The Death Of A Raven (A Haunted AU)

Chapter 101: Think Happy Thoughts

Piper paced around the tent as they looked at the map that laid before them on the make shift table. Look outs had confirmed Piper's fear that the empire had an ambush further down the route in a canyon passage. Jasper huffed watching them, "Sit down Piper, you're gonna wear a ditch in the dirt." Jasper's wings were still in bandages and his strength wasn't fully back to full but if needed he could still deck someone . "I'm worried Jasper..." Piper muttered. Jasper rolled his eyes "Oh like that wasn't obvious-" Piper glared at him to which he rightfully shut his mouth. Piper sat down and looked at the ground thinking, "Jasper, if Page doesn't have a second route there is no way we can get everyone safely to Redwood...I don't wanna take any risks, after that battle...we retreated, not cause we were weak but because it was not worth fighting. Redwood is larger in numbers and will provide everyone with help...we are not ready for  another battle, let alone an ambush we know that we are walking into." Jasper thought to himself for a moment he listened to Piper trying to reason their point, they were right. The whole rebellion was weak in the aftermath of the battle that was used as a distraction to allow the more venerable members to safely run away to a safe point. Thankfully the two didn't have to think too much longer as Sarah came into the tent with Page following, Piper stood up and welcomed her in. "Sarah said that you are hoping that there is a second way to Redwood..." Page looked over at the map. "Yes, we are hoping that there is another route that could safely get us there as the normal route is blocked off by the empire, we doubt that they know of Redwood but are there because of the League of Onyx's protests... I am very much aware that the League uses that very same canyon passage for trades along the southeast." Page nodded and looked over the map for a little while. She finally found the path she was looking for and pointed at it, "There, at the end of the path is a tunnel passage...It will take an extra day to get there than normally but it's safe." She gave small smile as Piper sighed, the tension and worry leaving the tent. "Thank you Page, Redwood is aware of us coming correct?" Page nodded. "Good, we will move out in the morning when everyone is rested." Piper hung their hat on the brim of their backpack.
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Mak was walking around for Big Jack as it had been a while since she had seen the large gray cat, but thankfully it didn't take long for her to find him. He was sitting next to Koy who refused to go back to sleep, he meowed and nudged her to which she gave him a gentle pet and tried to continue working. He meowed again in protest knowing good and well that Koy was overworking herself, "Sorry buddy but I have work to finish..." He huffed and looked over and saw Mak and meowed hoping she could knock some reasoning into Koy. Mak petted him, "Hey bud, Hey Koy...shouldn't you be asleep, it's really late-" Koy glared over her shoulder and looked at Mak as she mixed a mortar and pestle full of herds, "Shouldn't you...be asleep Mak?" "Yes, but I can't go to sleep when my friend isn't resting... haven't you done enough for today? You're gonna work yourself to death." Koy put her things down and sighed, "I don't know where Charlotte and Simon are so for right now I'm working double time when it comes to healing and medicine..." She picked up a small box and looked around for a different herb. "But you've already used enough of your energy for one day Koy...Just cause Char and Simon aren't anywhere to be seen doesn't mean that you have to carry all that weight on your shoulders to heal people. I bet they are just out healing people like you are, they are just probably in a different part of camp." Koy used a little magic to put a small spark of flame into the small stone bowl and turning the mixture into a dust like substance, "If I don't keep going Mak, people will continue to get hurt and I don't think I could live with myself knowing that I should have been able to help..." Mak sat down and huffed "And you are gonna let yourself get hurt in the process?" Koy lightly growled, "I could care less about what happens to me, if I'm breathing then I am going to do what it takes to keep you all safe and in good health." Mak glared at the shapeshifter, "Koy, don't you think that the rest of us worry about you just the same? What would Simon think if he saw you pushing yourself like this? None of us want you in pain...Koy please, be reasonable-" Koy started to shakily fall over, she had used way too much mana for one day and it was taking a toll on her physically. Mak quickly got up and helped steady her as Jack laid down so Koy could have something to lean against and rest.Mak gently sat Koy on the ground and checked for a temp or anything as fevers were common for when mages over used their mana. Thankfully there was no fever and she was just wore out, "I am putting my foot down Koynume...you need your rest badly and if I have to sit here all night and make sure you get it then so be it." Mak muttered as she took a blanket and laid it on her dear friend who sighed and grumbled before sighing and giving in to her body's demand for her to rest and stop straining herself. "You are stubborn, you know that?" Koy muttered before giving her a gentle smile, Mak laughed a little. "I know, now get some sleep before I am forced to go find Charlotte or Simon to reason with ya...cause I know both of them would pretty pissed that you are out here draining your mana over something like this." Koy rolled her eyes, "Alright, Alright...I'll sleep..." Mak crossed her arms, happy for the small victory. "Good, try and think of some happy thoughts...like...nice spring days, or a cozy day indoors when it rains." Koy closed her eyes and smiled, "Or like snow days and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies..." Mak smiled and patted Koy's head a little, "Yeah...like the ones Simon makes..." Koy purred softly, soon drifting off to sleep thinking happy thoughts and dreaming of the afternoons she used to spend with Simon; baking cookies and watching the snow fall outside the window from the kitchen. It was something they had done as children and still did...What happy thoughts indeed...