Tales of Avanturia 1

Chapter 28: Auburn Trees

It was a calm day for our four heroes. Autumn had settled in and the leaves changed their green colour for a new auburn coat.

Fenrock sat on a hill underneath a tree at the forest near the lake just outside Ravigrad, next to him – Lucia. Bella was at home, enjoying a nice cup of coffee while sitting on the balcony of their apartment. And Brynjolf? Well, none of them really knew where he was going, but he seemed a little rattled as of late and was kind of difficult to talk to.

„I've always like the autumn." Fenrock said as a leaf fell gently down a tree, which he quickly grabbed.

„Me too." Lucia agreed, „And while I prefer summer more, I just love all those colours!"

„They kinda remind me of you." Fenrock said, sunken in his own thoughts.

„Wh-what do you mean by that..?" the young girl wondered blushing.

„You know, your hair." he replied.

„Oh.. ok then." Lucia mumbled a little confused, „But there are more people with red hair, you know."

„I know, but you are my favourite red-haired person." Fenrock said, still looking at the leaf.

Lucia's entire head now more or less resembled her hair and she was feeling quite nervous, „What are you implying?!"

„Hehe, I'm just teasing you a little is all." he replied with a sly grin, „Besides, I don't know that many red haired people." He then tapped her on the forehead, chuckling warmly.

„Hey, what was that for, Fenny?" Lucia wondered.

„As I said, I'm just teasing you a bit." Fenrock replied.

„Mean.." she pouted rubbing her forehead. She then lay down, leaning against Fenrock's arm, looking up into the blue sky, „Hey, I've been wondering.. How do you think all of this is going to end? Or when?"

„I don't know, I've stopped wondering about things like this long ago. I just hope it holds on for as long as possible and ends with all of us sitting in rocking chairs, thinking about the time. I'm confident, that we'll stick together through everything.." he paused for a moment, before looking at the young woman, „'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.'"

„You're quoting the wholy script of the church of Mirai?"

„This one of the few quotes I like, and that I actually read. You know, while most of what in those books is written is... well, anyway, I like this one. You know, Mirai is the only god worth believing in."

„Why?"

„Because she's the goddess of love."

Meanwhile, leaned against a wall somewhere in Ravigrad, Bryjolf sat, looking at an old picture of one person – a young woman. While his expression showed happiness, the tears rolling down his face didn't. He felt... melancholia, he missed something, but he's forced himself to forget what it was, hoping for the pain to end. This has been going on for quite a while now, and alcohol was his loyal companion throughout it. Like so many, he drinks to forget, but what does he want to forget?

„Happy Birthday, baby.. whereever you are.. I hope you're doing well." He mumbled sobbing, „Life's been kinder to me know, over the last months, I actually got some friends, I can rely on, like you've always wanted me to have, I hope you are proud of me, even if I'm still nothing but a gambling drunk without an actual purpose."

He then grabbed a bottle of liquor, standing next to him, „Here's to you – Happy Birthday Sonja!"

Brynjolf didn't like Autumn. Leaves everywhere you go, it's cold and windy, it rains more than usual. Some people like to sit inside, with a cup of tea or coffee in their hands, looking out of the window as the rain drops rattle against it, but not him. No, he was more of a spring-person, because spring meant.. well, a new beginning.

Brynjolf rose back to his feet, putting the picture back into his pocket and leaving back the empty bottle.

In the meantime, Lucia and Fenny had moved to the lake, taking a walk while Fenrock was just talking about how he lost his left ringfinger.

„But I thought you lost it from a Manticore?" Lucia wondered.

„A Mant- No, I didn't." Fenrock said a little irritated, „As I was just saying, I lost it in a fight with pirates, back when I was one. I've even got a few tattoos from back then."

He pointed out a sparrow and a compass on his right forearm.

„If you say so..." Lucia mumbled very confused, „But anyway, you should really tell more stories of your adventures." she suggested, „I'm sure you've experienced a lot in your life!"

„Sure, I've got plenty to talk about, and all the scars to prove it, ha!" Fenrock agreed.

A gust of wind came by, blowing cold air along aswell as a few leaves. Lucia started shivering a little, „Are you cold?" Fenrock asked.

„Only a little, how about you?" she replied.

„Nah, not really. Been through worse." he said. He then continued to take his coat off and put it over Lucia's shoulders.

„Thanks.." she mumbled, gripping the coat tightly.

„Better now?"

„Better now.."

„When we get home, I'll make you some tea." Fenrock suggested, „I've been told, that I'm quite good at it!"

On their way back home, they came across their friend, sitting on a bench. He looked.. well very thoughtful. Which was quite unusual for Brynjolf.

„Hey, Bryn!" they greeted warmly.

Brynjolf looked up, trying to hide his sadness, „Oh, hey guys! Whazzap!"

„Did you drink again?" Lucia asked arching her eyebrows.

„Hehe, you know me." he replied grinning.

Fenrock noticed something sticking out of Brynjolf's vest, „Anyway, how about we get home, and let's call Bella up to come aswell. Company is always better than solitude, isn't it."