Arrival, Chapter Four

As Sharon and Shaun walked, they met up with a Hunter who was also headed to Tranqulation. Sharon was still holding onto Summerstream as they walked along as Shaun talked with the Hunter.

Well... They seem to be getting along well..~ Sharon thought happily as they walked. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was someone listening to her thoughts, as she looked around. Night had fallen, and they were about to approach the main crossroads of Swan Lake Basin.

"...Shaun..."

"Mmm... Yes Sharon?"

"...I think something's listening to my thoughts..."

"...Really now?"

"..Yeah..."

Shaun paused for a moment to hug his wife and child. "It's probably nothing..."

Sharon looked down at Summerstream, who was awake in her arms. "...Summ..."

The little baby started to cry.

The Hunter looked back, alarmed. "..What the...?"

"...She's crying..." Shaun said with a sweatdrop. Sharon took a moment to attempt to calm Summerstream down, but it didn't work. Swallowing, Sharon decided to sing in her mind to see if it would work. To her surprise, it did.

'...Oh wow. You can read my mind.' She would have to ask what this meant later.

"...Sharon, get down...!"

Alarmed, Sharon crouched down. Just as she did that, a giant frog flew over her head and at her husband. A volley of arrows flew at it, only a couple landing in the frog's skin.

"Loo-" Shaun was cut off as he was barreled into by the frog. With a grunt, he landed on his back.

"..S-Shaun!"

"...J-Just go Sharon..!"

Tensely, Sharon nodded. Once her saber was unclipped, she continued up the path to leave the fighting behind. Up ahead, she saw a huge bell-shaped plant. It's vines were wrapped around it, showing it was asleep. Sharon's heart skipped a beat as she passed it, and into the small village beyond. The guards that were there looked at her, and did nothing. As she looked back over her shoulder to see if the others were following, she saw the Hunter carrying Shaun, who was bleeding heavily. She felt her legs go weak as she forced herself to walk over.

"...S-Shaun..."

"...Let's find a doctor, lass." the Hunter told her grimly.

"Y-Yeah.."

They knocked on the door of one of the larger houses. A slender Shura opened the door, her ears perked in interest. Once her eyes saw Shaun, alarm struck her face.

"..Earl..!"

"...Yes 'Liz?"

"Paitent...!"

Earl came running down, a male Shura. He was still wearing his robes. Once his wife stepped aside, he looked at the group. "Come inside," He pressed, "Quickly." The Hunter followed Earl, as Sharon stood there.

"He'll help him, kind lady."

"M-mmm... Y-yeah..."

"What's your name?"

"Sharon... This is my little girl named Summerstream..."

"I'm Elizabeth Mailing. The other man is my husband, Earl Mailing. He's the doctor for the Tranqulation area."

It was late morning when Sharon was roused by Elizabeth. Sharon had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room. It was the first night of actual sleep she had gotten.

"..Here, have something to eat."

"...Mm...? Oh... Thanks." Sharon took the plate from Elizabeth. She noted that Elizabeth had red hair, and a pair of ears and a tail to match. She was dressed in a Merchant's clothing.

"Earl's been up all night trying to fix your husband up..."

"...I kinda figured.. uh..."

"Elizabeth is fine, Sharon."

"...Alright," Sharon paused as she spoke, "...But your husband has been up all night...?"

"Yeah... Sharon, I don't think he's going to make it... Earl's made a miracle before. But he's lost too much blood. Even with a Regeneration spell, it's a slim chance he'll make it past the day."

Sharon ducked her head down. "...H-he took what was intended for me..."

"...Yeah..." Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Sharon kindly. "Go see him, okay?"

"Mmm... I will." Sharon said, holding Summerstream close to her chest. It was past her feeding time.

Elizabeth unwrapped her arms, and went to go check on other patients. Once she had gone, Sharon began to feed Summerstream.

'I hope Shaun will be okay... We had a whole life planned together...'