Sometimes the Universe knocks you down on purpose. It’s a reminder to stop, look around you…and notice the blessings you already have.

Squeezing the excess water from the rag, Wendell laid the cloth lightly across Alhannah’s forehead. Her hands continued to twitch on top of the blanket and she still gasped for air every few minutes. It was uncomfortable to watch, the tension in her face—as if she were drowning and needed to get a last breath before going under. He watched her eyelids shift and her eyebrows twitch, like flashes of pain that quickly passed. Her eyes never stopped moving beneath the lids…a sign she was, despite the pain and illness, sleeping deeply The good news was, her color had started to return.

What are you dreaming about, little one? He brushed the hair back from her cheek. Gratefully it didn’t detach and fall into his fingers. She had several bald patches on the side of her head—but the back of her skull was completely smooth now. What is going on inside that little body that’s made you so sick? It didn’t make a whole lot of sense, this illness. Alhannah was always moving, always ready and what he might call hyper when something physical needed to be done. Yet this condition had come upon her so suddenly—out of nowhere.

He laid his fingers tenderly over hers. Though they’d only known each other for a little more than a month, he couldn’t help feeling like a younger brother. Even more so, now that he was the same size. Not that Alhannah reminded him of his own sisters back on Earth—for they were bossy and had always been selfish—but the gnome always made Wendell feel like he mattered. That it was ok to just be himself…which wasn’t an everyday feeling. Besides that, Alhannah brought out a stable side to both Chuck and Dax. They adored her, had trained her and when things got a little out of hand, she had a talent for smoothing things over.

You need to get better, Alhannah. We all need you. He quietly choked back his concern. I need you.

He glanced up at Höbin, who was curled in a chair on the opposite side of her bed. The long, wiry mustache hairs ruffled under his nose with each exhale, like blades of grass in a summers breeze. He looks exhausted. Chuck said the old historian hadn’t left his daughters side since they placed her in bed. His left hand, now just a stub without the mechanical device attached, rested across his ribcage. Höbin’s left foot also hung freely without the cybernetic attachment—both prosthetic pieces sitting in the windowsill behind him. The gnomes chest rose and fell softly as he snored under the bushy white facial hair.

A wrinkled hand gently squeezed Wendell’s shoulder.

Chuck placed a finger over his lips and made the motion for him to follow. They closed the bedroom door silently behind them.

Wendell whispered, “She looks like she’s doing better.”

The wizard sighed softly. His face looked worn, like he’d been up all night as well. He smoothed his mustache with his fingers, “With all my soul, I wish she was.”

Wendell’s mind raced with questions. Glancing back at the door, “What’s…wrong with her?” was the only thing that came out.

Big bushy eyebrows rolled forward. “That’s just it, son, I don’t have a clue. Höbin doesn’t understand it either. She’s one of the healthiest children I’ve ever known, but she’s showing the advanced effects of common illnesses. A flurry of them. All…feeding off one another—but without displaying the outward symptoms. Never seen anything like it. We tried every natural remedy known,” he shook his head, “and Höbin knows quite a few more than I do. But nothing worked…until…”

“Until?” Wendell repeated.

“Until we fed her.”

Wendell laughed softly, “That’s it? She just needed some food?”

Chuck slid his hat back and scratched his forehead, “Well, no. “ He cocked his head to the side, “Yes…but no.”

“You realize you’re not making any sense, don’t you?”

The wizard glared, “We did determine that she was—and literally is—starving. That’s why she’s so weak. We just can’t figure out why. Höbin tried feeding her normal foods, all of her favorites—to encourage her. He blended the dishes up, so she could take it through a straw, but Alhannah couldn’t keep any of it down.”

Wendell cringed at the thought of blended meat. Eww.

Chuck grabbed Wendell’s elbow and guided him away from the bedroom.

“This isn’t the only thing frustrating me, son. This is the second thing that’s happened since we got to Clockworks that I can’t place my finger on.” His whole face contorted into a serious frown, “Which is not only uncommon…it’s downright tickin’ me off.” He kept walking, guided Wendell towards the kitchen. “The last thing I want, when everyone thinks I’m senile, is to actually become senile.”

“So what do we do?” Wendell asked quietly, pulling his elbow free and planting his feet. The sounds of conversation floated out from the kitchen—along with the clattering of dishes. “The TNT crew and Shamas still don’t know who we really are…and it’s probably smart not to let them know Höbin’s here. Just to be safe.”

“Agreed,” Chuck started to say, but he stopped. For a moment, he studied Wendell’s face and the hero shifted uncomfortably in place. “For now we’ll see what Höbin’s little concoction will do for her. He’s secured some rare magical components from Inimitable Essentials.” He shivered, “It’s a shop in the Black Market. Dodie McGlynn is running a tab for him, poor sap—and I’ve helped him create what you might call a hyper-active nourishing formula. So,” he smiled weakly, “we’ll see if it works.” He reached out and grabbed Wendell’s arm again, this time firmly. “Best we stay positive in front of the others,” then, staring intensely, “especially in front of the monkey. Alright? We all love Alhannah, but he’s…particularly fond of that child. If he thought she could…,” he broke off.

“Could…what?” Wendell pressed, but the wizard waved him away.

“Let’s just smile and hope for the best, shall we?”

Wendell’s heart sank.

Chuck rolled his shoulders back, placed a bold smile on his face and strutted past him, bouncing into the kitchen. With a clap of his hands, he said cheerfully, “So what’s for dinner?”

****

“Mind if I join you?”

Wendell stopped pushing what he could only guess was a gnome version of a brussels sprout around his plate. He lifted his head up from the table.

Lili stood there, both hands holding her small plate of food. “If that’s alright with you, I mean. You look like you’re deep in thought.”

Wendell sat up in his chair, “More like deep in stress.” He glanced around the room. Freak and Socket were cuddled on the couch, watching the last part of their favorite construction program, You’ve Got Nails. Telly and Tumbler were playing a board game on the coffee table, and Dax was snoring, fast asleep in the lounge chair.

Wendell and Lili had the entire kitchen table to themselves.

There’s still plenty places to sit…why next to me? For over a month they had been in Clockworks. Wendell had tried multiple times to get Lili’s attention, but she never gave the slightest hint of being interested in who he was or what he was doing. You’d think being the hero would have some perks, he said to himself mockingly. But even the hero of the world can’t get a date, and why is that? Because in reality, he’s still a nerd with a fancy job title.

She nodded at his hesitation, “You’re wondering why I want to sit here.”

“It did cross my mind.”

Without asking again, she pulled out the chair and sat down. “You’re the only human here,” she said quietly and began cutting her food.

Wendell snorted, “There’s Chuck. You know, the one you spend most of your time with”

Putting food in her mouth, “Mm-mm.” Lili quickly chewed and swallowed, “He’s a mägo—doesn’t count.”

Wendell stabbed the cabbage on his plate with the fork, then broke it in half. “Well I’m the hero, with a fist-sized diamond buried in his chest for the next thousand years.” Realizing he was talking too loud, he leaned forward slightly and lowered his tone, “What would you call that?”

Lili swallowed another mouthful. She looked at him thoughtfully. “I’d say you’re stuck.”

She sat there and ate quietly, completely erect in her posture, cutting eat piece of food daintily—like she was sitting in a fine restaurant. She didn’t ask any questions. She didn’t initiate any conversation. In fact, she didn’t even look at him for the most part. and it annoyed Wendell. There was an air about her. He couldn’t put his finger on it and in the frustration, he couldn’t decide if he wanted to kiss her on the cheek…or flick his brussels sprout at her face. I don’t know if it’s the way you carry yourself, or your expressions…he grit his teeth, Or maybe it’s the lack of expressions, like…like you’re better than me. No, not just me. Better than everyone! You pompous, arrogant…

“Why are you even here?” he finally blurted out, his irritation tainting his tone.

“The mägo brought me,” she said matter-of-fact. “Not like I had a choice.”

Wendell laughed, “You’re implying that Chuck kidnapped you and brought you to Clockworks?”

Lili halted, placing both knife and fork down on either side of her plate. Lacing her fingers, she folded her hands and placed them in front of her on the table and stared back at Wendell. “I an implying nothing. That is precisely what I’m saying.”

“That’s stupid.”

“If you think the truth is stupid.”

ARGH! He bit his bottom lip to keep himself from saying something he might regret. It had been a rough day and everyone was on edge. Maybe she didn’t mean to be so curt. “You know,” he finally piped up, “Dax could probably take you home if you want to go. If you need me to, I could ask him?”

Her face softened, full lips parting ever so slightly as if to respond. Their eyes met and lingered for what seemed like hours before Lili let her head drop. “Thank you, no.”

“You…don’t want to go home?”

She seemed or a moment to hesitate, “That’s not what I said.”

Wendell slid his plate away from him, “Then get out of here. Run away, since you obviously don’t want to be here. No reason subjecting yourself to all this ‘dark magic’.” He chuckled at the sarcastic reference to technology, but Lili’s pained expression cut his laughter short. “Sorry.”

“No, you are right. All of,” she looked around the kitchen and then over her shoulder at the television—a gnome male displaying the best method for installing a bathroom cabinet, “this, makes me most uncomfortable. I’m no longer terrified—but it does not mean I’m comfortable. I’m not. There’s nothing here familiar to me. Even the smells and sounds seem unnatural to my upbringing.”

“Then why not leave?” he asked plainly. “I really think Dax would take you if I…”

“No,” she cut him off. “It’s not possible right now.”

“But…”

She forced herself to smile at him, but Wendell could tell she was irritated. “I…want to be close to Alhannah.” Seeing an opportunity to change the subject, “She’s been the one person to help me adjust here…and she was very kind to me back at Til-Thorin. I would be ungrateful to leave her now, not when she is so ill.”

“Oh. Well that’s different. I…”

“Hey Dax!” Freak prodded, kicking the recliner with a foot,  and the elf awoke with a start. “Looks like you’re moving up in the world—they’re moving the finals to the new arena!” He gawked in awe at the television, “Just look at that place…”

Cameras displayed a sweeping panoramic view of what looked to be a huge dome with a glass top. The shot was at dusk and around the rim of the done, gigantic statues of S.L.A.G.s decorated the building, holding out torches burning brightly, like an olympic salute. In the background was a jagged mountain range and beyond it, the shimmering ocean—reflecting the last rays of the sun off its calm waters. The dome itself, with the way the light sparkled off the angular construction of the glass top, almost looked like a behemoth version of the Ithari.

“They finished it?” Dax sat up and rubbed his tired eyes, blinking at the screen.

“The new Trench Arena,” chimed Socket. She snatched up the remote and cranked up the volume.

“…which has been completed in time for the finals! Originally intended to be a planetarium, the Solar Dome lost its funding and was quickly purchased by the Brothers Trench during seasons two. They immediately commissioned Bellows Construction Group to  retrofit the building to become the official home of this extreme sport. When Trench Wars went prime time in season three, extensive funding was used to equip the stadium with the best technology Clockworks had to offer. The number one competition in the nation will now have open skies and record breaking seating capacity. And if tickets are any indication of what’s to come, every seat has sold out for next weeks final match between Turnpike, Armored Ensemble and Beatdown. Trinity versus Steel and Stone’s grappling sensation! Here’s to hoping you folks out there grabbed one of the two million tickets, because this anchor couldn’t find one…”

Socket clicked the mute button and grinned at her husband. “We’re finally gonna get our name out there, babe. Wipe our slate clean as a baby’s backside!”

Dax let his head fall back against the chair. “If I can win, you mean.” He let his head flop to the side, staring over at the kitchen table. “This didn’t exactly turn out the way we planned, did it kid?”

Wendell gave Lili a sideways glance, then got up from the table. “Does it ever?” Taking his dishes to the sink, “But hey, Mr. Finalist…I have no doubt you’ll find a way to pull this off. Steel and Stone come out on top.”

“That’s right!” chimed in Freak. He struggled to sit up, but he couldn’t get past his round belly until his wife pushed him forward into a sitting position. “You still got the best pit crew in the league on your side. We have a couple new toys to retrofit to your machine, so don’t count us out yet!”

“We’ll kick the butt-grease outta those S.L.A.G.s!” roared Tumbler, puffing on his pipe like a train. Telly switched the game pieces while the old gnome wasn’t looking.

They all laughed.

“Well there you go, Dax,” Wendell laughed, “How can you possibly lose with backup like this?”

The elf continued to stare at the arena shot on the TV. “I don’t know guys, two against one ain’t exactly great odds.” He stood up and stretched, yawning, “Even if the pilot’s as cool as me.”

Socket threw a pillow at him.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

The room fell silent.

“I’ll get it,” Wendell said casually, but Dax was already on his heels as he left the kitchen.

BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!

“Alright!” Dax yelled at the door, “We’re comin!”

Wendell pulled back the latch and opened the front door to a panicked looking Shamas. The bodyguard gruffly pushed past them both.

“Where is she?” he said, gasping for air. His face was flushed and he bounced as he moved. He spun around and stared at Wendell fiercely. “Where is she!?”

Before Wendell could react or say a word, Dax was between them. “Let’s try this another way—like one that won’t find your nose broke and your cocky little body crumpled on the floor.” He cracked his knuckles.”

Shamas stared blankly between the two, blinking as if he were just waking up. He stopped bouncing and lowered his eyes. “Sorry.” Then, calmer, “Sorry, Wendell. I only got word about Red an hour ago and been racing across town since.” He looked down the hall, toward the sleeping quarters, “I came as fast as I could.”

Wendell weaved around Dax and patted the bodyguard on the shoulder. “Come into the kitchen, Shamas.”

The bodyguard nodded and followed in silence.

Dax pulled a couple of chairs out. “Have a seat, kid.”

Shamas pulled his jacket off, “Thanks.” He glanced at Lili and nodded.

“Well,” Freak interrupted, “we’ll be off.” Socket was under one arm and Telly was helping Tumbler up from the floor. “We have plenty of time to prep Turnpike for the fight—maybe it’s a good idea to keep it quiet around here for Alhannah’s sake?”

Dax nodded, “Appreciate that. She needs her rest.” He reached out and shook the mechanics hand. “Thanks boss.”

Freak raised an eyebrow and looked down at his wife. “Boss. I like that.”

“Well I ain’t calling you boss,” Tumbler grumbled behind them. “Twit, yes. Bossy, anytime.” Then he looked up at telly, who couldn’t stop grinning. “I swear I had ya on the ropes that time. Startin’ ta hate that game.”

Telly patted the old gnome on the back, “It’s just like Trench Wars, Tumbler—all about timing and strategy.”

Freak sighed and rolled his eyes.

“I’ll give you some privacy too,” Lili said quietly and got up to leave.

Wendell put a hand on her forearm, “You…don’t have to go.”

She looked him in the eyes, then slowly looked down at his hand. She stared at it until he removed it. “I have work to do anyway,” her voice cold.

Wendell stood there, watching the dark, braided hair swing across her back as she walked away. Even after she’d left, he stood there, staring at the open doorway.

“Everything alright?” Shamas asked. Dax strummed his fingers on the table.

“What?” Wendell turned around, “Oh, yeah—just fine,” he said, unconvincingly, “Thanks.” He sat down.

“You don’t have to worry about Alhannah.” Dax relaxed his arms onto the table, observing the bodyguard. “She’s in good hands, kid. The best, actually.”

Shamas looked between them, doubtfully.

“I talked with Chuck earlier,” Wendell added, “and he said she’s been starving herself.”

The bodyguard frowned, “Starving herself? That doesn’t sound like Alhannah at all…”

“I’m only guessing here, but it was probably from all the stress she’s been under. She’s been trying to run the whole show since we started and, from the impressions I’ve had—though you and Dax have known her a lot longer—I think she’s used to taking care of herself, not a crew. So with the training, the attempts on my life…”

“I don’t think my fighting with her helped either,” Shamas volunteered. He looked at Dax, who continued to quietly stare at him. He looked down at his hand, scraping at a stain on the tabletop. “You may not know this, but Red and I were best friends growing up. School yard teammates, taking on the bullies. We even took milk money as offerings to make the halls safe for the smaller kids.” He smiled to himself, “We liked to fight, so the gifts from others kids were the bonuses. Fact is, she was always there for me—especially when my parents died.”

Wendell looked at Dax, but the elf hadn’t blinked.

“Both my parents worked with Red’s mother, and I’m an only child, so…” he trailed off. “I guess you could say she’s the closest thing I have to a sister.”

Wendell watched the bodyguard shift in his seat. He really does care about Alhannah. That’s good to know. Smiling, he rapped his knuckles on the table, “I know what you mean.”

“She’s going to be ok then?” This time, asking the question directly to Dax.

The elf nodded, “That’s what Chuck says,…”

“Is there anymore ice, boys?” Höbin blurted out, stumbling into the kitchen. “Her fever’s gone, but she seems to feel better on the cooler side—Oh! Sorry, didn’t mean to…,” he stopped. Squinting, he cocked his head forward, the corners of his mustache rising up to his ears. “Shamas? …why you little tyke—is that you?”

The bodyguard stood up abruptly. “Hello Mr. Luckyfeller,” he said respectfully.

The old gnome hobbled across the floor and grabbed Shamas firmly and pulled him into a hug. “My oh my, you’ve grown! You make my one good eye tear up, seeing you here! How are you, son?” He stepped back, grinning wide. “All grown up,” shaking his head, “and quite the strapping gnome.”

Shamas straightened and stood upright, “Thank you, sir.” Then confused, “But I thought…well,” he looked to Wendell and Dax, not quite sure what to reveal.

“That I’d been given the boot?” Höbin finished for him. “Disowned by a malicious government and cast out into the cold, cruel world to die as a traitor and a vagabond?”

“Uh, well,” stammered Shamas, embarrassed, “…yes, sir.”

Höbin laughed out loud, “Couldn’t be happier!” Tapping his nose, he whispered, “I came in the back door. Best not to tell anyone you saw me—might get sticky, if you know what I mean?”

Shamas smirked, “Not a peep, but…,” His smirk turned to a wide grin, “I hope you’ll use the back door more often, because it’s awfully good to see you.”

Slapping the bodyguard on the shoulder, “Likewise, RH. Now, if you’ll excuse me—I need some ice for my little girl.” Rattling through the freezer, he emptied a tray into a plastic bag. He was about to leave, when he noticed the look of concern on Shamas’s face. Höbin stopped and jabbed him lightly in the chest, “She’s going to be just find, don’t you worry. She’s getting the best care possible, both from myself and the wisest man I know.”

Shamas looked up, confused.

“I mean gnome,” he corrected himself quickly. Laughing nervously, he rolled his eyes at Dax and Wendell, “Been spending too much time with humans.” Höbin slapped his forehead as he left the kitchen.

“So,” Wendell chimed, “you don’t have to worry about Alhannah. I’m assuming you’ll be taking over guarding transportation during the fights?”

“That would be the plan.”

Dax stood up, “Then let’s call it a night and we’ll get organized in the next couple days.”

“Well,” the bodyguard hesitated, then slid back onto his chair, “Alhannah’s not the only reason I’m here.” He reached back and pulled a notepad from a jacket pocket. Flipping through the pages, “When she thought you were dead, Wendell, she sent me to find out not only who threw you into the furnace, but the gnomes behind it.” He looked up, “You have to be the luckiest gnome alive, to have survived a fall like that!”

Wendell produced a cheesy grin, “Yeah…lucky.”

Dax frowned at him, “So did you finally get enough info to trace the kidnapping back to the goons at Trinity?” he rubbed his hands eagerly.

“No.”

Wendell’s forehead crinkled, “No?”

Shamas flipped another page of the notepad, “It wasn’t Trinity who kidnapped you. In fact, they didn’t have anything to do with it.”