"What are you doing? You should go back and rest." Riley rushed to Hilda.
"Don't worry, lasse. I am as fit as a fiddle."
"True but even fiddles need their rest."
Hilda burst out laughing.
"Alright, alright. Technically I was on my way to doing just that. "
"You could have stayed in the willow—"
"And missed out on the beautiful scenery? Never!"
"But your injuries…"
"Require me to sit by the lakeside for them to heal."
She sighed.
"Nicholas, help me carry her to that patch of grass next to that rock ."
Interest flickered in her eyes as she said, "So that is his name!"
"Apologies for the late introduction, my name is Nicholas." He bowed.
'Why does this kid remind me of that fool?' Hilda inwardly pondered. In her head both their images seemed to overlap.
"Nice to meet you, kid. So you are who she has been waiting for? The mouse?"
Riley could spot his shoulders grow tense as he sneakily glanced at her.
"Hilda…"
"It's obvious. Compared to before that tense expression is gone and you look more relaxed—" Her words were interrupted as Nicholas lifted her and carried her in his arms.
"We were supposed to carry her together"
"I wasn't aware, sorry."
"Forget that, I have been wondering about this for quite some time now are you able to carry adults when you look as minuscule as myself."
"Exercise." He walked off. What type of exercise was that, that increased strength tenfold? She wanted it as well.
She followed after him and helped set up Hilda's relaxation area. She draped her hoodie across the rock and helped Nicholas set her down.
"There you go ."
After having made sure she was settled nicely, he walked off to get her some water.
"Look lasse, I am already healing!"
"That's good. Just don't forget to take it easy."
"I will…Right after I find those herbs."
"Hilda…"
"After this break, I am heading out. They won't be able to survive without those herbs"
"What about you?"
"I am perfectly fine but I know they won't." Riley understood. After all, she worried for them as well. How many more were closer to death after she left? The question had been gnawing at her mind since they had left and she didn't want to leave them on the ropes.
She sighed.
"I will do it."
"Lasse…?"
"I will collect the herbs and give them to the rest of the villagers."
"That's dangerous!"
"But you wanted to do it. I am doing this Hilda. I care about them too so I will see to it that I deliver"
"You are putting your life in danger for people you barely know. I told you, lasse, be mindful of your actions!"
"They are your family and since I consider you family as well, they are my family too. I would do anything for my family."
"Lasse…" Hilda sighed.
Someone cleared their throat, startling them both.
"Pardon my intrusion but you could always collect herbs here."
"How are you sure this place has what I need?"
"I just am," he said matter-of-factly.
Hilda cut in."That still does not solve that she will have to use the cave to give it to them."
"Let me do it. I am the more physically fit and she has to stay here where it is safe" Nicholas suggested
"You and your obsession with my safety. Have you considered that they may view you as a threat? They don't know you whether in this form or the other," she rebutted.
She had opened his eyes. He couldn't take Hilda or the Village Head since they were both out of commission. The villagers would be extremely alert during the Act and wouldn't trust outsiders so easily especially with death looming over them.
He sighed.
"You are right. I will go with you."
"Good"
"But disclaimer before we do this, if you want everyone to be saved we have to be quick."
"Why?"
"That is classified. But promise me you will comply with my decisions and make this excursion short." He reached out his hand for a handshake.
"I promise." Instead of shaking his hand, she pulled out her pinky and pinky promised with him.
"…"
"Was that necessary?"
"Who makes a promise by shaking hands?" she said looking at him weirdly.
He sighed. "Fine. Let's get on with it."
She nodded but before she followed after him, she gave a small kiss on the head to Hilda who had drifted off to dreamland during their earlier banter.
She jogged after him and only caught up to him when he reached the entrance to a forest.
"Everything you need is in there. You have ten minutes." He walked off, leaving her a bit out of breath. She ignored the curtness in his words and ran back to the base of the willow to fetch a bowl. With the bowl in hand, she trekked into the forest.
Just as he said, she found everything they needed. She also made sure to collect extra for the Village Head and Hilda. Done, she rushed back, only to find Nicholas having a heated discussion with Hilda.
"You are back."
"Ye…Yes." She panted.
"You took less time than I thought. Good job."
"I only did it to help the people. Now, cut the chatter, we made a promise right?"
He smiled." That's correct," he turned to Hilda," I hope you consider my thoughts. We are off now" Riley uttered a quick goodbye and left some of the herbs with Hilda.
She grabbed her mask and strapped it on. Soon she found herself back in the cave once again.
'Just when I had gotten used to the light.' Nicholas walked ahead, his sword, which she hadn't noticed before, drawn. She could see him frown through her narrowed vision. He was being careful. She felt a bit ridiculous being the only one without a mask—the must didn't affect him. She decided to ignore the feeling and pull all her attention to the path ahead with her hands firmly holding the bowl. Riley wished to have placed them somewhere more secure but her hoodie was with Hilda and the other herbs were in the stone pouch.
She carried on with her thoughts that seemed louder than the silence which seemed palpable. Sometimes, she would hiccup in surprise whenever she heard a soft crunch under her feet and let out a small squeal when she heard what she thought was the melancholic cry of a child.
Suddenly, he stopped.
She looked at him quizzically to which responded by signaling her to keep quiet. Any words that were about to escape were locked in as her shoulders tensed and her breathing hitched.
She unconsciously moved closer to him with her grip on the bowl stronger than ever. She noticed his knuckles turn white as his grip strengthened. What had he seen?
In a flash, he charged forward and sliced a weird-looking skeleton monster. The monster dodged and swung its scythe. Nicholas avoided it by a hair's breadth and charged forward again. The monster kicked him away but luckily, he landed on his feet.
"Riley! Time is no longer on our side. I want you to run back and get those two while I fight him."
"But…!"
"You promised, remember? Just do it!" Nicholas sprinted towards the skeleton and swung his sword. His sword chipped a bit of its bone which motivated him to continue his onslaught.
'Perhaps, they were in danger' Since it involved Hilda and the Village Head she would not take the command lightly.
Right as she was about to turn back, she saw it…A fountain of blood.
It was sprayed all over. On the walls. On her.
Colour drained from her face. She knew whose blood it was and as sure as hell wasn't the monster's.