AN: oh hey there, long time no write. I'm back again with a new obsession, so hopefully you enjoy the below. Please let me know if you do!
The library was dark and quiet, just the way Ethari liked it as he browsed the shelves looking for the latest scrolls and books on crafting and enchanting weapons. It was a subject he found endlessly fascinating - the ability to take a simple weapon and make it so much more with a little bit of magic. He was going down the aisle browsing the titles for one that might be useful for his next assignment when a title stopped him dead in his tracks.
Not an enchanting book, but a book of adventure, romance, and the always epic battle between good and evil. He pulled the tome from the shelf and rifled through the first few pages. Oh yes, he would be borrowing this one too. He added the book to the pile he had growing at the small desk on the end of the aisle when he heard it. A sniffle. Pausing he listened for a moment, but the silence of the library enveloped him. He had almost convinced himself that he was hearing things when he heard it again. A sniff with a stifled sob, coming from a few rows over. Ethari froze, caught in indecision about what to do. Clearly whoever it was had come to the library believing it empty, coming for the privacy. surely he shouldn't interrupt whatever they were dealing with and invade that privacy?
On the other hand he couldn't just leave someone to suffer on their own if there was a change he could help could he?
The person sniffed again and Ethari could stand it no longer, he quietly strode across the rows until he saw a figure, curled over themselves, knees to chest, arms wrapped around their knees and head down, quietly weeping. Ethari paused again, unsure what comfort he could offer one so clearly in pain. Maybe he should just leave.
His feet, despite what his head was screaming at him to do, were inching slowly towards the other figure until he was crouching down beside him, reaching a hand towards the other boys shoulder. He watched the figure tense, and the head shoot up, brilliant blue eyes ringed with red glaring up at him. Runaan, Ethari recognised with a start. One of the more popular boys at school, one of the most watched for assassin training as well. About to murder Ethari if he so much as touched him. It was too late though, Ethari's hand connected to Runaan's shoulder, offering what he hoped was a comforting squeeze.
"Are you ok?" He asked gently.
Runaan shrugged his arm away and rose, wiping at his face angrily and facing away. "Leave me alone!" he buried his face in his hands.
Ethari pulled his arm back and rose also. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure-"
"It's none of your business!" The other boy almost yelled, brushing past Ethari and out of the library. Ethari stared after him in shock, arm still halfway raised as though to offer comfort. He bit his lip.
It wasn't hard to guess what had Runaan so upset. His parents had gone away on a dangerous mission, one that they weren't expected to come back from. Up until now everyone had thought Runaan had been handling things remarkably well, with great maturity and acceptance. Ethari's heart ached for Runaan, knowing full well what must be turmoiling underneath the surface. Death may be a part of Moonshadow culture, but that did not make dealing with it any easier. Ethari's head spun with ways that he might distract Runaan or try and make him feel better, but as Runaan himself had said, it was none of his business. Maybe he shouldn't have butted in at all.
Biting his lip Ethari returned to his browsing, but his mind remained on the brilliant blue eyes that had glared at him so recently, and he suddenly found it very hard to concentrate.
KC - this fic will continue... hopefully ;)