A Heart Of Fire (Final Fantasy XV)

Chapter 3

After refilling the canteen and pail and washing myself a bit in the stream, I make my way back to my home using a secret path I use to get back home. The path is hidden behind a hanging tree branch with a lot of leaves, making it hard for anyone passing by to see. The path is surrounded by many trees and shrubs, making it hard for one to navigate, and I have gotten lost many times taking this path, but I eventually got it memorized now I know it like the back of my hand.

I frequently walk along this path not only to get to the stream, but to also look for certain roots and plants that are edible and can be used as herbs for medicine. One of the books I own is a book on plants that can be used as a food source or can be used as medicine. I've taken the time to learn a thing or two from the long book. Lucky for me, there just so happens to be a few roots here that can be eaten if cooked properly, and a few medicinal herbs laying around to make some decent remedies. However, the roots do take some time to become edible and they don't really grow very much around this time of year.

I stared at the ground watching out for any familiar hearbs or roots, careful not hit my head on any low reaching branches. I spotted a few herbs and crouched down to pick them and stuff them in the pockets of my coat. I collected the last of the herbs and kept walking back to my home. The exit to the path became visable and I jogged to it when I felt an odd sensation in the air. I stopped and turned around when a sudden strong breeze blew by, causing a few strands of my red hair to fly in the wind. The wind suddenly stopped and all was normal again.

"I wonder what that could be," I said to myself before walking out of the forest path. I shrugged the strange feeling off and walked towards my house and went on with my day.

Since I didn't really have much to do today, I decided to go see Cormick for a while and maybe read at his shop. I grabbed a random book from the corner and hid it under my cloak as I walked out of the shed. I put my hood on and made my way over to the village.

It took me a little longer to get there, trying to hide myself as much as I could, but I managed to get to the blacksmiths with no problem, and no Biers, to interfere. I walked around to the back and opened the door to peered inside, looking and listening for any signs of other people today. Nothing but the sound of grinding metal and a kindling fire. I walked inside and closed the door behind me, clutching the book to my chest, walking by one of his storage rooms and standing at the door way, looking at the weapons and pieces of armor he's made.

Sometimes I would watch him work and he would be nice enough to actually let me help, which he rarely does. Other days I stay out of his way and let him work in peace while I read a book. I enjoy his company, even though he can be an ass sometimes. He says that I annoy him, but I believe he enjoys my company, too.

"Why are you here, kid? Don't you have something better to do?" a deep voice says behind me. I turn around and see Cormick standing right behind me, looming over me with his arms crossed and a grumpy look on his face. I turn to face him and take a step back.

"There's not much to do here, you know. So I thought I could come over and bug you," I say with a cheeky smile. He grumbles under his breath.

"Yeah, well, as long as you stay outta my way while I work I don't care what you do. Just don't cause any trouble, got it?" he warns. I stood up straight, puffed out my chest and saluted him with a serious face meant to resemble his serious nature.

"Yessir!"

He rolls his eyes and walks off while I follow behind him, mimicking his long strides jokingly. We entered one of his offices and he sat down on a wooden stool while I sat on another stool on the opposite side of the room. This room was where he did the assembling of smaller pieces of his work like daggers and knives. I pulled the book out from under my coat and began reading the book from where I left off.