Three weeks later...
Over the weeks since winter had started, Rowan grew closer to her friends and to Alex. They spent as much time together as they could, often hanging out at either Sam's, Abigail's, or Rowan's house.
The Festival of Ice had come and gone and it was nearing the Feast of the Winter Star, and Rowan's birthday. Her birthday was the last day of winter, but she hadn't told anyone. She hadn't celebrated since her grandfather had died.
A few days before the Feast of the Winter Star, Rowan was walking through town to head for the mines.
"Hey farm girl."
Rowan looked over and smiled as Alex joined her. "Hey yourself. What're you up to?"
"I was going to hang out with the guys at the saloon. What about you?"
Rowan smiled, showing him her sword. "I'm going to the mines for a bit."
"Well, Haley, Abigail, and the others want to go to the bathhouse later today. Care to join?"
Rowan nodded. "Sure. What time?"
Alex checked his watch. "In about an hour."
"That'll be perfect. I'm just going to take care of the slime problem for the mayor. Shouldn't take me too long."
"Great. See you there, then."
"See you there."
Alex watched as Rowan headed towards the mines, hoping she'd be safe as he recalled the last time she had come back from the mines covered in cuts.
Rowan made quick work of the slime problem, running into more bats and moths than she had before as well as a few stone golems. Aching everywhere and a bit worse for wear than she'd have liked, Rowan made her way back into town and was grateful that her coat hid her injuries from the mayor. Lewis thanked her and paid her for her troubles, then she went on her way.
Stopping by home first, Rowan set her sword aside and gathered her things before heading for the bath house. Grateful she was the first to arrive, she changed into her swimsuit and tossed her things into a free locker before making her way to the communal bath. Easing herself into the hot water, she winced a bit as she settled down. Once she was situated though, the heat soothed her aching muscles and she felt relaxed.
Not long after Rowan had arrived, the others made it to the bath house and quickly changed before heading to the bath.
"Rowan, you're already here!"
Rowan smiled as the others joined her. "Hey guys, what took you so long?"
"Alex said you were taking care of the slime problem in the mines." Sam said, sliding into the hot water. "We thought you'd be longer."
Rowan shook her head. "No, it was easy work. I was able to take care of that, let Mayor Lewis know, head home and grab my things, and make it here all before you."
"Wow, impressive."
Rowan smiled at that and leaned back, grateful that the steam hid her injuries under the green herbal bath water. "So, what'd you guys do today?"
"Sam showed us the new song he's been working on." Abigail said, sidling up next to Rowan. "It's pretty good. Sebastian and I are going over tomorrow to start working on it with him."
"I got this beautiful picture of Marnie's lake." Haley said. "This time of year has something so magikal about it!"
Maru smiled. "I got my latest invention to start working."
"That's great!" Rowan said, smiling.
"What about you, Alex?"
Alex looked up. "Oh, I trained this morning, then started a new book."
"You've been reading an awful lot lately, man." Sam pointed out.
"What? That's what books are for right?" Alex shrugged, glancing at Rowan who smiled as she recalled what he had said about his own books.
"Well, I think it's a great way to pass time by." Rowan said.
"See? At least someone agrees with me." Alex said, looking from her to Sam.
"Oh sure, but then again Rowan always agrees with you." He replied, smirking and nudging Sebastian.
While Alex started a splashing fight with Sam, Rowan winced as she shifted her weight.
"Are you OK?" Abigail asked, noticing.
Rowan nodded. "Ya, just sore is all."
Abigail took her hand and lifted her arm closer to the surface to see. "Rowan, you have to be more careful." She could see the cuts and bruises all over her arms.
Rowan gently set her arm back in the water, looking to see if anyone else had noticed. "I'm fine, Abigail. It's nothing I can't handle."
Abigail looked at her worried.
"Everything OK?"
Rowan and Abigail looked up at the others to find them looking at them, a look of worry mirrored across their faces.
Rowan smiled. "Ya, never better!"
Abigail sighed and smiled, playing along despite being worried about her friend. "So who won?"
After spending an hour in the bath, Rowan watched the others get out and head back to the locker rooms. She waved goodbye, waiting for everyone to clear out before she got out of the water. When she thought the coast was clear, she gently hoisted herself out of the bath and grabbed her towel.
"Rowan? What happened?"
Rowan looked to see that Alex had come back, his forgotten towel in hand. "Hmm?"
Alex stepped closer, looking at her injuries. Cuts and bruises dotted her skin along her arms and shoulders. "What'd you do?"
Rowan winced when he reached up to touch her skin. "I'm fine, Alex."
Seeing her wince, he pulled his hand back. "Sorry..." He looked at her. "You should be more careful. These look pretty bad."
Rowan sighed, smiling as she looked up at him. She reached up to touch his cheek. "It's nothing I can't handle, so don't worry. Besides, it's not the first time this has happened and I'm sure it won't be the last."
Alex watched as she started to head towards the locker room, but he didn't know what to say. He sighed and headed for the men's locker room and got changed, gathering his things before leaving. He looked up to see Rowan was waiting for him.
"I thought I'd walk with you back to town."
Alex smiled at that, shouldering his bag. "I'd like that."
They left the bath house and walked in silence back to town, stopping just by the west road.
"Thanks for worrying about me, Alex." Rowan said, looking up at him.
Alex smiled. "Someone has to if you keep coming back looking beat up like that."
Rowan smiled at that. "Well, I should head home and rest up then."
"Are you coming to the Feast of the Winter Star on Thursday?"
Rowan nodded. "I wouldn't miss it."
Alex smiled. "If I don't see you before then, I'll see you there?"
Rowan nodded. "I look forward to it." She reached up and hugged him. "See you around, Alex."
Alex hugged her back, careful not to put pressure on her injuries. He stepped back and smiled. "See you around, farm girl."