Hydrangea sat quietly next to Bastian while she ate her stew. It was comprised mostly of tubers; potatoes and other roots.
Bastian has been talking with the chief for the better part of the morning. Conversation ranged from food, farming—which Bastian apparently had a vast knowledge of—the clothing they wore, and many other things that she admittedly found interesting, but her mind was still idle.
Wether it was the fact that they'd be travelling again, her dreams last night or the flavour of the stew her mind was elsewhere.
When she had finished her meal, which had been very filling, she saw that both of the other men had finished also. She understood then that they had been waiting for her to finish her meal. She hid a blush at the slight embarrassment she felt.
Bastian grabbed her hand and stood, she followed, "Thank you for the meal, Chief Khuno." He said and Hydrangea smiled her thanks.
"Of course." The chief replied with a hearty laugh, but his eyes were cunning and keen as he sat watching them. "Amaru will begin to escort you to the Umatu this afternoon. I suggest you prepare."
They nodded and walked through the entrance.
When they reached the crossroads that they had before Hydrangea could definitely tell that the caves were more lively than before. Laughter and voices could be heard at every point.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hiraeth, follow me please."
She jumped and grasped Bastian's arm at the sound of Amaru's voice. The man was too silent. They both looked to him and saw a woman behind him, her dark hair was pulled into a ponytail with a brightly coloured headband wrapped around her forehead.
She smiled gently at Hydrangea and Hydrangea smiled back, her eyes shifting between the pair.
Amaru looked down at the woman who was quite a few inches shorter than him—like she was to Bastian, "This is my wife, Cava. She will be accompanying us on the journey."
Hydrangea widened her smile.
The couple led them through what she could've sworn was a new corridor, but she couldn't say for sure. Bastian was still holding her hand, his fingers flexing every so often, but he would always grasp hers again.
Arriving at a door made from woven twigs, light was shining in through between the sticks, glinting in the dust particles. Amaru pushed it open and bright daylight flooded the stone tunnel. She looked up and saw Bastian's hair catching it magnificently, his eyes glowed even more and she felt heart skip a beat.
The door opened out to a fenced off area filled with crowds of farm animals, some that Hydrangea had never seen before. The jungle trees blocked some of the light with only chinks letting it through. The warmth met her face and she was reminded of the humidity of Selva.
The rain had ceased, if only for a few minutes.
"We collected your horse and the rest of your camp-"
"Gravel!" Hydrangea impulsively let go of Bastian's hand and dashed towards the beloved animal. She hadn't forgotten about him, but she'd been focused on other things. She hugged his neck then stepped back and stroked his slightly matted mane, "My apologies for leaving you." She whispered into his ear.
Her eyes moved up and saw Bastian watching her with affection enough to make her heart melt.
She waltzed towards him and then stood beside him. He lowered his head to her ear and whispered, "You always seem to show more affection to the animals than to your dear husband."
She scoffed lightly, "That's because it's easier, Bastian."
He smiled, "You seem to be in a very good mood this morning."
"Mm, couldn't tell you why. It just feels better." She nodded.
"What feels better?"
She thinned her lips in thought, "Not sure. Many things." She said and smiled when she saw his teasingly chiding expression.
"You have to be more specific, Hydrangea." He lowered his chin, now dusted with short few hairs, but kept his suggesting gaze level with her.
She blushed and opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by Amaru telling them to organize supplies. The chief's son had a horse as well and Hydrangea could tell it was much older than Gravel.
She and Cava packed food and other such necessities while the men packed weapons and maps needed for traversing that dangerous territory.
"How long have you two been married?" She asked and Hydrangea looked to the slightly older woman. She hadn't known she'd spoken Cadaraman, but it would make sense that her husband would teach her.
"Uh, ahem. Our Union was five months ago, or so."
The woman nodded and continued with her packing.
Five months. They'd been unified for five months. They'd had feelings for each other for just one month. She hung her head for a few seconds before her hands began to move again.
"And no children yet?"
Hydrangea swung her head to look at the woman and nearly choked on her own breath, "No. No, no, no… no children." Her heart was pounding in her chest and she found it hard to swallow.
The woman nodded but Hydrangea's heart wouldn't stop in its relentless pace.
They ate lunch and her mind was still on what the, otherwise soft-spoken, woman had said. Children… with Bastian. She blinked away the thoughts of how those children would come to be, and focused on the aftermath. Would he be a good father? She couldn't think of how he could fail, all she could picture was his eyes glowing with happiness holding his son or daughter. His voice when he would encourage their child, or discipline them. He would be an excellent father.
She didn't know how excellent of a mother she would be, but she was sure that Bastian would help her.
Children with Bastian.
Her heart was still beating faster than its usual pace. She thought back to the previous evening, when Bastian had mentioned the hunger of a man. How long had he been staving it off?
She… loved the idea of children with him. But enduring that hunger seemed like a frightening thing. When he touched her her body reacted and her mind dulled, she wasn't sure she liked it.
"Hydrangea. Come, it's time to leave."
She sighed, "Already?"
He smiled, "Yes," He pulled her up, "Don't worry, one day we will be free from travelling. And once we settle down we will never travel again." He grinned and she wanted him to kiss her lips or forehead or her hand that he held. But he didn't, and she was left wondering what it would've felt like.
"What about sailing?" She asked as he climbed onto the horse, with her following after.
"What about sailing?"
"Well, whenever you talk about it you seem to love it very much. Would you give up sailing?" She settled in comfortably between his legs.
"For you, Hydrangea… I would give anything."
Her cheeks blushed red and she found her heart beating at that unceasing rhythm again. She wanted to ask if he would really give anything. He would give… what? What would he give? But she didn't want to test his words. It was enough that he'd even said something like that.
She smiled and her chest warmed at the man she'd met just over five months ago. Wearing his loose red robe that revealed a chest she thought more about than she would've ever believed possible. His face smooth and clean-shaven and his soft brown hair styled and tidy. But his personality did not match the…attractiveness that was on the surface.
She much preferred this rugged man behind her, and his heart of gold to match.