"I'm not good with magic either," Earnest's voice came from behind me causing me to jump. Did everyone feel the need to sneak up on me whenever I went to work? During the night I was doing my routine jobs and again I was spooked. It didn't help that when I began to work the rest of the world faded away.
"Earnest, did you need something?" I asked once my heart had settled down.
"No," he replied bluntly. "I thought you'd like to train." He offered me a wooden sword.
"I'll politely refuse this time," I replied.
"You can't run away from this," he remained adamant with the sword held towards me. "You have talent."
"Maybe, but I already do a lot of other work," I pointed to the assortment of goods I was tidying up.
He smirked, "This is an order."
My hands froze and I looked at him coldly, "Are you playing with me?" I had been told to support the Hero and her party in whatever they needed but being blatantly ordered stirred a dark pit inside me.
"Do you refuse?"
I took the wooden sword from him, "I must obey."
"Good, follow me," he gestured and led me away from the campsite. The area around us was mostly clear and once we had reached flat ground he stopped.
I sighed, "Just don't kill me." Repeating everything I had done this week would be much harder than before. Worse still, talking to people genuinely while knowing their reactions already.
"I promised the Hero that I would not."
"Great," I said dryly. "So what now? Want me to take a swing at you?"
"Go ahead," he nodded.
Well my stress had been building lately and after the news about my lack of magic, I really did need to let loose a little. This wasn't like when I went on my rampage. I didn't need to kill him. My body was strangely relaxed. Maybe this was what I needed.
My foot left the ground as I swung straight at Earnest. In a flash without even moving he smacked away the wooden sword. I stepped back and aimed for his side. Once more he blocked my attack. It was strange. There was no tension between us and instead I felt a small excitement building inside of me. I came at him again and again, each time different from the last and as he continued to stop me my mind was ablaze analysing how he moved, what steps he would take, prying his body to find his weakness. I jumped forwards to swing, Earnest moved to defend, his movements were fast but I was slowly getting used to them. As I landed I let go of my sword, letting the wood sail straight. It was just for a moment but Earnest's eyes shifted and taking the opportunity I kicked at his side. In an instant his eyes snapped back as he dodged, finally retreating. Unfortunately I couldn't see what happened next but I definitely felt it as my leg snapped and a tremendous pain erupted through my shin.
"Argh!" I yelled out and fell to the ground. My leg was broken.
"Ah, my apologies. I was surprised," Earnest stared at me and then smiled slightly. "I was right. You are talented." Like I give a damn about that now!
"Marley…," I groaned and grit my teeth through the pain.
"Hmm yes, we're done for today anyway. I expect you to join me for practise from now on."
"No…."
Despite my complaint I didn't have a choice in the matter. Even Ronalt who was displeased was shut down by Earnest who told him it was under his order. My one ray of hope backed down. I really couldn't rely on Ronalt for anything. Even while Marley healed my leg and the Hero berated Earnest that he had gone too far, he just nodded. I recognised the look in his eyes. During my rampage, each time I reached him, it was the same glow of interest. I had caught his attention. A part of me seriously thought about dying to get out of it.
*
I yawned tiredly. Because of Earnest's 'training' I was put behind on my tasks. Despite it being his fault he quite readily decided to head off to bed and leave everything to me. The night however was peaceful and a soft breeze floated past me as I finished my preparations for tomorrow. My tent however hadn't been set up yet but based off past experience the weather should hold. It was one of the most convenient aspects of my multiple lives and I could camp without hesitation.
I began to pull out my sleeping gear and felt the strain on my body. Although Marley could heal the bruising and bones, she couldn't do much about my tired muscles. A reflexive groan left my lips.
"You know you could always say no," Taylor's voice surprised me.
My bedding fell to the ground as I jumped, "Goddess be damned why is everyone surprising me today!"
Taylor didn't move from the chair she sat in and simply laughed.
"Just how long have you been there?" I asked grumpily as I picked up my blankets.
"Who knows," she shrugged. "Like I was saying, you could always say no."
I turned to her sour faced, "You think I didn't try?"
"Well you did, but it's not like he can really force you to do it. In the end you did it because you wanted to right?"
"You think I wanted to have my leg broken?" I frowned. "I follow orders, it's what I'm here to do." Her gaze hardened causing me to admit the truth as I turned away, "Fine, I also wanted to release some pent up stress."
"You know I've offered multiple times to help you with that," and there it was, Taylor's usual smile.
"Yeah, no," I shook my head.
"And if I ordered you?" her eyes took on the glint of a hunter. A chill crept up my spine.
"You could…." I smiled, "But unfortunately for you I'd still say no. Besides you wouldn't do that. You're incessant for sure but you're not that kind of person."
Her brow raised, "What do you mean by that?"
I chuckled at her confusion, "How do I put it, you're surprisingly kind."
For a moment she was stunned but then a hollow laugh echoed from her lips, "I'm not kind. Trust me, if it was for my benefit, I'd use you in a heartbeat whether it meant you died or not."
"True," my smile softened. Despite what she said, when it came to the Hero and the others, Taylor looked out for them. I had seen it many times even if the others didn't notice. The fact she'd sacrifice me for them or herself however was something I knew very well.
"Anyway, I must say I'm surprised," Taylor focused on me again.
"About what?"
"For someone who doesn't know how to fight you did really well against Earnest. Are you sure you didn't lie to me back in Wester?"
I sighed, "If that's what it looked like to you you're surprisingly blind. He kicked my arse."
"You're the one who's blind. Yeah you looked and fought like an amateur but that's it. A normal person wouldn't even be able to last a second."
"Well I wouldn't say I'm normal," I shrugged. I had always been quick on the uptake to learn new things.
"Honestly…," Taylor curled her body into the chair and looked away as a soft smile crossed her lips, "I'm jealous."
"…." I was stunned to silence and for a brief second my heart fluttered. That smile just now was foreign to me.
She looked at me, "You can do everything. Cook, clean, smith, sew the list just goes on. Wherever you go someone will need you."
"I'm not that great," my voice levelled. "I thought you liked being a thief."
"I love it. When you're out there and the entire city is looking at you, for you. In those moments, it really feels like I'm needed." She smiled again but it wasn't pure like the Hero's. It was like she was smiling at herself like a joke.
"Taylor I-,"
She cut me off and stood from her chair, "Sorry I'm wasting your time. I must have had a little too much to drink. Goodnight." Without saying another word she disappeared into the carriage. My heart clenched. I really didn't know what to make of what just happened.