赤裸裸的滑稽故事

Fiona held Caleb in her arms for a long time.

Ashleigh stood in the corner watching with a gentle smile on her face. She knew how worried Fiona had been and was glad that at least this worry could be taken off the board.

They gave Caleb a brief rundown of what had happened in Summer. About the towers and the plan to send the people of Summer through the way gate, at this mention, Caleb looked up at Ashleigh, and she turned away.

Ashleigh told him about how the adventure to Spring had turned out and what she knew about the situation in Winter. However, since she had left only a few hours after waking, there wasn't much she could share.

"What the hell happened to you?" Fiona asked. "Last we heard, Rogues were coming from further south and a different attack party from the north."

He told them about traveling to Burning Ember, about getting caught in the cave with Saul. He explained how Soren had given his life to get them back to the pack. And then about leaving for the South Lands.

"Once we began our journey through the South Lands, we knew we were not going to be running into the fae or the hybrids, but the Rogues came out pretty much from the start," he said. "At first, it was just a few here and there, but on the third day, we were attacked by a larger group, and there were injuries, but luckily no fatalities."

"Thank the Goddess for that," Fiona sighed.

"I don't understand," Ashleigh said, "I thought the journey would take ten days through the South Lands? It hasn't been that, and how did you meet up with these Broken Crag wolves?"

Caleb smiled.

"We slowed our pace, hoping that Alpha Sofia and the smiths would be able to catch up to us. But, when we saw a large force coming at us from the north, we thought the worst had happened. That Alpha Sofia and the smiths were lost, and the fae were coming for the rest of us," Caleb sighed.

Ashleigh swallowed, remembering what she had been told about Burning Ember. The call from Penelope.

"Imagine my shock when the force coming at us was a group of about twenty Broken Crag wolves, and Alpha Sofia and the smiths with them."

Fiona and Caleb laughed.

"Jonas took back his territory. We were lucky he was able to send his men when he did," Caleb added.

Ashleigh licked her lips, hesitating to ask.

"Was it… just Alpha Sofia and the smiths?" she finally managed to say.

Caleb lifted his gaze, his brows furrowed, and then softened as he understood the feelings of anxiety and dread that came off of her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, slipping his hand over hers. "Sofia told me about Penelope and Mateas. She also hoped they had made it out."

Ashleigh swallowed and looked away.

"The Broken Crag wolves went through the ruins of Burning Ember. They said it was very clearly attacked by a large force," he said softly. "There were signs of battle through the streets, but the last buildings were damaged most. Signs of explosions. Fae bodies, and among them, they found two wolves."

Her eyes burned from the tears that filled them. She sniffled. It was suspected, assumed even. But to have it confirmed. It hurt.

"They assumed they were a part of Burning Ember," Caleb continued. "One of the Crag wolves was familiar with the customs of death. So they washed and wrapped the bodies and returned them to the fires."

Ashleigh nodded. Telling herself that she would lay a stone for each of them when this was over.

After a few silent moments, Fiona put a hand on Ashleigh's shoulder.

"Are you all right?"

Ashleigh nodded. She looked up and gave a brief smile.

"I just…" she began. "Penny tried so hard to prove herself… after everything that her brother did. I wish I could have told her how proud I was of her. Let her know that she was so much more

than she realized."

Caleb pulled Ashleigh into a side hug, kissing the top of her head.

"I'm fine," Ashleigh said, wiping her tears. "There will be time to mourn once the war has ended."

Caleb and Fiona both nodded.

"So, what happened after the Crag wolves arrived?" Fiona asked.

"I left," Caleb replied. "Sofia told me about the fae heading toward Summer and likely Winter. I asked Saul to stay with Sofia and guide the pack the rest of the way. The wolves I brought with me volunteered. That pack is on its way here. I needed to come back and make sure there was here to come to."

"Honestly," Fiona sighed. "It doesn't look like it."

Ashleigh lowered her gaze.

"We have a plan to get the people out of Summer, but the gates will not hold against an entire army of fae… The truth is, Caleb. Summer won't survive the day."

***

When they finished discussing the current plan, Caleb insisted he be allowed to shower. Fiona told them to go. The last of the civilians were being escorted to the gate. Now that the communications were open again, though only within a certain range, she organized scouts to look for the fae they knew were coming.

Caleb convinced Ashleigh to return to their room, but he could not persuade her to join him in the shower.

Caleb spoke to her from the bathroom as he finished his shower and dressed. Meanwhile, she grabbed a few supplies and trinkets from around the room.

"So," he began. "You used the gate?"

Ashleigh swallowed.

"Yea," she said. "It was… intense."

"Uh-huh," he replied. "And now you are sending three hundred people through it?"

"That's the plan."

"Is that safe?" he asked. He stepped out of the bathroom, a small towel in his hand he used to dry his hair.

Ashleigh paused her movements.

"Do you think I would have agreed if it wasn't?" she asked.

Caleb looked at the way she tensed her back. Again, he felt the fear, the hesitation, the wish for another option.

"I think," he said, moving close to her and putting his warm hands on her shoulders. "That there is something about this plan that has you worried. Something that is making you want to do anything except for this."

Ashleigh turned in his arms and pressed her face to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her.

"It is the best plan," she whispered. "It is what will save the people of Summer."

Caleb swallowed. Feeling something heavy in his chest, a painful ache burrowed into him.

"Who won't it save, Ash?" he asked softly.

Ashleigh lifted her gaze as he lowered his. He looked into her eyes; the pain was written beneath her tears.

"Lily," she whispered. "Doing this… maintaining the pathway long enough for everyone to get through… it will destroy her."