Armor of Deceit

Chapter 6

I jolt awake when I hear a thump outside of my door. My mind is groggy but I gingerly slip out of my bed, grabbing my cloak and sword. When I open my door ajar, I see a human figure walk down the stairs, bumping into the wall every few seconds.

I hesitate at first, maybe I should leave this person alone, but my curiosity gets the best of me. I put my sword in it's sheath and vigilantly follow the figure down the stairs and out of the pub. The moonlit sky is still freckled with stars and I see the figure sit on a bench on the sidewalk. It's Asher.

I take a step back when I see his state, bloodshot eyes and slumped shoulders. In an instant, I wish I would've stayed back, but it's too late now.

My heart twists at the sight of him trembling, hurting. Ironic for an assassin. I do what Jarin would've done and comfort the poor boy. I approach him, unsure of what I'm about to do.
He notices me and just stares. There's a story in his beautiful green eyes, "I-I'm sorry you have to see me like this."

The walls that he built, the ones that made me believe he was a courageous and carefree boy, has broken down. How can such a small heart carry big sorrows? But then again, our eyes are smaller, yet they behold the world.

I sit down, placing my hand over his,"Don't apologize... let yourself fall apart," his hair has now fallen and hidden his eyes. "And take that opportunity to rebuild yourself the way you want," I take a deep breath, realizing how hypocritical those words sound coming from me.

"I... You-" he sighs, contemplating if he trusts me. "It's alright, you can tell me," I assure him, but minutes pass and he stays silent.

I close my eyes and gather my wits,"What about this, I'm a stranger, yea?" He looks up at me curiously and I continue,"Our roads will perchance never cross again, so we can tell each other anything, and we'll keep it because we don't even know each other."

He takes in my words and squeezes my hand, a gesture all too familiar,"You intrigue me, you know..." I smile at him in disbelief. Even in tough times, he finds a way to be chivalrous and charming.

"A curse, it verily is, has been brought upon my younger brother at home," his expression is grave and he takes a deep breath, I can tell that it causes him pain to say those words. "After this village, I have now searched the whole kingdom for a cure of his rare sickness, but I have... failed." The troubled look in his eyes are too raw and I want tell him it's going to be alright, but that would be another one of my lies.

I don't know how to reply, so I don't. Instead, I wrap my arms around him. He tenses up at first, but then he relaxes and holds me closer, hiding his face on the crook of my neck.

We stayed there like that for minutes, maybe even hours. And somewhere along the lines, I fell in love with our silence; we were simply breathing and falling into the knowing.