I know, another short chapter, I promise that Act II will have much longer chapters as the story gets more complex.
I think this might be the most unsettling chapter of this story so far, if only for the reveal of in the previous chapter being fresh in everyone's mind.
Chapter 5:
Questions
It had been three days since Aelynn's Mother and Brother found Sintht. The old elf had come to settle into the family dynamic almost seamlessly. Merrill and Orana had bought a wooden crutch for Sintht so he could get around the house on his own; though he still required assistance up and down the stairs. Fenris and Sintht got along fine enough, thanks mostly to minimal communication. Garrett seemed to be fascinated by the mage, always asking the man questions about this or that about magical properties and whatnot that Aelynn didn't understand.
Aelynn however was the one least willing to accommodate the shapeshifter. Though she remained mostly passive about it, her parents had told everyone that Sintht was only a temporary guest and will be on his way as soon as he was able. That day couldn't come fast enough for the young warrior.
She was still confined to the household after the incident with Ferdinand. Her parents had to go into town to gather ingredients for dinner, and Orana was busy washing everyone's clothes. Aelynn had already done her sword practice for the day and found herself with nothing to do. So she conceded to wandering aimlessly through the property until she heard a noise coming from the barn.
She crept over and took a peek through the barn doors which were open ajar, finding Garrett casting magic, causing roots to grow out of the ground and organize the farming equipment with ease. Sintht was sitting on a nearby stool with amazement clear on his scarred face.
"You're quite a talented mage, Garrett," Sintht commented happily as the lad broke the spell and let the roots retract back into the earth.
"Not as talented as you," Garrett replied modestly, "You can change into any animal you want,"
"Not any animal I want lad, only the ones I've studied," Sintht corrected.
"What do you mean by that?"
"To change your body into another, you must first understand the form you're taking, you have to observe the animal, learn it's eating habits, it's habitat, the very nature of the animal, once you do that, you can take on its form," Sintht explained as the lad listened with fascination.
"Do you think you can teach me how?" Garrett asked. Sintht regarded him for a moment before nodding his head in agreement. This caused Garrett to cheer in excitement, though Sintht quickly told him that it was best to wait a little longer until he was in better condition.
"I can wait," Garrett said.
"I bet you can, now run along, off with you," Sintht said with a dismissive wave of his hand, Garrett went running towards the door. Aelynn quickly got out of the door's way so Garrett wouldn't trample over her. When Garrett got out and found his sister waiting there at the door his enthusiasm deflated.
"Oh, hey Sis," Garrett said sadly as he looked to the ground. This worried Aelynn as she remembered the last time they conversed, she had yelled at him for using magic in front of her. She quickly began and apology only for Garrett to speak at the same time as well, causing the moment to get even more awkward.
"You go first Sis," Garrett offered. So Aelynn took a deep breath before speaking.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you the other day, I had a nightmare the night before and it shook me up pretty bad," Aelynn admitted.
"And I'm sorry for casting magic in front of you," Garrett apologized as well, Aelynn then pulled her brother into a sibling hug before telling to run off and find something fun to do.
"He looks up to you," Aelynn heard Sintht call from the entrance to the barn. She turned around and looked the old mage in the eye in disbelief.
"He does?" Aelynn questioned.
"Oh yes, thinks the world of you, he believes you'll be a great swordswomen one day," Aelynn couldn't help but blush at hearing about her little brother's admiration for her.
"Don't see why, he's the one with magical talent, he can do things I never could," the warrior admitted.
"Can he hold a sword?" Sintht asked, Aelynn simply shook her head.
"Just because one has magic, doesn't make them any more special than anyone else, we all have strengths and weaknesses," Sintht then leaned forward and whispered, "It's what we do with them that matter,"
Aelynn felt oddly touched by the old elf's wisdom, her mother and brother often try to do good with magic, yet she had been criticizing them for something they were born with, it would be like if they were to insult her for having sword skills.
"Thanks for the advice Sintht," Aelynn thanked the old mage and began to walk off just as the shapeshifter asked.
"Say, Aelynn?" the warrior stopped and waited for the mage to continue, "you housemaid Orana? Is she seeing anyone?"
Aelynn turned around to look at Sintht at that point, the shadow of the barn casted over the old man's silhouette, "She doesn't get out much I'm afraid, why?"
"No reason, just a shame such a lovely lady like her hasn't found a nice man," said Sintht.
"She might meet someone someday," Aelynn suggested as she wandered back into her home, leaving Sintht alone at the barn entrance. As she entered the house she realized she might actually get along with the old mage after all.
