33 Hairline Fracture (1/2)
Sebastian lay panting in bed. Beside him, the girl was also trying to catch her breath. Both were covered in a sheen of sweat as they both struggled to get under the covers quickly, to escape the cold air that hung around them. Even though the small house had a fireplace, it had long burned out in the night.
Seeing an opportunity, she laid on his chest as she cuddled him for his warmth. ”You're always rough. I feel that you're going to physically break me someday.”
”I always lose myself when we do this. You of all people should know why.” Sebastian still laid on his back as he tried to fix the pillow with his other hand. He could smell the subtle scent of flowers from her hair and he felt her supple skin on his own bare skin. He thought she maintained herself very well, considering her job. Even though they were having intercourse on a regular basis, he still found it stimulating. Too much it seemed, from the sound of her frequent complaints.
”I know. Let's talk in the morning. I'm exhausted.”
”Do you want me to get you a gla.s.s of water?” Sebastian tried to sense if she was still sulking as she laid on his chest. However, he was met with silence and snoring.
'You fell asleep that quick. You were really tired.'
In a house in the city with a rare courtyard, the two adventurers slept their way through the cold dawn. They were exhausted enough to be oblivious to the first snowfall, indicating the start of winter. As if to reflect the turmoil within, the world around them started to grow cold and harden.
*
TOK TOK TOK
Mel wiped the sweat off her brow as she walked over to the target and removed the arrows which weren't broken. She had spent the afternoon in the archery range, as shown by the broken arrows scattered around her. Leo quietly walked over to her, carrying a fresh quiver of arrows.
”Mel. How are you?” Leo placed the quiver down beside her as he stood, unwavering alongside her.
With a raised eyebrow she looked at the new quiver beside her.
”I came bearing gifts as a peace offering. Once more, how are you?” Leo returned her gaze as he waited for her response.
”sigh. He's still not recovered if that's what you're asking. He's almost a different person now, as if rough and angry all the time.” Mel continued to use the arrows in her own quiver, ignoring the new one brought by the guild master.
”Everyone understands his sentiment. However, it's been an entire season since then. I need to talk to him.”
”Then why can't the all-powerful guild master talk to a single adventurer? Why do you have to go through me?” TWENG! The arrow missed its mark as it hit the stone wall behind it instead.
”He thinks it's his fault that Becky died, but there was nothing he could do about it. Even if I was there, the results might have been the same.”
Crack! Mel couldn't control her strength as she snapped the arrow in half before she could even nock it into her bow. ”Then why do you still want him to be an adventurer! You realise that he's hurt and angry right now but you still want him to continue! You can't even talk to him, you have to go through me. Tch.”
It was Leo's turn to sigh now as he waited for her to catch her breath. He didn't want to get into a screaming war with her again. Seeing Mel slow her breathing down, Leo continued. ”I'm sure he might have realised it then, but the other person is a Forgotten One. We don't understand what his plan is or what his next move is. We found some journals and drawings of some sort in the cave complex, but that's all. We need his knowledge of this. We think the other person is connected to the mutated wolves and rat imp outbreaks. We desperately need his help.”
”So what do you want me to do? Convince him for you?”
”You don't need to go that far. I simply need to talk to him in private. He's not coming out of your house, is he? I don't want to force him so I need to go this roundabout way. Like you said, right now he is unbalanced. He is an unstable sword that can't distinguish between friend and foe. You're acting as his sheath so I need you both right now. Please.” With the last word, Leo looked downcast and defeated as he disregarded his pride as a half-elf and as a guild master.
”I'll talk to him once more when we get home. No promises though.” Mel packed her quiver and bow as she made her way out of the archery range, leaving Leo and his unused quiver of arrows.
*
”Winter is here.” Jin muttered to himself as he held a warm cup of herbal tea with both hands. He was currently in a restaurant in the business district, sitting in a booth alone. With the change in seasons, the street stalls temporarily closed and moved somewhere warmer. Some continued to sell as a small section within restaurants, creating makes.h.i.+ft food courts. Jin quietly sipped his tea while listening to the people around him.
”Yo, you're here.” Aima sat opposite Jin as she pulled a chair and started browsing the menu. ”What do you want to eat today?” She didn't even look up as she waited for his reply.
”I'll just have the roast pork and some soup. The usual. How about you?”
She was still looking at the menu intently, making him doubt if she actually heard him. ”I'll have a sandwich and soup. I'll call them, please wait.”
After quickly placing their order to the food server, she then faced Jin who was still sipping on his tea.
”I have your order ready so you can check it if you want now. You're still as keen as ever, aren't you? Here's your upgraded armour. I've reinforced it with iron ores, and had it lined with wolf pelt inside to keep you warm for the coming winter.” She handed over a rucksack with ease, betraying the fact that it was heavy.
Jin received it and browsed through his new armour. ”Thank you, you're workmans.h.i.+p is always commendable. I'll pay you the agreed amount and some.” He tried to hand over a small money pouch to Aima however she gently pushed his hand back.