The Red Glaive

After returning from the Shrine Niko kept his word of not leaving Aeria alone. Normally, Aeria would bathe late at night when all the other apprentices were away and getting ready for bed or already asleep, but Niko was adamant that they shower at the same time. She was used to seeing Caius nude - he seemed to enjoy shedding his clothes any moment he could - but Niko was different. Niko was timid and when they went into the showers she was glad when he took the stall opposite to hers. Even though there was a barrier, Aeria couldn’t help but notice the muscle the once lanky boy was putting on.

There was still no word on Caius and the sages were standing firm on prohibiting any visitors. They would have to wait for Reimar, whenever he decided to show.

Aeria had shown up to the arena that very night she returned from the sanitarium and made a great show of swinging her great sword in front of the little barons. Telfer was strangely missing, Aeria noted before they all laughed when Aeria over exerted herself and dropped her weapon.

It was too painful to practice with her body all bruised up as it was. Even walking or standing for an extended period made her muscles ache. So Aeria and Niko spent most of their time in their room, much to her irritation. Aeria was still sore so she spent most of her time in bed while Niko read or strummed notes on his citole.

“Why don’t you ever play anything?” Aeria asked from her bed one day.

“I do.” he said. “Just when no one is around.”

“If a bard plays to an empty room, does his music really exist?” Aeria said butchering the saying she had once heard. But he knew what she meant.

“I want to perfect it first, I’ll be embarrassing otherwise.” Niko said but Aeria was too tired to push it further.

When the weekend came, Niko insisted on accompanying her to her sister’s home in case she needed help with anything along the way. Aeria told him that her sister was away that weekend, a lie to keep him away. She was sure Elyon would understand when she saw her again.

It didn’t help when Niko was persistently asking Aeria if her pain was to great to let him know. Aeria understood that though he cared for her very much, part of him just wanted to go see Elyon again.

Niko’s clinginess prosed another problem. The time for her charge her pendant, but Niko insisted on tagging along. Usually it took the whole night in the water to fully charge so Niko would more than likely wake before she came back. Worse still, Aeria doubted she could make the walk all the way to Silver Oasis. She’d have to leave it in the pool within the Glaive Cavern so she could find it the morning after.

So when the night of the full moon came, Aeria went into the glaive infirmary, before Niko awoke for the morning, to ask for a sleeping drought. She new how to make the drought herself, one of many droughts Madame Salver had taught her and her sisters, but it took a few hours to brew. Precious hours she didn’t have with Niko constantly at her side. She claimed that she was in pain and that it had been preventing her sleep. The glaive medic grumbled something about learning to live with the pain but handed her drought regardless.

That dinner when Niko had gone to get their trays, Aeria slipped the drought into his water. It wasn’t fast acting, It would steadily go into effect and put Niko to sleep before it worked to keep Niko in a state of deep sleep. Madame Salver would occasionally give them the drought when the any Finch daughters had nightmares or later when they were kept up by the pains brought on by their monthly cycle.

Niko didn’t say anything when they returned to their room and laid down with a book like he usually did before bed. Aeria watched as his eyes began to drowse and his head begin to fall before he caught himself. It wasn’t long before, Niko’s head just collapsed into his book in a deep sleep. Aeria stood quickly and left of the Reflection Pool in the caverns. It was in one of the little alcoves coming off the practice arena.

When Aeria arrived at the practice arena, however, off on the edge of the practice arena were the little barons. Aeria stopped dead in her tracks and hid in the hallway. She could hear them arguing and when she peeked over the corner she saw someone being shoved to the ground. The word “weak.” was shouted but it didn’t matter to her what they were doing, the second they saw her crossing the arena they would stop and go to her instead. No doubt they would try something if they saw her go into yet another alcove all alone.

Aeria seethed with anger, she wanted to confront them at the very least make them accountable but it wouldn’t happen and that made her angry. At them and at herself. At them for doing what they did and at herself for not being able to do any better. She wished she had Caius’ strength to beat them all like they beat her. All he had to do was walk over to them for them to scatter like the crooked cockroaches they were. But she didn’t have Caius’ might. She was so small and she could only do so much against so many.

There would be no reflection pool for her in the caverns this full moon, she’d have to take her chances in the Silver Oasis, but the thought knotted up her stomach. She didn’t once considered she’d have to go to Silver Oasis and did nothing to conceal her bruises. She didn’t have the time now. Though they looked a lot better than before, they were all still very visible. More than anything, she didn’t want Valor to see her that way.

The trek there proved much more difficult than she expected. She had only reached the entrance of the caverns and her hand already trembled from the pain and fatigue. She had to get to the Silver Oasis, Adelaide had been so resolute on the monthly recharge, the spell could only be cast during a full moon, if Aeria missed it once it would be a full month before she could recast it. Aeria stood by the entrance as her mind raced for a solution.

She wouldn’t make the trip to the Oasis, of that she was certain, but she was sure she could make it to the stables.

Fable was getting fat in the stables. He was only let out when they trained on horseback. Aeria struggled to saddle him and took much longer than she wanted. It was the first time she would take him out for a ride since they got there and the horse seemed excited. To take advantage of having Fable go with her, Aeria packed the fluffiest blanket for herself so she could rest comfortably while she waited. Before she climbed on Fable’s back, she changed into the mustard dress Aeria had hidden in a box in Fable’s stall and removed her mother’s medallion.

Aeria stood to Fable’s side, one foot in the stirrup and ready to get on, but when she strained to get on the pain on her side stopped her. Grumbling, Aeria led Fable to the stepping stool and used to climb on his back easily.

Aeria dug her heels into Fable’s sides and the horse took off with pent up eagerness. She had hoped to make up for lost time by galloping Fable, but that proved too much. Her legs could barely squeeze tight enough around Fable’s body to stay on and her back began to hurt after only a few minutes. She walked him there instead.

Aeria tied Fable to the post outside and took the cot from his saddle. It wasn’t too heavy and she wouldn’t have to carry it a long distance. The first thing she did when she entered the Oasis was hide the pendant under the same rock she always did then retreated into the tree line to set up her blanket. She felt horrible for doing so, but she set up her blanket to be hidden from view from the pool. She wouldn’t have Valor see her that way. When Valor came it would just seem like she hadn’t gone to the oasis.

Tired from the trek, Aeria fell asleep immediately.

She should’ve saved some of that sleeping drought for her self because she awoke a short time later. He didn’t make a sound, but somehow Aeria could hear his footsteps as they made contact with the ground. They had been so loud they had woken her from her slumber.

Peeking through the bush that she hid behind Aeria saw Valor approach the pool, eagerness in his steps, before stopping dead in his tracks.

“You have to be here.” she heard him say as his eyes scanned the oasis. Aeria gasped and held her breath suddenly terrified. How did you he know!? “That’s your horse out there isn’t it? I can’t think of anyone who would come so late other than you.”

Aeria cursed herself for being so thoughtless. She should’ve left Fable tied to the post of the tavern she always passed a few blocks back. No one would question it, drunkards fell asleep at their tables all the time. It was too late now. He knew she was there. Aeria didn't say anything and Valor was met with the silence before he looked down at the pool, his blue eyes filled with sorrow.

“You must know then. . .” he breathed out and he glared at the pool scornfully. “I suppose this means you want nothing to do with me. . .” His hands clenched into tight balls, before he breathed calming himself. Aeria thought she could hide from him, at least for one night but she could bare the thought of him thinking she was purposefully ignoring him.

Hiding was easy, it took all the strength she had in her to call out “Valor.” but felt an instant relief once his name had left her lips.

His head whipped in her direction but she still remained hidden. She sat on her blanket moving away from her little peep hole through the bushes. She heard weary footsteps approaching and she did her best to maneuver her black hair over the bruise that had been left behind from the blow to the side of her face. Not that it would hide it completely.

Her breathing increased as her nerves began to get to her. How was it that she could calmly face a beating but get so anxious around Valor?

“Elyon?” she heard him say.

Aeria sighed, “I am here.” she said before forcing her sore body to stand. She kept her head down to keep her hair from moving from place. She was in the shade of the tree were it was darkest and refused to move closer to the light of the pool. It was a fool’s errand but she wanted to hide it just a little while longer.

Valor seemed relieved to see her as he made his way over , “What are you-“ but he stopped short. He saw right through her immediately. He pushed aside the thick bush Aeria had hid behind just enough to get through so that he was right in front of her.

Aeria refused to look at him. The bruise wasn’t black anymore, rather a lighter purple with the pink of her skin tone finally coming back around the edges. She tried to think of something to tell him to explain but his close proximity quickly pushed away any coherent thought from her mind.

Ever so gently, Valor tucked her hair behind her ear and Aeria knew that she couldn’t hide it anymore. She looked up to face him and smiled meekly.

“Is this why you were hiding?” he seemed relieved at first then his eyes narrowed. “Who did this?” he said severely in a voice that resonated with anger. Aeria faltered, trying to think of another lie, but none came to mind. “Elyon!”

“No one!” Area answered when she couldn’t think of anything. “I mean, I. . .” It looked like you were trampled by a horse “I fell off my horse!” Aeria said remembering Elyon’s words.

Valor looked at her skeptically. “That horse out there?” he said slowly and Aeria nodded.

“Saw a snake and knocked me right off his back.” she said and internally apologized to poor old Fable who had been nothing but loyal to her. “He tried to kill it without realizing I was under him too! But I’m better now.”

Valor studied her, then sighed and pulled her into the a tight embrace. Aeria gasped. The full warmth of his body against hers was intoxicating and she found it hard to breathe.

He was taller than her, her head rested comfortably against his chest. The soft sent of lavender filled her nose. The sound his heart beating wildly against her ear was a sweet music to her. He must’ve been just as nervous as she was. “I’m glad you’re still here.” he said, his hot breath sending shivers down her skin. “You’re not in any pain now are you?”

“No.” she said. She wanted to tell him that it hurt to stand for too long and that that stubborn pain in her side was starting to come back but she didn’t want him to let her go. “I’m just a little tired.”

“Here sit.” he said pulling away and helped her sit back down on her blanket. He took a seat next to her in her little hiding spot in the bushes. He laughed.

“What?” Aeria said her face red.

“I wouldn’t have found you here at all.” he said motioning to the thick layer of bushes around them. Aeria turned even redder and was glad for the cover the shrubs provided. Aeria brushed her hair to the side to cool the embarrassment. When she set her hand down, it brushed against Valor’s hand and she quickly pulled it back.

“I’m sorry.” Aeria said quickly. There was something about the enclosed space that made put her on edge. It felt like anything could happen at any moment. A small appeared on his lips and he took Aeria’s hand in his, his fingers entwining with hers.

“You don’t have to apologize.” he said watching her and the spark of their touch tore away any fatigue she might’ve felt for that moment. He released her hand to cup her cheek. Aeria waited expectantly for him to kiss her but instead he said, “Get some rest.”

“I’m not tired.” Aeria said despite her body wanting nothing but to lay down. Despite not wanting to see him initially, she realized now that she wanted this time with him. With him, she didn’t have to worry about being Aeria who had to develop her healing abilities, or Ariel who had to concentrate on becoming a glaive while dealing with a missing friend and the threat of the little barons. No, when she was Valor nothing else mattered.

“Here,” he said and wrapped an arm around her and pulling her close to him. “You can rest you head against me.”

His arm, wrapped snuggly around her, supported her back while his hand rested over her leg. Aeria leaned her head against his shoulder. Maybe it wasn’t so bad to rest for a little bit.

Very quickly, Aeria felt her eyes groggily begin close and she found herself turning more and more of her body towards him. The smell of sweet lavender slowly lulled her to sleep.

The moon was gone from the sky but the sun’s light had yet pierce the blue black of the sky. Aeria awoke alone but bundled warmly in the blanket she had brought. She felt a little more recovered though the side on which she slept on didn’t get any relief.

Rolling up the blanket, Aeria decided to leave it for her next visit and hid it carefully under one of the bushes.

Valor was sitting crosslegged by the pool. Though he faced forward, his eyes were shut and his fingers interlocked with each other at his stomach. It looked like he was sleeping.

Aeria stepped cautiously over the bush making sure she didn’t make a sound. Valor remained still when Aeria walked to the pool to retrieve the pendant. The crack that appeared when Elyon found out had been repaired and the stone restored. Aeria walked slowly to Valor. His breathing was steady, but it didn’t look like he was there.

Aeria didn’t feel right to disturb him, but then suddenly he flinched and inhaled sharply like when Aeria did when she fell in a dream. His eyes, a little frantic, scanned his surroundings, before realizing that he was still in the Silver Oasis. “Another miss.” Valor sighed and ran his hands through his chestnut hair.

It was unspoken agreement between the two. He wouldn’t ask her about why she was there and she wouldn’t ask him. They both understood that they were both casting spells and they needed the pool too do so. Aeria watched Valor with curiosity but didn’t ask. He looked tired.

“I have to go now.” Aeria said. She didn’t know how long she had been asleep or what time it was. Only that Niko could wake at any moment. Niko had always been a early riser so she wasn’t sure how much time the draught had actually given her.

“Allow me escort you to your horse.” he said and Aeria laughed lightly. A knight through and through.

The sun could be seen peeking out of the horizon making the far away sky a brilliant shade of orange and pink. Waiting by the doors was Valor’s friend, despite staying up all night, he showed no signs of fatigue and he held on to the reins of two horses, one dapple grey the other the purest white. He trotted the horses up Valor and handed him the reins to the white horse. “We need to get back.” was all he said before he climbed atop his own horse.

“You don’t need to remind me Elric,” Valor said then took a hold of Aeria’s hand and turned to face her. “I’ll see you again?” he said the great white horse behind him nibbled at his shoulder as if to get his attention.

Aeria nodded with a smile before she turned to Fable. His head perked up but Aeria patted his neck. She wouldn’t be able to get back quite yet. Instead she took a hold his reins and walked away. She’d have to go to the tavern to use their stepping stool before she could ride him.

Behind her, Elric and Valor had stayed behind. Valor waited until Aeria had vanished beyond the bend of the street. “Did you see her face?” he asked gravely.

“I did.” Elric responded. “She walked with a limp as well.”

Valor climbed atop his horse, his hands gripping so tight onto the reins his knuckles turned white. His eyes fell on the red fabric she had given him now cut and attached to the hilt of his sword. “Follow her.” he said. “Find out who is hurting her and bring me their name.”

Elric stared at his childhood friend and said, “Of course, you highness.”