FASHAV LIVES AU (part one)

It's the first time Kotallo has been on the other side of the gates at Barren Light since they'd pushed back the Carja forces and even though there's peace he feels an uneasiness in the pit of his stomach as he crosses through, a guest rather than invader this time around. He feels a paranoia creeping up in the back of his mind at the disadvantage he currently has. The ache of his lost limb is a constant presence even with the herbs he's been chewing on since the battle with Regalla ended. His hand keeps reaching for the blade he would normally carry, the one he was told he would have to leave behind if wanted to enter Barren Light a free man.

But he goes despite all the warnings in the back of his mind saying he shouldn't. He goes because somehow, by the will of the Ten or the Carja sun god, Fashav has survived being run through with a spear and he has to know if this is only prolonging the inevitable or if the other marshal will truly live.

It takes some convincing but to his surprise it's the blood haired warrior who'd been speaking with Fashav when he arrived who vouches for him, tells the Carja commander to let him in or he'll have to deal with her. And that's how he winds up following after a Carja soldier, being led up to a chamber where a healer is tending to the wounded marshal.

He wasn't at the Grove when Fashav was first brought before Chief Hekarro but he's heard the stories of how the Carja captain had been half dead when he'd been brought back as a prisoner. He imagines this is similar to how looked then. He skin is deathly pale and if it wasn't for the shaky rise and fall of his chest he would've assumed him dead already. The paint has been scrubbed from his face, the left side strange to see bare after all this time. The bandage wrapped tight around his middle is tinged with the faintest color of blood coming through and he can't help but stop the healer before he can leave.

"Will he live?" is all he asks, his voice low in the small room but still stern enough it seems to startle the man in red robes that looks at him with a hint of fear.

"We, um, we won't k-know until morning," the healer stuttered, glancing from Kotallo to Fashav and back again. "As long as he doesn't bleed out over night then yes. H-he has a good chance of recovering."

Kotallo nods at the answer and the healer seems to take that as his chance to leave, disappearing from the room and leaving the two marshals alone. The Tenakth stands there for a minute, glancing around the small room before his gaze falls back to the man in the bed. He watches the rise and fall of his chest carefully, minutes passing by until he's seen it enough to feel some kind of reassurance. Quietly, he takes a seat on the stone floor next to the bed, his back leaning against the wall as he starts his vigil.

Tomorrow they'll start the journey back to the Grove, the few of them left reporting of Regalla and her rebels to the chief. But for tonight, this is where he'll stay, where he's needed more.

@drelizabetsobek