A Complicated Web

Chapter Seventy Seven: One Last Order of Business

She'd been right, Kally mused as she looked across the quad of the university campus. It was weird being back. She felt so different, like she'd lived a whole lifetime between leaving and coming back. And, in a way, she had. She wasn't sure how she'd relate to everyone else after this, especially those who didn't know.

"Welcome back, Miss Carmichael," Professor Othin greeting as he walked up to her, hands behind his back as usual. "It has been some time since I last saw you running around campus."

Kally began to at least try and explain things but he brushed her explanations aside with a wave of his hand. "I understand you were otherwise engaged in a worthy cause. I cannot fault you for that. In fact I have given you a passing grade in my class. "

Not sure how to take that, Kally could only shake her head. "I wasn't even there for all of it. And none of the other professors gave me a passing grade. They just gave me the option to retake the classes." She didn't want to think any kind of favoritism had come into play. After all, the professor had shown more interest in her than in any other student, not to mention her dreams of him while captured.

Othin chuckled. "Not all lessons are learned in the classroom," he reasoned. "And I believe you have learned a great deal during your absence. I could not, in good conscious, keep you from moving forward."

A blush crept up Kally's cheeks. "I have learned a lot," she admitted. "I'm more aware of my surroundings, like you said I should be. I've changed a lot, but can't help but wonder if that will make things harder for me in the long run."

"Perhaps they will," Othin replied, starting to walk, indicating for her to fall into step with him. "I know more of your recent struggles than most and I do not envy those who would try to bully you in the future. You have come a long way, and yet you still have a long way to go. Keep moving forward and you will get there."

Kally wasn't sure if he really meant he knew more than most about her recent ordeals but decided to take it at face value. "I think I'll just head home for the last week of the semester," she admitted. "It's not like I can take all the finals." She stopped to stare directly into his visible eye. "What will you do?"

Othin paused as well, staring intently back before looking away. "I believe I will retire. I have walked many paths in my lifetime, taking on many roles. I've made my mistakes, lost people I love. I think it is now finally time to go off on my own and reflect on my life."

"But where will you go?" Kally protested. Out of all of her teachers, Othin had been the most inclined to push her in just the right ways to make her grow. The idea that he would be leaving made her feel almost empty inside.

The professor now looked almost as if his thoughts had traveled elsewhere. "I was thinking perhaps Norway. I have a friend who is more than willing to help me get there. And perhaps, one day, I will see my family again. We shall see." He moved off without so much as a backwards glance, leaving Kally to wonder as two ravens flew overhead.

........................................

Several more days passed before Hiro was allowed to leave for real. They'd fitted him with a boot for his right leg, keeping his left in the full length brace. He could, with a little practice slowly make his way around with the use of a crutch. He definitely needed it to maintain any semblance of balance. Thankfully, his bones had healed enough the doctors didn't think putting weight on them would be a problem. And they'd finally taken away his arm brace, admonishing him to take it easy with things.

The night before they were scheduled to head back, Cass came to visit with him. She'd given him some space the last few days but thought it was high time she broached his secrecy. She'd hesitated earlier, not wanting to complicate his recovery. But now felt as good a time as any. He'd be relying on everyone for a good while yet and it would be easier to take care of this before they headed home.