As she was wondering whether to point that out or let the matter lie, there was a clatter from outside the tent. Both Aura’s and Liz’s eyes turned to the entrance.
“’Scuse me, Your Ladyships.” A woman entered—one they both recognized. “Pleasure to see you again, Miss Liz. It’s been far too long.”
“Huginn! The pleasure’s all mine. How have you been?”
The pair kept their voices down in view of Scáthach’s condition, but they were nonetheless pleased to see one another again. Once the greetings were done, however, Huginn grew oddly hesitant. She averted her eyes as if choosing her words carefully.
“His Lordship—erm, I mean, Lord Surtr sent me to check on Miss Scáthach, but...” She trailed off, glancing at the bed behind Liz. “Seems like there’s not been much of a change.”
“No,” Liz replied. “But she’ll wake up eventually. I’m sure of it.”
“’Course she will. Miss Scáthach is strong like that.”
“If you don’t mind me asking...” Liz indicated the figure behind Huginn. “Who is that?”
The newcomer was clad from head to toe in armor. They carried themself with a strange air, a little disquieting, a little sorrowful. The color of their emotions changed anxiously as she watched, anger burgeoning and fading in its depths. She narrowed her eyes, instantly on guard.
Huginn rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. “Erm...no one you need to worry about, Your Ladyship.”
At that moment, malice emanated from the armored soldier, pointedly directed at Liz. “My name is Igel.”
“Eh?” Huginn let slip a noise of alarm. She dashed up to the figure, clearly flustered. “Lu— I mean, Ig— I mean, mister! You can’t call yourself that!”
“Why not?”
“What d’you mean, why not?” Huginn glanced furtively back at Liz. “Ain’t it obvious?”
Liz gave a shrug, smiling wryly. She recognized the name. Igel had been one of the leaders of the Vulpes forces during Six Kingdoms’ invasion—a man who had been dispatched by Hiro, if she remembered correctly. The soldier wore male armor, but they spoke with a female voice. It was almost certainly his sister, Luka, which would certainly explain her strange aura.
“I’m glad you’re in good health,” Liz said.
The figure stiffened, but after a long moment, she gave a curt nod. On the sidelines, Aura still looked leery, but if Liz didn’t object to Luka’s presence, it was not her place to say otherwise. She lay down in her bed and closed her eyes.
Liz turned back to Huginn. “You and Lu— I mean, this fine soldier should take a moment to talk with Scáthach. I’m sure she’d like that.”
Huginn’s arrival had thoroughly dispelled the gloom hanging over the tent. There was no telling when Scáthach might wake, but a cheerful atmosphere was bound to do more for her than despondency.
“Why don’t you tell her what you’ve been up to since you last met?”
Huginn nodded. “Of course, Your Ladyship. I’d be glad to.”
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