The Infirmary

The breaths whistled in Theo's throat as he stumbled down the corridor. With every step, Fia's head bobbed against his shoulder and he felt more blood trickle beneath their poncho. It smelled strongly of the sea, which Theo might've found pleasant if it weren't his friend's blood.

The globe-fish trailed after them, thankfully providing enough light to see by. It felt strangely tranquil belowdecks, the noise of battle as distant as if it came from another world. Which made guilt twist through Theo's stomach; shouldn't he be up there helping everybody fight?

'I am helping,' he told himself, gripping Fia's arm tighter to keep them from sliding down. 'It's just as important to help a friend as it is to fight enemies.'

Besides, how could he fight with his familiar out of commission? Well, nothing was stopping him from using spells on the others. Gritting his teeth, he told himself he'd get to it after making sure Fia was okay.

When he spotted the infirmary door, he blinked: it was part-open, spilling harsh light into the corridor. Somebody was already here?

No time to wonder. Theo picked up his pace, walking as fast as he could while still supporting Fia. Once he reached the door, he shouldered it open and stumbled inside.

The sudden brightness made his eyes water, and the strong scent of medicinal herbs hit like a slap to the face. Blinking hard, Theo struggled to focus.

The light came from at least a dozen globe-fish bobbing at the ceiling, the largest of them twice the size of the others and sporting a brilliantly glowing lure just like the one in Elder Tabitt's office. The lure was pointed downward, illuminating the bed in the center of the infirmary.

As well as the man lying on it. Tall and lean, his hair spilling around his head in loose black curls. Though Theo had never seen him without a bandanna before, he recognized Amaro instantly.

Amaro wasn't alone. On the other side of the bed, Cay knelt with his hands pressed over Amaro's chest – or rather, the bloodstained bandage wrapped around his torso. Blood splattered Cay's robes as well, and now Theo recognized its distinct thick, coppery scent beneath the sharp bite of the herbs.

Silvery light swirled around Cay's hands, but dissolved into nothing the moment Theo entered. He snapped his head up, eyes huge. "What are – "

Then his gaze landed on Fia. He stiffened, suddenly all business. "Bring them here."

Theo obeyed, hurrying toward the bed. Halfway there, Cay intercepted him and grabbed Fia. The sudden lack of weight made Theo stumble, but he quickly regained his balance.

Cay settled Fia into a sitting position, back leaning against the bed. As he reached for their poncho, their eyes fluttered open. "Oh...hey, Cay."

"You idiot," Cay snapped. "Don't tell me you tried to physically fight them? You know as a sprite, you can't hope to match demons."

"Well, I had to do something – yeowch!" as Cay swept their poncho off. Now Theo had a good view of the wound on Fia's shoulder, an ugly dark slash against their blue skin. But to his relief, it didn't seem that big.

"You." Cay waved two fingers at Theo. "That glass bottle with the orange potion. Quickly."

"Uh – okay!" Theo spun around and examined the shelf behind him. Like the others lining the infirmary walls, it brimmed with bottles in all shapes and sizes, filled with a rainbow of highly colored potions. The instant he found an orange one, he grabbed it by the neck and held it out to Cay.

Cay waved him off. "Not that one. Two to the right."

Well, why didn't he say so in the first place? But Theo held his tongue as he grabbed the correct bottle. No sense in arguing when healing Fia came first.

Once he had the bottle in his hand, Cay uncorked it. Then he spilled a controlled amount of a piece of gauze, which he pressed to Fia's wound.

"Ow!" Fia yelled, jolting upright. Theo could've sworn their hair stood at end too.

"Shut up," was Cay's predictably brusque response. He daubed a bit more, ignoring Fia's whined protests, before gesturing at Theo again. "Bandages."

Theo found the bandages on the bottom shelf, stacked in neat rolls. Since they all looked the same, he picked one at random.

To his relief, Cay didn't complain. With quick, sharp movements, he cut a length of bandage and wrapped it around Fia's shoulder. When he tugged it tight, Fia squealed like a dying pig, but an unmoved Cay neatly trimmed off the excess.

"There," he said. "It wasn't a serious wound, but you should take more caution. I'd advise you stay here until the battle's over."

Fia puffed out their cheeks. "Hell no I won't!"

"Of course not." Rolling his eyes, Cay picked up a ceramic bottle from the shelf behind him. "Drink this, it will get your strength up. Then go to the armory, grab a bow or sling or something. You'll be safer attacking from a distance."

"Don't need to tell me!" Bouncing to their feet, Fia grabbed the bottle from him. "Thanks, Cay!"

They downed the contents in a single huge gulp, though their face contorted like they were struggling very hard not to spit it all up. After swallowing, they slammed the bottle onto the floor and picked up their dropped poncho.

With that, they fluttered over to the door. But before opening it, they glanced back at Theo. The huge grin on their face sent relief swooping through Theo.

"Thanks for taking me here, Theo. I owe you!"

Theo rubbed the back of his head. "No, I...it's nothing."

"Oh, what about Amaro? What happened to him?" Fia directed this question at Cay, who had assumed his position behind the bed again.

Cay's eyes narrowed. "He's injured, obviously. And in far worse shape than you, so I'd appreciate if you let me concentrate on healing him."

"You got it, chief!" Saluting, Fia skipped into the hall.

As the sound of their footsteps faded away, Theo swallowed his misgivings. Was Fia really ready to go back to the battle? Cay's potions seemed to have done wonders, but Theo couldn't forget how close Fia had come to passing out just a few minutes ago.

Well, he couldn't do anything about it. Not when the Blue Sky was still in danger. He needed to join the fight too….

"Wait."

Cay's sharp voice froze him in his tracks. Confused, Theo turned around to face him.

The sage was still kneeling behind the bed, hands clasped over Amaro's wound, but his eyes pierced Theo's face like daggers.

Sweat prickled on the back of Theo's neck. Did Cay want him to help out with Amaro? Theo wanted to protest that he didn't have time, had to make sure Zenith and Nevy were okay, but the words wouldn't leave his throat. Not when Cay was staring at him so intently, almost...desperately?

None of this made any sense. But Theo found himself stepping toward the infirmary bed anyway.

"What is it?" he asked.

Cay drew in a shuddering breath, his shoulders tightening. Yet his gaze never left Theo's face. "There's something...I have to tell you. This is...all because of me."

"Because of you?"

To his alarm, Cay actually flinched. Theo had never seen such a vulnerable reaction from him – except the night he'd spied on him with Amaro.

Just when the thought crossed his mind, Cay's voice filled the air. So soft it barely broke a whisper, yet each word rang in Theo's head like thunder.

"It's my fault Ulrich Ziegler found us. Because I stole the Star of Miriel."