Clipped Wings

Chapter 4: Strange Symptoms

Primrose stifled a yawn as she walked into the group's meeting place outside the inn. Today was the day they began a long trek east to Goldshore. She looked around to see Ophilia lost in prayer; a habit she would practice before leaving any town. On her left was a sleepy looking Therion leaning against a tree. She turned around to see Olberic and Cyrus also emerging from the quaint sized inn. Tressa furiously scribbled away in her notebook behind them.

"GOOOOOOD MORNING!"

A familiarly hyper voice resounded through the quiet street as all heads turned to their right to see Alfyn, covered in shrubs and dirt, with what looked like an assortment of herbs, flowers and spices all poking out of his satchel.

"What the hell happened to you?" muttered Therion as he eyed his disheveled look.

"Had to stock up on all these Riverland materials we won't see for awhile!" He grinned, holding up a giant bag of plant life. "No one's getting sick on my watch around here!"

Surprised smiles laced onto the faces of everyone in the group. Olberic breathed a sigh of relief and Primrose chuckled as Tressa ran up to Alfyn and smacked him playfully in the arm.

"You're finally back to your old self! You had us worried sick you know!" She teased.

Ophilia nodded and smiled as she she gazed at Alfyn with a relieved smile.

"Thank the flame."

Alfyn grinned sheepishly at Tressa's incessant ranting as everyone in the group watched the tender scene. His face suddenly turned serious as he faced the rest of the group's members with a suddenly determined look in his eyes.

"Sorry about that everyone..I guess I just needed some..." Alfyn warmly smiled as his gaze landed on H'aanit and Linde emerging through the door with their belongings.

"Reminding. From now on, I'm not going to let anything hold me back from my dream. I will become a hero for the people who need me. Thank you all for waiting for me and I'm sorry for worrying you..."

Olberic nodded as he touched the hem of his sword.

"We all need some reminding sometimes of our true purpose and what it is we are fighting for."

"Yeah! Now off to Goldshore, I got treasure to sell!" Chimed Tressa as she closed her notebook and struck a comical pose.

"And I got patients to cure!" Sang Alfyn as he grinned before striking one next to her.

"And I have a kindling to perform!" Added in a grinning Ophilia as she lifted her staff skywards.

"Oh god, is it just me or is he even louder than before?" Muttered a slack jawed Therion as he watched Tressa, Alfyn and Ophilia form a little cheer huddle. He smirked as he looked away towards the horizon. Well...guess it suits him better than sighs do.

"Forgiven me, let us be on our way." Resounded H'aanit as she finally caught up to the group, with a newly-groomed Linde.

"Oh! One sec, I think I forgot something in my room! Two secs!" Cried Tressa as she quickly scampered back into the inn's doors.

"We're leaving without ya." Shouted a snarky Therion as the group began to walk in their typical formation due east. As H'aanit began walking Alfyn strided over to her. He beamed at her before he grabbed her hand and placed a small blue potion in her palm. H'aanit felt a similar wave of heat creep onto her face as she felt his sudden touch.

There's that peculiar feeling again...

"Something for your arm just in case it starts bothering you on the road. I also have more on me incase that one runs out; just say the word!" He sang. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed down to H'aanit as he smiled. He leaned in closer to her ear and softly whispered- an action that left H'aanit feeling unusually breathless.

"Thank you for everything, H'aanit. I guess....you're my hero"

With this he sped up to catch up to Olberic at the front, while pulling out another potion from his satchel. H'aanit felt the same sensation she felt last night fill her chest again as she watched his retreating back grab onto Therion's neck. Relief and joy filled her as she watched him smile and banter on in his usual way. His light had returned to him and it was shining brighter than ever. She smiled tenderly. She looked down at the small blue bottle before the vision of Alfyn putting his arms around her from last night started to replay in her mind as she remembered his touch, his smell and his gaze.

"Hey, H'aanit? You feeling okay? Your face is all red."

H'aanit turned to see a curious Tressa gazing at her with a small bag in her hands.

"I-Is it now?" H'aanit muttered as Linde mewed playfully at her master's flusterings.

"Yeah, even your ears are red! Jeez, did ya catch something? Maybe you should have Alfyn look at you again." She said as she eyed the baffled huntress worriedly.

H'aanit bit her lip as her eyes flocked to Alfyn's retreating figure yet again; the odd, fluttering sensation had risen once more and this time it felt stronger than before. Alfyn's gaze met hers as he momentarily looked behind him while reaching for something to show Therion from his satchel. He grinned at her again before looking forward. She placed her hand over heart to feel it beating quite loudly. Confused and puzzled, she brought her gaze forward.

What foul illness had befallen her? She had symptoms the like she had never felt before.

Perhaps she would ask him for diagnosis at the next town...