When Sil asked why the team knew Shalt was a vampire, Lana did a quick mental review. She recalled giving an update to Sil of all that had happened but she also realized she glossed over a bunch of things so she gave Sil a detailed explanation of what happened, including keeping certain facts Quinn and Logan.
After listening to every word his wife said, he sat back and thought about things.
"Do you often omit things?"
After a brief hesitation, "I have to. You have a thing against me being in dangerous situations. I can't get stronger sitting in a room. Even Quinn wanted me on boring intermediate beasts. He was bored as well. His team was at their level but he was above it. It's why, here, I make sure we are all challenged and on similar levels. Especially after that last major outing. We now have a team of A-ranked travelers."
Sil remained quiet for a bit. "And you think it's okay to keep such things a secret?"
Lana sighed, "do you really want to fight about wanting to keep me weak when I need to get strong?"
Sil took a deep breath, "I just want you safe."
"Safe means dead in this world."
Sil gasped as he heard and took in the words his wife just said. He grabbed her and held her close. He held her so tight he was almost hurting her. "I. Can't. Lose. You."
"You think I could handle losing you?" She was staring him straight in the eyes.
His were filled with tears threatened to fall.
"Why to do you think we wear things like armor, use weapons and train like crazy?
He remained silent and closed his eyes. He was protective before but with Vorden and Raten gone, this place, the home his wife built was his place of refuge. His family. His real family, not that fake thing on the island with the monster.
Tears leaked from his eyes unable to contain the emotions anymore.
"Sil, you know what learning about my family means to me. Are you really going to let your fear come between us? I have a whole team to help me, Caser, and a familiar. Not to mention a really cool soul weapon…" Lana smiled when she mentioned it.
"Can…" Sil gulped, "can I see you in action?" He slowly opened his eyes. "I won't engage, just watch you and your team?"
"Once the saddle is done. We aren't going back out without it. In the mean time, we are focusing on training here, in the shelter."
Sil nodded, "so we do the schedule we've been doing until the saddle is ready. Then I observe you and your team."
Lana nodded.
Sil seemed to relax a bit once he had her agreement on him going with them. "I'm sorry. I know your strong but…"
She interrupted him, "No, I don't think you do. I don't know if you'll even believe if you see it. Time will tell."
Lana looked heartbroken. She felt her husband felt like he needed to babysit her.
She laid down on the bed next to him and tried not to cry. She knew she wasn't the strongest person in the world but she always seemed to find a way to pull through. She took long, slow breaths. She felt his warm body up against hers, his strong arms wrap around her. She felt safe with him. She always had. But a very small part of her was wondering if she was doubting herself as she always had thanks to her upbringing and was projecting those doubt. She held his arms tight to her and let the tears fall silently.
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The next morning, Sil discovered wetness where his wife had laid her head the night before. He began to doubt himself and talk down on himself for making his wife cry. Still, he joined her on the daily routine they had established while they waited for Quinn to leave his shadow.
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Once enough time had passed for the saddle to be ready, Lana, Sil, and entourage went to see Alex. Lana told a little joke to herself that maybe they should be in military formation marching and giggled.
Sil smiled, "excited?"
"Yes," she replied though that wasn't fully truthful. Getting the saddle meant she had to prove to her husband that she didn't steal her A ranking from someone. She felt like she was being treated like a toddler accused of stealing a cookie. Still, she held her head high and proud like a Family Leader should.
When they reached the forgery, Alex was waiting with a sheet over the saddle. His wings were going fast enough to potentially cause a wind tunnel. Lana wasn't sure who was more excited. She was beginning to think Alex was! Regardless of the outcome with Sil and this next hunt, she needed this saddle.
Lana noticed there was more than one sheet and she figured those were the seats to use as the babies grew. Still… "What do you have for me, Alex?" she said with a big smile.
Alex looked at Caser, "can you make yourself bigger again please?"
Caser did as he was asked, to the size the saddle was fitted to. Alex removed the sheet from the saddle like a magician removing the tablecloth beneath a table full of dishes. He was clearly well-practiced in this art.
On the table was a similar base to what was shown a few days ago but slightly more sleek in design. It seemed Alex reforged it with aerodynamics in mind. It was the perfect length and Caser was quickly learning how to wear it. Next, Alex revealed the stage of seat the children would be sitting in now. He also made newborn seats in case more kids came long later. The base was able to fit three seats. He also revealed toddler seats and small child. All were black wit green vines and leaves seeming to grow through the seats.
Alex demonstrated putting the seats on with the ones the children would be needing now. "It took more than the six crystals you gave me but I just used the ones we had sitting around."
Lana nodded, "thank you!"
"I don't know if Caser can learn to use it but there is an active skill. It's called Blink. It's a short teleport that can quickly get them out of danger."
Caser looked proud at his new role of transporting the little ones. He sure relished the attention having the babies around brought to him.
Sil asked, "what do we owe you for those crystals, Alex?"
Alex raised an eyebrow, "Lana bought all the galathrium we currently have. Of course, we have the funds now to buy more but she spent her own money to get us outfitted. She pays nothing until that debt is repaid. If it's ever possible to do so."
Sil beamed at his wife with pride.
Since they were on the ship, they went to check on Quinn's status and it remained unchanged. Sil walked Lana to the teleporter. "I'll be back in a few hours if there's no change."
Lana nodded, "I'm going to the lab. I am going to the lab to check on something and work on copying notebooks gain… A nice boring job." She kissed her husband and walked through the teleporter along with the rest of those who went with her with thoughts of tomorrow's hunt.
Lana returned to the tree she had grown and collected a small root sample then returned to her lab. She minced the sample and set it to boil on the stove and began copying her notebook while the water heated up and did its thing for 15 minutes. She strained the liquid and set it aside to cool then continued to copy her book. She noticed the air felt more invigorating. Progress. She smiled to herself happily.
Once she finished copying the book she had been working on and took it up to the study room, she went outside and grew specific, invigorating fruits and a few other things. After collecting what she needed, she combined the foods she collected in the kitchen. Nothing of what she was currently trying was in any of the books. She made sure to take careful notes of every action she took.
She took the liquid she created and added just a bit at a time until it was all added. She spread it evenly on a tray and set it in the oven at a low temperature. She wanted it dehydrated but needed the properties left intact. Too much heat would destroy them. It took two hours for the tray to dehydrate.
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