244 Delivery From Afar

Aether flew up to the tree and looked at the mechanical bird closely. When he got near, the bird examined Aether. 

"Message for Vyrena Blackfire," the bird chirped, "Message and delivery for Miss Vyrena Blackfire from the Dwarven Jewelsmith Guild Jeweller Yudritch!"

Upon hearing the name, Lycster found it familiar. Where had he heard of this name before? As he searched his memory hoping to find a clue, the bird chirped again with more clues. 

"Delivery of the first rose quartz healing bed that was ordered." the bird chirped. 

"Oh Yudritch, the dwarf who sold us our spatial storage jewellery!" Lycster exclaimed. 

-A rose quartz bed?- Aether thought. With access to some of Vy's memories, Aether brightened up. 

The healing properties of the rose quartz could be just what they need to help heal Vy's wounds!

"We accept the order, where is the bed?" Aether said to the mechanical bird. 

The mechanical bird side faced Aether and lifted its wing, revealing a secret compartment beneath it. In it, was a beautiful black onyx ring. Aether took the ring out and the compartment closed. 

The bird turned back to face Aether, "The rose quartz bed is in the spatial storage ring. Thank you for your patronage." 

With that, the mechanical bird took to the sky and flew off. 

Aether came back down with the ring in hand. Having seen Vy and Lycster use theirs on multiple occasions, Aether knew how to use the ring. But as he looked around their surroundings, it did not feel like the right place for them to place the bed. 

-We need a better location.- he said to Lycster. 

Aether went back over and lifted Vy onto his back. They made their way back to the main village area and looked for an empty hut that they could use. Lycster tugged at Aether's arm. 

"Maybe we should set the bed up outside," Lycster suggested. 

-What, why?- Aether asked, confused as to why the boy would have made the suggestion. 

"When the moon comes out, it could have added healing effects. Wouldn't that speed up the healing process even more?" Lycster asked. 

The Familiar was impressed by the boy's intelligence. Even he had not thought of it that way. Even if on that night there was too much cloud cover, there was always the next night. 

-You might be right, good work, boy.- Aether praised. 

Lycster smiled. 

They found a clear spot next to an unoccupied hut and placed the rose quartz bed there. As it materialised before them, Lycster marvelled at the craftsmanship of the bed. The last time he had seen the rock, it was still in its original state. 

Aether placed Vy down on the rose quartz bed and Lycster covered his sister with fur blankets to help her keep warm. Within a matter of seconds, the rose quartz bed began to emit a soft glow of light. 

"Is that a good glow?" Lycster asked, worried that it might mean something bad. 

Aether walked up to the bed and checked on Vy. 

-Seems like it's a good glow.- he replied. 

Lycster heaved a sigh of relief as he sat down on the snow. Looking up at the sky, he could see that it was only a matter of a few hours before night time returned. When he looked around, he noticed Shin watching them from a corner. 

As soon as the frost elf noticed Lycster looking at him, he tried to remain hidden.

-Is the frost elf watching us?- Aether asked. 

Lycster nodded before he whispered to him, "But I don't think he means any harm."

Aether nodded in agreement. When he scanned the area for living life forms, apart from them and Shin, there was not anyone else in their vicinity. 

"You can come out from hiding, frost elf. You are the only one here, are you not?" Aether called out. 

Shin was just about to turn away when he heard Aether's words. He turned back to face them with a look of confusion. 

"How did you know?" Shin asked as he stood up. 

"Aren't there other frost elves?" Lycster asked out of curiosity. 

Shin bit his lip as he looked away to the side for a moment. He shook his head. 

"None that I know of." 

Lycster pitied him. Being out here all alone, following the orders of the glacier scorpions. It must not have been easy for him. Aether looked at the frost elf, then at the surrounding area. In daylight, the village looked abandoned, with some of the roofs falling apart. Without the scorpions around, there was no sign of life either; apart from them. 

"What happened to everyone else?" Aether asked. 

The situation piqued his curiosity. It was unusual to see a ghost town like this. Then again, they were in the middle of the Bleak Lands. A godforsaken cold and unforgiving wasteland of snow. Shin looked at them and then at his surroundings. 

The Kori Village belonged to a small group of frost elves. Shin lived here with his family. But one night, the glacier scorpions attacked and took over everything. He was only ten when it happened. 

The glacier scorpions kept him and two others alive to act as helpful villagers. Whenever travellers passed by seeking shelter, the frost elves would lure them into false safety. Then, the glacier scorpions would kill and butcher the unsuspecting travellers. 

"You said there were two others with you, what happened to them?" Lycster asked. 

Shin recalled the memories he had of Hana and Myko. He desperately wanted to remember their happy moments, when they hoped together for freedom and a better life. But all he could remember, was their cold faces on the day he buried them. 

"They didn't make it," Shin mumbled. It was too painful for him to tell their story. 

Seeing how upset Shin was, made Lycster regret asking in the first place. 

"You don't have to say anything. It's alright. I'm sorry I asked," the boy quickly apologised. 

-You could leave here with us once Vy is healed up and ready for travel.- Aether said, hoping to break the sombre atmosphere. He projected his voice into both Lycster and Shin's mind. 

"Leave? With you?" Shin asked as he looked up, surprised by the offer. 

Lycster brightened up and added, "Yeah! I mean if you want to leave here and travel to someplace new, you could always travel with us!"

The frost elf could not believe his ears, "But I was trying to kill you, like moments ago. Aren't you afraid?"

"Afraid of what?" the boy asked in bewilderment.

Aether turned into his winged serpent form and gave the frost elf a grin, "I don't think you'll try anything funny, right?"