Chapter Text
"Effective immediately, the Chief’s Champion has requested an indefinite leave of absence from her duties, henceforth and until further notice," Marshal Ivvira muttered aloud, as if speaking it aloud would unravel the mystery.
Kotallo's heart fell through his chest.
"No... She can't have just left..." Kotallo sank back in his throne, disbelief etched across his features.
Lost to his musings, Kotallo remained oblivious to the bewildered gazes of his subordinates, who founds themselves equally as confounded by the situation as their Chief.
Looking on at the crumpled figure of the man that at upon the throne, all any of the Tenakth gathered at their Chief's side could ponder was:
What could have perturbed the Tenakth Chief so profoundly?
"Chief? Chief Kotallo," a faint voice grew more distinct as Kotallo stirred. "You have delegations awaiting your attention."
Startled, Kotallo's gaze snapped up as a gentle hand shook him awake.
Kotallo grunted in acknowledgment, meeting the gaze of his fellow Tenakth, Chaplain Dekka. “Apologies, Chaplain. You must forgive me my moment of weakness.”
His fingers sought out a fallen scroll from the towering stack of a never-ending stack of paperwork domineering the desk at the centre of the strategy room, pulling it closer and unrolling it.
Dekka's lips curved into a sympathetic smile as she departed from the weary newly appointed Tenakth Chief, heading to the Council meeting room to prepare for the day's meetings. She noted the dark circles under Kotallo's eyes, a telltale sign of yet another sleepless night. But it wasn't surprising; Kotallo often struggled to sleep, lost to the depths of his thoughts and responsibilities.
By midday, the sun finding its peak in the blue sky above, Kotallo had made significant progress through the scrolls from foreign dignitaries—an impressive feat for someone who had only learned to read and write later in life.
Two of his subordinates excused themselves from their duties, murmuring about grabbing a bite at the cook stands.
Kotallo didn't bother joining them; he wasn't hungry. His eyebrow arched when Chaplain Dekka returned to the throne room.
"You should eat, Chief," Dekka advised, noting Kotallo's exhaustion and the hint of gauntness in his usually robust frame, the man withering away before her very eyes.
"I'll join you and the other’s momentarily; I just need to finish this report to send to our Carja emissary," Kotallo replied, meeting Dekka's scrutinizing gaze. "Is everything alright, Dekka?"
"Yes, Chief," Dekka responded curtly, realizing she had been staring. "It's nothing."
Nothing she was willing to disclose to Kotallo, at least.
Beta wore a scowl like it was her favourite accessory. Kotallo couldn’t blame her; he wouldn’t have been thrilled either if someone had barged into his private quarters, screaming at him for answers.
"I'm sorry, Kotallo," Beta growled, dripping sarcasm on the last word, "I didn't quite catch that. Do you want to repeat what you just said without yelling at me?"
Kotallo clenched his jaw, trying to contain his anger. Realising he probably couldn’t speak without shouting, he extended the scroll he'd received earlier regarding Aloy's departure.
Beta didn't take it; she likely knew its contents already.
"So, it finally made its way to the Grove, huh?" she asked, her voice devoid of emotion. "Well, what do you want from me?"
“A location," Kotallo pressed, met with a blank stare. "I've searched as far East as Meridian and as far West as the Isle of Spires, but Talanah, Erend, or Alva couldn’t or wouldn't offer me any leads. Beta; where is she?"
Beta sighed heavily, shaking her head.
"I don't know Kotallo, but even if I did, I wouldn't be at liberty to tell you." Beta begins to explain. "If Aloy wanted you to know where she is or where she had plans of going, she would have told you herself. She obviously has her reasons for not having done so."
If ever there was an answer Kotallo hadn't been expecting, it would have been the one he was just given.
“What?" Beta turned away, closing her eyes. "Why wouldn't she want me to know?"
“I can't say," Beta muttered, a hint of resentment in her voice as she turned to work on her latest project.
Kotallo narrowed his eyes, sensing Beta's avoidance. Normally, he wouldn’t use his title to coerce answers, but he was desperate and wanted answers. So he figured he'd make an exception.
“Beta, I order you to tell me where Aloy is and why she left the Base without explanation.”
To his surprise, Beta let out a humourless laugh.
"Chief Kotallo," Beta allowed her tone to drip venomously, "no offense, but my promise to my sister, means more than any order from you. Unless you plan on having me interrogated by your passel of Marshals, you won't get any answers from me."
Her heart sank for the man when she overheard his muttered words.
"Was it me?" Kotallo asked out of sheer desperation. He had to know. Was it something he had done? Had he been the one to drive Aloy to the ends of the Earth, where no one might find her?
Beta paused, a long sigh escaping her lungs.
"Sort of," she admitted, her heart heavy for the man before her. "It's partly you... but mostly her. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more.”