Caught by a Hunter

Chapter 12

After two more days Alderoth could finally return back home once Chayne said it was okay. He still had bruises but they were already healing up and he was feeling, all in all, back to normal. He really had been lucky nothing worse happened.

He was eager to start trying making bags, he had even made a few sketches while staying in Sifuu's house. Leaving the house definitely did feel a bit sad after spending so many days there and getting to know Sifuu and Hassian. He had thanked them profusely, promising that he would some day pay them back all the care they've given him. Sifuu had just laughed and she said it would be more than enough if Alderoth would continue getting along with his son, which of course annoyed Hassian. The man just said there was absolutely no need for Alderoth to even consider being in any kind of debt.

Tau was also sad when seeing him go, but the plumehound cheered up when Alderoth promised that he was always welcome to his house so they could play. As long as he wouldn't dig up anything without permission.

Even if he might not continue living with them, Alderoth smiled when thinking that maybe he might see them more now that they had become much closer? He wanted to see Sifuu too of course, he liked hearing her stories - especially now that he knew they were true - and he would always be happy to see Tau.

Yet, even if the mere thought might make him blush when thinking about it, he might be most happy if he could see Hassian more. He didn't really know what the hunter was thinking about their relationship, if they were friends or not, or if the hunter would prefer things to go back to how they used to be before that day when Tau appeared at his house.

Alderoth himself didn't know what the relationship between them was either. At least he wanted to consider Hassian as his friend and he hoped he thought the same way. It was better than just going back to not talking to each other at all.

After four days had passed and Alderoth had not heard anything from Hassian or Tau, he had to admit he was getting a bit down. He tried to shake off that feeling the best he could. Hassian was a hunter, he lived in Bahari Bay! He had to roam around forests, finding prey and he was very serious about his job so of course he couldn't just spend days idling around.

That was what Alderoth had been telling himself and he had just concentrated on his own work. He had been helping at the inn cleaning rooms and things like that but this time Ashura didn't even let him stay there the whole day like he mostly used to do. The man said he should focus on his own things and Alderoth was glad because of it. He had been feeling a little bit guilty because he wasn't helping as much as he used to.

Doing bags did take time, but it was... surprisingly enjoyable. He didn't think too much if they were pretty enough or fashionable, he just did what felt like he wanted to do. He liked doing practical bags but he didn't dislike the idea of trying some small decorations too. He did all sewing with the strong thread Tish gave him but he did try a few decorative sutures and braids with leather straps too. it gave the seam more firmness and a little bit of a dash.

After making a few small bags Alderoth was starting to get more confident with his skills. Maybe leatherworking really was something he was good at? He still had a long way to go before he would be able to actually call himself skilled, but this was a pretty good start. He liked the smell of leather, he liked to handle it and most of all, it did feel like he really enjoyed working with it.

Maybe, after getting a little bit more experience, he might try doing even something else than just bags.

"They do look really nice."

"Thanks. I guess this is a strong start, now I just have to see if anyone wants to buy them."

Elouisa smiled while looking at the bags on the table.