Of fires and Flowers

Part 3

When Foxglove woke up, they were in a horse drawn cart on the side of the road. It took a while to remember what had happened and why they weren't at their farm. The sun was low in the western sky, it had to be at least a couple hours that Foxglove had been out. As Foxglove moved to sit up, they felt an ache in their muscles.

"Oh, what a relief. I started to worry you wouldn't wake up," The knight Foxlove had followed to the fire said to them as they moved. "I was started to worry that I'd be blamed for endangering a civilian cultivator."

"I feel awful, I believe I may have overextended myself," Foxglove strained to sit up fully to look at the knight.

"That makes sense, you healed a lot of our troops and took all of that pain upon yourself." The knight said calculatedly. "I feel bad it's only after you risked yourself out there that I'm asking you this but what is your name?" The knights face exposed by a lifted face guard turned red with what Foxglove could only assume as guilt.

"My Name is Foxglove, child of the Blubelle village, cultivator of their first year," It wasn't customary of Oathbound fairies to give the village, only in absence of an oath was it a necessary part of a proper introduction. Foxglove had yet to get used to not introducing themselves in that way since it was the only distinction they had in training to use in a proper greeting.

"Sir Adiline, knight for the spring court," Adiline bowed a proper bow her armor clanging together and her wings lifting into the air. "If you are willing, my captain is excited to properly meet you, he seemed rather impressed with your bravery. You of course don't have to I can always send you back home and have a courier deliver any thanks the captain and the prince may have for you, but like I said you Impressed my captain and that's rather hard to do, Sir Thorn has trained a lot of very distinguished knights."

"Yeah, sure I just let me rest a little bit I still feel very disoriented," Foxglove's wings felt heavy, without magic they would be useless and Foxglove was pretty sure they had used up their supply for the day even though they did get some sleep it wasn't enough to recharge their magic it was also beginning to become evident that they had gone without food since breakfast. Proper food and good sleep were believed to be necessary for a good supply of magic, and without a chance to eat and a good night's sleep it was unlikely that Foxglove would be flying anytime soon. "If you have any food I would appreciate it,"

"Oh... oh yeah, you've been out for hours I should have had something ready for you shouldn't I have?" Sir Adiline began searching for food in a travel bag in the cart that Foxglove had been placed in to rest. "It's knights field rations, it's not warm, or good but it is food." Sir Adiline held out a hand with what appeared to be a stale loaf of bread. "It's better if you eat it with water," Adiline dug out a canteen and gave it to Foxglove.

Foxglove apprehensively took a bite and immediately recognized it tasted like what sawdust must taste like or at the very least the texture matched up. Foxglove took a large gulp of water and Sir Adiline was right, it did go down better with water. After a few bites, despite the taste Foxglove started feeling better. I get to meet the captain of the knights. Foxglove was in awe now that this wasn't a life and death situation.

"Okay I'm ready to go meet the captain," Foxglove said pushing against the cart to move their way to the edge of the cart, dangled their legs off the edge and placed their feet on the ground to stand. Suddenly Foxglove's balance faltered, and they fell backwards. "So maybe I need a few more minutes" Foxglove laughed out nervously. They didn't want to look weak or pathetic.

"How about you stay here, and I will go get him and the knights you healed. They could have been close by if the captain didn't demand we give you some privacy while you were unconscious," Sir Adiline said smiling towards Foxglove.

It only took a few minutes, but Foxglove had enough time for their nerves to grow. Foxglove wasn't particularly social. It wasn't like Foxglove didn't like the company of others, it was more the fact that they feared they didn't quite know what to say or how to say it. Footsteps echoed from the forest in front of Foxglove. The sound of metal boots hitting stone roads in a rhythmic pattern was an awe inspiring sound.

"Foxglove, this is Sir Thorn, captain and general of the Knights of the Spring Court. Captain Thorn, this is Foxglove, Cultivator of their first year." Sir Adline stood ahead of the other knights leading the way for the captain. Not laying down and without a helmet covering his face he was an impressive sight, his wings wide and stood nearly a foot taller than Sir Adeline who was near to Foxglove's own height. Sir Thorn's hair greyed with age and had a face weathered with age in wrinkles only found in one who kept a serious face most of the time.

"Foxglove, cultivator, I am grateful for the bravery you have shown, and the service you have provided in healing my knights, rising above the calling of your oath for the good of your kingdom this deserves recognition. If you have the time, and the will to do so I would like you to return with a small band of knights, Sir Adiline and myself to present you if front of the prince to receive recognition for your acts," Sir Thorn's voice was booming and jovial. It was easy to see how he was appointed the captain of the knights, his presence was intimidating.

"That all wouldn't be necessary I just was doing what my court needed when I was asked," Foxglove sheepishly replied. Sitting awkwardly in the supply cart they had been placed in to receive rest.

"Nonsense, with courage like that the knights clearly missed you somewhere when we were doing our recruiting," Sir Adiline said earning a look from Sir Thorn. "I'm sure you are just being modest but rushing in to danger like that is no small feat. Bravery like that is lacking in even some of our most eager recruits."

"Sir Adiline," Captain Thorn said earning her attention, it was clear Adiline had said something the captain hadn't liked. "Like I had said before it is up to you but I believe your act of heroism deserves recognition."

"I'll go," Foxglove felt a smile forming on their face. Sir Adiline had compared her to a knight and for that they felt pride even if she was wrong, the knights hadn't missed her in fact a member or two had spoken with her before their choosing of oaths they just chose something else.

"You should return back to your farm and make preparations, I will provide a letter to a neighbor or two explaining your work needs to be handled for a couple of weeks before you return back to your life back on the farm." Sir Thorn walked over to Foxglove and helped them to their feet. "We shall leave tomorrow morning, Sir Adiline shall see you back to your farm and come back tomorrow to fetch you for our journey."