Chapter 45: Before the change

Erik:

The adults are hiding something. I don't know what, but I can see that they aren't telling me everything. They won't even let me explore without at least one of them present.

I know that, last night, they did something together. The air has a certain buzz around it — now. I can see the outlines of a barrier. Nate is dead tired, and Giv went back to the clinic.

Elias went back home, together with Norrix. I am all alone. There are so many times, that I can count the bricks of my wall. Standing from my bed, I take my coat, and go outside.

The innkeeper sees me, and waves me over.

"Boy, your parents told me not to let you outside," she says. I bite my lower lip. How am I supposed to proceed? Do I lie to her? No, I have always been a bad liar.

"Perhaps there can be something I can do around the inn?" I suggest. Anything to stave off my boredom.

"I don't approve of child labor. Just go in a corner, and read one of the books on offer," the innkeeper points at a bookshelf in a brightly lit corner. I nod at her, and go there.

Now, I don't have high hopes of finding anything interesting. This is an inn, and not a library. I shift through the many adventure books on offer. Suddenly, I feel a pinprick on my thumb.

One of the books begins to glow. I look around, to see if anyone is watching. When I am certain that everyone is too busy with their breakfast to pay me much mind, I take out the book.

Rituals for the Elder Dryad.

My curiosity is awoken from this title. I know I am this being's champion, but I don't even know what the Elder Dryad does. Does it oversee the growth of plants? Or, is it hell-bent on destruction?

Now, my guardians have never forbidden me from reading books on any topics. I even have access to Nathaniel's necromantic books. As long as I don't try to do the rituals listed in the books, then Givontair won't be mad at me.

With my find, I sit on the plush chair next to the bookshelf. I crack the book open, and notice that the pages have gone yellow with age. Yet, the illustrations are as bright as ever. With plant motives, and written with a good shrift.

I read, trying to understand what the Elder Dryad wants from me. When Givontair comes back from the clinic, he makes a beeline towards me.

I place the book back on the bookshelf, my mind riddled with questions. If the Elder Dryad is as benevolent as the book makes him out to be, why did the nymph hint at me destroying everything but the flora of this world? It simply doesn't make sense.

"Did you have fun today?" The dragon asks. I nod. Well, maybe reading the whole day is not as exciting as going out to see the sights, but it helped me pass the time.

"What book did you read?" Givontair asks. I look back on the bookshelf, but can't seem to find the book I was reading.

"It disappeared," I say. "It was a book on the Elder Dryad."

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"Please tell me you are not sympathetic to its cause?" Giv asks. I shake my head.

"I just wanted to find out the reasoning, behind his bloodlust," I say. Then, I look Giv from head to toe. His coat is pristine.

"Weren't you at the clinic today?" I ask him. He shakes his head.

"No, I was at the graveyard, trying to see if there was even a single grave, which wasn't robbed. Everyone who were in the clinic are now doing physical therapy, to get their limbs working," I nod at that.

"We are going to move from here now?" I don't want to leave. Yet, if we stay in here, we'd be sitting ducks for Sorix.

Giv comes to me, and kneels, so we can be at an eye level.

"Not for some time. We can make this town our stronghold. It has everything we need. How do you feel about being enrolled in the local school?" I smile at that.

 Before, when mom and I traveled with the caravan, I was homeschooled. Mom taught me everything she knew, and together, we learned many new things. This will be a new experience for me.

"I'd love that," I answer. Giv stands up, and takes a hold of my hand.

"I'll enroll you tomorrow. We will need to go shopping for notebooks and textbooks. You might be behind the local children. Don't let that put you down. You should keep your head held high, no matter what. Remember, you will be a healer, one day," Giv ruffles my hair with his free hand. I am happy, that he won't stop teaching me. Being his assistant, as he made the first couple of nerve transplants, was exciting.

Givontair leads me to our room, and then takes out my pajamas, clean underwear, and a towel. He gives them to me, and points at the bathroom.

"Go and wash up. Do you want a story before you go to bed?" I blink at that. Giv wants to tell me a story?

"Does it have a happy end?" I don't like tragic stories. Giv smiles at me.

"It does. Now, be quick about your washing. We have a long day before us, tomorrow," with that, I go in the bathroom. Soon, the bath tub is filled with water, and I do my best to scrub myself clean.

When I come back into the room, there is a fire in the hearth. Giv is sitting in a rocking chair, opposite my bed. I quickly climb into my bed, and he tucks me in.

As he begins to tell his story, I can't help but smile. I have never known who my father is. Before, when I had my mother, I thought I didn't care about that. Yet, there was an emptiness inside of me. One that didn't give me any respite.

Now, though, I know what having a father feels like. My eyes close, just as Givontair finishes the tale. I feel him pet my hair, and then give me a hug. I drift to the land of dreams, with a smile on my face. 

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