Firewind

Chapter 36-Enialis

I hadn't expected to see Griffin for a while. But it didn't bug me. He always seemed to show up when I needed him the most. And I most definitely could use his friendship and support right now.

I couldn't get Althaea out of my head. Which made me simultaneously ecstatic and miserable. All I could think about was how she smelled of lemon and pine, about her silky brown hair and striking emerald eyes. I also couldn't forget that I was the enemy. I was the one in the way of being good friends. I was the one holding back. I was the one putting up my walls and keeping to myself.

Althaea and I had been inquiring about Scymitar and the dark druid she knew nothing about. It was hard to get information out of anyone. Not to mention most of the time, some of the tourists and tradesmen didn't speak our Nul or our dialect or Arian. I heard many stories of people's crazy relatives or suspected warlocks from their hometowns. I also heard an interesting story about a one woman's unsettling experience with a lizard.

I wandered off after Althaea decided to help back at the Vard for the lunch rush. Griffin found me soon after, lounging under a tree in a park not far from the marketplace. He sat down beside me and we watched the clouds lazily make their way across the bright sky. The freshly fallen leaves blew softly in the autumn breeze. Children played in the sun as their mothers watched them fondly.

It was a while before either of us spoke. Griffin often took his time when it came to talking. He was always ruminating on the best possible way to explain, speak or confess to someone. He put his thoughts together carefully and tried to avoid conflict and disappointment. I knew he wanted me to talk first but I was busy with thoughts of my own. So I pondered over my current predicament and waited for him to say his piece.

"You like her," he said, a slight smile on his lips as he picked apart the grass.

"No I don't," I frowned.

"Yes you do."

"No I don't."

"Fine. You love her."

"No I don't." I said in a more agitated tone hoping he's back off. He didn't.

"Yes you do. You love Althaea."

"I thought you were supposed to be nice."

"I am nice. Quit pouting."

"Why are you here, Sparkles?"

He wrinkled his nose.

"Why do you still use that nickname for me?"

"It suits you, Glitter. Why are you here?"

"I have news from Stor," He sighed. "He didn't find the Abarifs. But we all knew that would happen. He visited Domio in Falone which we were not expecting and puts him on the map whether Domio says anything or not. He also gave me this note for you to give to Kava. I don't know what's in it but he said that it was important that you got it to her. And that you let her know it's from Stor without revealing that he's still alive."

Now it was my turn to sigh. Stor hated keeping a low profile. It was a miracle that he had done it for the past seventeen years, staying with the Fezim family. It also wasn't surprising that now that he's left, he'll be exploring the world like a kid in a candy store.

"I'll make sure she gets this," I took the letter he held out to me.

"Viola also sends you this bottle of soap," Griffin smirked as he said this, "in the hopes that you'd do more than comb your hair in these trying times. Especially if you're trying to win the affections of that girl. She does agree that Althaea is cute. Viola would probably date Althaea too 'cept she says Althaea is more your type."

"Tell Viola I appreciate it," I say, accepting the little ceramic bottle. I chuck it as far as I can into the trees surrounding the park.

I stand up, trudging off in the dirt path.

"Hey," Griffin says catching up, "it was only a joke and I was the one that actually bought it. Don't get mad at her for my actions."

I knew that he was lying. He would say anything to keep the peace. And there's no way he'd ever spend money on a joke like that.

"It's fine."

We head farther into the copse of trees and settle underneath an apple tree by a stream.

"I hope you're not offended," Griffin says, biting into an apple.

"By what," I sighed.

"The fact that we're always checking up on you," he stated.

"Do you really have a choice?"

I thought I'd have to wait for another of Griffin's carefully crafted responses. But he answered almost immediately.

"Yes we do."

"Why."

"We care about you and it's been a while since you've been around others, more importantly, sprites."

"I can take care of myself."

"We don't doubt that you can but ever since, well...you know ever since Safyra-"

"I can take care of myself," I seethed.

"Ever since Safyra and Lily you haven't been the same," Griffin finished. "Even Viola's concerned."

"That's very touching." I tossed my apple core into the stream and watched as the water pushed it and pulled it away until it was lost to the current.

"Well I'm glad that-" Griffin patted me on the arm as he said this and I tried my best not to flinch. He noticed anyways and in one quick movement slid my sleeve up my arm. My flesh was littered with cuts and scars. I tried to cover them up again but he had already seen.

I expected him to get angry. I expected him to yell at me and tell me why I shouldn't be doing it. I expected him to be frustrated and tell me how much I don't appreciate what he does for me. Instead, he sighed and took a deep breath. He looked down at the apples littering the grass and rubbed the back of his neck.

I couldn't bear the silence anymore.

"It's not like it'll kill me," I blurted.

"It's not like anything can kill you," he pointed out. "But that doesn't make it alright. It means something is wrong. I don't care if you tell me or not. I don't care if you let me know. But I want you to know that if you need to talk, I'm here. I'll always be here. I'm not going anywhere."

"Well I appreciate it, but sometimes things can't be fixed."