Ewar's Outtake: Part Two

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Ewar was stunned speechless. Only moments before, Alistair had said Bella's life would be ending soon. Then, almost in the same breath, he claimed there was hope. But how could both of those things be true?

Alistair grabbed Ewar by the upper arm and shook, reinforcing the importance of what he had in mind. "The chair, my friend. The chair!"

"The ch-ch...air?" It was Ewar's first time saying the word out loud. He never had a reason to before. Chairs would not be invented for several thousand more years.

"Yes! The chair might be the answer to all of your problems. Have you forgotten how your lovely wife came to be here?"

Ewar blinked, slowly putting together the pieces of the puzzle. Bella had told him the story of how she had once taken a seat on a chair. Unbeknownst to her, it possessed the power to transport someone to another time. In the blink of an eye, she found herself far from her home, lost in Damara's forest. Although that chair was destroyed, a second chair still existed, hidden in a cave to the far north. Ewar had seen it with his own eyes. In his opinion, anything with the ability to take Bella away from him was not to be trusted.

He inhaled sharply as realization struck. "You want to use the chair to send Bella back to her homeland."

Alistair nodded. "Remember her handheld telephone? I could live a thousand years and have never imagined such an invention. Based on what she mentioned in the past, I suspect her birthplace is advanced in other areas as well. They would have medicines the likes of which you nor I have ever seen. It's not a guarantee, but there's a chance they might be able to save her life."

"They?"

"Doctors! Surgeons! It's what people in the future call their healers. Here is my idea: We use the chair to send Bella to the day after she left her former home - that way, no one in the future will suspect she was ever gone! The doctors will treat her injury, and if everything goes right, she might make a full recovery."

Ewar mulled it over and saw a flaw. "How would the healers find her? She is bedridden."

"Excellent observation, but I do have a plan." Alistair jabbed a thumb into his chest. "I will be accompanying her. The chair is sturdy enough to support two adults. After she and I arrive in the future, all I would need to do is get her to the nearest hospital." He frowned to himself. "Though, I'm not quite sure how to accomplish that part yet. Showing up at a hospital with an unconscious female would attract unwanted attention. Just imagining the questions I'd be asked makes my poor head ache..."

A bad feeling swept over Ewar. "Where will I be?"

"Oh, you'll stay here, of course. Bella and I will return as soon as we can."

"She will be gone... and I will be left behind?"

"Yes."

Ewar took in a shuddering breath. The future was a difficult concept for a primitive man to fully understand. It was tomorrow. It was next winter. But Bella's existence proved that time could also be a place. During their marriage, she had shared incredible stories of her homeland. The people there had learned how to fly. They built boats large enough to fit thousands, unlike the three or four person watercraft of which he was familiar. And food was so abundant, no one had to risk their lives hunting big game.

However, before that future could become reality, change would need to take place.

The Earth would warm, gradually pushing the glaciers to its poles. With the melting ice would come shifting weather patterns and floods. Ecosystems would be altered beyond recognition. Entire species would go extinct. It would take thousands of years before the planet would recover from the devastation.

Yet, a few thousand years was nothing. The future where Bella would be sent was more than double that - and without the chair, such a place was beyond a mortal man's reach.

Panic ignited within Ewar's heart. To even consider being so far apart from his love was unbearable. He would not survive such a separation.

"I won't let you take her," he blurted out.

Alistair's eyebrows jumped. "Why? If Bella stays, she dies."

"I know that!" After his temper had cooled, he addressed Alistair more civilly. "I will take her."

"You? I'm not sure if that's the best idea. Bella's home is nothing like it is here. You would never blend in! To be perfectly honest, even I will have trouble in that regard - and Bella and I were born only a few decades apart. It's amazing how much society can change in such a short amount of time..."

"Bella has told me some things about her birthplace," Ewar interrupted. "Whatever I don't know, you can teach me. I'm willing to do anything. I must go with her."

Alistair twisted his mouth, hesitating. Ewar locked eyes with him and delivered a final verbal blow.

"Imagine it was your wife lying on that bed half alive. Would you allow another man to take her away from you?"

"...No, I suppose not." Alistair puffed out his cheeks. "All right, you will accompany Bella. Thank the heavens you at least know some English. It would have been impossible for you to go otherwise." His expression turned reflective. "It appears you and I have a fair amount of walking to look forward to. When would you like to leave for the Lake District?"

Ewar wanted to say "right now." Somehow, he restrained himself. As desperate as he was, even he knew it would be foolish to leave the Cave of Life settlement when it was dark.

"Tomorrow morning, as soon as the sun has risen," he said instead.

Alistair nodded. "I will begin gathering supplies. It's best if we take as much food as we can carry. The more we bring, the less we will need to hunt and forage. That should get us to our destination quicker."

As Alistair took a step away to get started on the task, Ewar grabbed his elbow. "An announcement must be made to my people," he said. "I will call for a meeting tonight to tell them I am leaving. Would you please attend? I might need your help to explain."

"Certainly. I'll bring Onya as well."

The two of them went in separate directions. Ewar headed to the hut where Bella was being housed. Alie and Ehmay, her caregivers, were speaking quietly when he stepped through the entryway. Their conversation stopped abruptly once they saw the intense look on his face.

"Is something wrong?" Alie asked him.

Ewar ignored the question and walked to the bed. Bella's hair had been recently brushed. It fanned around her pale face. Once again, she reminded him of a wildflower slowly wilting.

He placed a lingering kiss on the skin between her eyebrows. It would give him strength in the hours ahead.

Turning around, he found Ehmay and Alie staring at him. "I am calling for a meeting tonight for our tribe only." He wrinkled his forehead. "No, the Wolf People should attend. It will affect them, too."

"What will the meeting be about?" Ehmay asked.

"Bella."

Ehmay and Alie shared a puzzled look. His aunt opened her mouth to question him further, but Ewar beat her to it.

"I will speak more on the matter during the meeting. I don't want to repeat myself more than once."

"I understand," said Ehmay. "Would you like for me to notify everyone?"

"Yes, tell them to gather outside of this hut immediately."

She pursed her lips as another thought occurred to her. "Should I first ask Jas to deal with the people camped outside our door? I assume you wouldn't want them listening in."

Ewar was grateful for her suggestion. The very last thing he needed was for Bella's band of admirers to overhear his plans. They would follow her to the Lake District if given the chance, all while trying to steal a lock of her hair as a souvenir. As far as he was concerned, they would have to find somewhere else to stay for the night.

As soon as Ehmay was gone, Ewar began pacing the room. Alie's curious gaze followed him wherever he went. She knew there was no use in trying to get him to talk. His mind was focused exclusively on what he would say at the upcoming meeting.

Sometime later, Arl appeared in the doorway. "Everyone has gathered outside, as you requested."

Ewar was eager to get the meeting over with, but after taking one step forward, he froze. Thankfully, Alie seemed to know exactly what was troubling him.

"Bella will be fine by herself for a little while," she said gently. "And I will check on her soon, so don't worry."

Placated for now, Ewar forced himself out the door.

Around thirty people were waiting outside. Alistair, Onya, Ehmay, and Arl were sitting at the front of the gathering. Akob and Len were behind them. Shelba, Bannar's widow, sat in the middle of the crowd, in between Ollin and Ateara. The two Wolf People men were fiercely protective of her.

It came as no surprise that Essa was among those present as well. When your leader called for a tribal meeting, you had no choice except to attend - even when said leader had only recently threatened to kill you. Usually, Essa strove to be the center of attention. Not this night, however. She was positioned at the very back of the crowd, her head bowed to avoid eye contact with the people sitting around her.

For a moment, Ewar was puzzled by her altered behavior. Was she ashamed at how she had conducted herself earlier and that was why she was being so quiet?

He shook away the thought. It did not matter if the young woman regretted her words now. Bella's heart still beat, yet Essa had insisted his wife was as good as dead. She was ready to replace Bella - as if that was a possibility!

The damage was already done. No apology on Essa's part would ever convince him to forgive her.

As Ewar's presence became known, the crowd went quiet. He stood before them and cleared his throat.

"Thank you all for coming," he began. "I'm sure you are aware of what happened to my wife." His audience nodded and grunted. "The wound to her head is severe. Arl has been by her side day and night. He is the reason why she is still alive, and for that, I am beyond grateful. But, so far, nothing has helped. She has not opened her eyes since the day of the battle." He glanced at Alistair, preparing himself mentally for the lies he would have to tell. "I have spoken with Mayant-hattatar. He believes Bella needs powerful medicines that only the gods possess. Because of that, we have decided she must return to her place of birth."

There came a light murmuring from the audience. Everyone knew the fictionalized version of Bella's origins. Although she was a mortal woman, she had been born in the land of the Great Spirits. Damara sent her on a special mission to heal Ewar of infertility. Bella grew to love him, and ultimately, gave up her position as the fertility goddess's assistant in order to remain as Ewar's wife.

Akob stood up to speak, his forehead wrinkled in confusion. "I mean no offense, but how will Bella return to her birthplace? She cannot walk."

"I am aware of this. That is why I will be taking her there myself."

Ewar's people reacted with startled gasps and shouts. Ehmay burst into frantic sobs. Arl tried comforting her but was unsuccessful. Amid the deafening commotion, questions and accusations were hurled at random.

"What is this nonsense? He must be drunk."

"How will we survive if we have no one to lead us?!"

"I thought we would be going home soon! How much longer do we have to stay here?"

"Four members of our tribe fell in battle only three days ago! And now we are losing our leader as well? We need a leader to help us recover - not one who's ready to abandon us when things get hard!" A chorus of people yelled in agreement.

"Silence!"

The gathering froze at Ewar's command.

"There is no need to panic," he continued. "All of your concerns will be addressed. You wondered when our tribe would return to our village. If you remember, the rock slide we used to keep out the Soul Eaters might still be blocking the entrance. I recommend that a few of us should return to the gorge and clear a path through the rubble. Once the village is deemed safe, the rest of the tribe can go home as well.

"As for my decision to leave, I understand your frustration. I, too, wish that I could stay and devote my energy to helping our tribe recover. But a wise man once told me that although I was destined to be a leader, my wife should always be my priority." Ewar paused to look at his uncle. "He was right. Therefore, I have decided to appoint someone to watch over our people while I am gone. Arl, you have more experience than anyone. I would appreciate it if you would take over the position."

Before Arl could reply, Ehmay jumped up from the ground. "You cannot go, Ewar. You know what the legends say! The Great Spirits' land is sacred. A common man like you is forbidden to enter. They will put you to death for crossing into their territory!"

Ewar hated lying, but there was no way around it.

"Bella is respected and loved by the Great Spirits," he fibbed, "just as she is loved here. They would never harm the man she chose as her husband."

"But the risk, Ewar. It's too much!"

Alie stood up and sent a scolding look toward Ehmay. "Mother! Ewar is a grown man. You can't stop him from doing what he thinks is best." She turned to Ewar, her eyes glistening with emotion. "You do whatever it takes to save Bella. I won't stand in your way."

"And I will hold your place as leader until you return," said Arl. "It is an honor I will not take lightly."

Ewar released a breath. Knowing at least some of his loved ones approved of his decision was an enormous relief. "Thank you."

Everyone waited to see how Ehmay would react to the family's united front. She was no longer weeping, but her expression remained troubled. It took quite some time for her to say what was on her mind.

"The journey will be far, and you don't know the way," she remarked somberly. "How will you get there on your own?"

"Mayant-hattatar is familiar with the route. He has agreed to guide me to the border where the Great Spirits live. Bella and I will have to go the rest of the way by ourselves."

"I see." She frowned. "Transporting someone in Bella's condition will be difficult. Who will care for her needs?"

"Me."

Her eyebrows lifted. "You will be the one to pour broth into her mouth so she doesn't starve? To bathe her every day?"

"Yes."

Ehmay shook her head in disapproval. "That is not the responsibility of a husband."

"I do not care," he retorted impertinently.

She leveled a look at him that would make lesser men flee for their lives.

She marched up to him and lowered her voice to a whisper. "I know you mean well, but you are making a mistake. Why do you think we keep husbands away during childbirth? It is because no man should see his wife so vulnerable - and Bella, I am sorry to say, is facing something much worse than childbirth. Don't you dare say she would approve of you becoming her caretaker. She would wring your neck if she found out you changed her soiled bedding, that I can promise you!"

Ewar winced. It was no secret that Bella was oddly sensitive about certain matters. When she needed to urinate, he was not allowed to look in her direction. And when moving her bowels, she insisted on complete privacy. She believed these moments would make her less desirable if he were to see. Ewar always abided by her rules, even when he wasn't sure why they were important to her. After all, those were natural bodily functions. There was nothing to be ashamed of. Didn't everyone empty their bowels?

Yet, he could not deny Ehmay's claim. If he took over the role of caretaker, he would be responsible for dealing with the aftermath of all of Bella's bodily functions.

And, without a doubt, she would be furious.

Ehmay resumed speaking at normal volume. "Although I am still concerned about your decision of going to the Great Spirits for help, I do understand why you feel it is the only option left. So, I have made a decision of my own: If you are taking Bella north, then I will go too, as far as I am allowed."

Their audience once again burst into excited chatter.

"Why, Ehmay?" he asked once the noise had settled down. "The journey north won't be easy. We plan on walking from sun up to sun down. There will be little opportunity to rest. Why would you want to put yourself through that?"

"You became my son the day my dear sister fell ill and died, and Bella became my daughter the day you married her. As everyone knows, it is a mother's duty to care for her children." A choking sob overtook her. She swallowed and pushed herself to finish. "I am coming along as Bella's caretaker - and don't even try to convince me not to!"

Overwhelmed by her offer, Ewar could only nod.

Mett suddenly rose from within the crowd. He stood tall, yet a single gulp of his throat led Ewar to believe that the man wasn't as confident as he wanted to appear.

"My children consider Bella to be one of their best playmates," Mett began, "but she has also been their guardian. She saved my daughter from drowning and brought her back from the dead. Then, three days ago, she kept Afrin from getting hurt when the Soul Eaters attacked the Cave of Life. Bella saved many lives that day... before she was injured." Some powerful emotion swept across Mett's face. "My Afrin has cried herself to sleep every night since Bella was put into her sick bed. My wife has wept as well, though she has tried to hide it. I can no longer stand by and do nothing. I am volunteering to accompany you north, Ewar."

The crowd whispered amongst themselves. Ewar spoke over them.

"Mett, I appreciate your offer, but I will not accept it. Your wife and family cannot do without you. You're staying here."

This time, Oza stood up to speak. "I would have liked for my husband to have discussed his idea with me first..." She eyed Mett sharply. In return, he gave her a mischievous half-smile. Her mild annoyance faded. "...but I do agree with him. We have all heard of the many dangers that lurk to the north. Ewar, who will assist you if a bear or lion were to attack? Not Ehmay since she will be watching over Bella. And look at Mayant-hattatar. The man has a broken arm! He won't do you any good in a fight."

Alistair chuckled. "Even without a broken arm, I doubt I would be of much help against a man-eating beast. I'm more of a thinker than a fighter."

"See? You would be a fool if you didn't take Mett. Other than yourself and Jas, he is our tribe's best fighter."

Ewar stared at Oza until he could formulate a response. "The journey will be long. You and Mett would be separated for the remainder of the warm season if he were to go," he reminded her.

"I am aware."

"And you approve?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Her expression softened. "Because Bella is my friend... as are you. I would do more for you both if I could."

Ewar was momentarily stunned. This woman was his ex-wife. Their marriage had been arranged, and it showed. The short time they were a couple was marked by awkward interactions and a general sense of unhappiness. For years after they parted ways, they barely acknowledged one another. It took Bella's influence for them to forget the past and move on. To his surprise, he realized Oza was correct. They had become friends... and he needed his friend's support now more than ever.

"Thank you, Oza." Ewar addressed Mett next. "I will accept your help. We are leaving as soon as the sun rises."

Mett stood taller. "I will be ready."

Ewar scanned the many faces of his tribe and delivered a final message. "Please keep what was said during this meeting to yourselves. If it were to become known that Bella and I are leaving, the entire population of this settlement might wake up early just to watch. We do not need them getting in our way. Understood?"

The meeting broke up with everyone agreeing to his request.

Ewar went into preparation mode straightaway. By the light of a fire, he built two travois. One would be Mett's burden, laden with food and other supplies. The other travois would carry Bella. Only Ewar would be allowed to pull it.

Later, he tried to sleep but his mind refused to shut off. Just before dawn, he shook Ehmay awake. She took it upon herself to alert Mett and Alistair that it was nearly time to leave. Arl checked Bella's head wound one last time. He also reminded Ewar what herbal medicines to give in case she took a turn for the worst during their journey north. Ewar paid close attention, but he secretly feared he would forget everything if such an emergency were to occur.

As Ewar was preparing the travois for Bella to lie on, Alie appeared on the scene. She injected herself into the task alongside him, fussing obsessively over the placement of the blankets that would soon act as Bella's mattress. Running out of time and patience, Ewar caught her by the wrist.

"Alie, you've arranged the blankets enough."

"Have I, though? What if Bella gets uncomfortable? It's not as if she can tell us!"

He eyed her closely and noticed the stress lines developing on her face. "Something is bothering you."

She gave a begrudging nod. "Yes, it's just... I realized I should have volunteered last night too, like Mother did. Bella is the sister I always wanted. Now that she's hurt, she needs constant care. That's my job, Ewar. How could I not go with her?"

"Don't feel guilty for staying. Even if you had volunteered, I would have never allowed you to come."

"Why not?! Do you think I'm too weak to handle such a journey?"

"No. I wouldn't allow you to come because you have other responsibilities, Alie." He glanced in the direction of her tent. Through the half-light of dawn, a sleeping toddler could be seen.

Her irritation with Ewar evaporated like the early morning mist. Alie was well aware that traveling northward with her small child was far too dangerous. And leaving Paytah behind with Jas was equally impossible. Along with a diet of solid foods, the boy depended on his mother's milk to stay healthy and strong. He would not be weaned completely until he was at least four years old. She had no choice but to stay.

Alistair and Onya showed up. As Alistair double-checked the supplies they were to bring along on the journey, Mett and Oza also arrived. The time to leave was drawing closer. Ewar carried Bella to the travois, allowing the women to tuck her under the blankets. While they said their goodbyes to her, Jas pulled Mett off to the side.

"Do not worry about your wife and children," Jas said. "Arl and I will watch over them like they are our own family until you return. They will not go hungry."

Mett gave Jas a friendly slap on the back, that one gesture conveying more than a simple "thank you" ever could.

Everything was ready. Three couples began saying their farewells to one another. Mett and Oza shared an emotional embrace. Ehmay and Arl whispered between themselves, their love shining brighter than the morning star. Not to be outdone, Alistair kissed Onya full on the lips. As caretaker of the Cave of Life, Onya would be unable to accompany him on the trip. There were too many refugees at the settlement relying on her leadership. Now that the Soul Eaters threat was gone, she would need to organize a large hunt in the days to come to feed everyone.

Ewar could not bring himself to look in their direction. The sting of guilt was too strong. Wasn't he the reason why these three couples were separating? If he had protected Bella properly the day of the battle, there would have been no need to rush to the Lake District to save her.

His sudden melancholic state did not escape Alie's attention. She threw herself into his arms to distract him. "Everything will turn out all right," she whispered optimistically. "Bella will be healed, and you both will be back home soon. I just know it."

That was the hope Ewar subsisted on for the next nine days.

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The horizon was lavender and yellow when they left the settlement. Most people were still sound asleep, their bellies full thanks to the funeral feast from the evening before. It would be much later in the day before anyone outside of Ewar's tribe noticed he and Bella were missing.

Alistair took up position at the front of the caravan. As the guide, he was responsible for getting them to the Lake District as fast as possible. There was no map. His memory and navigational skills would have to keep them on course.

Ewar was next in line. As he pulled Bella's travois, Ehmay walked behind it. Her job was to ensure her patient was safe and secure. If she noticed anything unusual, she was to report it immediately.

Last was Mett. His task was the most physically challenging since he was hauling the supplies. There was food, herbs for medical purposes, extra clothing, blankets, as well as tents. Baskets of clean water proved to be the heaviest burden, but they were also the most precious. Finding a water source was not always a guarantee.

The four of them fell into a routine. If an animal was nearby, they would kill and butcher it, but they never went out of their way to hunt. They made do mostly with the dried meat and other trail food they had brought. They crossed hills, grasslands, and forests. There was no time to relax or admire scenic views. They walked for as long as possible each day, even utilizing the full moon to light their way. They were always rushing, pushing their bodies to the limit before collapsing to snatch a few hours of sleep.

It was hell, but a necessary one.

Ewar couldn't help but think back to the Lake District trip made three years prior. It was like a leisurely stroll in comparison to the current expedition. However, on his end, it had also been marred by heartache and miscommunication. He spent the majority of the trip northward dreading the moment when Bella would disappear from his life forever. Even as he tried to pretend he was not hurt that she was leaving, he found himself constantly aware of her presence. Every word she spoke to Alistair and Onya he overheard and locked away in his head to examine later. She was healthy and vibrant, impossible to ignore. It was torture to keep himself from staring in her direction.

That trip also marked the first time Bella laid hands on a bow and set of arrows. Ewar wasn't sure which he had feared the most - that she would hurt herself, or the gods would punish her for daring to use a weapon not meant for mortals. He spoke out against it, which in this case, was the wrong thing to do. His objection made her want to use them that much more. He would never forget the moment she pulled the bowstring and sent an arrow to the dead center of the target. Onya was thrilled. Alistair was impressed. And Ewar... He almost believed that Bella was truly a goddess. How else could she be so skilled after such a short amount of practice?

After her achievement, she requested that he sharpen the arrows for her next training session. Her smirk was radiant. His judgment had been proven wrong. She was more than capable of handling the weapon.

Now, as she lay unconscious, he was willing to give anything to see that defiant look of hers again.

The four weary travelers entered a mountainous region. The terrain was rocky. Plant life was scarce. For approximately ten months out of the year, the tundra was locked in a long, cold winter. Summer lasted a few weeks at most. It was a dreary place, but when a certain valley came into view, Ewar finally relaxed.

The chair was close now.

"Here we are!" Alistair exclaimed.

Ehmay studied the rugged landscape cautiously. A mighty glacier was wedged between two mountain peaks.

"Is this where the Great Spirits live?" she asked.

Alistair pointed at the tallest landmark. "No, their land begins on the other side of that mountain. They won't mind if we make camp in this valley." His lie was so polished that Ewar would have believed it if he hadn't known better.

The tents were set up. Despite Ehmay's protests, Ewar insisted that he alone prepare Bella for the final stage of their journey. Once inside the privacy of the tent, he stripped her out of her fur cloak and nettle fiber tunic. Before she could be sent back to her birthplace, she would need to be dressed in the same clothes she wore the day he first saw her. The shirt and pants would not be a problem, but one item was confusing. He only vaguely recalled the scrap of white fabric which had once covered her breasts. Its design was puzzling. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make the thing stay in place.

Frustrated, he threw it back into the basket. He figured Bella already had a shirt. Why did she need a second item of clothing just to hide her breasts? As far as he was concerned, it could stay behind.

Alistair was waiting for him as he crawled out of the tent. "We must leave for the cave before it gets too late," he said quietly so the others would not hear. "But first, go rinse the dust off your face and neck."

"Why?"

"Because where you're going, a man who is clean is less noticeable than one who has dirt on his face."

Ewar followed Alistair's request and went to the nearest water source. It was only a modest pond. A stone could easily be thrown across it. However, the glaciers would melt as the climate warmed. The water would make its way down the slopes, ending up in the pond. Over time, the pond would grow into a lake covering roughly a third of the valley.

As he scrubbed his body clean, he tried to imagine what it would look like in the future. Alistair had once described it as picturesque, but that meant nothing to a man unfamiliar with such a word.

Ewar returned to camp and found his traveling companions waiting for him. Bella had already been transferred back to the travois. It would be a long walk between the camp and the cave.

Ehmay seized Ewar in a hug. "I am proud of the man you've become," she said. "Your mother would be too."

He suddenly felt small again. Losing his parents had been a devastating blow, but his aunt and uncle had always been there for him. He couldn't have asked for a better family to raise him.

She forced herself to step away, schooling her features to keep control of herself. "When can we expect you and Bella to return?"

Alistair shared a look with Ewar before answering. "It depends on how quickly the Great Spirits can heal Bella. We will remain here at this camp for the next five days. If Ewar and Bella are not back by then, the three of us will have to head back home without them."

Mett turned red in the face. "We can't leave them behind!"

"I am sorry, but we would have no choice. If we stayed much longer, we risk winter catching up to us. Believe me when I say that you would not want to experience it this far north. The three of us wouldn't stand a chance. We would freeze to death during the very first blizzard!"

Ehmay gasped. "And what of Ewar and Bella? Won't they be in danger too?"

Seeing her anxiety, Alistair softened his tone. "Do not worry. They will be safe with the Great Spirits no matter what the weather may be. If they are delayed, I am certain he and Bella can find their way back home on their own. All they would need to do is wait until the warm season returns and head south." He glanced pointedly at Ewar. "It will be simple, yes?"

Ewar nodded even though there had been very little truth in what was being said. Almost every word was meant to comfort Ehmay.

Their goodbyes were quick. Mett whispered encouragement. Ehmay kissed Bella's cheek. Then, Ewar took control of Bella's travois and followed behind Alistair, leaving the others behind at camp.

Now that they were alone, Alistair was free to speak of what was to come.

"Once you arrive in Bella's world, you must find help for her as soon as you can. I have thought long and hard over the matter, and I believe I have found a solution. You will leave her in a place where someone else will find her - then, you must get out of there!"

"I do not like this plan," Ewar interrupted. "Why would I need to leave her with a stranger?"

Alistair snorted. "Where you are going, you will be the stranger. Back in my day, strangers were not always treated fairly. Damn vagrancy laws! The village busybodies would see a man without a home, and instead of helping the fellow, they would throw him in jail."

"What is jail?" Ewar asked.

"Jail is supposed to be a place where dangerous criminals are locked away, but sometimes the poor and innocent end up there as well. Trust me, you wouldn't want to visit such a place. That is why you must follow my advice and keep out of sight! If no one sees you, nothing unpleasant will happen to you. Understand?"

"...Yes, but I still do not like that I will have to leave her with someone I do not know."

Alistair released a long breath. "Sometimes we must do things we do not like for the greater good. But if it makes you feel any better, I believe whoever finds her will be more qualified to handle the situation than you or me. For example, would you know where the nearest hospital is located?"

Still pulling the travois, Ewar glanced in Alistair's direction. "What is that?"

"A hospital is where doctors heal their patients, and that is where Bella needs to go. Most likely, it will be a local resident that finds her, and they will summon help. I recommend that you leave Bella in a place where it would be impossible for anyone to overlook her. Although this was never the most populated valley, I'm sure there will still be a few houses here in Bella's time. Find one and leave her near the front door. If that's not possible, you'll have to come up with another safe location to leave her. Just... whatever you do, keep out of sight. It's of the utmost importance."

Ewar agreed with a nod. "And while she is with the healers, what should I do?"

"Use the cave as your shelter. It should look much the same in the future as it does now, so that ought to give you some comfort." He scanned the bleak valley, picturing the way it looked when he last saw it in the year 1922. "Everything else will be different. There will be grass, trees... It is one of the loveliest spots in the world."

They arrived at the cave not long afterward. It sat on an incline near the base of the mountain, barely noticeable unless you knew where to look. Ewar scooped Bella into his arms and carried her inside. Alistair lit a torch. The glow was enough to light the entire space.

An old sheet was yanked off an object in the back. Alistair announced that the chair was in excellent condition. Ewar gulped at the sight of it. Once upon a time, that chair almost took Bella away from him forever - and now here he was depending on the thing to save her life!

Alistair began rambling advice he felt Ewar should know.

"The ride on the chair will be unlike anything you have ever experienced," he said. "Whatever you do, keep a tight hold of Bella! We don't want her lost somewhere in space/time."

Ewar had no clue what that last part meant, but he nodded anyway. "Hold Bella tight. Anything else?"

"Yes. Change out of your clothes." Alistair held up a bundle of fabric for inspection. "People in the future dress differently than we do now. I don't need these anymore, so I am handing them over to you."

"But you told me to hide," Ewar pointed out. "Why must I wear your clothes if no one will see me?"

"Because it's always a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected! Yes, you will be spending your days hiding in the woods, but we must acknowledge the possibility of someone spotting you from a distance. A man wearing my old clothing won't be as noticeable as the man wearing a fur cape and loincloth. They haven't been in fashion for centuries."

Ewar stripped naked without hesitation. He stuck his legs into something Alistair referred to as trousers. And the shirt was bizarre. Little round things were sewn into it, which Alistair had to help "button" up. Strangely, the shirt refused to close past Ewar's sternum. His chest hairs were visible. Alistair was displeased at the trousers as well. They were too short, ending just below Ewar's knees. As for shoes, well... they were out of the question. Ewar's feet were much too big to fit into Alistair's old pair.

The only accessory Ewar wore was his Damara token. The goddess figure hung around his neck. She was his good luck charm.

Alistair studied Ewar's overall look and grimaced. "Well... I suppose that's the best we can do under the circumstances. It's time for you and Bella to get on the chair." He suddenly smacked his forehead with his hand. "How silly of me. I almost forgot! I need to teach you how the controls work first."

He began a crash course in time machine operations. Ewar listened, but for almost every explanation Alistair gave, Ewar had more questions. What was 'on'? What did the numbers on all the dials mean?

During another long explanation, Ewar interrupted. "It's no use. I do not understand."

"If you don't learn how the chair operates, how will you guide it back here?"

"When Bella gets better, she can do it. You taught her how before. I am certain she will remember."

Alistair hesitated, as though afraid to speak. "But what if Bella is... unable to return home with you? What will you do then?"

Ewar understood exactly what was being hinted at. His gaze turned hard as ice. His ominous silence said everything.

If Bella did not survive, he would not survive either. He would make sure of it.

Alistair seemed to age by a decade in an instant. "Oh. I see. I suppose I'll have to hope even more so that she recovers." His lips twisted. "I agree that Bella should be capable of operating the chair, but how will she know what date to set it?"

Thinking on his feet, he came up with a plan. After asking to examine Bella's phone, he discovered it fit inside of a case.

"Ah, this should do nicely. No one will think to check for secret messages here!"

Taking a rock knife, he scratched a drawing on the inside of the case. Circles represented the chair's dials. Tiny marks indicated what numbers should be chosen. The date of return was easy to see, as long as you were familiar with the chair's setup. Otherwise, it was meaningless scribbles.

Bella's phone, secured in its case once again, was returned to her pocket. Her comb sat next to it. If all went well, she would wear it again soon.

"According to my calculations," said Alistair, "you and Bella should arrive back here precisely two days from now. It allows just enough time to pass for Mett and Ehmay to believe the gods healed Bella through their magic." He patted the chair. "Come and take a seat."

Ewar held Bella tightly as he went to sit, balancing her on his lap. He had never sat on a chair before, and he wasn't sure whether he liked it or not. When the power was turned on, he flinched. The buzzing sound it made was nerve-wracking.

"Remember to leave signs so Bella can find you," Alistair said as final preparations were made. "Be it a mark on a tree or a word written on a rock. Think of something she would recognize and use it to lead her to you! But don't expect her to come right away. Even with advanced medicines, a head injury that severe will take quite some time to heal."

Alistair hung a small basket from Ewar's shoulder. It was stuffed with food, a blanket, and coils of rope. Other than a few tools in his belt pouch, these items represented all he had to keep himself alive once he was in the future.

"That's everything." Alistair squeezed Ewar's shoulder. "Good luck, my friend. I hope to see you and Bella very soon."

"I wish for that as well." Ewar swallowed nervously. "Thank you for all of your help."

"It was my pleasure." Alistair stepped to the side of the chair. "You might want to close your eyes now."

Ewar knew he should listen to the advice, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Wasn't seeing danger coming at you better than being taken unawares?

Alistair's voice echoed within the cave. His finger hovered over a switch built into the armrest. "On the count of three. 1... 2... 3!"

Click.

00000000000000000000

A/N-

One more outtake to come. Ewar has to survive in the future until Bella returns. Then, the sequel starts! Yeah, finally, lol.

Thanks for reading. :-)