The Gentle Giant

Book One ~ Chapter Nine

It was early morning when the four broke camp and started moving again, sunrise just barely peeking over the horizon. Muriel and Emir barely had enough time to eat breakfast before Erik and Morga pushed to get back on Lucio's trail. The four made good time, climbing over giant roots and following an old broken path South. Emir practiced his arrows as they walked, summoning and unsummoning the energy over and over again. Every time he did, it got a little easier. It was lunchtime by the time they stopped near some boulders to take a break. Morga assigned Emir to gather sticks for a cooking fire while she criticized Muriel's technique. "You need to get your damn hair out of your face. You can't even see what you're doing."

"I don't need to see. My hair is fine-!" Without warning, Morga pushed Muriel down to sit on a boulder and started tugging at his hair. He sat obediently, face bright red, spluttering refusals, "W-what are you doing?!"

Morga tugged his hair back, braiding it deftly to get it out of his face. When she was done, she stepped away, "There. A warrior's style. Now, try again." With his hair pulled back, more of his face was visible. Emir couldn't help but think of how cute he looked. Muriel kept trying to shake his bangs back in front of his eyes, but it didn't work. Everything stayed firmly in place. He spotted Emir looking at him from across the way and turned bright red. "Hurry up, boy! We haven't got all day. Take first guard again!" Morga ordered. Muriel jumped quickly to his feet, grabbing the stick and getting back to work. Emir rushed to collect more firewood before Morga decided to focus on him. The next time the group stopped, it was to sleep. Morga had Emir aim his bow at different trees and try shooting them, aiming the arrows with his magic. It was hard to keep track of it all, and the first arrow he shot just sort of wobbled and disappeared seconds after leaving the bow. "Try again. You can sleep when you hit a tree." With that, Morga left Emir to his own devices, grumbling under her breath.

Muriel came over to stand beside Emir, looking a little embarrassed, "Are you okay..?"

Despite not sleeping much and the nonstop training, Emir couldn't complain. His body still fresh. Mind still alert. He wondered if it was because of the forest. He shrugged lightly, "I don't know why, but I feel fine."

Muriel nodded, "So do I.."

"Keep practicing!!" yelled Morga. Her voice startled the both of them, sending them scuttling off back to work. The next day, the group didn't rest until lunch again. Morga stopped at a split path, turning to survey Muriel and Emir, "I've been too soft on you. Catch your own food today or starve." With that, she turned and disappeared into the forest before the two could say anything, presumably to hunt for her own meal. Erik didn't dare to argue and went off on her own as well, possibly to do the same.

Muriel and Emir exchanged glances before Muriel unwillingly broke the silence, "I'm... used to living off the land. I can get us something. You can come along if you'd like... I wouldn't mind."

Emir smiled, "I'd love to come along."

Muriel huffed, averting his gaze, "Y-you don't need to say it like that. It's just lunch." He shook his head, gathering his senses back, and nodded to his left, "I hear water in that direction."

Emir nodded, "Following your lead!"

Muriel huffed with a small blush covering his cheeks, "Whatever.." and he walked off, though he glanced behind himself to make sure Emir was following. Inanna trotted alongside Emir, head high and eyes bright. It wasn't long before they reached the water Muriel was talking about. A small river cut through the forest, babbling cheerfully. A deer stopped for a drink along the opposite bank. It lifted its head, but didn't run. "Don't worry, we can share," said Muriel. The deer eyed him for a long moment before going back to drinking. Muriel started taking his cloak off, slowly exposing his scarred skin to the dappled sunlight. He then paused, cheeks flushed as he looked to Emir, "Do you know how to fish..?"

Emir shook his head, "Not even a little."

The corners of Muriel's lips turned up slightly, "I'm not surprised."

Emir scoffed, hand on his chest, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Muriel laughed, a short bark, and shook his head, "You live in the city. People in the city are soft."

"I'm not soft!" yelled Emir.

Muriel reached out and brushed his thumb across his cheek, "Feel soft to me.." he coughed and quickly withdrew his hand, "A-anyway- I could teach you how. If you want."

Emir hummed, "I'd love to learn, but," he sighed fakely, "I'd rather watch you~"

Muriel's face became as bright as a rose, "Nope! No more learning-!" he yelped as he walked away.

Emir laughed and caught up with Muriel, "Wait up!" Inanna bounded alongside him. Eventually, Muriel stopped walking so fast and Emir was able to keep pace with him. Muriel reached to hold Emir's hand. When Emir looked up at him, Muriel was averting his gaze. Emir smiled softly and gave his hand a small squeeze. The water's current wasn't too strong, though it was a little difficult for Emir to keep his footing.

Muriel held Emir steady with both hands, his cheeks a little flushed, "You have to stay still. Keep your footing steady."

"He looks so in his element out here," thought Emir, "So focused, capable, and comfortable. It looks really good on him." The two stood still in the stream for a long time, watching the water run by.

"Keep an eye out. And when you see a fish-" Just then, Emir spotted a few swimming rapidly by, scales glinting in the sun. "Grab it!" yelled Muriel. Emir lurched forward, trying in vain to grab and keep the slippery fish in his hands. But he moved too quickly. His foot slipped and before he knew it, he and Muriel went tumbling together into the water. Big arms pulled Emir out almost immediately, and Muriel pulled him soaking wet to his chest, "I-I said to keep your footing steady!"

Emir shook his head, wiping the water out of his eyes, and catching his breath, "Let's.. let's try again."

"After you nearly drowned?"

"It wasn't that bad!" breathed Emir, "I just slipped."

Muriel looked dubiously at him, then slowly let him go, letting him find his own footing. "Fine, but I'm staying close."

Emir smiled, "Awe, you're worried about me."

Muriel's eyes widened, "That's not what I-!"

Emir giggled softly, "No complaints from me."

"That's not what I meant!" Muriel yelped. Emir laughed and stood up a little straighter, eyes peeled for another fish to swim by. Soon enough, the three had gathered enough fish, along with some mushrooms and berries from the forest, to make a serviceable lunch. They built a fire and settled around it. Inanna chewed happily on a bone she found as the two ate. "That was.. okay," said Muriel. "I usually do this alone, but.. it wasn't so bad, having you along."

Emir smiled softly, "You're not so bad either, Muriel."

Muriel blushed, averting his eyes, "Whatever." Emir smiled as they lapsed back into a comfortable silence.

Morga and Erik waited for them when they returned to the split path. "I see you two managed on your own," Erik said with a small smile, "Congratulations. Let's keep moving." With that, they all set off once again.