training with Rhovan and Thyra was doing more than just preventing Aric and I from being mauled by the first opponent we faced.
My legs are still stiff and my arms still ache. But since I can breathe properly they agreed to discharging me.
Aric was waiting outside when I got out. Sitting on the steps while finishing up what seemed to be an entire loaf of bread. He turned upon hearing the doors open
Aric: "Finally. I was starting to think you'd rot in there forever."
Kareth: "Well I would've stayed longer if they didn't basically force me out. My arms and legs still hurt like hell"
He laughed and handed me the rest of the bread.
The city was recovering from the numerous explosions. The debris had been mostly cleared and reconstruction efforts had already begun. Though the trauma of the event still plagued the population.
Aric and I kept walking for some time before finding Thyra and Rhovan. They stood in wait in front of a fountain marking the entrance to the market.
Thyra's body is still bandaged, though her injuries weren't severe. Rhovan was mostly fine, though looked exhausted and far more tired than usual. Clearly he had been forced through several interviews about the events that transpired in that burning building.
Rhovan: "You sure you're good to walk?"
Kareth: "Walkings not the problems right now. It's everything after it. The pain in my legs still remains."
Thyra legs out a small chuckle
Thyra: "Then training resumes tomorrow."
Aric's face dropped instantly.
Aric: "Already? Can't we have just one day off?"
Thyra: "No. The Rigger will strike again. And next time you'll both be more prepared."
Rhovan: "Especially you Aric. you need to understand how to use your thread."
Kareth: "Wait wait Aric has a thread? The fuck?"
Aric turns to me, face now gleaming with pride
Aric: "MHM!"
They filled me in on what happened while I fought The Rigger and about Aric's thread. Supposedly they don't know exactly what it is yet, though visually it seems to be connected to light, with flashes of light appearing whenever Aric used it and light lingering around his sword. And somehow allowed him to move out of the range of the explosions without being hit.
We arrived at the training grounds after walking for a bit. The streets leading up to and around the training ground were far more crowded than usual.
A group of guards jogged through the crowd. Heading towards the main plaza close to the guild hall.
Thyra's eyes followed them closely as they moved.
Thyra: "Something's happening. Something big by the looks of it."
Rhovan: "Something is always happening these days."
We kept walking, passing the northern edge of the market. Clusters of people gathered and gossiped loudly. Aric slowed down and drifted his gaze over the heads.
Aric: "What's going on?"
A woman pushed past us. Another man pushed through from the other direction.
Somebody calls out Thyra's name. A vendor who recognised her. She turned to face him
Vendor: "Did you hear?!"
Thyra: "Hear what?"
The man's hand shifted to point towards the main plaza.
Vendor: "They're making a statement about the terrorist attacks a few days ago. The council is."
Aric frowned. Thyra's jaw clenched.
Aric: "Terrorist?"
Rhovan: "Somebody who hurts people for their own goals. But from what I remember about The Rigger it won't be goals of his own. He might still be following the orders of the Ember Sect. But what could they possibly want here?"
Kareth: "What are they planning to say? Or announce?"
Vendor: "Dunno. But the new council members have been looking for a way to gain trust for a while. So probably something about catching that terrorist."
We all exchange glances.
Aric: "So we're going?"
Rhovan nodded, as did Thyra.
Thyra leads, the rest of us following close behind. Returning to the training grounds would have to wait.