It had been a while since Travlack was the patient.
The sedative from Doctor E's venom entering his system was the last thing he remembered. He glanced around the room, catching the rays of the sun reflecting off of a wall.
Daytime.
With a twitch of his ears he heard the muffled noises of conversation happening behind the door. He could make out no words, only tones. A series of rapid blinks tore him from his focus. A headache warned that he was nowhere near healthy enough to rely on his ears.
When was the last time he was injured like this? Husks, Muted Chorus, and even Nexus mercenaries moved in predictable patterns. Each had controlled violence and clear objectives. Even when these groups deviated from their status quo, The Department found ways to rise to the challenge.
As always.
The lengths he had to go to on this journey already superseded previous missions. In the twenty cycles served as an Inspector, this journey marked the few times wild animals posed a significant threat. Nature lacked order and motives. Without those, there was no intention to read. An opponent that could not be read proved to be a fatal one, even for the Department of Lost and Found.
Normally, an Inspector chose their assignments barring there was an outstanding issue somewhere else. His ears were primed for sniffing out those who lurked in the corners of the city, and cleaning up said corners with efficient justice. Oftentimes, not alone.
"No One Prospers Alone," The Department of Lost and Found said. And, indeed, Travlack had never prospered alone.
But why did the mantis feel so different to him?
Despite his torso nearly being torn to ribbons, a sensation he felt with every inch he rose, he felt renewed.
When was the last time he exerted himself like this?
He could not remember.
When was the last time his body hurt so much?
That also he could not recall.
With each muffled clock tick, Doctor E's venom started to fade in his fingers and toes. The pain spread up to his arms and legs next, finally passing his chest seconds later. His breathing became strained as his chest exhaled, fully revealing the torment the mantis put him through. Small grunts of discomfort came from Travlack as the pounding in his ears started to rise.
"Oh! You're awake!"
Travlack heard someone speak but saw no face. A tail popped up from the end of the bed, wagging in delight. A figure rose and stretched, their tail mimicking the straightness of their back. It was his savior from the forest, Heward, who had awoken from his slumber.
Despite being less than ten feet from Travlack, Heward's words sounded muffled. It was as Travlack was hearing him through water. Between each time Heward sniffed the air he spoke.
"Let's see…elevated heart rate…grunts of pain. Doctor E's juice must be wearing off. I'll go get her."
"...wait…"
Heward already left the room. Travlack heard the fading sounds of galloping before they disappeared completely down the hall. He took another strained breath as he attempted to sit up. Push by push, inch by inch, he used the headboard as a plane to slide his way up.
Halfway through now. Beads of sweat started to form and fall down his face. Determined to keep focus, he did not even bother to wipe the sweat that fell into his eye.
Another round of pushing got him barely there. Just in time for Heward to open the door for Doctor E, who went to a cabinet and prepared a syringe. Without so much as a word she grabbed a cloth and approached Travlack.
"N–no…."
Doctor E raised a brow.
"Doc isn't putting you under, Inspector," said Heward, "This will just dull the pain."
Every breath became heavier. The weight of his own body became almost impossible to sustain, despite how much he forced it.
His head teetered to one side.
Then the other.
In one swift motion Heward caught his head and adjusted him back to a laying position. Doctor E came behind him and administered the shot into his shoulder. The sensation of a needle was not one Travlack missed, but had no input in nonetheless.
His eyes widened. The drowned sensation in his ears vanished as he heard the precise tick of the clock. He shot up, gasping for air.
"Hey–deep breath!"
Heward helped Travlack sit up in the bed and catch his breath. A deep inhale and exhale was demonstrated by Heward. Travlack picked up on his invitation to mirror his rhythm–a rhythm he matched with each passing breath. After Heward ceased his example, Travlack found it easier to breathe on his own. He closed his eyes to devote more focus to how his chest rose and fell.
After a minute of breathing on his own, Heward's hands left Travlack. He opened his eyes to see Heward and Doctor E standing side by side, observing him.
"Lanon. He–"
Doctor E held a hand up. Silence lingered over the room. They seemed to be testing him for some sort of reaction or relapse in his pain. Travlack looked between Heward and Doctor E before allowing his eyes to take in the rest of the room. He drifted toward the far counter where the orchid mantis petal lay perfectly atop a book.
"He's not like the others," smiled Doctor E, "I assume you've had much work with Therians, Inspector Travlack?"
"He is a part of the DLF, Doc. I'm sure us standing like this isn't the most bizarre thing he's seen."
Travlack's vertical eyelids blinked once. Doctor E reciprocated. Underneath his bedsheets Travlack only wore his shorts and footwraps. Despite this, he was the most clothed person in the room.
A fact Travlack gave no reaction to.
"Lanon is–"
Another hand from Doctor E silenced him.
"I have someone that would love to hear about him. But first I need to do my job as a doctor."
Doctor E took a small metal rod and approached Travlack, stopping a couple of steps short.
"Heward, if you would."
He paced over to a corner and pulled out a stepping stool. Promptly he placed it at Travlack's bedside and stepped away. Doctor E was now on even footing with Travlack. She began her inspection by placing the small metal rod inside his earflap and lifting up, peering inside.
"Inspector, your words. Why do you clip them so?"
No answer. Doctor E put a hand underneath his chin and turned his face. She stared into each of his pupils one by one, pulling his face close to hers.
"Is that a choice? A lifestyle decision, perhaps?"
Still no answer. Doctor E placed a thumb on his top lift and opened his mouth. Doctor E looked his teeth over and tapped his canines,
"I see you've been eating plenty of bugs.""
She shifted her thumb to his bottom lip.
"Hew, would you do me a favor and grab Fitz? Inform him the Inspector is awake."
"On it, Doc!"
Heward bounded out of the room before Travlack could blink. His speed disrupted a glass cup on a nearby table. After several sways of uncertainty, it made up its mind and fell onto the floor, shattering. Doctor E sighed and started to clean up the mess.
"Oh, Heward. Theri bless your soul."
Travlack rubbed his arm where the needle had pierced him and scooted off the bed. Doctor E met his eyes with a curious look.
"Needle," he grunted, "Stim?"
"Correct. But you never answered my question."
Nothing. He picked up a shard and handed it to Doctor E before finding another. Her tails swayed back and forth, deep in thought. A series of subsonic trills and vibrations slid from her mouth.
"How about this?"
Her lips barely opened before Travlack's ears shot up. His hair fell in front of his eyes as he whipped his head back around. Once again, a segment of pulses and clicks came from the doctor.
"Oh. That certainly did it."
Travlack took a deep breath and responded with noises of his own.
"I can't remember the last time I talked to someone like this. The Department disapproves of communication no one else can hear."
Doctor E chuckled and swept her tails. She paced around the scene of Heward's error, checking for glass one more time.
"Understandable, but nonetheless dreadful."
"I've done many hard things for The Department. Speaking like them remains the most difficult. Their words are…complex."
"Learning to move your lips like them is hard for any Igosi. We have a little bit of time before my husband comes to question you. Now," Doctor E rested on a chair and put her hands in her lap, "Tell me of your travels, Inspector."
Travlack relayed everything from the start. From the taste of the glow grubs he had in the cave to the unbearable sound of Lanon's flight. He relayed to her the deep respect he held for Marlowe, the Game Warden, and the contempt of the bandits that attacked them. From the fatigue of sharing his resonance with Chrissy to the exhilaration of facing a full grown orchid mantis–and living to tell the tale.
When he was finally done, Doctor E smiled and shook her head.
"Those are my travels," nodded Travlack.
"I will carry them forward," she nodded back, "My husband will want to hear this again, but I'm glad I was able to do this with you. It's not often I see Igosi pass through that have new stories to tell."
"I wish I had more to give in thanks for your aid, Doctor. I will make sure your thanks will not go without compensation."
Doctor E took a clipboard off a table and handed it to Travlack. His eyes widened as he made his way down the extensive list of treatments she cataloged.
"Compensation indeed. Make sure The Department gets that, would you?"
Four heavy knocks at the door made their ears stand up on end. After settling, Doctor E opened the door and ushered in Heward. Behind him was Fitz, whose footsteps shook the ground as he approached Travlack.
He craned his neck upward to meet Fitz's eyes, who glared back down at his. The shadow Fitz cast completely enveloped Travlack, who did not move from his spot. They stood toe to toe staring at each other in silence.
At least, silent in words. Travlack could hear Fitz's heart beat like a wardrum.
THMP. THMP. THMP.
On it went, beating faster and faster with each passing second. His breathing, as much as he tried to hide it, also increased in pace. Slowly, Travlack extended his hand toward him.
For a moment, Fitz looked dumbfounded. Travlack's hand remained where it was, determined to meet his hand.
A twitch.
A movement.
A commitment.
Fitz had brought his hand all the way. Despite dwarfing Travlack's hand, a firm handshake had been completed.
"Inspector Travlack," Fitz started, "I'm glad to see you're recovering from your wounds. Are you well enough to answer a couple of questions for me?"
He nodded.
"Good. Eunice, are his stitches well enough for transport?"
"Should be fine," she replied, "They've had time to settle."
Fitz motioned for Travlack to follow him outside. Moving at a moderate pace, Travlack had to take twice as many steps as Fitz in order to keep up with him. Outside, a man coated in long feathers wore a harness. His hands kept making small adjustments around the center.
"Inspector, this is Reed. He will be flying you to Cavargi city hall."
Travlack's stomach dropped.
"I'll walk."
"Inspector, I must insist," said Fitz, "We have to get there quickly."
Travlack turned back to Reed and inspected the straps of the harness. He gave one more look to Fitz before strapping himself in with a sigh.
"Are you ready, Inspector?" asked Reed, "Be warned when I take off, you're going to feel a light jerk."
Travlack nodded. His eyes were slammed shut. The moment he felt the gust from Reed's spreading wings Travlack grit his teeth.
"I'll meet you there, Inspector. Reed will make this as quick as possible."
Fitz galloped off, leaving a trail of dust. They watched as he disappeared into the city within seconds of leaving.
"Alright, flight check done. Hold on."
The grip he maintained on the harness could not have been tight enough, despite how the leather wrinkled in his hands. Travlack could not help but hear the moment Reed's legs left the ground. The half second of internal panic quickly shifted to external panic as Travlack's eyes bulged.
There was nothing under him but air and the city of Cavargi. Travlack could not make his mind up on whether to stare or shut his eyes. He tucked his knees into his chest and hiked his shoulders, attempting to make himself small.
"We'll be there in a minute!" Reed yelled over the breeze, "Enjoy the sights of Cavargi, Inspector!"
No response from Travlack. He was too busy trying not to throw up the contents of his stomach. A task for an Igosi that is akin to flexing a leg or arm. A task Travlack almost failed as liquid lurched in his throat. He instead focused on his breathing, which gave him the strength to finish the trip without emptying his stomach.
Reed slowed down and gently hovered to the ground, allowing Travlack to make first contact. The moment Travlack confirmed that his heels had touched, he threw himself to the ground. Now free of the harness, Travlack dug his palms in the ground and retched.
Fitz arrived shortly after as Reed flew off somewhere else. His gallop came to a stop as he offered a hand to Travlack, steadying him as he rose.
"Are you alright, Inspector-"
"Fine."
His first couple of steps out from the harness were shaky. Travlack shook it off and continued walking alongside Fitz. He held the door open for Travlack, who immediately took a count of those sitting around a circular table.
Six Therians were already seated and discussing. When Fitz took his seat, that made seven. Travlack took a seat across from Fitz as the room quieted. The focus was now on him.
"Insssspector Travlack," said a woman with vibrant scales. Her torso stretched over the table as she leaned in, "Glad to see you ssssurvived."
Inspector Travlack, this is the council of Cavargi. We answer to the mayor on all threats on the inside and outside. Currently it is unknown whether or not you're bringing a threat with you."
Travlack nodded.
"How do we know whatever is chasing them isn't justified?" asked a man with sleek feathers, "A Therian defends himself and suddenly they're victims? Where have we seen that before?"
A couple of murmurs from the table subsided before another spoke. This time a man with a regal fin atop his head addressed the room.
"We must take into account that the Inspector is DLF. It is unlike them to go picking a fight with anyone. Don't they usually respond to threats? Don't they usually succeed?"
"Threats they often escalate," sighed a woman with a white pelt, "Threats that often they intrude on. A precedent they endlessly justify by the results, conveniently ignoring their means."
Travlack kept silent. One by one he let them speak amongst themselves, revealing their own position on the matter.
"Now, you see, normally I would agree," said one with large floppy ears, "But this one is escorting someone of importance. Reckless The Department may be, indeed they may be, but they would rather die before a task is rendered incomplete."
The room now focused back onto Travlack. He stood with his back straight in an effort to bear the weight of their gaze.
"We met Lanon twice," he started, "Once in a cave. The other at Marlowe's. First time, in the cave, Lanon was off. Not a threat. But…off. Constant molting. Ticks. He left to gather medicine."
"So what caused him to become Unrelinquished? What caused him to wound your companion?" asked Fitz.
"No clue. Marlowe told of animals. Forced RIG. Then subdued."
"Clearly harvesting resonate parts illegally," sighed the white pelt, "Something the DLF won't look into without it affecting them."
"Solved."
"Oh, how wonderful. The DLF actually ssssat up and ssssolved ssssomthing. How did they do it?"
Travlack took a deep breath before continuing.
"Lanon did."
"Ha! See!" said the black feathered man, puffing his chest, "Birds of the feather!"
"Butchered them. Carved out organs. Resonate ones. Ate them."
Silence settled into the room. The rest of the council members shot him a glare that made him sink back into his seat.
"I retract my statement."
"That would be wisssse."
"DLF agents arrived. Combated. Worse as we left."
"What a surprise. Escalation," sighed the white pelt.
"Not followed. No signs," said Travlack, "Lanon is fast. Violent fast. If tracked, we would not be here."
There was now one member of the room that had not spoken yet. A man with reptilian skin and a shaggy mane. Their breathing had picked up. Involuntarily, Travlack twitched his ears to listen.
Si-do-no-ko
Si-do-no-ko
Si-do-no-ko
Finally, the man spoke.
"That's not completely true."
All the eyes in the room focused on him. The man picked up his head, revealing the face beneath the hair.
"And I think you know that, Inspector."
The room talked amongst itself before the man in the mane stood up.
"If this…Lanon survived his encounter, he will need nourishment. You stated that he's been eating organs of people, not animals."
The maned rose from his chair and walked behind his fellow council members. Each one remained looking forward.
"One in your party has been marked. A wound that won't close is a wound that leaves a trail."
No one else chimed in. Silently, they looked among each other with varying levels of concern.
"A rapid skewer, correct? There is no bird, or creature for that matter, that is as good as tracking wounds"
"Nothing above the water, at least," said the finned man.
"And when a predator such as the one you described loses a fight, it seeks an opponent it has beaten before. An opponent it can glean nourishment from."
The maned man was now in front of Travlack. His face, though solemn, held no contempt. Concern lingered from the corners of his eyes as he studied Travlack, taking the time to walk around him as well.
"This predator, should he be nearby, is Cavargi's concern."
The room held itself in suspense.
"But it is not Cavargi's problem to solve."
Travlack's ears wilted slightly. The council members at the table were no longer whispering.
"I will not risk the citizens of Cavargi on a threat where those responsible are present to deal with it," he said, turning around to face them, "If there were no other options, say, DLF agents not being present, we would have no choice. However, that is not the case. Those who track dirt are obligated to clean up after themselves, no?"
Travlack once again met the eyes of the maned man. His jaw shifted in meditative thought as he formed a reply.
"What if Cavargi gets hurt? A citizen? A villager?"
"Then I suppose we have the DLF to blame for not handling it!" roused the white pelted woman.
"I suppose, in a way, I agree," chimed the one with floppy ears, "The same organization that forces us to resign issues to them, as you know, cannot be the same organization that expects us to solve problems we are frequently, most assuredly, pushed out of!"
"But the Insssspector is right…what if ssssome getssss hurt? Or killed…?"
"Blaming the DLF for a casualty we could have prevented is not wise. Not at all," huffed the black feathered man.
"We speak of a situation that has not happened yet," remarked the finned man, "And with the festival underway, who would be outside Cavargi to be ambushed by such a creature?"
A hand from the finned man silenced all of them. Travlack noticed Fitz had not said anything during the discourse.
"Your concerns are noted. We will reconvene tomorrow morning to decide. Until then–"
A violent charge from behind broke the doors open. Everyone focused on Reed, who stopped himself short of the table as he crashed in.
"Council members, I'm sorry to interrupt but there's someone outside! They're wounded! Bad!"