Chapter 5:
Reconciliation
Gray felt as though he was in a deep abyss as his mind drifted between unconsciousness, his mind in an odd sense of serenity. He didn't care about time or feeling, just comfortable with the fact that he completed a mission he scarcely remembered at this point
"Wake up…"
A soft voice slowly rang though his head, repeating those two words to him. Slowly, he began to stir. He couldn't stay here forever, he needed to…needed to…
Gray opened his eyes and felt himself in a comfortable bed; more comfortable than anything he ever slept it. Looking at his surroundings, he noticed that he was in some private room, with an open window to the city beyond Zofia and lavish furnishings. In the corner was a blue haired priestess who was happily singing a hymn, his patient's awakening unnoticed. Gray tried to move his head…
"Argh."
Only to groan at the effort which immediately drew the attention of Silque, who turned around immediately. "Gray! Thank the Mother, you're awake."
Trying to speak, he instead found his lips too dry to, managing only a couple of words. "Water…water…"
Silque quickly acquiesced to his request and gave him a waterskin. Holding it felt heavy to him, almost as if it was made of steel, but he took a full drink of it nonetheless.
"Where…am I?" He asked, a little his strength returning to him.
"You're in Castle Zofia. Alm has arranged for a private room for your recovery." Silque said, giving him another waterskin once he emptied the first. "You've been asleep for two days, and many things have happened since then."
"Man…and I thought I was lazy before." Gray quipped, eliciting a giggle from Silque. He tried once again to move, but found that his right leg stung whenever he even tried. He saw that it was covered in bandages.
"Your knee was heavily injuired in the battle. It'll heal, but you need to be gentle with it." Silque warned before standing up. "Now, I must inform the others that you've regained consciousness."
And with barely a word she left, leaving Gray to ponder about things. Two days isn't much, but he still wondered what transpired in those days he missed. He's sure his friends would most likely tell him, but his mind still reeled with questions. Giving up and laying down on the bed, he decided to let rest and not think about things too much.
"Gray" A multitude of voices called out as the room was suddenly filled with people: His friends from Ram, Silque, Clive…and Clair.
"Glad to see you awake, buddy." Tobin said, grinning widely at his friend. "The halls were too quiet without your noise around."
"Speak for yourself." Gray said, smiling back. It was good to be with people you trust, people you were fighting for. Perhaps he didn't need a reason to fight, as long as he has his friends with him.
"I'm glad you're recovering Gray." Alm said in a slightly more formal tone. "Silque said that you'll be recovering in a few days. Once you are, we'll be marching towards Desaix's castle and end this one and for all."
"So the bastard escaped, huh?" Gray said, lying down with a disgusted look on his face, remembering the smug noble that nearly killed him. If possible, he'd like to return the favor. "Sorry about charging in blindly like that, I guess I sorta got ahead of myself."
"There's nothing you need to apologize for." Clive said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, a feeling that sent a jolt of pride down Gray's body. "You've risked your life to save my sister from harm, and for that I cannot express the amount of gratitude I have for you. If there is anything you want in return, all you need to do is ask."
Gray simply shook his head. "Thank you, Sir Clive, but I'll pass. There's nothing I really want right now. Knowing that she's safe is enough." That was a lie, of course. There were a lot of things he wanted, but he didn't feel like being handed something was worth it. As he recalled Mycen said, so long ago. "Being given something is worthless; earning something through your deeds is priceless."
"You are very kind, Gray. Know that I am forever in your debt." Clive said. "If you ever have a change of heart, feel free to say so."
With that, the knight bowed out and left, claiming he had some duties to attend to. Alm and the rest also left to attend to their responsibilities as well, leaving only him and Clair.
There was an awkward silence in the air as the two looked at each other, not speaking a word. Gray couldn't help but blush and tried to look away, but his eyes wouldn't move an inch. Finally, the pegasus rider spoke.
"Gray…" Clair said, her tone softer than usual. "Thank you, for saving my life. I'm sorry for all the wounds that you had to suffer for my sake."
"Aw, it's nothing." He responded, looking at his injured leg, it was wrapped slightly and stung a bit, but he could still feel it. "Silque said it'll heal in a few days, so no real harm done."
"I…think I should also apologize." Clair said, feeling her throat tighten, with each word. Why was it so hard to speak to him? Was it because of pride that she was holding back so much? "Back at the hideout, I said some…rather hurtful words. Words that I've soon regret saying to you."
Gray felt his flush getting more intense. Now he could finally look away in embarrassment and a bit in shame. "N-no, you were right. I was rather blatant trying to impress you, and I didn't take your feelings into concern when I did. Saving you changed none of that."
The tension between them grew exponentially. "Why is a simple apology such a difficult task?"Clair thought. "Come now, Clair. You're a noble, you've should be the height of grace and elegance." "I was…angry at the time, for things that weren't your fault, so I took out my frustrations out on you. I didn't fully mean what I said, at least not in the manner that I said it. I cannot offer you my heart, Gray, but I can at least offer you my friendship and respect. I-is that acceptable to you?"
Gray nodded. He was still in love with her, but her friendship was enough. "Yeah, thanks…Clair."
The two smiled at each other, perhaps for the first time that wasn't pretend or under the guise of professionalism. "Well, I'm glad that matter is settled." Clair said, standing. "Now, I have my own duties to attend to. I hope you recovered well, and please…a little less of your empty praise when we speak again."
Gray just grinned bashfully. "Heh, you got it."
The two parted ways, happier than they entered. Gray simply lay back down on his bed and looked out towards the sky, an odd sense of contentment in his heart.
The next afternoon
"Paparika, Saffron…" Faye muttered out as she looked at the rack of spices just above her. Most of them would be ludicrously expensive a few years ago, but being a member of the Deliverance had its benefits, and that comes with a special discount on purchases, courtesy of the grateful Zofian people.
Behind him, Tobin was simply waiting for her to make a choice. There was a basket in each of his hand filled to the brim with foodstuffs, and while his martial training has made this chore easy on a physical level, the tedium is still getting to him. "How much longer till you're done?"
"Well, if you want to have a great meal, you'll have to be patient a little while longer." Faye remarked cheerfully, ignoring her companion's whine. "Besides, I didn't ask you to help me with this, so you can't complain."
Tobin stayed silent at that one. It's true that he volunteered to help her buy some foodstuffs, so he supposed any complaints he had was self-inflicted. "A-anyways, listen, Faye. I need to tell you something. It's about Alm…"
Faye immediately turned her head around at the mention of his name. Her cheeks were flushed. "W-what about him?"
Tobin sighed. He didn't know if this would make her feel better or worse, but he couldn't keep it a secret from her any longer. He told Gray and Kliff last night, but he figured that she deserves to know more than anyone. "The day we took Zofia Castle, Alm…met Celica that day."
"W-whaa?" Faye said, nearly dropping her basket. "How do you know?"
"I saw her leave Zofia Castle. Thing is, she didn't look happy. At all." Tobin remarked. "In fact, Alm didn't look happy either. I think they had some sort of fight or something."
"Huh…" Faye said, and frowned a little. "I guess it must have been about something big, they never fought when we were kids."
"Then again, it's been a long time since they met." Tobin said, recalling all those years ago. Some of those memories were lost to him, but he did always remember how much happy he was playing and training with everyone. "Maybe they just aren't the people they thought they are. The Alm back then and the Alm now is still the same guy in a lot of ways, but there's a lot different about him too."
"I guess…" Faye said as she picked out the spice she wanted and paid for it, with the shopkeeper thanking her on liberating Zofia Castle, much like almost every other shopkeeper. The pair headed back out into the crowded marketplace.
"Anyways, I just thought I should let you know, seeing as how you are with Alm." Tobin said rather forcefully, trying to cut through the silence.
"Thanks." Faye said, smiling at him to cheer him up. "You've always looked out for me, Tobin. Remember when we were little and I climbed up that tree?"
"How could I forget?" Tobin said aloud. "I climbed up there to try and rescue you, but in the end I got too scared to come back down. We were up there all day until Mycen helped dragged us down. Ma was furious that night."
"Still, you didn't even hesitate to try and save me. I appreciate that." Faye said, her smile widening. "And that wasn't the only time either. I guess what I'm trying to say is…thanks, Tobin, for everything."
Tobin's response was a simple nod, a smile forming on his face as they both headed back to the castle.
Alm was glancing at the map laid out across the room's table, his eyelids heavy. He hadn't much sleep lately, but such was the burden of a leader. Still, the few times he allowed his mind to rest, it replayed that moment in time. The cheering Zofians, him standing tall…and his dearest friend walking out on him, turning bitter what was once a sweet moment.
Still, he didn't regret what he said. War was the only path that can secure peace. With the Rigellians still holding Northern Zofia, he couldn't simply broker peace or rely on diplomacy. The only rule Rigellians know is strength, and he was intent to show them that Zofia was no timid cub.
Focusing on the map, he could see so many things that he couldn't before. Supply lines, jumping off points, favorable terrain, and potential ambush positions, those roared into his head like a lingering voice that he couldn't shut out. Still, he wasn't going to stop until his kingdom was free at last.
"Alm?" A voice crept out. Alm turned his gaze to Clair, who greeted him with a smile and a bowl of food. "The boy was missing at lunch, so I figured he'd be here. Be grateful that a lady like me has brought you food."
Smiling, Alm accepted the bowl gratefully. He was admittedly hungry, and needed to rest. "Sorry about the trouble, Clair." Taking a bite, he finally felt how truly famished he was, and took another, restraining himself from eating faster due to the company in his presence.
"So, tell me Alm, why do you look so sad recently? I miss seeing you smile." Clair said, worried. "And you shouldn't push yourself so hard; the Deliverance needs its leader strong and healthy."
"Thanks for the advice. I guess I have been working a little too hard." Alm said, letting out a light yawn. "I guess I've just haven't been in the best of moods recently, especially since…"
"Since what?" Clair asked when he stayed silent, not finishing his sentence.
"Since I had a fight with someone, someone close to me." Alm finished, not really sure how to convey his feelings to her, as he'd barely understand how he felt.
"Oh, dear, it's odd that you of all people would have a fight with someone, especially with a fellow member of your own village."
"What?" Alm asked before realizing what she meant. "Oh, no, it wasn't with someone from Ram, though I did meet her there. Her name is Celica, we met when we were little."
"Ah, I've heard the name." Clair admitted, having heard the other villagers mention it a few times in their many nightly conversations. "Were you two particularly close?"
"Yeah…" Alm said. "When she was forced to move away, I was pretty shaken by that. And when I saw her again, it was as if all my troubles were away somehow. I missed her, and I guess I still do. But..."
Clair looked at him, at his face that held both longing and a bit of regret. "You…care for her, don't you?" It wasn't quite what she meant when she asked that question, but she didn't quite dare to be more specific with her wording.
"Yeah, I do." Alm said, confirming her suspicions. "Anyways, you're right. I think I should get some rest. Thanks, Clair."
"Y-yes, off to bed with you, our proud leader needs to be in fine shape." Clair said, slightly forced. Alm stood up and waved her goodbye. Leaving Clair alone in the room, disappointed that the boy he fancied has his sights on someone else, even after so much time separated. Perhaps the saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" was more true than she thought.
Sighing, Clair left the room. There was time to deal with that later.
As the moonlit sky shone high on Castle Zofia, signaling midnight, Gray was bored in his quarters. Unable to sleep, he decided he should test out his leg. Holding the edge of his bed tightly he tried standing up on it, and found that it was easier than he thought.
Slowly letting go of the bed, he took one step with his leg, then another. The injured leg felt heavier, but he was walking, and that's all that mattered. Opening the door, he was surprised to find Tobin right behind it.
"What are you doing?" Gray whispered.
"I thought I'd check to see how you're doing, and well…" Tobin flashed him a smirk, handing him a training bow.
"Heh, you sly dog." Gray quipped, taking one and heading out. He noticed that Kliff was leaning against the hallway wall, giving him a nod.
"Glad to see you're walking again." Kliff said, rather awkwardly.
Catching up with one another, the trio went out into the night and into the garden of the castle, teeming with flowers and trees. Gray smiled. "No one's going to interrupt us, right?"
"The patrols usually skip here." Tobin said. "Who'd want to check up on a garden anyways? Now, are we going to do this or what?"
Accepting a bunch of arrows from him, Gray pointed to the branches far away tree, around 30 meters. "First person to miss a branch loses."He said, notching his arrow.
"Fine by me." Tobin said, watching his friend take aim. Breathing calmly, he closes his eyes and focused, before opening them and loosing the arrow. The arrow flew across the sky and struck a part of a branch barely bigger than it.
"Not bad, not bad." The archer remarked. He wasn't about to be beaten at his own game. Readying himself, he loosed an arrow in an instant, and it struck the bare edge of a branch, cutting it off before hitting a wall. As it fell to the ground, Gray whistled in admiration.
"Hmph." Kliff said, his face buried in his tome. "Try not to kill anyone on accident."
"Want to try, Kliff?" Tobin said, handing him his bow. "Ever since you've gotten into magic I've never even seen you touch a bow."
"That's because." Kliff said, placing the tome down on the grass and swiping the bow. "It is too much of a hassle. Why go through all the trouble of shooting an arrow when you can just cast a spell."
Notching an arrow, Kliff impatiently loosened an arrow…which missed the branches and struck the wall. His two companions tried to stifle their laughter, only to be met with Kliff's scowl.
"This only proves my point. Spells are way more efficient." Kliff said, with not a bit of defensiveness in his tone.
Throughout the night the three loosened arrow upon arrow, not caring if they could get caught. Tobin, being the most experienced, won more often than the others, though the other two had provided more than their fair share of competition. At the end though, their quiver emptied out and several dozen arrows lodged in either the tree or the wall, the three sat down and looked at their work with satisfaction.
"Heh, guess you won, Tobes." Gray remarked.
"He should. He's the archer after all." Kliff said. "Can you imagine how embarrassing if he lost to people who don't shoot arrows for a living?"
The three shared a laugh, and simply sat there, as the friends they are. They fought, they argued, but they always count on each other when their lives are on the line.
"So, how are things with you and Clair?" Tobin said. "I noticed that she stayed with you when we all left."
"Well, I guess we're friends again…" Gray said, hiding a blush. "We apologized, and I think I'm free to talk to her as long as I don't try to…"
"Blatantly try to carouse her?" Kliff said. The three boys laughed madly; perhaps the fatigue from the training was getting to them.
"Alright, I think it's time we headed for bed." Gray said, actively willing his body to stand up. He'd be sure he'll regret his actions in the morning, but for now he wanted to bask in the glorious present.
The other two rose up and started taking out the arrows. Hopefully nobody would notice a few small holes in the wall. Waving goodbye, the three went their separate ways to get some sleep. Tobin found his quarters and lazily threw away his equipment, laying on the bed and instantly drifting off to sleep.
The next morning, with the entire city cheering at their departure, the Deliverance marched off to retake the northern half of Zofia. As their new leader waved at the masses who cheered for him, with Clive nearby doing the same, the Ram Villagers were just behind them.
"Seems like our Alm's is quickly getting used to this leader thing, huh?" Gray said.
"Of course, he's Alm." Faye said as she stared at him longingly.
"Well, let's make sure he stays alive." Tobin said. "That's our job, after all."
The villagers nodded together as they left Zofia Gate, to another battle looming on the horizon.
This is more of a transition chapter than anything else. Anyways, I'll be taking a short break before returning to writing this, till then -ArcanaHermit