Arizium

Chapter 29

"Silverwood," Phoenix read the faded sign out loud in the moonlight and put her hands on her hips, "Seems promising."

"You're welcome," Lynx giggled and skipped down the dirt road to disappear into the dark town.

"I suppose we should go look for an inn." Bear concluded "Wolf and Phoenix, you two go find money while we all find the building."

Phoenix immediately went to protest, "But-"

"Good luck!" Bear called over her shoulder and dragged everyone else with her.

Phoenix sighed deeply and pushed her hair back, there was never a way to change Bear's mind. "Where should we start?"

"Uhm... that house over there looks pretty vulnerable." Wolf mumbled and gestured towards a small house that looked well on it's way to falling apart.

Phoenix nodded and took a deep breath before following the shorter boy, Why is his hair so cute.... she thought, but shook it out of her mind Focus Phoenix, this why Bear did this. The sound of their boots crunching on the dirt seemed unbelievably loud in the quiet stillness of the night. I hate you Bear. Phoenix thought angrily.

Phoenix took one more deep breath before grabbing Wolf's wrist, now or never. "Listen... I didn't mean... I just..."

Wolf cringed, apparently he was hoping that the subject wouldn't be brought up "D-don't apologize, please.... It's not your fault," Phoenix could feel him quivering slightly since her hand was still on his wrist, "you were just following your heart, I-I was the idiot. I should have realized that you had feelings for... me.... I-I should have told you before you did something stupid, I'm so sorry. I...I'm... D-Diifer...." He trailed off and refused to look at her.

Phoenix found herself at a loss for words as the boy squirmed, preparing for the wave of hate presumably. She couldn't help but feel relieved, even if she was slightly heart broken. He can't love me, not because he chose to, but because he can't.  She just stood there with her mouth agape, still too stunned to speak.

"P-please say something...." Wolf stuttered quietly, Phoenix could see him turning red even in the moonlight.

"Oh Wolf..." she sighed and ran forward to give him a big hug "Don't be sorry, buddy," she whispered in his ear "You can't help it. It was my fault for acting so irrationally, I shouldn't have thrown you into such a sudden situation like that. I wasn't thinking clearly that night, I should have just talked with you instead of getting physical. I was so stupid for not realizing who you were, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that it took me two fucking years to figure it out. After all, you were surrounded by girls, normally by then at least some sort of love interest would have sparked. I should have registered... I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry." She repeated with a cracked voice.

Wolf hugged her back hesitantly and whispered back, "Hey hey... it's fine, alright? Let's just go steal some money from peasants, yeah?" He pulled away and smiled softly.

Phoenix nodded and wiped her face with the sleeve of her shirt, "Yeah, let's do this." she cleared throat and claimed authority "I will send Nix in to scout it out and see if anyone's awake, then you can sneak around and look for some coins." She explained and called to Nix. The little bird was in and out of the small house in a matter of heartbeats, "All clear, go for it."

Wolf inhaled and stepped up to the doorway, but then changed his mind and found an open window instead. Phoenix watched him until he disappeared, and sat down in the dirt, Dolt dolt dolt dolt, she repeated and smacked her head. Of course he's Diifer you idiot why wouldn't he be? Dolt dolt dolt.

"I got it." She heard Wolf whisper and looked up to find him standing over her producing a handful of coins.

"Alright, next one." Phoenix said and got up. They looted until they had around two-score of copper and half as many silvers.

"This should be enough," Phoenix concluded. Wolf nodded tiredly in response and swayed on his feet, I shouldn't have made him use his power so much with our lack of Arizium. Phoenix reflected and offered to help him walk back to the inn, to which he of course rejected. A couple steps later though, he fell in the dirt. With a sigh Phoenix called Resa's name, and was relieved when the big wolf came trotting over. With some difficulty, Phoenix managed to get the boy on the back of his wolf so Resa could carry him to the inn.

It didn't take long to find, as all seven of the others were lounging around the front, talking quietly. Upon sight of them, Bear rushed towards them, "What happened to Wolf?"

"Too much power usage," Phoenix explained and glanced at him, sleeping soundly on Resa's back with his arms around her neck.

Bear nodded and shifted her weight to her other leg, "Did you...?"

"Yeah, we talked. Everything is all sorted out."

Bear grinned widely, "See," she teased with a nudge "I'm a miracle worker, admit it."

Phoenix only rolled her eyes, "Let's just go get some rooms." She muttered and ordered Madelina to make sure Wolf didn't fall down and crack his skull open or something while Bear and her went to find rooms.

The front room was devoid of people, save for a serving girl that walked around scrubbing at things. She looked up when they entered, "Hello, out late tonight, are we misses? Unfortunately, I can not offer you anything in the form of food, but we do have beds."

"How many rooms do you have available?" Bear asked as Phoenix examined the room they were in. A fire stood in the center of the back wall, creating a soft glow from the embers that remained. Wooden tables and chairs were scattered across the room, some with burnt-out candles adorning their tops.

"There are four rooms available." The girl replied and ran a clothe over a tabletop.

"How much are all four?"

"It's five silvers each, miss."

Phoenix produced half of the silvers from a pouch on her belt, "Here."

The girl smiled and took the currency, "All four are downstairs, they should all be cleaned out."

"Thanks." Phoenix said curtly and left to call the other into the room while the girl bowed politely and took her leave.

Once everyone gathered, Phoenix left Bear to figure out the arrangements. "Alright," Bear began and thought for a second before deciding, "Hmm, let's have... Arro and Raven, Madelina and myself, Phoenix Amaria and Lynx in one, aaaaaaand Wolf and Lucius in the last."

Phoenix hid a smile when she realized what Bear was doing, and glanced over at Wolf who was slowly coming back to consciousness.

"Wait wait, I want to be with my brother." Amaria objected.

"No can do," Bear replied cheerily "We have a strict rule, boys and girls stay separate. Sorry, my hands are tied." She held her hands up as if they were bound together.

Amaria huffed, but seemed to realize that she couldn't win an argument against Bear.

"Right then, get to it. But for gods' sake leave your beasts outside, we need to be at least somewhat polite." Bear ordered and lead the way down the steps.

Phoenix waited until Wolf walked down with them to follow behind. Oh Bear, when will your mischievous acts end. She thought with a soft snort.

(A/N: Bear for prezidant)