Anciently Forbidden

Chapter 5: Wild herd (1)

Dazzling sun rays that passed through the holes of the walls poked Vince's eyes. Wild birds' chirp echoed all over the place. It was the morning of the second day. The prince wasn't inside. Vince lied still, recalling his memories last night before he lost his consciousness. It was blurry yet the feeling was real.

After a few minutes of staring at dazzling light rays, Vince got up and went outside. He found the prince roasting fish and root crops. It was a cold morning, but the prince was already sweaty.

"You woke up early."

"Mmm, I gathered taro and fished at the nearby pond." The prince flipped the slightly charred fish.

"You didn't wake me up, I wasn't able to help."

"You don't need to, it's just an easy job, and besides the medicine you took is strong. It will affect your mind and body, so I didn't wake you early."

"Could it be that my experience last night was the medicine's side effect? Was it just a mere hallucination?" Vince thought, staring at the busy prince.

"For sure it was the medicine's side effect. It's just me and the prince here, who would kiss me? Could it be... No, I should not overthink uncertain things." Vince contradicted his silly thought. He squatted down, lending the prince a hand.

After breakfast, the prince spent his time gathering sturdy tree branches to make bows and arrows. They were only using a dagger, so their speed was slow, not to mention that only the prince did most of the job.

Days passed, they did almost the same course every day, cooking meals and making weapons in preparation for their journey. Every night, after drinking his medicine, Vince experienced the same thing as he did on his first night. Every time he feels like he's almost passing out, he then feels someone's gentle kiss, caress, and embrace. But, as days went by, he didn't overreact like he did the first time. He had gotten used to it and was even looking forward to this comfortable feeling every night!

Unknowingly, it was already the fifteenth day since Vince woke up in this ancient world. His wound was healing, so Prince Aiji told him that they will start their journey the next day.

"Dari, sleep early, tomorrow is a dangerous journey."  

Vince laid down, closed his eyes for a long moment but he can't sleep. It was still early and he was also yearning for those hallucinations that he felt every night, so he sat up. "Can I drink medicine first?" 

"You don't need to, your wound is fine now. Besides, the medicine is used up. There's none left." Prince Aiji was sitting near the fire, carving his golden calendar.

"Can't we make it now? It's just herbs, right? I can make it just tell me what kind of herbs it is." Vince can't help it, he's used to the medicine's addictive effect. 

"No, Dari, that medicine was a combination of twelve rare herbs. I can't find it all here, maybe I can collect the others on our journey."

Vince sighed. "I think I can't sleep without it."

Prince Aiji stopped his carving and looked at him. "Why? Your wound is healing. Does it still hurt?"

"No. It doesn't hurt anymore. But, my body is dependent on it now. It's hard for me to sleep without it."

The prince continued his carving. "That medicine is too strong, our tribe healer said it should only be taken if one is severely injured. It may harm the body if taken longer than necessary." 

"Mmm." Vince knew it won't do him good, but he was badly missing those comfortable feelings.

Vince, who couldn't sleep, remained seated for a moment. Later, he turned to the prince. "What are you carving?"