The Elven Curse

Chapter 23

Aerin walked beside Omar, who was talking about some traditions Evior had.

Aerin just nodded and hummed, not really hearing what Omar was saying. He was staring at the ground while he walked with Rowan's boots, they were too big on his feet, making him walk funny as he tried to keep them on his feet.

He hasn't talked to Rowan after what happened, he couldn't even think about him without getting embarrassed and flushing red.

The smell that he hadn't paid attention to had also come stronger than ever, making him want to stay close to him.

He looked in front of him and saw Rowan walking while looking ahead, he looked nervous, and his eyes looked anxious while he scrunched his eyebrows.

Aerin wanted to go and hold his hand in comfort, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. So he started to actually hear what Omar was telling him.

"...so you should be careful, they might not like you.", Omar finished whatever he'd been saying.

"Who?", Aerin asked, not knowing who Omar was referring to.

"Evior's witches", Omar finished while glaring at his feet, "I hate them, but they're very important people, so you should try to gain their favor".

Aerin knew they were important people from what he'd read, but he didn't know how he was supposed to learn something from them if he wasn't one of them, he didn't have the abilities that they possessed.

"Do you know what they are supposed to teach me?".

"I don't know", Omar frowned, "I don't think that Rowan even knows, they are the ones that knew what Arda would demand from Evior".

Aerin pursed his lips, not understanding what was happening.

"I know it's confusing, but once we get there everything will most likely be explained to you", Omar said, probably noticing the confusion his face revealed.

Aerin nodded, he tried to hold his breath to keep himself composed but he then heard a drumming sound. He would've thought the sound came from animals like horses galloping, but it had a distinct rhythm that dismissed the thought.

"We're almost there", Rowan announced, and everyone seemed relaxed almost immediately.

Aerin didn't know how they were almost in Evior, as he looked ahead, there was nothing, there was only a big plain, with thick grass covering it as it extended all the way to the horizon. There was nothing ahead of them that he could say they were approaching.

The drumming kept going and sounded louder now, almost making his ears hurt.

"Aerin", Rowan's voice called him for the first time in hours. Aerin directed his gaze to him and Rowan moved his hand as a gesture for him to come near him.

Aerin gulped and moved his feet faster to reach his side.

"Yes?".

Rowan took something from a small bag he was caring, it looked like a knitted hat. Aerin frowned, it was still too warm for him to use it. But before he could ask anything, Rowan put the hat over his head, covering the top of it.

"Why?", Aerin asked, glaring at him annoyed.

"Try tucking all of your hair inside", Rowan said, "they can't see you yet".

Aerin bit the inside of his cheek while glaring at Rowan, but he still did it. He started twisting his hair to make it easier, since he wasn't given the chance to braid it after...

Aerin! Concentrate.

"There! Done, are you happy now?", he asked in an annoyed voice.

Rowan sighed.