ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴇɪʟᴇᴅ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇ

Chapter VI: The calm before the storm

The 15 days of Sylvia's journey with the crew Black Rose was nearing its end and the elf couldn't help but feel disappointed. Of course she longed to be reunited with her folk and tell her brother she was alright, however she also felt a strong urge to stay at the sea, stay with Arthur and Lorraine. She was once again leaning on the edge of the ship, the strong ocean winds messing with her hair. Arthur approached her with an empathetic smile.

"We're soon at Spaudan. How are you feeling?"

Sylvia responded with an empty shrug while staring at the flowing sea.

"I don't know. I mean, I have truly had an amazing time staying with you guys, but I must get back to my folk."

Arthur listened and nodded in an understanding manner.

"Yeah, that's no problem. Perhaps we will see each other at some point again."

I wouldn't be so sure about that.. Sylvia thought, but gave Arthur a small smile so he wouldn't get worried.

Once the ship had reached its destination, it was already dark outside, most probably early night. Lorraine gave her elven friend a tight hug before letting her go with a saddened look. Sylvia hopped down onto the sandy dock, Arthur following her close behind. The woman turned around.

"Oh, Arthur?"

"I was thinking if I could escort you back to Agrela? Or at least near the border? Just to make sure you won't get in any danger."

Sylvia looked behind her into the dark forest and then back at the pirate.

"No, that's alright. I'm sure I'll be fine if I just trail along the border. This is where we say goodbye, Faulkner."

Sylvia turned around as she was going to leave, however Arthur took a strong hold of her wrist and spun her around, pulling her closer to his body. That is when the man placed a soft and gentle but assertive kiss on Sylvia's lips, finally connecting the two.

What are you doing? What is this? Sylvia thought in panic as Arthur slowly let go of her, looking into her eyes with a hopeful gaze as he waited for a response to his actions.

An alarmed expression rose on Sylvia's face as the feeling of taboo and wrongdoing took over. She averted her gaze to the ground.

"I'm sorry, Arthur. I've really got to go." she mumbled before swiftly turning 180 degrees and running off into the dark woods. Arthur was left confused and disheartened.

The healer hurried on the paths of the forest, wandering to the direction of the border and to her hometown Northon. It wouldn't be until sunrise that she would be home, however Sylvia wasn't feeling tired. She did not want to set up camp. She just wanted to see Caleb, see Elena.

It was early in the morning once Sylvia began recognizing her surroundings and she knew that finally, after endless walking, she was going to be home. She couldn't lie about the fact that she was truly exhausted, but the idea of falling onto her own bed once again worked as a factor of motivation and she kept on going ahead. A familiar scent hit her nostrils, the fresh bread of the bakery! Sylvia could see glimpses of the Northon houses and she began running towards her own with the last of her strength. As she reached her own hut, she gently knocked on the door before opening it, revealing a still sleeping Caleb inside. Sylvia smiled to herself and quietly walked up to him, crouching down to the child's level.

The elf began with softly patting Caleb's hair, which was enough to make the latter open up his eyes. Once his gaze set on his sister, he sat up in the blink of an eye as if what he was seeing was a dream. Sylvia's smile grew into a grin and she gave a tight hug to her brother, who was still figuring out the situation.