CHAPTER 6

Temeria, 1209

I was vigilant in the beginning, watching his every move; waiting for something to happen, but it never did. Roldan was kind to me and he never once asked anything in return. I'd been in this room for days now and things started to settle all too quickly. My circumstances on this farm have become strange. I feel uncomfortable and out of place.

Mostly staying in bed, I tried to sleep and let myself heal but I found that to be difficult to do. Every time I tried to drift away, my dream would always be plagued by nightmares and they woke me with a terrible shake and sweat.

Hearing those familiar footsteps come through the door, I looked to see Roldan giving me a sweet smile as he sat down beside me; a tray of breakfast in hand. I admit, there were moments when I felt awfully guilty; especially with his kind gestures. To know that I couldn't give him the decency of the truth despite all he's done for me. There were times when I even thought about telling him, if only to get the weight off my chest.

"Good morning" he said "I made eggs"

"Thank you" I said whilst taking the tray from his hands. Jabbing the fork into the bits and pieces of yellow, I watched Roldan as he moved his seat further down the bed. His hands reached to take off the bandages that bound my legs. He would do this every morning and every night without delay or complaint, and he was always gentle.

I sighed and moved my breakfast to the side. Reaching out, I took his hands in mine and asked "Why?"

Roldan looked at me with confusion "If I don't they'll get infected" he replied as if it were obvious.

"Why have you takin me in like this?" I questioned more specifically.

Roldan leant back to look at me with those ocean blue eyes, which contrasted his golden hair. My words came out in a hurry and it sounded almost like an interrogation of sorts. I suppose it is in a way. He looked down before giving a sigh.

"My mother always taught me to give to those that don't have" he answered "You came to my door unconscious and in pain. The good thing to do is to help you"

"But you've never asked for anything in return" I said with a furrow of my brow.

"Because that would defeat the purpose. Why would I give something to someone who has nothing, just to ask for something in return? Besides, my efforts are my own reward"

Looking at Roldan with a tilt of my head, his answer sounded too good to be true and yet I felt it to be genuine. The whole ordeal was peculiar to me. I'd grown up in a place where nothing was ever free. Everything and anything had its price no matter how big or how small. Which is why I found it so hard to believe that Roldan wanted nothing, and why a part of me thought he might be lying; just as I have.

Letting go of his hands, Roldan went back to changing my bandages as if nothing had transpired. The wounds on my legs and hands have healed exponentially, despite only being a few days. The pain had faded but the scars which had been left behind were ugly and a constant reminder. However, I had all my thanks to give to the man who helped me through it all.

"Let me do something in return" I said whilst leaning toward him "I can work. Here, on the farm"

Roldan held a look of confusion "I would've thought you'd want to be on your way, once you've finished healing" he said, to which I was left feeling conflicted.

In my mind, I never would have thought about returning to Redania and I have nowhere else to go. I suppose I'd led myself to believe this is where I would be staying and never cared to think that this would only be temporary "You would want me to leave?" I questioned hesitantly, fearing his answer would be my rejection.

I couldn't blame him.

"I only meant there must be somewhere else you need to be. Surely there's someone out there worried sick about you. You should get back to them"

Bartha's face came to mind and I remembered the conversation we'd had not all that long ago. I once wanted to leave home to find my own adventure, but hearing the words come from Roldan's mouth made me see things in a new light. Bartha would have been worried about me being alone in the world, and now that I finally am – I'm afraid. Bartha was right.

"I don't remember most of my memories" I lied with a shake of my head "But I know there isn't anyone waiting for me. I don't have parents or a home. There's nothing. It's just me"

Roldan stilled at my words to sit quietly at the end of the bed. Staring deep in thought, I wondered what I might have said to have him behave this way. Whatever it might have been, it'd touched something deep and sensitive. Roldan had a distinct look of vulnerability and I couldn't help but realise that he too has been alone in this house; until I arrived.

"And you?" I asked promptly "What about your own family?"

There was a moment of quiet before Roldan went back to rolling on the fresh bandages "My family were taken from me"

"Can I ask, what happened to them?"

He sighed "My mother and sister died when I was young. A plague swept through the town. It killed a few dozen people as well as the live-stock, but my father and I survived. Eight months ago he died in his bed an old man, and I've been alone here ever since"

The story was overwhelming and I felt pity for his suffering. All I can really do offer is my condolences "I'm sorry"

"I don't like to talk about it. It was a long time ago" he said while standing up with a tang of aggravation "I understand the pain you feel and it's loss. I won't force you to leave, but if there's really nowhere else for you to go – then you can stay here"

Warmth filled the pit of my stomach "Thank you"

He nodded whilst taking the breakfast tray "When you're ready, we should try to get you up and out of this bed. It'll do you some good to get a breath of fresh air and see the daylight"

"I could try today" I replied with eagerness "Now?"

A new beginning had just been dealt my way and now there's only one thing standing in my way – my legs. After everything, I want to prove to Roldan that he isn't making a mistake in his decision to let me stay here. I can be useful and this can be a part of my life; a new life. It was destiny that led me to his door that night and now we've discovered were two halves of the same coin, coming together. I'm not going to ruin this chance.

But Roldan was hesitant "I didn't mean –"

"It's already healed, and your right" I interjected "I can't stay in this room forever and do nothing. Let me at least try"

Roldan looked at me as if to make sure before giving a nod of his head "Alright, just give me a moment. I'll be back"

Leaving downstairs to put the tray away, I peeled the blanket away from my body. The rush that I'd felt before dissipated with the site of my legs; the skin pale and pink. I feel afraid now, thinking that perhaps my legs might not be as they once were. They may have healed, but they're still deformed and crippled.

I suppose there's only one way to find out for certain.

Giving a slight twitch to my leg, I just wanted to see if there was a response. The movement gave me hope and I soon found myself wriggling to sit on the edge of the bed. The bottoms of my feet touched the wooden floor and it felt warm and somewhat unfamiliar. Roldan appeared by the bedroom door.

"You don't know the meaning of patients, do you?"

My lips twitched with a smile as he came to stand by me for support. Grasping his hands, I stood up from the bed but most of my weight was leant against Roldan. My bones feel week and the skin of my legs pulled taught making it that much more uncomfortable. Persisting through the struggle, a sheen of sweat formed on my body.

"Don't push yourself" he said, to which I shook my head.

"I just got up too fast. I'm fine"

Taking a shaky step forward. I was uncoordinated and wobbly as I staggered ever so slowly toward the doorway of the room. Leaning against the wooden frame, I glanced over at the bed before looking toward the stairway. The obstacle seemed rather daunting and I'm not entirely sure if it's a good idea that I go down them.

"You don't have to" spoke Roldan as if reading my thoughts "There's always tomorrow and all the days after"

I gave a breathily chuckle "You're always so positive about everything"

"And I have a feeling your stubborn about everything"

We both laughed and I nodded "I won't deny it"

Peering down at my legs, I was too focused on not falling to see the hand reaching out to me. The warm touch of his fingertips brushed along my forehead. Sweeping a few strands of my hair out of the way, I'd realised for the first time that my hair had been free for all to see. I didn't bother to notice and Roldan has never once asked about it. Perhaps he doesn't care. Perhaps he's seen the affliction before.

Sweeping my silverly locks to one side of my shoulder, my hands clenched it tight. Roldan pulled his hand away "You don't have to hide" he said.

"I can't help it. It's what I was taught to do" I replied before looking up into his eyes "But you, you don't find it disturbing?"

His brows furrowed "The opposite. I think it's beautiful. Unique"

Roldan's words touched deeply, causing a warm fuzz to vibrate in the depths of my stomach. I'd never been called beautiful by a man before. The complement felt pleasantly strange as well as alluring. A smile crept onto my lips and I came to see Roldan in a different light. All of a sudden it had changed. He was no longer the gentle saviour who pulled me from deaths arms, but the handsome young man who called me a beauty despite all of my deformities.

"I'll help you back to bed" he spoke, bringing me away from my thoughts.

Guiding me back to the bed, I lied down and relief swept through me. The pressure on my legs had gone along with their shakiness, and I'm able to relax again. Today has taken a turn for the better and my life seems promising. I can only hope that the days to follow will be just as good, if not more.

"Tomorrow then?"

"Tomorrow" he nodded.