Caught by a Hunter

Chapter 10

The next day Alderoth woke up late. He had troubles trying to sleep after he had been sleeping for so long earlier so it was already way past breakfast time when he finally woke up. Sleeping later than normally was definitely not his thing and it made him feel bad because he was sleeping for so long while he was a guest.

His head didn't hurt anymore and his body felt better too, but obviously he wasn't yet completely healed. He was still moving stiffly and his muscles did hurt, but he was starting to feel more energetic and he definitely didn't want to just lie down any more than he had to.

He got up from the bed and pulled on the shirt Hassian had loaned him earlier. He would have to wash his clothes today. His blue and orange hair was all messy and he sighed. Of course he had no brush with him and since Hassian had dreadlocks and Sifuu had braids, he doubted there were any hairbrushes in this house.

He just took a piece of ribbon he found from the table and tied his hair up into a messy bun. That should do it until he could find a brush. He should visit his house today since he was feeling a lot better.

Suddenly he realized he could hear talking from the living room and he got curious. Was that Ashura's voice?

The man opened the bedroom door and saw Ashura sitting by the dining table and talking with Hassian. They both turned to look at him when they heard the door open.

"Um, hi", Alderoth said, feeling a bit ashamed because it would sound ridiculous to say good morning at this time of the day.

"Hi there, Alderoth", Ashura smiled, raising his big hand. "I'm glad to see you're up."

"I had a bit of trouble falling asleep last night", Alderoth explained sheepishly.

"That is not what I meant", Ashura said and he laughed. "You're still recovering so you should rest as much as you can, nothing wrong with that. Hassian just told me Reth came over yesterday to bring the soup."

"He did", Alderoth smiled and he sat down on the couch. There was a fold blanket and a pillow on top of it to indicate Hassian had been sleeping here. "Thank you, the soup was really good."

"It's the least we could do to make things easier, though it was Reth who did all the work", Ashura said amused. "Many have asked how you're doing, I'm glad I can tell them you're fine."

"They have?"

"Yes. You've been working in the tavern so they know you and you've been helping around", Ashura said. "Auni said he'd come and see you and Hassian at some point and Elouisa had her own theories of what actually made that huge burrow", he chuckled. He could only imagine what that girl might've come up with. "You know her. I'm sure she'll come over and see you too."

"I can't... I mean, I didn't believe anyone would really be that worried", Alderoth said and he was almost shocked. Was this what Chayne meant when saying he should stop for a moment? When he wasn't running around he could actually hear what people were thinking? Of course he didn't want to bother or worry anyone too much...

Even if he didn't want to bother them, it did make him feel warm when hearing all this.

"You've made friends here in Kilima", Ashura said with a warm smile. He knew Alderoth had been struggling to fit in. "That's a good thing. Chayne did say you have been working a bit too hard lately to even notice something as obvious as that and he gave you a little speech. I agree with him, you shouldn't work too hard. You'll find your own path I'm sure of that."

Alderoth blushed and he felt embarrassed.

"I feel so foolish", he murmured. "I guess... I have been feeling a bit too sorry for myself lately."