I awake from my sleeping bag, an upgrade from the blanket. Garroth has been a huge help these past few days. He's started on my house- a little cottage with plenty of flower beds was the vision. I've helped him gather materials as well as keep him sustained. He refused breaks in the beginning, but after I erm- forced him to, he decided to just do it the first time. He has taught me many things with self defense as well. My daggers are of much more use now- instead of just for threat.
As well as that all, we've become closer. He's allowed me to see him shirtless to measure him for clothing which was a lot for him I could tell. You could tell the harsh training he does for head guard- he was fairly fit. He has shared his past and present, accidentally revealing his admiration for the lord. His past mentee and family were interesting to say the least. He has a dark cloud of bad luck following him everywhere and yet he is a bright light and his smile lights up the world. It's impressive to say the least.
He lay next me, passed out. He is usually awake long before I am, but based on the dark skies, it's early morning. He looks comfortable, peaceful even. He used to sleep lightly, a slight stir sending him into an awaken panic, but now he sleeps fully, deeply. The dark bags under his eyes are now barely visible.
I grab a dagger and place it in my pocket, just in case. I quietly get up and leave the tent towards the partially done home. It's one story and mainly scaffolding, but I can finish it on my own if needed. Grabbing a few ingredients from my chests inside of the house, I head towards my campfire. I spark my flint and steel onto the wood, causing it to set aflame, warming up chilly air encasing me. The morning sky slowly brightens to a familiar dark orange. I finish my sandwiches- fresh bread, cheese, and eggs. It isn't much, but I haven't been able to grab meat in a while.
"You're up early." A gruff voice from the tent chuckles. His hair is untamed and his eyes are still clearly groggy. He's wearing loose pants and a tight shirt- his makeshift nightwear that I've made for him. It was a prototype and I got his proportions all wrong, but he insisted on keeping it.
"I was awoken by your snoring." I joke.
"A-Are you serious? I have never snored in my life! I sincerely apologize!" His eyes go wide and his cheeks turn red with embarrassment.
"Garroth, I'm teasing. I just woke and decided to make us breakfast." I smile holding up two hot sandwiches.
"Disturbing your rest is not a joke." He laughs playfully punching my arm. He takes a sandwich graciously and takes a bite. "Delicious as always m'lady."
"The sunrise is coming, want to watch with me?" I offer holding a hand outstretched for him to take. We've watched the sunset together a few times, but we are both late risers from what I can conclude and haven't watched the full sunrise.
"I'd love to." He grins, taking my hand.
I pull him up a nearby hill and we sit on the grass. It's wet from morning dew, a little cold, but nothing we can't handle. The air smells fresh and frigid.
We sit in comfortable silence, admiring the sun's entrance into the day. It's beautiful really. The skies are shades of pinks and oranges. The sun is flaming yellow, and illuminates the land in a beautiful portrait. Rays of the sun pebble my exposed skin with warmth and energy. It's a renewal of life. Animals begin to scatter the forests, awakening as well from their slumber. We are all one, just enjoying the beauty of the morning.
But it is clear, even with the brightness of the sun threatening to harm my irises, that two creatures are flying towards us. Their wings majestic, but not of any common creature- our wyverns. Chasin becomes clear into my view first, as he dives headfirst into my arms. The other however, settles on the ground beside us.
"Chasin! Dear gods!" I exclaim as the creature nestles into my arms, claiming any heat I produce.
"I've missed you. The closest village was too far for me to feel our connection."
"I'm sorry bud- I'll stay here okay? No more searching or running." I smile petting his scales.
"You can understand it?!" Garroth exclaims.
"Heh, yeah. He's my familiar and a gift from Irene as I was told."
"You surprise me more daily." He grins, shaking his head.
He turns to his wyvern, receiving his message. He nods slowly before sighing in stress. His hands run through his hair a few times before resting behind his neck.
"Garroth? Is everything alright?"
"Lady Aphmau has been gone from the village for longer than what can be accounted for. Laurence calls for me to join him in an expedition for her return."
"Oh..." My mind blanks and the only thought I can think is please don't leave you're lovely company. By his hesitation and mannerisms, I feel he doesn't wish to leave either- but I know it's for other reasons.
"You can make him stay." Chasin reminds me.
I shoot him a pointed look as if to say no, he's a friend!
"Fine." He gets off my lap and flies off. Adolescence in wyverns is always such drama.
"I truly do not wish to leave here with a job undone, but maybe I can persuade Brendon to come by and help you finish." He offers.
He only cares of the job, not my company. I shouldn't expect more, but still- I long for my loneliness to end with a friend like Garroth. Still, I smile, "No need, Garroth! I'll help you pack a bag with your new clothes and some food for your trip! It's the least I could do."
"Thank you m'lady Amai. You have a heart of pure diamond." He squeezes my hand ". You are invited to all festivities in Phoenix Drop once Zane is permanently gone."
I can't help but blush at the sudden action. "You're a flatterer Garroth. C'mon I need to make you some food and you have some packing to do." I smile.
~~~~~~~
"Hey Garroth I made a few meals!" I call out, walking into the open grassy area where he likes to train.
Just as I thought, he was using a tree as a punching bag, hitting it as if it was personal. He put some of his hair in a ponytail, and he is wearing his jeans I've made him. His shirt is neatly folded in a pile along with a few bandages and a packed bag.
He doesn't pay much attention to me, so I place a few foiled meals into his pack, besides one that he needs to eat before he leaves.
"Garrothh." I call again in a song-like tone. He doesn't respond- he would if he heard me, but sometimes he gets too into his anger and can't hear anything but his thoughts.
I walk to him, and spin sliding my leg underneath his stance causing him to stumble, a trick he taught me himself.
His fists are bruised and partially bloody. The tree has many dents in it, although it looks a few centuries.
He catches sight of me and sighs leaning his weight on his elbows, slightly propping himself up from his laying position on the ground.
"You were shrouded by your thoughts again. You need be careful with that- someone could seriously harm you." I warn him, handing him the food and then leaving towards the bandages.
"My apologies. I just do not look forward to seeing my brother." He sighs eating a bit of his pasta.
I sit down next to him, wrapping his knuckles just as I've done a few times before. He winces as I wrap one a bit too tight.
"Sorry." I lightly rub the spot before continuing, wrapping his knuckles. "Are you ready to set out?" I mindlessly take his ponytail out, combing my fingers through his hair.
"Yeah, thank you for the meal. I'll have to visit you and Chasin for dinner sometime." He smiles, eating a mouthful.
I take a small section of hair and braid it. "Mhm. My kitchen is always open for you Garroth." I tie it off and leave to grab his bag and shirt.
"You promise you'll be alright alone?" His brows furrow in resistance to leave. His worry for me is apparent.
"I've only had the best guard to teach me." I wink, handing him his shirt, which he puts on. I take a peek into his bag, "You know you're like the only male I've seen to know how to fold clothing?" I chuckle.
"My mother, Zianna, made sure we were men, not boys in her words." He smiles faintly in memory.
"C'mon goof. You need to head out before the sun sets. I'm not going to be held responsible for being the last witness." I hand him his back pack and walk with him towards the forest in the direction of Phoenix Drop, sending him off.
"I'll be back. Send Chasin if you need me...or if you- heh just want a visitor." He smiles beginning to leave.
"Garroth, wait." I take a step forward stopping him in his tracks. "Do you really believe you can leave without a goodbye?" I giggle giving him a soft kiss on the cheek. There's a light scruff to his skin, but it's otherwise soft and warm.
He freezes at the action. Realizing his reaction, I break the silence. "Be safe!" I smile.
"Oh, uh yeah you as well, m'lady Amai." He blushes and waves as he saunters into the forest.