Discussion Before Breaking the News

With Appa flying at full speed, there was no one nearby that could keep up. And for anyone that saw the massive bird rocketing through the sky, they were too busy with the white-hot forest fire.

The party flew for an entire day, continuing through dusk. They were too preoccupied with worry to bother changing out of their tattered, bloodied clothes.

Eventually, Rydel had stopped trying to douse his emotions in alcohol. Dirk stopped with the first bottle while Rydel managed to go through most of his personal stash. Eliza stayed vigilant with Jack resting on her lap, waiting for the moment he opened his eyes.

Beside Eliza laid Bowzer, who now appeared to be sleeping soundly in place of lying unconscious. Eliza occasionally ran her fingers through his fur, always amazed by how soft it was considering it was able to burst into flames but was never dry or rough.

Entering the second day of travel, the three party members were all caught up in what to do next.