Chapter 08: Looking for Asmith – Part 2
The view went to the inside of the village, the rain was heavy and the weather cold, the fire had already gone out but it was possible to hear amidst all the splash of rain, hurried steps that stepped on the water along with a panting breath. and a voice that sounded hurried.
The steps continued through the rain and it was possible to see someone carrying two bodies under their arms, their light clothes were wet with some burnt parts, while their boots and pants looked worn.
Of the bodies that were in her arms, one had long blond hair, besides having a blue bow tying her hair, she was wearing a blue dress with white parts that looked clean despite the rain, with no signs of burns.
The other had short white hair, wearing a peasant outfit, being revealed as Oliver's sister who looked passed out, with some burn marks on her face along with burnt clothes.
Whoever carried them continued panting and looking for something, until he heard a footstep land in the rain next to him.
In a quick reflex, he clenched his teeth and rushed back to running, the face of the person he was carrying was bathed, his black hair flowed under his face and almost hid his water green eyes, but he didn't give it time and soon ran to hide in amid the rubble, while again the step disappeared.
Time passed and Oliver was among a pile of rubble as he tried to hide, his breathing was still heavy but slow so that it couldn't be noticed as the bodies of the two girls were lying on the ground still beside him.
He seemed to try to calm down and clenched his teeth as he closed his eyes putting his hands close to his ears to try to hear the surroundings, the sound of rain seemed to diminish in his perception while his breathing also became slower.
The whole place was silent and that made him calm down, but soon he heard as if it were a high heel on the wood in front of him, he widened his eyes and saw an image of a person with a wide black and white overcoat in front of him.
He wouldn't have time to attack and all that was left was to scream.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT, DAMN IT?"
The night passed and with it the rain, outside the sun began to illuminate the bushes that were still wet from the rain with its bright green color, the trees were still dripping letting go of what was left of the night, until the sun illuminated The cave.
Entering it, the sun illuminated the scene that revealed the burnt wood along with some wooden skewers on the ground, near it were the two young men standing.
Arthur was putting on his shirt that had part of the sleeves burned, then he was putting his necklaces inside his shirt and putting the scabbard of the sword on his waist making it comfortable to draw and walk with it.
Christopher was still shirtless and was staring at his robe with difficulty, seeming to be afraid to put it on, but soon after he heard footsteps behind him and a voice soon after.
"I'll help you, but if you want to wear something, it better be a little easier..."
It was Arthur who spoke and Christopher stared at the shirt, seeing that the sleeves would get in the way, as well as having to put the top on, then turning to see Arthur as he held the shirt he questioned.
"What do you suggest?"
Arthur stared at the shirt and then positioned, taking the knife hidden in his boot, he managed to take off the sleeves of the shirt in addition to opening a larger entrance at the top so that his face was not touched in the process.
Meanwhile, Christopher watched what he was doing with the shirt with a worried look, then Arthur showed the result and spoke.
"Come on, raise your arms."
Christopher stared with a puzzled expression, but soon after Arthur showed an uncomfortable look and said.
"Come on, being out in the sun won't be good for you either."
After some insistence, Christopher gave in and opened his arms.
Arthur was putting on the blonde's shirt with difficulty, bending some parts so they wouldn't touch the burns, but he still held it before releasing the clothes on his body, even before wearing it and he said.
"Can I let go?"
Christopher understood that this was going to hurt, but he also wanted it to be quick and so he just nodded, letting Arthur let go of his shirt.
The movement that the shirt made as it fell, touching the burns, even if it was healed, feeling something touching even if it was thin as the fabric, made him feel his skin being pierced and burning at the same time, Christopher's calm expression changed to one trying to endure the pain I was feeling.
Even grunting in pain with each touch of the fabric on his skin, he tried to remain firm and then he managed to calm down after the fabric rested under his skin.
Arthur stared with a certain pity, but then he listened.
"Get rid of that frown..."
He was taken by surprise by Christopher, who remained feeling the pain, but soon afterwards he tried to puff out his chest, raising a grander posture while taking a rope, tying it to his waist and then passing his wooden sword through it, leaving it the sheathed.
"I'm like a roast pig halfway through my body, but I'm still me. You had a hard time there too, if you feel sorry for me just because I'm hurt, I'll hit you."
Seeing the blonde's posture and the wooden sword, Arthur faced it with doubts but soon after he turned to leave, picking up his backpack with the boar pieces and showing a smile on the corner of his face, but soon after leaving towards the exit of the cave being followed by Christopher.
The two departed and left the cave, having a view from the top of a low hill where the cave was, in the distance it was possible to see the village and how it was.
The walls were destroyed and the houses were now just burnt rubble, the bridge had completely given way and the river around the village was littered with pieces of wood burned by it.
The feeling was of discomfort, seeing the village that was previously full of life and now was empty, again making them face the reality that there was no more home for the two of them, Christopher still faced with teary eyes and Arthur took a deep breath, sighing right away.
Even if they wanted to, they wouldn't have much time if the person responsible for the fire wanted to return and then they would soon turn their backs on their former home, heading down the hill heading north in search of a new destination for both.
The two went down and felt the wind pass and touch their faces, Arthur just went ahead, but Christopher closed his face and felt the burns once again sting making him grunt, putting his unburned hand in front of his body as he tried to protect himself. of the wind.
Arthur looked back and saw Christopher who continued following even with the expression of pain, he noticed Arthur standing still and said.
"Come on, we have to go."
Christopher was more silent about what had happened and his eyes were still tired and teary, but he showed a steady gaze forward as he followed Arthur's side, but the swordsman remained staring, but his expression showed seriousness and not pity .
"When we reach a straight spot, stay behind me, at least from the wind I can protect you."
The phrase took Christopher by surprise, but he immediately got a serious expression, looking irritated and spoke.
"I didn't ask for this, do what you want."
He passed by Arthur still protecting himself from the wind as he went down the hill they were on, his steps sinking into the wet grass while the day was still clearing, making it easier for them to take their course and as they went down, Arthur saw the blonde's behavior and soon then went to him.
"When we arrive, we will look for a place to sell this boar, if we get something from it we can at least buy you an iron sword."
"No, we're going to need a map, Asmith is far away and we could get lost if we're just lucky, we'll end up missing Oliver. You want to find him, don't you?"
Arthur would lower his head and keep going.
"Yes, we need to get together to find out what happened to the village, Oliver is only a few years older than the two of us, but it will be a great help I'm sure."
"Asmith, isn't it? I never thought this would be the way I would go to Iron City..."
Christopher spoke in a calmer tone, but soon after, Arthur interrupted and spoke.
"I know we need a map, but if we don't give you an iron sword, we could be in trouble."
"I've always carried an iron sword, Arth. Why use an iron one now? Do you think we will have problems at Asmith?"
"I doubt we won't need to hunt at some point, the more we eat of wild boar the less it's worth. I don't know anything about monsters, but I prefer to believe that it will be difficult not to bump into one or the other on the way. Even if it's strong and has [Activation] the wooden sword is still fragile, I've already broken a few using this skill, one time or another yours will too."
It was a fact that Arthur had not used a wooden sword for training for a while, since then he had only walked with the iron sword and after a while they managed to go down the hill, reaching a flat area with some trees around.
The two positioned themselves so that Arthur was in front blocking the wind for Christopher and the blonde allowed it, the wind resistance decreased and he no longer felt the wind on his skin, becoming a little calmer with relief, but soon he could observe the Arthur's back, by the position he could see the sword and something came to his mind.
"Hey Art. When did you get this sword? And you said you used a potion, right?"
Arthur continued to walk through the area that gradually revealed a green field with some trees in its corners, when he heard the question he thought and looked under his arm where the sword was, after that he answered.
"About three months ago, I got it as a gift from my father along with the golden ring I made a necklace, the potion I used to cure you I got from my mother to use in cases of need."
Christopher listened attentively and after Arthur spoke about the potion, the blonde lowered his head and spoke.
"I'm sorry, it was your mother's gift..."
"If I had arrived sooner I could have healed your burns and you wouldn't be half full body like this, don't be sorry, you would do the same for me."
Arthur answered and Christopher kept his head down as they followed, but he spoke.
"Thanks."
And then the two continued to follow their paths, contemplating an endless horizon of green with several trees in the corners.
Christopher just followed with a focused gaze, while Arthur wondered how Oliver would be, just having the image of the archer walking in front of him to guide him, but then he blinked and looked back at the front while thinking.
'We'll meet soon, Oli. Wait for us.'