Burn it Down: Refuge

Red finally reached the refugee camp, depositing her finds from the hospital with the medics, who eagerly took the satchels and began rummaging through them for what they needed first. She then went over to meet up with Ziigwan and Ragwort, who still seemed a bit shaken up from the night’s events.

“Hey, you guys ok?” Red asked tiredly.

Ziigwan nodded, his small bat companion sleeping on his back, as was Spooks on Red’s back.

“We’re alright, a bit burned and bruised, but overall it could’ve been much worse for us.

Red nodded in relief. Thank god they got out alright, although many others weren’t as lucky.

Looking around, Red could see handlers, riders, civilians, and stryx alike all being tended to by medics, or awaiting treatment for less severe injuries. Many cried, many hung their heads in sorrow, but most just looked blankly ahead, numb from losing their entire city.

Red felt bad. She knew what it was like to lose a home, her family, even herself. She eventually found a way to recover, but still, scars run deep.

“Red? You ok?” Ragwort’s voice snapped Red out of her thoughts.

“Yeah, I’m good. Maybe we should be going, the sun’s gonna rise soon. I think. It’s hard to tell with all the smoke.” Red turned mournfully towards the still burning city, the smoke obscuring any indicator of time in the sky.

“Not before you’re rewarded for your efforts.” The defense general’s voice made Red jump. She turned to face the stryx, who came to them baring their satchels, still full.

“Don’t you guys need these supplies?” Ziigwan asked when handed his closed satchel.

“Oh, don’t worry, we’re making good use of the supplies you guys retrieved. We’ve simply replaced them with compensation for what you’ve done.” The general’s raspy voice sounded almost cheerful, something Red wasn’t sure she’d even hear tonight after what had happened.

After receiving her two satchels, she opened the flap on each, staring in shock at the piles of baubles and tokens inside.

“Are you sure? We didn’t do it for the profit, you know. We were happy to help in any way we could.” Red asked the general.

“Nonsense! You’ve helped immensely, you should be able to go back home with a hefty showing for your noble work!” The general laughed lightheartedly. He insisted they keep the generous rewards every time the trio asked whether it was ok to keep them.

“General! Your attention is needed!” Another stryx from across the area called for the defense general, who thanked the trio a final time before hurrying away to attend to more important matters.

The three stood in shock for a few moments before Ziigwan suggested they really get going this time.

“Ugh, I’m not even sure my legs can handle the trip back.” Red complained, stretching her legs out in preparation for the journey home.

“I know, we’re all tired, but we’ve gotta get back. Who knows whether there are more of those monsters around here.” Ziigwan nudged her side playfully.

The three of them cautiously made their way back to where they’d met for departure, what seemed like an eternity ago, but was actually just a handful of hours ago, their makeshift firepit now just a pile of cold sticks.

“Well, I suppose this is goodbye for now.” Ziigwan stretched his wings as he spoke. The little bat on his head was now awake and chattering with Spooks tiredly.

“I guess so. Maybe after this let’s not go too far away for a while, hmm?” Ragwort joked.

Red chuckled, but knew deep down that might not be a bad idea.

Red

607 words- 12

Extra Stryx-3

Bat companion included-3

Scavenging-3

Flockmate-3

Personal-3

Total= 27 AP

Ragwort

607 words-12

Extra Stryx-3

Nokt Wo'a (in Nocturnal setting)-2

Flockmate-3

Scavenging-3

Total= 23 AP

Ziigwan

607 words-12

Extra Stryx-3

Bat companion included-3

Scavenging-3

Total= 21 AP