Firekeeper's World: Tiniel & Isende's Cottage

[kestrelswolf]

They'd regrouped within the twins' cottage following the surrender of the island's inhabitants, where Tiniel and Isende promised to explain both why they'd returned to the Once Dead, and why the island's surrender had been so complete

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[bigdamndestiny]

Merlin remained quiet as he poked and prodded at the fire with far too much vigor to be casual. A plague that attacked only people with magic.

Yes, this was officially the worst place he'd ever been.

[kestrelswolf]

"Am sorry," Firekeeper offered with genuine regret. "That I bring you here."

[bigdamndestiny]

"You couldn't have known this would happen," Merlin pointed out, looking up and offering her a smile.

[kestrelswolf]

"Is true," Firekeeper shrugged, because it was. She wasn't terribly good at offering comfort. But she tried?

[bigdamndestiny]

"And your friend survived it. If I become infected, I will as well." Yes, because saying it meant it was true.

Idiot.

[kestrelswolf]

Firekeeper reached over to aim a light punch at Merlin's shoulder. It was a sign of affection coming from her!

"Shall," she nodded. "And then once you is safe, we find way back to Fandom." No, she had no idea how that was going to work. But Derian had gone there and back again, and they'd been brought here, so there had to be a way. They just hadn't found it yet.

[bigdamndestiny]

"Perhaps one of the gates would lead us there?"

[kestrelswolf]

"Perhaps," Firekeeper said with a nod. "Though am not much fond of the way used to travel them." Maybe Merlin could figure out a way to open them without all the blood?

[bigdamndestiny]

...let's not hold our breath for accuracy if he does try.

"If it's the only way..."

[kestrelswolf]

"Then we do what we must," Firekeeper finished.

[bigdamndestiny]

Merlin nodded once in understanding. "Do we have a plan?"

[kestrelswolf]

"Ride out this querinalo. Then, hold this place until we find a way to seal gates back to the New World."

[bigdamndestiny]

"That's a good plan," Merlin said, nodding seriously. Because he had oh so much to add to it. "Very... planny."

[bitch_prince]

After exchanging a few words of discussion, Arthur wound up right here, pressing his side against Merlin's without another word.

After a moment, his arm tentatively slid around the boy's shoulders.

[bigdamndestiny]

Merlin most certainly did not need the comfort except that he did and was leaning against Arthur now. Quiet, all.

"Not exactly what you expected for a hunt, right?"

[bitch_prince]

"You do have a habit of failing rather spectacularly at them," Arthur reminded him, voice muted. Now, Arthur. People might think you're going soft. "So I suppose it's no surprise."