I sat on a chair between two beds; to my right was Bertolt and my left, the elf. Bertolt had shrunk, a ruby necklace around his neck. It wasn't only Madam Mopta that saved us, Richard came too. He was the one who shrank Bertolt while the ruby necklace kept him small. Barely an hour had passed since then; he and the elf were still asleep. Madam Mopta was furious, not only at us but a little bit at herself. Feeling that she allowed this to happen, sure Bertolt was big, but he was still a child like me. She thought it was her mistake to have let us go in the first place; especially with a mysterious stranger. Although thankfully no one had died, Bertolt's injuries were far from light. I'd saved one of the Giant Chief's sons and nearly got the other killed. Richard wasn't sure how long it would take them both to heal fully, though the minimum was a couple of weeks.
Sabre layover Bertolt's covers, on his chest. The little guy who never got tired had finally lost all his energy, napping soundlessly. I gave a melancholic smile at that, the heartfelt picture dampened by its depressing context. Looking until I couldn't bear it anymore, my eyes shifting to the bed on the left. I couldn't help but feel resentment towards the elf.
'If he hadn't shown up, none of this would have happened'.
I suppose that was true, somewhat. Though we didn't have to follow him. If he wanted our help, he wouldn't have run away. Still, it's not like we could have left him, not when we knew how injured he was. Urgh. For the first time in my life, I had been conflicted. Living in Madam Mopta's cabin was so simple, the most conflict I ever had here was trying to get Sabre to bed. Now, I had no friends to rely on, I was completely alone. It was always someone else doing the saving, I could only look at them. Powerless. Tears seeped from my eyes. The moments before Bertolt was to be cut down by the leader, playing in my head. His big dumb smile of reassurance, even as he was about to die.
Was this the feeling of loss, of utter defeat, of weakness...
The air in the cabin started to get warmer, and I felt an ethereal hand on my shoulder.
"You're more powerful than you realise,"
A soft and somehow familiar voice whispered in my ear. My head darted back, my eyes scouring the room, only to find nothing. The hand had dispersed as quickly as it had appeared. My mood lightened regardless, the tears stopping as I wiped them away. Staying in the room any longer would just bring me down. I composed myself and left, entering the corridor. The sound of voices came down from the end, Madam Mopta and Richard in a discussion. I edged over silently, remembering the floorboards that creaked and narrowly avoiding them. Starting to make out their conversation as I got closer to hiding behind the door. They seemed to be arguing.
"You can't have her remain here forever," Richard argued.
"I won't let her come to any harm, not like Rebecca." Madam Mopta retorted.
"How long can you honestly expect to be able to protect her for. Until she reaches old age?"
Madam Mopta went quiet for a second, and her tone became less stern.
"...until she's ready."
"And when will that be? You don't train her, you don't teach her how to defend herself. If Bertolt wasn't there, we would be holding her funeral."
She said nothing.
"Look. At the very least she needs to experience a world outside this cabin, and that ironically small Giant village. I plan on making a trip to the eleven kingdom, due to what we discussed earlier. Now I suggest she follows me. Not only will she gain experience, but she'll be absolutely safe. Think of it as a little vacation at most," Richard spoke decisively.
"Hmm, and what do you make of this, Aurora?" Madam, Mopta suddenly asked.
I was startled, stepping back accidentally and causing a floorboard to creak.
"Well, come in and speak up,"
Snapping back to normal, I nervously entered the kitchen. Richard and Madam Mopta sat apart from this each, separated by a single round table. My head was low, not daring to look either in the eye.
"So, would you like to join me on a little adventure Aurora?" Richard asked, smiling.
Yes....is what I would have said if you had asked me before today. The idea of an adventure always sounded amazing; to get to travel the world, live the stories you only read or hear about. But you never listen to the hardships, the close calls, the failed attempts. Had one thing gone wrong, I could have become one of them. I didn't want to lose my friends.
"No" I fumbled.
Maybe I would regret this decision in future, look back and wish to have said yes instead. But I couldn't do it, not then, I couldn't act like what happened didn't happen. Richard was a bit taken back, I suppose he was sure my answer would have been 'yes'. Madam Mopta also looked at me strangely. I couldn't tell what she was thinking.
"Erm, well. I suppose I'm asking for too much too soon. If you don't wish to go, that settles it then," Richard conceded. He still gave me a warm smile, though slightly disappointed.
Madam Mopta turned to him,
"What of the rift raft, in the next room. Do you plan on bringing them with you?" she inquired.
"Aurora, you should go for this part," Richard advised.
I nodded and made to leave-
"No"
"What?" Richard looked confused.
"I want her to hear this," Madam Mopta explained.
He sighed but continued.
"I plan on bringing both the elf and Bertolt with me."
"Tell her why,"
"The elf injuries have worsened. Whatever magic he uses, seems to place strain on his body. And using it in his injured state pushed back he's recovery. Bertolt is even worse. His physical injuries in truth are don't that bad. But whatever stabbed him through the chest was poisoned. Had the poison originated from the forest, I would have been able to deal with it. Nonetheless, it was not. And I have no knowledge of the antidotes to toxins outside of this place. It would take me too long formulate one from scratch, time, he may not have. The forest elves, however, are advanced in healing magic and aliments. In their kingdom, I do believe it would be simple to treat both of them...."
Madam Mopta nodded, her gaze moved to me.
"Do you still wish to stay?"
Words got caught in my throat. Everything was closing in.
"You don't have to answer, you may go now."
I shallowed, saying nothing before leaving. The world seemed to swirl as I walked to my room. I lay on my bed, then closed into a fetal position. Staring into the ceiling, wanting it all to be a dream.....
-
"You didn't need to go that far," Richard said with a frown.
"Do really believe bringing a dark elf to the forest elf kingdom will go smoothly?" Madam Mopta mocked, moving on immediately.
Richard hesitated,
"....he.....he will be counted as one my companions and treated as such."
"Hmph, you place too much on your friendship with the Elf King. I'd consider it a courtesy if they don't kill him on sight."
".....I will deal with that problem when it comes to it. Fate is fickled. I must get my affairs in order before I journey so I will return for them both in the morning. I bid you adieu."
Richard bowed then took his leave, Madam Mopta drank to his farewell. Once alone she thought aloud,
"Foolish old man, what affairs? You just want to give her more time to think about it."
She finished her drink and sat in silence.
-Somewhere nearby
"Captain Marxis, the man has left the cabin alone. Should we ambush him?" a figure in the trees asked. A man with excessively long glossy hair tied into a ponytail was reporting. A large and thin needle was sheathed on his back, carried by cloth. He was perched over the end of the most fragile tree branch as if weightless. A voice in the darkness responded.
"No Baylon. I've watched him for some time now, and I still can't get a read on his power. With General Amon in recovery, our strength is limited, we can't afford any more losses."
"So what, we run to tell the higher-ups?" another voice mocked adding to the conversation. A burly woman speaking this time. Her body was muscle-bound, her clothing light. She was bald and had a large 'X' burnt into her forehead. A single four head battle-axe was strapped to either side of her.
"Ha. Not yet, we will test him and continue surveillance until we are absolutely sure where he measures." The man named Marxis answered still not revealing himself.
"We most get that soul stone back."