BTGS: Triple R - The Missing Postmaster: Part 3

Not at all surprised by the reaction to the letter, Tegami still jumped a little when the Chief shouted out in frustration. Who could blame him given the situation. She couldn't help fidgeting with nervousness wanting desperately to offer some sort of positive comfort but having no words to say. The whole thing seemed bleak.

As the Chief instructed her to go back to Vikkit with the news, she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. What horrible news she had to deliver. And more so she felt a bit like she failed at her task. What if she had just missed Anari as he left? Had she been there she could have held him up. What if she just flown a little bit faster?

Tegami shook her head, she could dwell on 'what ifs', that wasn't going to help at all. She had a job to do and an important one at that. She could only hope that they would be able to save the Postmaster from what seemed like a pretty much sealed fate.

She had to take the letter with her, it would be easier to explain to Vikkit having it on hand. Also it would ensure she didn't leave out any important details. She may have only been a Sorter but now she was taking on the job of a Post Bird and she wasn't going to let the Chief down.

Going up to the Post Office, Tegami borrowed a mail bag. Even though she only had one letter to carry, it was the safest way to travel with it. She didn't want to drop it while she flew. Her eyes scanned the words once more before she carefully tucked it away in the bag and let out a sigh. She would deliver the message, no matter how grim it seemed.

Ready to fly, Tegami gave the Chief her promise that she would fly as fast as her wings could take her and make sure the letter got to Captain Vikkit. She bowed before heading out to one of the balcony areas of the Aerie. This trip was going to be one of the most important flights she'd ever make. She pulled her flight goggles down over her eyes, checked the mail bag one last time and with a spring in her step, took off in a flurry of feathers.

Her wings had gotten quite the work out already, having flown to the Trading Post then back to Aerie and now she was one her way back again. It was no surprise she felt a slight ache in her feathers but she figured that could possibly be due to stress as well. Stress had it's way of making aches and pains come of the forefront of situations.

Every flap made her push herself, feeling she was going too slow. She could have been flying at top speed and still felt like she was dragging because of how time sensitive the issue was. She couldn't help worrying about getting back to the Trading Post in time so they could mount an effort to go after the wayward Postmaster. If he was unable to be recovered she knew she would feel some guilt over it. If only she had flown faster. If only she has managed to catch him before he left. All these thoughts ran through her mind as she continued in route to the Trading Post.

'Postmaster Anari, what were you thinking? Don't you realize how important you are?' She wished she was actually speaking to the bird rather than just thinking to herself.  She had always admired the Postmaster and now that he was in danger she wished she was able to actually speak to him and let him know how she felt. She was sure all the Sorters and Posties felt the same way.

Tegami could see the feint outline of the Trading Post coming into view. She gave herself just a little extra push, flapping her wings with all her might. When she landed she sort of skidded to a halt kicking up some sand and cause a few Gerudo to look at her. She just dusted herself off and hurried back to where she had first spoken with Captain Vikkit.

“Captain Vikkit!” she called out as she ran up, reaching him and leaning forward to catch her breath. She felt that sinking feeling well up inside her as she reached into the mail bag and pulled out the letter.

“It's not good news, Sir.” she paused and looked him in the eyes and then looked away. “I went and tried to find Postmaster Anari but he was gone before I found him and...” Tegami trailed off and just offered the letter to the Captain.

She wasn't sure how he would react. After all this wasn't just some other Rito doing something dangerous, it was his brother. She couldn't imagine how that would feel, finding out a sibling had done something dangerous. Had it been one of her brothers she was sure she'd panic and want to go rushing right after.

“I'm sorry, Sir. Maybe if I had gotten back to the Aerie faster he would have still been there and I could have stopped him from leaving.”

She knew the whole thing wasn't her fault but she still felt like apologizing. She didn't really know what else she could do in this situation.

“The Chief told me to tell you to coordinate his recovery with the Knight Commander and Vanguard, even with their current injuries. He said you'd understand and know what to do. And if...” she trailed off again. If what? What could she possibly offer? She was just a Sorter.

“If there is anything more I can do, please let me know. I want to see Postmaster Anari back safely. I'm not really sure what I could do to help, but it there is something then please let me know.”

That said she hung her head and finally pulled her flight goggles back up to rest on her head. She was tired from all the flying and she could feel the burn from pushing herself to get back to the Trading Post in a hurry. Part of her just wanted to sleep. Maybe this was all a bad dream and she would wake up and find out nothing was wrong. Tegami reached over and pinched her right hand, she felt it, she wasn't sleeping.