In the Shadows

Chapter 4: Concern

Aaron's POV

I held Alex close when she lost consciousness. This worried me greatly. I lifted her up in my arms and carried her back toward my horse. With not much difficulty, I lifted both of us up onto the animal. I made sure to hold onto Alex tightly so her limp body would not fall off as we galloped toward the guild.

As soon as we got there I took her to the infirmary. "Cecil go fetch Christine and make haste," I said. He ran off and I set Alex down on a bed. A few minutes later Christine, Cecil, and Alexander came into the room.

"Step away, let me see her," Christine said as she moved forward. She lifted up her shirt. "An injury, looks to be an arrow."

"She was hit?" I asked.

"It has healed mainly, but it looks infected. The injury it self is not too bad, most likely because she was riding or running away," she commented, not really answering my question.

"But she will be alright?" I asked. Christine placed a hand on Alex's forehead.

"She is sick on top of the infection most likely due to the cold water, we should be happy that she was not carried off into the sea," Christine commented.

"Not in that cave, the water rises with the tide, but there are no currents in there strong enough to take even a small child away," Alexander commented.

"And she spent quite a bit of time in there," Cecil said.

"But she will be alright?" I asked again.

"Honestly Aaron, I am not sure. If it were a mere infection or if she was just sick she would be fine and be well within a day or so," Christine said.

"Except," Alexander prompted.

"Except she has an infection and is sick, her body is weak from both. On top of the stress and worry that has already weakened her as of late and only God knows what those wretched White Cloaks did to her," Christine said.

"Christine, are you suggesting Alex may die?" I asked.

"I will do all that I can, but yes she may die," Christine replied whilst looking down at Alex.

"Christine please," I begged. I could not lose Alex, not now, not ever.

"I will do what I can," she said. "Now out, all of you. I need space." She then proceeded to push us three out of the room, and the three of us left.

Alexander and I exchanged glances when the door closed in front of us. "Looks like we are not allowed to enter for a while," he stated, I nodded.

He then sighed. "Aaron, do not worry, Christine is worrying just as much as the rest of us, we should at least try to relax." He then rested a hand on my shoulder before walking away.

I stood there for a moment, debating if I should take his advice or not. I somewhat did. I walked over and sat down by the door. With each passing hour I waited, I closed my eyes to rest a bit, but I did not move from this spot. Late into the night, I heard the door open. I looked up from where I sat and saw Christine peek her head out of the room. She then spotted me and sighed gently. "What are you doing here?" she asked, walking out.

I stood. "Waiting," I replied, tilting my head at her waiting for an answer.

"I did all that I could, she is resting peacefully right now. I will stay to watch her overnight. You sir, get some rest. I know you did not rest well when she went missing. That is an order, and I forbid you to visit during the night. Get some actual sleep Aaron."

I sighed, deciding not to argue with her. "Call me if anything happens," I said, before walking away.

I walked toward my room, and headed inside quietly so that I would not wake Cecil. I sat on my bed, wondering if I should listen to Christine and get rest. There was too much on my mind however. The next day I was supposed to leave on a mission, one that Elliot assigned only to me. I was to go alone, and if everything went according to plan, I would return in a month.

"This assignment is only for you Aaron. When I tell you this, I mean not telling anyone that you even have a mission."

I blinked. "Alright, what is it?" I asked.

"I know that you are worrying about Alex's safety, however the king has entrusted us to protect the boarder of France. The docks resently have been swarming with White Cloak apprentices and are well in their way of starting a secret base somewhere there. He wants us to take care of the problem."

"Simple enough, but would it not be faster with a team?"

"I was just getting to that. Aaron, he does not want them illiminated, he simply wants the one running the opperation to be captured and interigated. Aaron, I am assigning you this because I know that you can locate where they are and capture them. After all, you were the one who found where their base was six years ago."

I nodded. "Understood, when will I be leaving?"

"In about a week, and also Aaron; take your time. I want you to succeed on this. This assignment will not be rushed."

I had spent the last part of those weeks searching for Alex, along with the help of Cecil, who did not know of my intentions still. I sighed, and decided to get some rest after all, changning into night wear and laying down on the bed and having sleep overtake me.

I woke the next morning, the sun peeking above the horizon. I stretched, yawned, and got up. I felt refreshed; I had forgotten what it was like to feel this energized. I shook my head and quickly bathed and got dressed into my outfit before heading out of the room. Cecil still did not wake, which made me glad.

I walked down the hallways and went back to where Alex was. I saw Christine walk out as soon as I arrived.

"How is she?" I asked.

Christine smiled. "Her fever broke an hour ago, now all she has to do is rest and recover. I am on my way to tell Elliot not to assign her anything for a while. You can see her now."

I nodded. "Thank you, Chirstine."

"It is not a problem, she is like a younger sister to me," she replied before walking off.

I walked in and saw Alex laying on one of the beds by a fire. I walked over and sat down on the bed, careful not to wake her. By the way she looked, she would not wake for another day or two.

I pushed away the stray hair out of her eyes and looked down at her. I stayed there for a while, until the sun was well into the sky, and people started to actually move around. I sighed, it was time for me to go. I stood and leaned down before kissing Alex gently on the forehead before leaving.

I did not run into Christine, I was glad for that. She would be expecting me to stay all day, and I could not do that. I walked out of the guild and headed toward the stables. I knew Elliot already had a horse and supplies waiting for me. When I finally got to the stables, I found the horse and mounted, before heading off toward the port.