Hopelessly Devoted ~ Garroth x F!Reader

Ch 42: Striking His Feelings

*quality control: this chapter hasn't been rewritten*
_______

"I know your troubles, right? And you know my dirty secret, so why not take this somewhere else where I can show you how big of a help I can be?" Travis reasoned.

Lord Aphmau narrowed her eyes in skepticism, almost sure she she wasn't picking up what Travis was putting down. "Excuse me? What do mean?"

"You know, with all of these Nahakrians around, we could go discuss business somewhere a little more private—with your officials present, of course," Travis added, barely managing to narrow the suspicion on him.

"Deal. But in the future, use better wording," Lord Aphmau reprimanded before motioning for her guards to follow her and Travis.

Aphmau's POV:

Travis was seated across from me at a nice Nahakrian cafe, Garroth at my side and Laurance on my other. Dante stayed behind to keep the villagers under control. I trust he can handle them.

Travis turned around and reached from the pouch on his back. He set a book down on the table. "This is my tome." He flipped the pages open. Every single page he skimmed by was blank.

"Um, Travis, honey, that book is--uh--how do I put this? Blank." I said as lightly as I could manage.

He laughed so hard at me, I was almost worried for his sanity.

"To you it is. But to me—it's the key to a whole new world." Travis flipped open to a page and pointed to the middle point. "This page right here, it has a map on it. Right there, there's an island. It'd be the perfect location for the reconstruction of Phoenix Drop, or whatever you'd like to call the new village. I mean, from Zoey's memory, I can recall that she knows you had several new names in mind."

His tome intrigued me. I couldn't help but wonder exactly what he was, or what he saw. I was curious, but not entirely convinced. Still, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I have zero idea where to relocate Phoenix Drop. "Will you take us there to prove its existence?"

"Gladly." Travis's smile was wide.

This was too good of an opportunity. "What's the catch?" I asked.

Travis' wide smiled turned sly. "I seek citizenship there."

Second Person:

The group was approaching, Lord Aphmau in the lead, Garroth close behind, Travis in the middle, and Laurance in the back. The group separated once they had reached all of the villagers.

"I have an important announcement. Welcome Travis, the newest member of Phoenix Drop. He will remain a part of Garroth's group." Lord Aphmau gestured at Travis.

You successfully saved a man from social rejection--it was a huge triumph on your part. At least it felt that way, who knows what would've happened if he had turned out to be the threat Garroth feared.

"We have a potential island set for the relocation of Phoenix Drop," Lord Aphmau continued.

The villagers murmured amongst each other, questionably repeating the word 'relocation.'

Laurance took over. "We decided it'd be best for the village. You're all invited to come, but I understand if some of you aren't willing to make the move. We can make arrangements with the Phoenix alliance if need be." He paused. "Now, for those who are transferring with us, we can't keep walking everywhere--"

"Yes! No more walking!" Katelyn quietly celebrated her victory to herself, and you momentarily lost focus on Laurance's words.

"--we'll need horses and a boat," Laurance finished.

Lady Aphmau took her turn to talk to the villagers. "Everyone, find your group leader and gather for counting. We're going to travel together until we find horses."

***

Garroth stood in front of your original group, plus Travis.

"From what I know, we don't have any idea on where to find enough horses for an entire village. Lord Aphmau instructed for all of the group leaders to ask their members for input. If anyone has any ideas, please speak up," Garroth projected.

"I know a place," Katelyn responded in monotone.

"Where?" Garroth asked.

You were just happy you wouldn't have to walk anymore, and so was everyone else.

"My dad's ranch," she stated briefly.

"Where would that be?"

Katelyn puffed out her breath and sighed. "If you really want to know, Garroth, it's in O'khasis." She was hesitant to say the village's name, anticipating his sour reaction.

You watched as Garroth's expression dropped. "I . . . I need--" he stuttered, "a helmet."

You observed him, trying to figure out what changed. His air of confidence blew away--a deflated balloon. You loved his face. Why did he want to cover it?

Garroth gazed at you knowingly. "It's a safety precaution," he told you, then sighed. "I'll be right back. Make sure Katelyn doesn't kill anybody while I'm gone."

Garroth's POV:

Lord Aphmau dropped her conversation at the sight of me approaching.

"Good news and bad news. Katelyn's dad has horses," I started.

"Great! Where's her dad?"

"That's the bad news. O'Khasis," I responded, more coldly than I'd meant to.

Lord Aphmau's expression dropped, her eyes shrinking smaller. I hated doing that to my Lord.

"Garroth, I'm so sorry. I know how it makes you feel, you don't have to go if you don't want--"

I cut her off preemptively. "I'm getting a helmet. I'll be fine." I assured, even though I knew it would still be gut-wrenching to step foot in that godforsaken place.

I turned around and set off on my quest.

***

I remember there being a secret entrance in front of the woods outside of Nahakra. My memory served me well, a mechanism triggering a gap in the side of the hill to open up. Through the hole, the inside was lined with stone. Water dripped out of cracks in the ceiling, mold growing around puddles on the floor. In the heart of the guild, glowstone illuminated the large room, only enhancing the lighting by a small bit. Water flowed under the slabs that acted as a bridge. The entire place reaked of mildew.

Cloaked bandits filtered by, ignoring me. I didn't know how, but I seemed to blend in, until a voice caught me off guard.

"Ah, Garroth, it's been a while. What do you need this time?" The Boss emerged from her office, recognizing me instantly.