Chapter 90: The Burner Phone
The air inside Doras Dagda carried a vibrant freshness, tinged with the subtle perfume of blooming flowers and the earthy aroma of the Great Ambrosial Fruit Tree's thriving garden. Robert stretched as the gates closed behind them, the weariness of Edinburgh's horror still etched in his bones. His group trudged into the settlement, faces lined with exhaustion but tinged with relief at finally being home, securely to Doras Dagda.
The first stop was the baths, a sacred spot in Doras Dagda where the sanctum's springs now flowed, surrounded by tall stone columns painted with bright, colorful images of Pictish spirits, elemental beings, and playful fairies chasing each other in games. Robert had first dug a simple well here weeks ago with his earth magic to supply the settlement's early needs, but Ewan MacEwan and the clan had transformed it into these springs, magically fed from the well below to keep them brimming with warm water. A broad roof stretched over the columns, casting shade across the steaming pools, while runes etched into the stone shimmered with a golden glow, their magic weaving through the misty wisps that lit the chamber in an otherworldly glow.
Soldiers and refugees washed away grime, their tension melting as the springs' waters—infused with water, light, and fire magic—seeped into their weary bones. Enchantments woven by the Clan MacEwan used light to purify the filth as it re-entered the spring, while fire magic kept the water at a soothing warmth, easing the ache of Edinburgh's horrors. Robert soaked for a moment longer, feeling the springs' magic lift the weight of the past days like a heavy fog, leaving a quiet peace in its wake.
A refugee nearby gasped, splashing water as he held up his arm. "Look at this, mate! A Cu Sith scratched me deep, but it's mending right before my eyes!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with awe. Robert glanced at his own scraped forearm, watching in quiet amazement as the raw marks faded, the springs' magic knitting his skin back together while he soaked.
Robert had heard from Ewan MacEwan how the clan, guided by Moira's magic, turned the springs into a public bath over the weeks, weaving in purifying spells that made the water feel like a mild potion soaking into the body over time. It was no wonder Doras Dagda felt like a sanctuary: every drop seemed to mend the soul, a wee gift for those who called it home. From there, they moved to the dining hall where hearty stews, fresh bread, and slices of the Great Ambrosial Fruit awaited, restoring their souls and mana in ways no potion could.
Robert barely touched his food, though he smiled as others ate with gusto. Snow, Chaucer, and even Hamish showed how resilient they were, talking and joking with one another like family. After a time, he stood and dismissed everyone for rest, insisting they take the night to recover. Scotty lingered, his eyes wide as he took in the beauty of Doras Dagda. For a moment, Robert followed him in silence, bemused.
Scotty had wandered into the garden, his attention fixed on one of the larger fruits hanging low on a branch. With a look of pure curiosity, he reached up and plucked a massive plum, cradling it reverently in both hands. "Boss," Scotty called over his shoulder, his voice a mix of awe and disbelief. "This thing's enormous! Is this for real?"
Not realizing Scotty had known he was there the whole time, Robert cleared his throat. Nonchalantly, he leaned against the garden's stone wall, crossing his arms. "Go ahead," he said with a smirk.
"Take a bite." Scotty bit into the fruit with gusto, his teeth sinking into its juicy flesh. For a moment, his expression was neutral as he chewed thoughtfully.
Then his eyes widened, rolling up in his head, and his knees buckled slightly as he let out a muffled groan of ecstasy. "Erm, mah gerd, boss!" Scotty managed around a mouthful of fruit, his voice almost reverent. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, holding the fruit aloft like a prize. "Have you seen this?"
Robert burst into laughter, helpless against Scotty's youthful excitement. "Of course I have! Now go on, head to Sarah's restaurant." He beamed gently. "Tell her I sent you, and she'll make sure you're taken care of."
Scotty nodded, already taking another massive bite of the fruit. He half-saluted, half-waved as he ambled off toward the settlement's central dining area, humming contentedly. Robert shook his head, still chuckling as he turned back to the garden. The last of Edinburgh's evacuees were filtering through the archway, escorted by soldiers Scotty had handpicked to help maintain order among the displaced population.
When the final group was accounted for, Robert approached the arch and placed his hand on its frame. The runes carved into the stone pulsed with a soft golden light, fading as the portal collapsed inward with a soft whoosh. The air around it cooled abruptly, leaving only the empty silence beneath the arch.
Only then did Robert allow himself a moment of solitude. His fingers brushed against the package that had been waiting for him, mysteriously delivered by one of ENCLAVE's drones. He carried it to his room and unwrapped it, and found inside a sleek, nondescript phone. A single tag dangled from the device.
Burner. Call me.
Robert turned the phone on and studied the screen, curiosity flickering in his eyes. The device booted up quickly, revealing a single saved contact: Freya Navarro. For a long moment, Robert stared at the name. He didn't recognize it. But it was an ENCLAVE drone… perhaps Langston would remember… if he hasn't killed himself inside DAVE's training dungeons yet.
"Well. I'm not going to wait for him. Let's see what happens." He pressed the call button, only now realizing how odd it felt to have technology on his person again. He had almost forgotten what it felt like, having objects that do all the work for you… instead of magic to do all the work for you. They really aren't all that different. His idle musings were interrupted when a woman answered on the other end. She sounded nervous, clearing her throat first.
"Freya Navarro, who is speaking?" she said quickly.
"This is Robert MacCallum," he replied. He decided to say nothing extra, wanting to know her intentions first. For now, he was just glad the cell phone didn't explode.
"Oh thank God," Freya expelled a heavy breath. "I can't believe this worked," Freya said, her voice trembling.
Robert waited a moment. "I'm sorry, but who are you and why should I keep talking to you?" he asked bluntly.
"I'm the one that sent the telegram, Robert," Freya replied. "As far as I know, I'm the only council member at ENCLAVE that doesn't want you destroyed."
Robert's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You sent that? Well, thanks for the heads-up. That was… a hell of a warning."
Freya's tone softened. "How many did you save?"
Robert exhaled. "You mean… how many did YOU save? Nearly twenty four thousand people made it to Doras Dagda. They would all be dead today if you didn't tell me about this."
There was silence on the line. Robert frowned, then realized he could hear faint sniffs. Freya was crying.
She couldn't stop the tears streaming down her face. "Twenty four thousand," she whispered to herself. "So many… so many dead," she thought, her emotions a tangle of elation and fury. She had made the right choice, but the cost, the needless destruction, still burned inside her. Elias, she could kill him with her bare hands if given the chance.
"Robert," she said finally, her voice trembling, "I want to meet you. I'm going to try to arrange passage to the base we built west of your settlement. I believe you found Langston there?"
Robert's mind flashed to the memory. "I remember it. Call me when you get close, I'll come as quickly as possible."
"No," Freya replied. "That wouldn't be smart for you to walk onto that base, but I can probably slip away and meet you somewhere in the middle."
"Great," Robert said. "There's a thin ravine on the ENCLAVE side of things. At the other end of it, you'll find a bowl-shaped rock. It looks like a boulder, but it's very, very round. If you dig around some foliage, you'll find a hidden hollow beneath it. Just bring a light, and maybe a book."
"I can meet you there," Robert continued. "Just tell me what day. When you can."
"Okay, Robert. I will. Take care," Freya replied.
"You too, Freya. Oh, hey Freya?" Robert added.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Play along with them," Robert said, his tone imploring. "Don't get yourself caught or killed or anything. Survive. Do what you need to until we meet, okay?"
"I'll try, Robert," she said quietly.
And then they both hung up.