{Honesty. Let me be honest with myself then: I have failed my people— the very people who look up to me for protection.}
Before Sharen's worry grew a notch, they saw a Fryssel rushing towards them among the many people squeezing past each other on the street. He waved at them with a wide smile. "Master Sharen, Narene, I sold the crystals!"
Sharen sighed, ignoring the fact that the boy had referred to him as 'master' again. He nodded a smile on his face. "Nice job, Fryssel."
Fryssel smiled, swinging a pouch full of Lars before Sharen's face. "We have enough money to get us a house and food for four days if we cut down a bit."
"I gave you only three crystals and they weren't even up to the green colour," Sharen frowned, eyeing Fryssel. "How come you sold it for so much?"
The boy smiled proudly. "I am a merchant and I know how to argue prices."
"That's good then," Narene said, looking around. "We'd better get going. It's getting darker."
Sharen found her funny. The streets were brightly lit with the street lamps; he saw no reason why Narene would worry about it getting dark. "How did you know where to meet us, Fryssel?" he asked as they made their way towards the residential areas.
"I would've come back to the stable to wait." Fryssel said and Sharen nodded, finding him to be smart. In as much as he found him to be a burden, he also felt that he would be useful with handling his money.
….
With a little searching, they found a house that was free for rent. The house was spacious and nice but cost a lot of Lars. The downside, however, was that the house had only one room.
Sharen would've suggested getting different rooms just to avoid his urges acting up in the middle of the night, making him do things he'd regret but he later changed his mind. The team were in a new city and they had to stay together, guarding for any attack.
It could be his paranoia but Sharen trusted no one in the city. He was here to capture Goramel and knowing how abnormal the man was, he knew that it was bound to bring him problems. He didn't want to be caught off guards—especially with his wound.
"Sleep wherever you want," Sharen said, wincing. He was glad that the pain had grown too much that even his desires for Narene had waned slightly. Waned but still there, burning, threatening to make him pounce on her…
"You should take the bed," Narene said, glancing at the slightly large bed by the side of the room, her face showed concern. "You shouldn't get uncomfortable with your wound."
Sharen nodded then sat on the bed. "Then you can share the remaining space with Fryssel."
The boy shifted slightly, almost as if he was shy of sleeping in the same room as Narene. With a sigh, Sharen closed his eyes, finding that it helped him concentrate amidst the pains and maddening desires that ravaged him.
"We should see that doctor."
Sharen froze, his skin tensed. The voice sounded too close for comfort and just by hearing it, Sharen was sent into a frenzy of passion, wishing to grab her. He opened his eyes to find Narene leaning in front of him—too close for comfort, their heads almost touching. At that moment, he found her lips so kissable that he almost let himself slip.
However, he steeled his resolve. He wasn't normal and he wouldn't let the spell lead him. He sighed and said, "It's dark already."
"You're grimacing with every turn of your body," she pointed out. "You need to see a healer."
Sharen glanced at Fryssel who was sitting cross-legged on the floor, looking out the small window that overlooked the street. The light in the room illuminated his face and Sharen could see the determination in his eyes.
He turned to Narene and was about to argue when intense pain shot through his body, making him grimace again. He'd have fallen if Narene hadn't been there to hold him up. The pain was getting worse, that much he could tell.
There was nothing he could do. The system wasn't a healing system neither could it provide him with the power to heal himself. The power to heal such wounds was beyond what a green cored mage could do. Sharen knew that if he let the pain continue, he'd die slowly.
"You need to be in good shape when trying to capture Goramel." Narene said.
Sharen nodded, realising—for the first time—that she was still holding him. The realisation sent cold shivers down his spine, flaring his desires again. What had Shar done to him?
In the end, he nodded. "Fine. Let's see the doctor tonight."
"Let me get the money, then." She said, letting go of him. "Can you walk?"
"Would you carry me if I said no?"
Narene shook her head. "I'd get a horse."
Sharen chuckled, feeling that his image as a master had taken another blow. The pain rushed through his side again, making his lips tremble. Narene returned with the money and they walked to the door.
Sharen stopped then turned to Fryssel. "Will you be okay on your own?"
The boy nodded seriously. "I can handle myself."
Sharen took his word for it. He didn't have the strength or patience to deal with him but he didn't want him to get into trouble. As long as Fryssel was with him, he was his responsibility.
Walking towards the address was no easy task. The wound on his side made him cringe and the constant, blinding pains made Sharen walk with a wobble. He was sure that if the distance had been longer, he'd faint on the way.
For the first time, he was able to guess the power behind a Shattered Knights' attack and the fury that came with it.
Fortunately, they arrived at the healer's house just by the end of the street. The shutters let out streaks of light, indicating that someone was awake. Narene glanced at him then said, "I'll knock."
Sharen was too tired and too in pains to object.