As exhaustion took its toll, I found myself dozing off while waiting for Kenru's signal. For a moment, I was enveloped by darkness and tranquility.
I jolted awake when I felt the warmth of Kenru's skin against my arm. He was burning with fever, likely from the injuries he sustained earlier. I also sensed a slight tremor in his body, which raised my concern.
It was nearly dusk, and the surroundings were growing darker. The breeze carried a chill, and I realized how cold it was becoming. Kenru had fallen asleep beside me, and I watched his peaceful form as we waited for the crickets' call. I observed his handsome face, his smooth skin, and I couldn't help but notice how perfectly sculpted he looked. Yet, whenever I gazed into his eyes, I saw a glimpse of sorrow. This wasn't the first time I had noticed the sadness in his eyes and expression; it had been there many times before.
I recalled earlier when he mentioned being the king's bastard of the 2nd region. I sensed that his eyes held more sorrow than he let on. I could relate to him. We shared a similar background of growing up without the love and presence of both parents. I wondered what it would be like to have both a mother and a father guiding you through life. The pain of missing such figures was something Kenru and I shared.
Almost without realizing it, my fingers gently brushed through his blue hair. It was soft and shiny, a reminder of his royal heritage. I tapped his shoulder softly, hoping to provide some comfort. I wanted to be there for him, to let him know that he wasn't alone. It felt as though easing his pain would also alleviate mine.
He emitted a soft groan at my touch and nuzzled his face against my shoulder, his breath warming my skin. The heat on my cheeks intensified, but I tried to ignore it. I let him rest beside me as I listened for the crickets' song.
In a moment, a lone cricket's chirp pierced the silence, followed by another until the entire area was filled with the soothing melody of their symphony. Kenru knew it was safe to return now. There were plenty of crickets in this area, and their undisturbed chorus signaled that the path was clear for us to recall.
"Let's take you to the base, Kenru," I whispered.
"Uhmmm," he mumbled, snuggling closer to me, "Idrish." The warmth of his breath grazed my skin. What was he doing to me?
His voice saying my name brought a smile to my lips. Somehow, it lightened the weight in my chest. I reached for his arm, feeling his feverish skin as I checked his pulse before helping him back to the base.
***
The night had deepened when I woke up. I was seated near Meridio's Tear, close to Rouma, Borracho, and Bonbon. They were waiting for a large bird to roast over a bonfire. Rouma was adding spices to the meat, though I couldn't identify the exact ones.
I felt relieved that we were all safe. After the intense battle in Senta, I had worried that the three of them might be in danger due to the aggressive enemies we faced.
Curious about Kenru's whereabouts, I looked around. I spotted him sitting peacefully atop his favorite tree, lost in thought. It seemed he had returned to his usual demeanor.
I left the healing base and walked over to the group. Rouma glanced at me briefly, but her attention quickly returned to the cooking fire.
"Idrish! I heard how good you were at Senta," Borracho greeted me, taking a swig from his alcohol container. He had just woken up, yet he was already tipsy.
"Not really. The first tower was completely destroyed. There wasn't much I could do," I responded with a smile that I forced, but inside, there was a flutter of something in my chest upon hearing Borracho's words. It seemed Kenru had praised me earlier, and it made me feel oddly validated.
"That's okay. I'll destroy all the towers soon. But back to you," Borracho's voice softened as he lowered it before continuing, "Did you know that Kenru rarely gives compliments? When you were asleep, he mentioned you're special. You must have done something great out there!"
"We lost three towers today, just so you know," Rouma commented plainly as she sprinkled basil onto the fire.
"Sad. Sad. Sad," Borracho muttered in response.
"We became too complacent with the enemies. We need to plan our next attacks strategically," Bonbon chimed in, his gaze fixed on the roasting bird as if lost in thought. Everyone seemed hungry.
"We have to stay alert at all times. I'll scout the leftmost forest. Who's taking the right-side forest?" Rouma asked, her gaze shifting towards me. I guessed she wanted me to scout the right side.
"I'll scout on the right side," I said, summoning my courage.
Bonbon's large eyes turned to me. "Idrish brave. Idrish awesome."
***
We prepared after enjoying the delicious meat of the giant bird. Borracho handed me a water buffalo horn as a container while Kenru stood off to the side, observing with his arms crossed.
"Dash as fast as you can if you get ambushed," Rouma gave me a serious piece of advice. Her tone was a bit harsh, but I could still sense her concern. This was my first time scouting; usually, it's Kenru or Rouma who handle this task.
"I think I should scout for tonight. Idrish is not y—"
"Your badly hurt, Kenru. The healing base may have removed the pain, but your system is still in trauma. You need days to fully recover," Rouma interrupted Kenru. She had a point; it was clear that his body wasn't ready for scouting just yet.
"I can do it," I said, trying to sound confident.
"You will," Rouma's tone was resolute.
We set off. Rouma went ahead, heading towards the leftmost forest where we had been before. I nodded to Borracho, Bonbon, and Kenru before turning and walking toward my assigned route.
The night had grown darker, with little light from the sky as the moon was hidden behind thick clouds. Thankfully, I was accustomed to navigating dense forests at night. Hunting for years had honed my ability to navigate through such environments.
I walked along Senta, the path ahead quiet and peaceful, the only sound being the gentle rustle of the wind. I made the decision to veer into the forest, intending to observe from a vantage point and reach Shita Lane.
I held my breath, every movement cautious as I ventured deeper into the forest. As I moved, I felt my body tense and break into a cold sweat. The nervousness in my chest was overwhelming. My anxiety doubled when I heard a faint rustling in the distance.
An elf!
I hid behind a cluster of thick hosta plants, waiting for the approaching footsteps. I held my breath, the tension in the air was obvious. The insects and owls fell silent, as if sensing something. Someone was close, and my fingers instinctively gripped an imaginary bow and arrow. It would be an easy kill with a single shot.
Before I could even summon an arrow with my gauntlet, the moon emerged from behind a curtain of clouds, providing enough light to discern the approaching figure. It was Killan. He was still wearing his royal red battlesuit, his face exposed without a mask. He moved deliberately in my direction. I wasn't sure if he was aware I was hiding among the thick hosta leaves or if he had stumbled upon me accidentally.
I was torn about what to do. I didn't want to reveal myself. I didn't know how to handle this situation or what to do once he discovered I was here.