Sophia heard the low, untamed growling and thick huffing breath as she slowly began to turn over her back now, pressed against the small hill which she had just rolled down landing on what she first thought would be a generous compensation for all the previous suffering. Her eyes flickered with the alarmed panic as she managed to gasp a sharp breath of musty air. With nowhere to escape her lower lip trembled from the sight of heavy heated air visible to eye, long sharp teeth with the huge snarling mouth gaping ready. Assessing its opponent. Standing its ground.

  Please. Stay there. Don’t you dare come any closer— Sophia’s mind repeated yet locked all the sound below the desperation. The frightened woman had never seen a lone wolf as huge in her entire life. Not that she’d been near one to begin with, not leaving much to draw comparisons with except for her imagination. And if she had, she’d most likely bear something to show from the encounter. Sophia’s nerves prepared without her body following, stiff and unmoving, she stared into those arched golden eyes reminding her of Ren. In that moment, she hadn’t forgotten the need to hurry back, but couldn’t think any further than that either. The wolf’s fur was dark, going lighter towards its muzzle and in the midst of raw fear, she suddenly began to question why the animal hadn’t attacked her by now. The wolf had every chance possible to tear her apart. But then, the wolf suddenly gnarled for one last time before flopping on the ground with a heavy thud, revealing the firm metal trap locked tight around one of its fours.

  Sophia began to move away, pressing her legs against the soft ground to pull higher, reaching up to begin climbing. The last feeling she expected to feel was reluctance—reluctant to flee. She knew the time was set and wouldn’t wait for her. But leaving the poor animal that could’ve reached her with its sharpened teeth despite the pickle it was in yet didn’t, felt highly unsettling. Groaning displeased with herself, Sophia clicked her tongue and turned back towards the wolf still breathing heavy on its side.

  ’’This is all I can do for you, it isn’t much and I do not know if it helps.’’ Sophia got on her fours and slowly moved toward the trapped leg, observing each possible indicator that the wolf might lunge and trap her along with it in a painful claw of teeth. She reached hands towards the metal trap while taking a couple of long inhales to relax away the shaking. She did her best to stay as calm as possible for she knew the wolf could most likely hear the beating of her heart through the throat. If anything, judging by how drained the animal seemed, it had been there quite some time, making her an excellent quick snack to boost the energy with.

  Sophia had seen similar traps before in the forests of Brifena, knowing where the hunters would place them and how to avoid stepping on one at all cost. Bill had taught her how to release the claw of the trap if ever finding herself in an unfortunate enough situation to do so. Just in case. Bill sure thought of everything, and once again his lessons proved to be vital for survival, thus Sophia felt glad she paid attention to them growing up. The wolf’s eye followed her calm and collected moves. Sophia avoided looking, afraid it would set it off with a spike of adrenaline, lunging an unprepared attack on any given moment. She managed to grapple with the lever which needed to be pulled all the way back down. She took it in both fists and placed all her upper body strength on top of it, arms straight. Small rusty noises, a heavier clank and a lever down later, the wounded wolf had been granted its freedom. Sophia twisted the lever on the right to lock it from going off a second time, raised her hands up like a fugitive kneeling on a gunpoint as the wolf snarled from all the way deep inside its stomach. Then, Sophia crawled backwards, trying to show to her best knowledge how she wasn’t a threat, but did not turn her back on it regardless.

  Slowly a few steps away, Sophia began to climb up the hill. The wolf could still attack her immediately upon turning away from it, but chose not to. Perhaps it still laid there too tired from the wounded limb. She did not stop to make sure. Although the whole ordeal did not take long, the leg of the wolf had been freed and she could now continue with a clean conscience, she still worried for wasting time which they did not have on a side quest, but knew she wouldn’t have come back later either to voluntarily risk her life around a wild beast for a second time.

  One could only wonder, why go through such trouble for an animal that could kill with one locked jaw against a critical spot, or the infection which would then follow, and Sophia would do anything to not admit a damn thing, but she needed to do it. She couldn’t leave the animal behind. She couldn’t not help. In her heart, she was trying to make amends to all the times Sophia Dilamor couldn’t feel like she was simply doing enough. No matter how many good deeds. No matter how many offers of a helping hand. Ultimately, sooner or later, something always came and took everything away from her without a hint of remorse.

  The dry moss made rustling sounds after each hasty switch of a step as Sophia rushed towards the dimmed flame in the distance. The thin, tall and pale leafless trees’ flashing on both sides looked intimidating, like ancient ghosts only standing there watching. Looming over her. The branches a resemble of long, terrifying fingers pointing at her flaws. The evening now filled with shadows, Sophia could see the flame of their campfire fading weaker.

  ’’SIR!’’ Sophia leaped on her knees behind him and immediately checked his breathing by placing two fingers under his nose which deemed unnecessary. Ren appeared to be panting heavily soaked in sweat, ’’Hang in there. Stay with me, only a little longer.’’ She saw his dark eyelashes twitch further upon hearing her voice, vouching for his willingness to keep persisting. Sophia looked around and grabbed fistfuls of the dry moss, almost getting stabbed by some of the driest pointy ends, and threw them on the side of the ember along with anything else she managed to gather on arms length that could help revive the campfire. She went by Ren’s horse and calmed him down shushing and patting as the other hand scavenged the saddlebag hanging on the side until she found the small kettle with a tight lid, a bottle of water and a metallic cup she knew the measurements of. Without wasting any time she let herself fall on her knees between the newly awoken campfire and Ren, opened the lid of the black kettle which had gotten its color from being in regular contact with fire. She washed her hands with the water first, then reached inside the pockets of her ripped tunic and found the two fistfuls of flowers. Although she was in a hurry, it was important to pluck the large petals off, leaving the stem of it useless.

  Sophia did her best not to lose a single petal as she let them drop on the bottom of the pitch black kettle. The other fistful still untouched in the other pocket remaining as a precaution. As little chance as there would be to have enough time to prepare another antidote, it didn’t hurt to have the option to try in case the first attempt became a feared failure.

  Then, she measured three cups of water as she had calculated before and poured them one by one. She closed the lid making sure it was tightly shut, since there shouldn’t be too much exposure with the clear air once it was time to let the essence set and thicken or else the consistency wouldn’t be desired. Sophia placed the kettle in the campfire since they had nothing to hang it from above the flames. She could only hope the heat would be enough and it would actually start boiling in a minute or two. Sophia settled in front of Ren while hugging her knees closer and stared at the flickering orange performance. She counted seconds until reaching fifty and could hear the bubbly sound forming just in time. She turned towards Ren, reached inside the front pocket of his uniform coat and took out a round golden pocket watch with curving carved details on the cover and his initials beneath as it flipped open. Sophia held on to the clock, checking the pointers moving far too slow for her liking.

  Time only moved faster when it was needed to stall the most, yet left those waiting for it to pass in despair. Sophia bit the lower lip as she checked up on Ren once again. His heavy breathing had become softer which could be taken as him losing stamina to fight the ghastly evil tainting his body. With quivering fingertips, Sophia swept the dark fringe off his eyes, finding his amber eyes ajar ever so slightly.

  ’’How— much longer?’’ His usual low voice had become hoarse and as he spoke, the blood painted his lips with brighter color.

  Sophia took the kettle from its warm nest and placed it on the ground, ’’Now, it just needs to sit until cooled down.’’

  ’’Ugh— No. Use it now.’’ Ren rolled on his back but couldn’t feel his arms. Getting air into his lungs felt harder in that position, the gravity pressing him down, but he needed to give clear access to his wound still wrapped beneath the freshly changed bandages wrapped around his right shoulder and chest.

  ’’We cannot!’’ Sophia shrieked, ’’It’s burning hot, and besides, it needs to be thicker otherwise it might not stay enough time to effect properly! The instructions—’’

  ’’So meticulous.’’ Ren grunted heavily with tight lines on the outer corners of his closed sunken eyes, ’’I’m telling you, Milady— it’s now or not at all.’’ The lines began to soften. The frown began to settle. She was losing him, fast, and it became painstakingly obvious how fast the clock started ticking on his nearly cut lifeline. Ren’s expression settled into full relaxation, cheek turning towards the ground. The rising of his chest became more and more shallow with each breath he inhaled.

  ’’NO! Sir! It’s not ready yet, I cannot! We— YOU CANNOT!’’ Sophia gritted her teeth and threw off the uniform coat. With a desperate attempt she climbed straddled on top of him, knowing she needed to move quick. She reached on the belt around his hip which held the sheath of his Royal Military knife. With a feisty yank she pulled the knife and used it to rip the white shirt of his all the way from the seam on the neckline down in an angle, revealing the wrapped bandages. She did not hesitate to stretch the thin fabric while sliding the knife underneath, and with a clean move thanks to the freshly sharpened knife, she managed to cut the wrapped wound out in the open. Sophia gasped, seeing the nearly black branching veins spreading from the small bullet wound, the skin around it cold purple. The knife had made a small cut on his chest in the chaos unraveling, unnoticed by the woman who threw the knife on the side and reached for the hot kettle.

  Straddling over his thighs, she held the still scorching hot kettle from its small handle and looked down at the man not completely there anymore, placing her hand gently over where his heart laid underneath, she could feel a faint uneven throb still eager to fight, ’’I’m so sorry. I have to do this, there’s no other way.’’ Sophia bit her lower lip as if bracing herself for the upcoming pain she was about to inflict on him. She had to use a lot of force to get the lid of the kettle open, threw it where she had discarded the knife, and breathed three times fast. She reached her hand inside to scoop the softened, shrunken petals, feeling the essence burning her fingers, forcing a squeal from between those lips despite trying to keep them grounded between teeth.

  ’’This will hurt—’’ Sophia whispered and began to pour the somewhat thickened antidote on the wound, immediately resulting into Ren’s half conscious body to arch from the scorching hot liquid while Sophia kept wincing at the sight, softly whispering apologies for causing such agony. She opened her fist still safeguarding the important petals—and as much as she dreaded doing so—she began to push a clump of them inside the wound sealing in the essence. Only once she was done did she allow herself to breathe, ’’New roll of cloth. We need to wrap it under—’’ Sophia’s lips trembled as she kept monologuing despite knowing she probably wasn’t being heard by non other than those ghostly trees' around them. It helped the terrified, anxious mind to stay somewhat intact.

  After acquiring a clean roll of bandages, Sophia did her best to hold up Ren’s upper body and started to wrap the thin material around him, although the aftermath wasn’t exactly skillful, it did its job to hatch under the wound and the flower petals. Holding on to the end of the fabric, Sophia lowered Ren’s body down as careful as possible, too heavy for her to get it done without being clumsy. She secured the end so the cloth wouldn’t get loose around him, then got off from on top of him to kneel on the ground. Silently, she took off the shoes gifted by the very man lying there unconscious with the most calm expression on his face even after such chaotic events. Sophia winced as the shoes came off and rubbed against the blisters that had formed on the back of the heel. Just as calmly, she placed the shoes neatly side by side beside her, reached for the uniform coat and covered Ren’s naked upper body warm underneath it. All while she herself shivered from the soft breeze touching the settled sweat on her vulnerable skin.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Sophia did not dare to take her eyes off the man, bringing her knees against the chest and resting a cheek on top of them. She hugged the legs closer in hopes of finding warmth, fingertips burned by the antidote earlier, unnoticed by all the other aching and worry simultaneously clouding her brain.

  All Sophia Dilamor could do was wait. After all the hassle, it felt almost unacceptable to merely sit there. This time, however, the rest was in the hands of The God’s of Agathen, fate—and Ren himself.

  Something uncomfortable kept pricking the back of Ren’s neck, tickling and irritating his upper back and shoulders. The air smelled of the thick smoke of a smoldering fire, diminished almost entirely. Somewhere on the high bare branches of the trees’ surrounding him a few birds could be heard gladly chirping, indicating the early morning had arrived. The man felt his body heavy and toasty, eyesight hazy as he began to ease the eyelids open. Greeted with another gray day inside the dull forest of Agrom, the sky above entirely covered under clouds with no clear beginning nor ending. First, Ren turned his head on the right and the first thing he noticed was the heavy smoke rising from their last night’s campfire. Then, beside the rocks of the campfire, he noticed the ripped cloths of his bandages, his Royal Military knife out of its sheath, and the kettle all scrambled around as if they were tossed in a frantic hurry. What a mess— Ren thought to himself as he then turned on his left side, immediately met upon with Miss Dilamor’s peacefully sleeping face. Laying there against his side, hand clutching his uniform coat that remained over him, forehead softly against this bare shoulder.

  You must’ve gone through plenty of distress last night for you to behave this way, Lady Sophia Dilamor. Fine, I’ll let you sleep for now— Ren wouldn’t notice it himself, how reluctant he was to turn the gaze back towards the sky from her disheveled sight, You’ve worked hard— His lips curved into a tender smile. How long had it been since he felt such unconditional sense of solace. Despite the pain and agony on each nook of his body, the moment felt almost as if he had died after all. The clouds above kept moving all on the same direction, like waves of the ocean not revealing the bright blue bottom beneath. The small swarm of birds now flew above them singing goodbyes on their way.

  Ren felt the exhausted woman squirm and then shiver as a small breeze passed their camp, thus Ren reached on the edge of his coat and tried to toss it over her as discreetly as possible. Failing miserably. The nudge of his arm woke Sophia, their eyes now meeting only inches apart from one another.

  ’’Ah, YOU!’’ Sophia yelped in utter surprise, dropping the title and by mistake addressing him straightforward and casually like she would any other commoner, flustered beyond, resulting into her slapping the mouth shut with both hands. At first, Ren had laughed at her funny reaction, but then his eyes set on those burned fingertips, her dirty ripped clothes and all the dirt and branches stuck in her hair. His gaze turned narrow, pupils flaring from detestation. Not towards her— but for what she had gone through while he was out of it. All the possible things that could’ve happened more while he couldn’t do as much as lift a finger.

  ’’Sir— I meant to say. Sir, you— you’re alive. This must mean it worked. Doesn’t it? I— I almost cannot believe it. Everything seemed so desperate last night, It all seemed so last minute and not enough at all.’’ Sophia blabbered in one breath as she got up now kneeling beside him, brushing her golden hair behind the ears, then holding the stinging fingers above her mouth in amazement, ’’I’m glad— I truly am.’’ She closed her eyes and felt the tears of relief begin to take over, one already making a false start running through her cheek, leaving a clear path because of the dirt she’d gathered from rolling down the hill.

  ’’Look at you.’’ Ren reached his fingers towards the tear now about to fall from the edge of her chin, retreating his intention for why on earth was he about to touch a maiden without proper consent. Not that he hadn’t lifted her up inside the basement and carried away on the stairs, but that was only to save her from injuring her delicate looking feet before the beginning of their journey. At least that is how he liked to justify his actions. But this time, he suddenly felt a sense of responsibility.

  ’’How are you feeling? Is there any pain?’’ Sophia observed him from head to toe.

  ’’It does. A lot.’’ Ren answered with a slight smile, got up and tossed the coat over her exposed body. The tunic had teared from the shoulder and hem enough to be indecent, but he wouldn’t want to point that out and make her flustered any further, ’’But I should be already done for if your efforts deemed unsuccessful, thus you should give yourself a pat on the back, Miss Dilamor.’’ He got up with a small grunt, seeing his own shirt ripped nearly down to his bellybutton.

  ’’Had fun?’’ Ren meant to throw in a lighthearted joke with the abs exposed, but ended up earning a slap on the healthy shoulder, of course, since Sophia made sure to pick a spot that was unharmed, but did not hold back her angry crinkled nose showing her disapproval.

  ’’Oh, please.’’ Sophia got up and pulled the coat tight around her, secretly enjoying its scent like a secret all by herself, ’’How indecent. I never thought such words would come out from your mouth, Commander.’’

  ’’Commander, ey?’’ Ren chuckled, ’’Fine, I apologize, Miss Dilamor. I should’ve restrained from the temptation to tease you in a moment like this. Just take it as me being on a rather good mood for now, will you?’’ He began to take off the wrapped cloth, amazed by how uneven and bumpy the result was, yet how the strangely endearing sincerity of her hard work showed through.

  ’’Sure, do as you please.’’ Sophia felt even more drained now that he was finally awake.

  ’’Do as i please? That is a dangerous thing to offer.’’ Ren kept at it, far too good in a mood it seemed. His slightly coquettish words did not face Sophia, though, as she was too busy noticing the wide boyish grin never seen before on his usual strict and monotone expression.

  Must be the effects of a near death experience. Although I guess he was quite daring during our first meeting as well— Sophia was reminded of him abruptly hoisting her up like a sack of potatoes in that cold cellar, and couldn't help but join him in the celebration with a small grin of tight lips herself, ’’Here, let me help. I might be the only one able to detangle this mess.’’ She giggled and positioned in front of him.

  Ren let his arms drop on the sides, narrow eyes set down on her serious concentration as she did with any task up until now, taking off the wrapped bandages around his right shoulder and chest. Ren’s eyelids flickered, fingers pressed in a stern fist. Holding back. He couldn't help but huff out a gentle laughter. Given up to his strange desires, he reached to pick out the small sticks and whatnot tangled in her long golden waves. Letting them drop on the ground one after another. The young woman did not even notice him also working very diligently on his own project, clearing her lovely hair. The word lovely describing as his own personal opinion.

  I wonder. Ever since the mission, the days haven’t been so bad after all— Ren thought to himself, not quite finished with his task just yet. Perhaps even taking his time while at it.

  After the last strand of the cloth was untangled, Sophia raised her chin pleased with herself, but was met with Ren's half closed gaze upon her, honey seeping from the amber once again, holding a stick freshly picked from the golden field of her hair.

  ’’It seems a bird has found the perfect spot.’’ Ren smiled again with the corner of his mouth quirked up, ’’Or did you battle with a bear all by yourself while I was out? I feel betrayed. Would’ve loved to join in the fun.’’ He finished with a set of teeth showing. Sophia’s forehead puckered with lines of obscurity. Was he truly always so daring? Had he been thus at ease this whole entire time? What had come over him to act so reckless, being a noble man of The North.

  However, something about his playful remarks eased her shoulders down as well, ’’Sir— a bird is welcome to make its home there if it pleases, I’d love the company.’’ Sophia smiled up towards him, ’’And sadly I wouldn’t come victorious against a bear, but I did encounter a wolf.’’

  Before she had fully finished her sentence, Ren snapped awake from their playful conversation, suddenly seeing red, ’’Where?! Do not tell me—’’ He grabbed Sophia’s shoulders and turned her around a couple of times, not seeing a damn thing because he had covered her beneath the large uniform coat, for the first time in his entire life mad at himself for being a gentleman and doing so.

  ’’Yes, I had an upper hand.’’ Sophia swished his hands off of her, raising an eyebrow, "There." Sophia kept the cloth rolled neatly to be used again and pointed towards the wound. Ren lowered his chin to take a look. The previously vicious dark veins had become much lighter over night, the wound itself starting the healing process. Before it looked near infected. He cleaned the wound with warm water, then left it without the bandages underneath a clean, loose shirt to let it air. Ren offered a change of clothes to Sophia who gladly accepted. His pair of pants fell right off, but the shirt could’ve served as a nightgown on its own. Sophia opted to wear it over the teared long tunic, just to give herself some extra coverage as the coat became too hot to wear.

  ’’So, what now?’’ Sophia asked as they cleared the camp. She couldn’t wait to return to The Town of Lufin and begin to search the Monree-Klonfar family. And then, perhaps begin her search for grandpa Bill.

  ’’We head towards my town.’’ Ren fastened the buckle of the saddlebag. Sophia opened her mouth about to protest, tilting her head on the side making sure she heard it right.

  ’’But Sir.’’ Sophia faced him clearly, ’’I’ve kept my end of the bargain. I ought to get back to those dear to me.’’

  Ren placed his elbow above the back of the horse to lean against him, placing another hand on the hip. He had something to say, that’s for sure, ’’We’re close to The Town of Delmaer. My Manor will treat you with the utmost respect. Your body needs to rest before setting out on a return journey. You’ll get your own room, and I’ll order our family doctor to do a thorough examination to make sure you’re ready to make the journey back.’’ Ren laid out his points, ’’So— join me. Would you?’’

  Sophia looked up into his sweetened eyes. She couldn’t lie to herself, the exhaustion was taking the best of her. She wouldn’t mind talking with a doctor, sleeping on a soft bed, bathing with warm water and filling her stomach. Maybe buy some souvenirs to those back in Lufin. Her eyes shifted on the side, looking through the eyelashes for a small moment pondering her final decision.

  ’’I should be afraid of how quick you seem to get over such drastic events.’’ Sophia raised a rather suspicious eyebrow, ’’Fine. I shall go with you.’’ She held her waist on both sides, ’’But only for a couple of days, until I’ve recovered.’’

  ’’Unless you need another job. I could think of something.’’ Ren said softly as he turned away, hiding his contentment from those forest green eyes.

  ’’I’ll give it a thought once you come up with an offer.’’ Sophia turned away also, a tiny smile on the corner of her lips while going around her horse on the right side to kick herself up.

  ’’Is that so? How would you do in Delmaer’s harsh Military surroundings?’’ Ren chuckled.

  Sophia brushed her hair back, cleared from the dirt by the help of a man who had gone into battle with death itself and managed to come back victorious—

  ’’Me?’’ Sophia asked playfully, ’’I am great at following rules.’’ She held her chin high, ’’—And I can write, draw and know a lot about the plants and herbs.’’

  Ren laughed from the bottom of his stomach in a way Sophia had never imagined him to be able to laugh. The sound of it filled the dull and eery forest of Agrom, made it a tad bit brighter. A laughter which Sophia hoped he’d manage more often. A funny thought.

  ’’Well isn’t that one hell of a sales pitch.’’ He fixed the buttons on his sleeves, ’’I should find you a job before you get snatched away.’’

  Sophia clicked her tongue at him yet ended up laughing along. Who knew that one curious case of eavesdropping would lead into her heart throbbing along with the pace of eight lucky horseshoes combined. Being around him could be bad for her health, if her poor heart kept going like such any longer.

  Although her future seemed murky at best, she had a lot of unfinished business to attend to. Those she needed to look after. Too much. Yet still, she couldn’t help but wonder what her own purpose in life would be now, that she wasn’t the woodcutter’s granddaughter from The Town of Brifena no longer. Who was she, then? Gone from a child living her life in The Kingdom Capital, to the woodcutter’s granddaughter. Was she still all of those things simultaneously? Or was she non of those at all.

  However, one thing remained clear. And it was to never build another home. Never let the heart get used to the calm before the storm. Destroyed and taken away.

  END OF VOLUME 1

  ─?~???~?─

  There is so much more to write and tales to tell, so I'll do my very best going forward.

  From the dusty corner of

  -lonesomecafé