To Be Alone Well, this is the second chapter. I have gotten 2 reviews! Reviewer responses!
Random Reviewer: Thank you so much for your words of wisdom! I know. My description is hardly adequate. It is a weakness of mine. I did not interpret you review as flame don't worry! I hope you continue reviewing in the future!
…: Nice name lol. Anyway, the main point of the story is to 1: As you said show Priscillas feelings for both Erk and Raven (love triangle!) and 2: torture Erk. No. Actually it is about both of them realizing that they like each other and admitting it rather than you know, denying it and scolding themselves for it as you will see Erky will be doing that a bit in this chapter. Thank you for your reviews everyone!
Chapter 2: Only Her Escort.
Erks POV.
Lady Priscilla seemed ill at ease tonight at dinner. She barely spoke a word to anyone throughout the entire meal. It troubled me so I asked if there was anything I could do to help her. She assured me nothing was wrong, that she was simply weary from a long journey that…there was no reason to worry about her. I wanted to protest and say it is my duty to worry for her safety. Except, I didn't. I remained silent. I am only her escort. In any case, she has that man, her brother, Raven to take care of her now. I look into her eyes. They have an expression that shows that she is more than just weary but I cannot say anything. I do not have the right to ask her. She does not seem to notice Raven talking to the acolyte Lucius. Perhaps she does not want to notice. Is that what is causing her so much grief? This man? Her brother?
She stands up and walks out of the dining hall. Another chair scrapes as Raven breaks of his conversation with Lucius and follows her. I want to do the same. I want to get up and run after her, to be the one who comforts her when she is sad. Erk, pull yourself together. You are in service to her. You cannot have such thoughts about your employer! He scolded himself mentally. Despite having the feeling everyone is watching me I feel nothing when I too get up and stride out of the dining hall. Serra almost follows me but some unlucky soul gets her attention and she turns to pester them.
The night air hits me like a slap. I had been inside the warm dining hall so long the cold fall air felt colder than it probably was in reality. It doesn't really matter; I don't mind the cold really. The camp around me is hastily set up but that is only because we need to be able to pack up camp quickly if needed. That doesn't really matter either. It could be worse. Sure, it's nothing like my accommodations with Lady Louise and Lord Pent but that is to be expected. We are living in tents most of the time except when we can get rooms at an inn. That rarely happens anymore. Everybody knows who we are and they either refuse to put us up or they do but we are swamped by visitors and barely get any sleep. I am not particularly fond of people knocking on the door in the middle of the night asking if I would trade them rooms for the rest of the night.
The wind blows again and I wrap my cloak around myself a little tighter. Perhaps it is colder than I thought tonight. The dirt road that leads around the camp is hard under my feet and I continue walking at a fairly brisk pace as to get out of the cold. I see Priscilla on the road ahead. She does not seem to have any other destination other than her tent. I had hoped that she would go somewhere other than her own tent. I couldn't follow her now. It was not…honorable? I cannot remember all the rules that Lord Wallace told me about being knightly. I do not think I should have to worry seeing as I am not a knight employed to a house of Elibe but I will humour the man for now I suppose.
Speaking of knights… I think as I spot Sir Kent and Sain coming towards me. They are engaged in another one of their arguments. Of course Kent is calling Sain a lout and about every word he can think of to describe his behavior. From what I could hear the green haired cavalier had been at the local tavern trying to get girls to go out with him…again. How one man can be so obsessed with women is beyond me. I do believe he has had enough ladies to last him many lifetimes. Well, perhaps not. None of the girls in the group seem to be particularly fond of his behaviour.
I continue to walk down the path until I reach Canas tent and mine. I know the shaman is in there only because I can see the light from a candle burning inside the tent from under the entrance. He is a new recruit but we have become friends fairly fast. Well literally, instantly. He was only recruited today and I am already sharing my tent with him. It is only because we both enjoy reading and are not likely to dislike each other seeing as we are usually wrapped up in a book and never really speak that often.
I walk into the tent and of course Canas is sitting on his bed reading a large book. How he can stand to read any sort of book with that manacle of his I will never know. It falls out from time to time but he just puts it back in and continues where he left off. I do not think I would be able to stand having to do that.
I walk over to my own bed and pick up a tome of fire magic of many piled on my bed and the surrounding area. I have already read it many times but one can never know their magic spells too well. Canas and Is tent is fairly roomy simply because we both have so many books which Mark figured we should have room for. I have to say I agree with him and it is simply on the grounds that we mages, shamans, and monks need our books to fight. If we had no place to put them well, wouldn't be able to find them when we need them. I try very hard to concentrate on the words on the page but I can't. The words all seem to blend together. Kind of like Lord Hectors attempt at a meal… I do not want to recall that particular incident. I believe that half the camp including Serra was ill for a few days afterwards. I cannot say I felt sorry for Serra. If I said I did I would be lying. It is horrible but it is true. As a result of Hectors cooking our meal cook Lowen, was unable to make anything for us to eat and Rebecca had to fill in for him. Neither Lady Priscilla nor I trusted Lord Hector to cook for us and we decided to forgo that night's meal. Of course the only reason Serra had to at least try Hectors cooking is because she is in service to House Ostia. In fact, any of the group that was employed to Lord Hector was sick. He no doubt threatened that they would be out of work if they didn't.
Canas sees that I am struggling to read a simple book and asks if I am in any sort of trouble.
"No. There is no trouble. I just can't concentrate," I answer thinking how stupid I must sound the entire time I am saying it.
"Mm. Yes, it is quite irritating when that happens no?" He replies with a small smile.
He does not look up however. I never quite know what to say when he asks a question then add no at the end of it. Is it a rhetorical question? How am I supposed to answer again? It is truly a sad day in the history of intelligence. I cannot even carry on a normal conversation with a companion. I simply nod in response to his question.
" Perhaps if you talked to the person you could concentrate?" He asks. Another strange way to ask a question…why can't he just recognize I am being stupid at this moment and speak to me like he speaks to Bartre?
" T-there is no person involved…"I lie. Very badly might I add.
He simply smiles again and goes back to giving his book all of his attention. I feel like a dolt. Lord Pent should not have agreed to teach me the art of Anima magic. It takes hard work and dedication. I work hard but I do not think I have much dedication at this point. Lady Louise would say I am overreacting. She would say " Erk! You shouldn't think that way! You have surpassed everybody's expectations and just for doubting yourself I'm going to make you go outside right now and…and…do something other than study!" it makes me smile to think of Lady Louise. She is always so cheerful and makes even me laugh. Stop thinking about them. They aren't here now. You have to wait until you have another break to go back to Eturia. Then you can see Lady Louise and Lord Pent. Only then. After you have successfully escorted Lady Priscilla to her destination.
Lady Priscilla…she is what is causing my lack of focus I think… She is fine. Lady Priscilla can take care of herself just fine. Honestly. She has Rebecca in her tent with her. Why are you worrying about such silly things? Elimine… I need to see her maybe…no. Not tonight. I will see her tomorrow. I cannot think about her all the time. She is my employer. Nothing more, nothing less. I am only her escort…
Well that's the second chapter. I think it went fairly well. I tried to describe the surroundings more…I didn't do a very good job, I know. I will work on it I promise! Hmm… is Erk a little ooc? I don't really know. I'm up for any suggestions you may have! Did I mention that I will be switching povs every other chapter? I think I did… lol Canas is in this chapter! He wasn't really supposed to be a major/minor character in it nor was the story of Hectors cooking in the original… ah well. Tell me whom you would like to see in the latter chapters either that if you don't want to leave a review telling me just email me! It's in my profile so yeah! Next Chapter: Priscillas Pov. Uh oh…I made a mistake…Canas isn't supposed to be here yet! Oh jeez. Ok…let's just say…this chapter takes place kind of after you recruit Canas but before you leave for the Dread Isle. I should probably should have added something in about Fargus but I will do that when I'm in Priscillas Pov. Sorry for the disorganization of everything… anyway…
Matthew: Read and Review please!