Niles pushed Kiri's hair back, off her sweaty forehead. She was sick, really sick. And it was all his fault. He hadn't known she was allergic to jellysquid! But he'd cooked it, and she'd eaten it. And now she was dying, and Niles couldn't help her.

So he was taking her somewhere she could get help. If he looked over the edge of the cliff, he could see their ship, way below, waiting for them to return.

But when he looked up, towards where he was going, he saw nothing but high peaks and rugged landscape. It wasn't his element, and Niles didn't like it. But he would do it.

According to the map there was a pass somewhere in these mountains, the Patola Mountain Range. And in the pass there was a town.

This far from anything, there was sure to be a healer in the town, and hopefully that healer would be able to help Kiri. If Niles and Xu could get her there in time.

Niles crossed his fingers.

"I found it!"

Niles snapped his head up to see Xu running- more like tumbling- down the narrow cleft they'd been following.

"Not an hour's walk ahead, there's a path! And it's been traveled recently, the town can't be far ahead!"

Niles grinned and lifted Kiri in his arms. She felt as light as a feather to him. Trying not to jostle her too much, Niles jogged after Xu, up the mountain towards Valley Village.

Towards hope.

________

Erga glared at the foreigners, her dark green eyes flashing.

"You don't understand! Winter comes early here. In a few days, the pass will close, and you will be unable to return to your ship. We are a small community- we are refugees from the early years of the war. We are peaceful, and we will not have pirates in our town!"

"You've helped us this long! Why change your mind now?"

"I'm not changing my mind. I agreed to help the girl. Not you."

"But Kiri is with us. You can't help her if she's gon-"

"You misunderstand. It is only the two of you who must leave. My patient will remain here. A ship is no place for a child."

"Kiri's not a child!"

"Not her! The child she carries. That is why she has remained sick for so long. I doubt that she will come out of her delirium for some time. The babe pains her. But I will make her well. You, on the other hand, are not welcome here!"

"You can't just kick us out-"

"Yes, I can. I am the village healer. I can do whatever I wish, and they will follow me. Now leave! We have given you provisions for your journey. When your Kiri is well and the child is old enough, if she wishes to return, I will send you a message."

"How will you-"

"I have ways! Now go! Before I make you go!" Erga smiled in satisfaction as the two pirates, with their tails tucked between their legs, picked up their packs and left Valley Village. Poor Hila and Tok would be happy to see them go! The tavern was almost out of ale because of those two.

Erga shook her head. It was a wonder how such a sweet-looking girl as Kiri had ended up with a band of pirates. And one of them probably the father of her babe, and not man enough to own to it!

Erga clucked her tongue against her teeth, and watched with a bird's keen eye until both Niles and Xu had disappeared from her sight. Until she was certain they were gone.

Now- to tend to Kiri. It would be some time before the girl was up and about, and much more before she was healthy.

But she would live, of that Erga would make certain.

___

Yaay we found her... but now what? And is she really... could it be... *gasp* What will happen WHAT WILL HAPPEN lol you must wait and see...

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-Tess