The Forgotten Zodiac

Sylas was doing better, that was for certain. He was able to walk without help now, and moving wasn't quite so painful. But it was obvious that he wouldn't be forgetting the incident anytime soon. At the same time, though, he made certain that L'arc knew that his scars were a new symbol of his loyalty to his dear friend.

"Well...I'm ready to leave when the rest of you are," He said with a smile.

"I'm ready." Jerod nodded. "I'll be able to carry you all, if you want..."

"That's fine, I think we can walk," Sylas tensed immediately, and Jerod smiled knowingly.

"Okay then."

"I don't know, Sy," L'arc said. "It's been a while since we've ridden on a dragon. Minori was still the prince, I think," he teased lightly. He slid Lisben into its sheath, then nodded. "I'm all set. Let's go, shall we?"

"I don't care, flying is terrifying..." Sylas grumbled.

"But quicker. We could put you to sleep, and when you wake up, you'll be there." Jerod smiled a bit.

"No! No, no, don't you dare," Sylas ducked behind L'arc, hugging his friend from behind. "Absolutely not. I'll ride if you want, but no making me sleep..."

L'arc smiled reassuringly at Sylas, patting the human's hands. "It's all right," he promised. "I'm not going to make you do anything you're frightened of."

He looked over the group, then nodded to himself. "All right, then," he said. "Let's get moving!"

((Should we go to a different group, or do we want to do the whole "walking-talking" thing again?))

((We could just skip. xD))

((That we could. Your post.))

About a day later, they found the group in question under the thick canopy of the Tree of Seasons. "There you lot are! About time," Aries greeted them with a smile.

"Sylas! L'arc!" Arachne hopped over on her one foot, practically jumping on them.

"Hey, it's good to see you again," Sylas chortled, catching her easily.

"Mom!" Gabe called, running over and flinging his arms around Aries. "I'm so happy to see you again! I brought Jerod!" he said, turning and pointing to the Manakete.

Aries hugged her child, lifting him up like she used to, but found him a lot heavier and a lot taller than before. "You had a growth spurt!" She gasped, nearly falling over, but managing to hold herself steady enough. "My Gabe, my beautiful boy," She kissed his forehead, then his cheeks, holding him like she would never let go. "I missed you..."

Jerod smiled happily, pleased at the reunion. "We're setting off soon, yes?"

Gabe laughed happily, wrapping his arms around Aries's shoulders in an attempt to help her hold him. "I missed you, too!" he said, pressing himself close to her.

L'arc also smiled as he looked over the group, noting that while Eve and Byrne had gone over to join Sylas and Arachne, Rush hadn't even shown his face yet. His smile turned into a small frown of concern as he recalled what Aries had told them about the Chimera via the sending stone. The druid turned his gaze to the young selkie standing beside Jerod.

"Quay, can you and Gabe do anything for Rush?" he asked.

((I ALMOST FOGOT QUAY.))

"Where is Rush, anyways?" Sylas looked around, then peeked into the tent. Rush was there, lying on his side, clearly resting. Even in sleep, he looked...sad. The cold had taken away his ability to move, but that in itself had taken a toll on his spirits. His arm...scales practically covered his right arm, but they all stuck out at awkward angles and didn't look...right.

Gabe finally wiggled out of Aries's arms to go over and look at Rush with the others. The little warlock reached out and poked Rush's forehead, seeing if he would wake up.

"Is he all right?" L'arc murmured, standing between Aries and Jerod. "Think Gabe can help?"

"Not really." Aries sighed. "He can't move. It's like he's frozen or something. He's been sitting up recently, but it wore him out badly. He...had a couple seizures mid-winter, when it was the coldest. I have no idea what on earth could cause such a thing."

"Hm...it couldn't be frostbite. A long-term case of hypothermia would explain the seizures, but not the stiffness...perhaps he's just getting old," Jerod said with a small amount of amusement, though he was aware that this was a serious matter, indeed. "Gabe might be capable of helping. A healing spell can cover a wide range of ailments with a single spell, but I'm unsure of how well it will work..."

"Wake up, Rush," Gabe called, suprisingly softly, into the Chimera's ear. "I need you to be awake so you can tell me if it's working or not."

"So I would guess that he sleeps a lot?" L'arc asked, frowning.

"Yes, he's been sleeping like a log. He usually wakes up when we need him to..." Aries said thoughtfully. "Have an idea about what's wrong with him, L'arc?"

"Mfft...what...?" Rush muttered, opening one eye and almost glaring at Gabe before he realized who it was. "Hey there. Have a good trip?"

L'arc just shook his head. "Have no idea, unless it's something subconscious like Sylas had. Only, I wouldn't think that would affect him THIS badly..." he said.

Gabe smiled at Rush. "Yes, it was fun! Sylas and L'arc talked about some interesting things, and me and Jerod talked about some interesting things, then all four of us talked about interesting things! It was great!" he said.

"Maybe he's been hybernating," Sylas joked, but Aries didn't seem to think it was very funny. In fact...she took him seriously. So did Jerod.

"That's...actually not a bad suggestion. His dragon form has come out a little more, who knows what other things might have been dragged out into the open?" Jerod pointed out. "He's been sleeping a lot, he doesn't move much unless it's to eat, and he's moving more now that it's closer to spring. Along with the point that he's been grumpy leading up to winter. Does that sound correct?"

"You...that's exactly right." Aries nodded. "So...Rush is a hybernating creature now?"

"It seems so." Jerod smiled. "He should be up and in fighting condition in no time. Try leaning him up against the Tree of Seasons, too. That'll help."

"Huh." Aries scratched the back of her neck. She hadn't thought of it like that...

Rush chortled and ruffled Gabe's hair. "Good. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." Yes, he definitely seemed a lot less grumpy now.

Gabe laughed. "I did. So are you feeling okay?" he asked, a bit of concern flitting over his young face. "Mom said you weren't feeling very good," he added, settling himself beside Rush.

"I'm...doing better." Rush blinked at him. "Your mother has done a good job of taking care of all of us. You should give her extra hugs for me." He yawned, stretching a bit.

Gabe smiled and nodded, pleased with the idea. "I will!" he said, immediately jumping to his feet and running over to Aries. "Rush said to give this to you!" he said, practically tackling her.