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Papers are scattered around the creaky floor. Old reports used for the drawings by a young girl. Nature studies written into survival guides detailing the flora and fauna of Nod-Krai used as makeshift colouring pages by a treasured little girl. A treasured little girl who is absent.
Flins stands there amongst the scattered pages and upturned chairs, having just arrived back home from a matter that had taken him days away and takes in the mess made of their lighthouse. Takes in the absence of Sveta, his precious treasure. The one thing he has left of him. For a long moment Flins is deathly still. Gift forgotten in his hands. His child not here to receive it.
Aleksei, the one he tasked to watch her? Absent as well. Damningly so.
Flins walks to the small table he shares with Sveta. Sets the little golden furred teddy bear with the teal bow down on the surface, and wordlessly leaves their lighthouse. The ghosts who reside in the Final Night Cemetery with them scatter as Flins walks past. Expressionless, but flame flaring wildly in his lantern.
Aleksei has the explanation. For his own sake, it best be a good one.
Unfortunately for Aleksei, he is easy to find.
Unfortunately for Aleksei, the Ratniki who accompanied him in smuggling Flins’ daughter out of Nod-Krai are cowards. They frighten like deer when the lights of their outpost flicker. They scatter to the winds like birds when the lights go dark entirely save for an eerie blue light that sweeps across the metal walls and ground as it stalks it's prey. Seeking who it came for. Aleksei yells after those fleeing drunkenly, trying to hold onto his own bravado.
Unfortunately for Aleksei, the creature wreathed entirely in an azure flame that finds him cares not for his pleading. Or for the intentions behind his ill-advised actions. No, the creature only cares for the answers, provided amongst the screaming. Only for the information on the whereabouts of his daughter.
Fortunately for Aleksei, the creature is not cruel. No matter what fate he wishes on Aleksei. Lauma and the rest of the Frostmoon Scions startle when Flins walks among them, dragging a beaten Aleksei. The man babbling incomprehensibly about creatures of blue flame with sharpened teeth. How the flame was so cold it burned. He tries with all the might left in his broken body to scramble away from Flins even as he takes him to someone who can render aid.
Flins drops Aleksei dispassionately at Lauma’s feet. Kind Lauma, who looks upon the wretch with concern, and also to Flins with concern. She motions for the other healers among the Scions to take Aleksei away. Still babbling like a mad man, but thankful for the increasing distance between him and Flins. Undoubtedly, she will join them soon to help the poor wretch.
For now, Lauma’s hand is gentle as it settles on Flins’ upper arm. “Flins… What has happened?” Her eyes are kind, wanting to understand. Worried, for both Flins and the monster that threw his daughter carelessly aside. “What attacked this man?”
Flins knows her kindness is wasted on him at this moment.
“I did.” He answers.
Then he turns briskly on his heel and leaves. Feels Lauma’s shocked and sorrowful expression as her gaze follows him. Perhaps she would understand if he offered more explanation. He has no time for such things.
Sveta is waiting for him.
Flins is not surprised when Nikita finds him as he’s packing up his camp to leave. He’s so much older now. Hair gone grey. The Starshyna lost an eye some odd year back to the remnant of the Wild Hunt found and eradicated near Piramida. Illuga had been devastated, but Flins knows the younger man has long accepted that Nikita’s final hour draws nearer and nearer with every passing day. It’s a blessing that Nikita has even made it to this advanced age.
Flins had only hoped to have been present to see Nikita off to his long rest when the time came. To watch as the title of Starshyna, one he so rightfully earned was handed over to Illuga. Flins knows full well, considering what he has done, that such things are now out of his grasp. Flins places more supplies into his rucksack and waits for his Starshyna to address him.
“Aleksei’s men confessed to what was done to Sveta,” Nikita starts. He must know that Flins knows, as he doesn’t linger over the information. “I cannot imagine the pain caused to you, as a fellow father. But as your Starshyna–” Nikita shakes his head sadly. “You know I cannot pardon your actions. The fact you brutally attacked a fellow Ratnik.”
“I am aware,” Flins answers. His voice is soft and resigned. He can’t even drum up any warmth in it for his old friend. He shoves a few more things in his bag and hefts it onto his back after closing it. Standing tall to address his Starshyna. One last time. “Do as you must, Nikita.”
There’s a long, heavy pause. “I revoke your oath,” Nikita says finally, voice grave. Heartbroken even. A part of Flins is touched that Nikita would be so saddened even after what he’s done to Aleksei. “A-and bid–” It’s a far kinder phrase than banish. “--You to leave Nod-Krai behind. I cannot ensure your safety, or Sveta’s, if you return once you’ve found her. Your outpost at the Final Night Cemetery will be relinquished into the care of another.” Nikita’s jaw works, and he sighs. He addresses Flins as a friend and not his Starshyna as he adds, “I am deeply sorry, Flins.”
“Your hands are tied,” Flins replies without expression. “I understand.”
There’s an uncomfortable stinging behind his eyes. But Flins cannot cry. He slowly blinks that discomfort away. He does not dwell on all he’s lost. Cannot.
The Lighthouse, the home he shared with Sveta. His companions among the Ratniki. Never again will he patrol the rocky shores of Nod-Krai.
Even the ghost of Varka swirls at his heels, and Flins’ heart aches for the man he loves despite everything that transpired. The Grand Master would have understood, surely, if he had known what was done to their little girl. How she was ripped from their home. Yet Varka doesn’t even know of Sveta’s existence. With that reminder, Flins absentmindedly kicks the mist away. There is no time for such thoughts. He cannot spend a moment more wallowing.
Sveta is waiting for him.
“I take my leave, Starshyna Nikita,” Flins says as he bows low. “It was a pleasure to serve Nod-Krai under your leadership.”
He turns to leave. Leaving Nikita in the mist. Knowing he has a shadow even then. Flins walks a few more paces through the mist, towards Nasha Town and the harbour, before he turns and looks into the mist. Slowly, Illuga emerges. His eyes are red-rimmed, and his expression is dour with an unhappy set to his mouth.
Flins is both jealous and placated that others can cry for him.
“I’m so sorry, Flins,” Illuga starts, stepping closer. “I wish I–”
“There is nothing you could wish that would change Aleksei’s choices or how I chose to act once I realized what he had done,” Flins interrupts him, managing to tease Illuga even now. “Do not wear this guilt, Young Master. It does not flatter you.”
Illuga’s face flashes with familiar, indignant anger that vanishes just as quickly as it’s come. He shakes his head, earring swinging. “Of all the time to tease–” He takes a deep breath, running a hand exasperatedly through his hair as he fixes Flins with his gaze. Complicated emotions flicker across the younger man’s face before he finally says, “Please find Sveta, and stay safe.”
There’s more he clearly wants to say. More Illuga wants to do. His boots scuff the ground as he takes a half-step towards Flins. A stricken look overtaking his features. It seems an uncomfortable mirror to what Flins thinks he must have looked like when he found out Varka had left Nod-Krai without a word nearly nine years ago. Flins turns his gaze from Illuga, unable to bear it.
“I must go, Illuga,” Flins says softly. He hazards a glance up to the young man. “I have a boat to catch, and a daughter to find.”
Illuga nods slowly. His face pinched unhappily and voice shaky as he replies, “Of course. I won’t keep you, Sir Flins. I hope… I hope you and Sveta will be okay.”
Flins will worry about the logistics of everything else once he finds his daughter. Needing to feel her safe in his arms before anything else. He gives Illuga a salute, and turns on his heel to leave. To Nasha Town, his feet carry him automatically. He thinks he sees Jahoda spot him boarding the ship, her mouth falling open before she scrambles away. Likely off to tell Boss Nefer of his leaving.
He does not worry about what she may speculate to Nefer. It’s likely Nefer already knows. The ship readies to leave, regardless of the flow of information passing from employee to employer. Flins stands at the railing and watches Nod-Krai shrink in the distance. He cannot cry. His eyes burn. He slowly blinks the uncomfortable sensation away, and briskly walks toward the other railing when Nod-Krai is no longer visible. Looking towards the horizon and the other lands beyond.
Sveta is waiting for him.