ONE POINT FIVE (1.5 in the Amnesia Archives)

Chapter 10

Aknon's POV

"You're really good at this," I said as I held back a wince and a groan. The feeling of Mesh's fingers along my skin sent fire coursing through my veins. "But I need you to slow down." I sucked in air through my teeth as I tried to focus on my breathing. I held my shirt in my clenched fist, using it to relieve the pressure and stress I was experiencing.

"I have had practice." The half-orc chuckled and shook his head. "I am being as slow as I can. You have such a small and thin body, it's difficult to know what you can handle. I know what I'm doing. You just need to relax."

I snorted. "It's difficult to relax with that in me." I nodded my head towards the needle which Mesh held between his fingers. He was stitching a large gash on my chest, which had been the result of the latest bandit attack. "They're becoming more and more frequent." We must be close to Kourjit by now, given the increased crime rates.

It could've also been our terrible luck. I felt as though I was cursed from the moment I left the wandering village. There'd been nothing but terrible weather, pounding headaches, and enemies around every corner. Mesh was an amazing fighter. I admired him and his fighting style whenever we fought. He'd even volunteered to teach me a few movements I could use with my sword.

It had meant that we needed to be more vigilant than we already were, which I didn't think was possible. It became harder to rest, with just the two of us. Of course, we kept the horse which Mesh had become very attached to. The horse didn't really fight, but it worked as a very good alarm. Enemies didn't get too close without us realising, due to the horse's behaviour. They would often trot around in circles around us, almost protectively.

I didn't want to name the horse, and so Mesh gave it many names. It changed name every single time we referred to it but that just made it more entertaining. I wasn't going to grow attached to it, because I knew that we would part ways, even if Mesh kept it.

"I am done," Mesh declared and moved back. He eyed the stitches which he made wearily. "Not best work, but it will heal."

"That's the main part." I shrugged a bit and began buttoning up my shirt once more, tying the lace loosely around my neck. I left my coat off and hung it over my arm, struggling to my feet. "Which direction are we going in next?" I wasn't sure how good at orientation Mesh was, but he hadn't led us into any oceans, so I trusted him.

I felt rather bad, to be perfectly honest. I had done nothing but be sceptical and slow since we set off, especially in comparison to his somewhat optimistic attitude and quick strides. I felt like I was slowing us down, but I couldn't help it. My motivation was lower than the dirt below my feet, and I wasn't even sure if I was going to the right place.

In my gut, I felt like I was going the right direction, and I was with good company. Things should go my way. However, I lived long enough to know that my way was a very unpopular destination.

"We have to continue on road." Mesh picked up his bag, which was the size of me, and began leading the horse down the road once more. "Big city means big road. We are not going far wrong."

I figured out that he meant we couldn't go far wrong if we followed a big road, because Kourjit was popular and large itself. Surely a road this big and prominent would lead us there.

I nodded my head in understanding. "Wait." I put my hand out in front of him, which hurt my chest a little bit. I narrowed my eyes and held my breath, as though that would help me see further down the road. "There's somebody there."

I had also learned that Mesh had a few sight issues. Or maybe it was just because I had very good eyesight. Regardless, it took him a little while to notice things. I felt like that at least meant I was doing some good being here.