Chapter Text
Mondstat’s windmills churned lazily under soft breezes. It was a perfect day for a Bard to work over his latest epic in hopes it would earn him several bottles from Angel’s Share tonight. The owner, currently overseeing the newest shipment being loaded in, was pointedly ignoring the knowing grin.
Meanwhile the Cavalry Captain was taking yet another complaint from the sisters, as their beloved deaconess fussed over the rowdy bunch of adventurers--one particularly unlucky fellow and his curious companions. This was all under the watchful eye of the deadliest member of the church, while she shirked some menial task.
In the office, the Acting Grand Master worked over her piles of paperwork, pausing only to speak briefly with the Librarian and the Maid. The peace died as the outrider crashed into the office, a small girl in red on her heels.
“Acting Grandmaster!” She choked, out of breath from the run.
“Come quick! It’s the Honorary Knight!” The little girl cried.
Mondstat’s peace was shattered.
Between the rolling pastoral hills of the wind country and the land of Liyue, Dragonspine Mountain stood tall and foreboding. It’s icy winds whipped mercilessly, in a way not even the resident alchemists could ignore. The wind howled a bit louder and the wind’s edge had a bitter bite to it.
“Mr. Albedo!” A cry of surprise shot out of the head alchemist’s assistant, her eyes locked on a fluttering piece of paper.
He caught it easily, scanning it briefly. His neutral expression hardened into something serious.
“Sucrose,” He called. “We’re going to Liyue.”
Liyue Harbor was in a silent uproar. Whispers danced on the wind, tickling the wanderer’s ears. His frown deepened, ruby eyes shifting to his captain. She nodded curtly, her own eye trained on the path ahead. They were met by the qiluin secretary, her own expression grim.
“The Tianquan is expecting you. This way.”
The Captain tsked. “Is it as bad as Ning made it sound?”
“Yes.” The other woman nodded. “I’m afraid so.”
To any tourist pausing at the gates of Liyue, it looked like a strange assortment of people. The assistant from the Wangshu Funeral Parlour, looking concerned, but calm enough. Next to him was the famous gourmet chef from the Wanmein, chattering nervously with the local exorcist and his friend, the young nobleman. A little zombie girl stood clutching a satchel full of herbs, watching the faces of the adults around her with trepidation. She was comforted briefly by a tall lanky man in Scheznyain clothing. The warm words didn’t reach his eyes. The assembly was all too relieved to see a woman in purple, accompanied by her own entourage.
“If you’re all here,” The young member of the Qixing kept her tone and face even as she addressed them. “We can proceed. I have word from the Tianquan that she’ll be along as soon as she’s informed Captain Beidou of the situation.”
“The sooner we get going, the better I’ll feel.” The exorcist agreed, reaching for a popsicle. “This is truly worrying.”
“There’s no use fretting!” The young chef sighed. “We’ll just have to cook up a nutritious meal to get her back on her feet!”
“It will be alright.” The tall funeral parlour assistant reassured. “The Traveler is not one to succumb to average illnesses.”
“That’s what worries me.” The young noble frowned.
“Qiqi hopes she’s okay…”
“Of course she’ll be okay!” The ginger cheered. “You’re bringing her some of the finest herbs and medicines, Qiqi.”
“Oh.” She nodded.
“Is the Tianquan bringing others?” The Ginger asked. “Aside from the Crux crew?”
“I don’t know,” The Qixing shook her head. “For now, we need to get to Wangshu.”
“Agreed.”
The adeptus wished he could be annoyed by the noise of the Inn. Normally the guests and travelers were more lax and quiet, coming through. The few exceptions he had experienced were emergencies or rare events. This, somehow, was both.
He paced the deck, glancing back towards the room. Lying on the bed was the Traveler. Her gold hair fanned out on the pillows, eyes closed in what appeared to be gentle sleep. That wasn’t right. He’d been at her side long enough to know how she tossed and turned. Her mouth hung open as she snored, with little rivulets of drool spilling from her lips. This was unnatural, and unnerving.
The door opened and Innkeeper bustled in, along with a floating sprite and the weird sorceress behind her. The sprite had come with fresh cut flowers and a pitcher of water, while the Innkeeper placed more blankets and bedding across the large guest suite floor. The sorceress flashed the adeptus a knowing smile before turning back to the resting traveler.
“Not much longer now,” She assured her. “We’ll have you back on your feet before you know it.”
The adeptus crossed his arms, listening to the wind. It spoke of the frenzy from the far corners of Liyue and it’s neighboring nations--Fears and frantic worry he couldn’t help but share.
“They’re on their way.”
“Good.” The sorceress nodded in approval. “We’ll have half of Tyvet waiting.”