Chapter 38 - Don't be silly
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“Thirty-one. That’s an improvement.” Hannah grinned as she finished counting.
Aaron only grunted but he’s still not satisfied. He could’ve done better.
“It’s only the second time.” Hannah reminded him which made him sigh. She already mentioned before that he seems too hard on himself and whenever they practice, she would remind him that he did really well given the situation. He might be a perfectionist.
They continued their journey after a meal.
“I hope there’s a stream or something.” Hannah muttered as they slowed down. Vaguely, she could hear something.
“You remember where the old man lives?” He asked again. She mentioned some information about the potions master on the way. He lives in solitude and sought after by many. He works on goodwill, though. He doesn’t accept just about any job or request. You must come with a recommendation.
“We’re close now.” Hannah kept looking at the ground for a trail or something.
“How about that way?” Aaron pointed at a trail of big stones on the ground, almost hidden by grasses.
“Good job.” She praised, getting the horse to walk that way. When the house came into view, they dismounted. It’s considered common courtesy. A dog started barking and they approached slowly.
An old man opened the door and observed them.
Hannah bowed.
“You look young again.” The old man was startled at recognizing her clothes and features.
She smiled gently. “I didn’t think you would still recognize me.”
“It has been a long time.” He agreed, gesturing for a place at the side of the house where they can tether their horses to.
“This is Aaron, of the north.” She introduced upon entering the threshold. The man scrutinized him.
“Aren’t you from the northeast?” He hasn’t gone senile and have forgotten about it, right?
“Our princess is found. She’s staying in the north. I am assisting her.”
“I see, and what do you need this time?” He gestured for them to sit and they obliged.
“We need a potion that would allow us to see in the dark. We have a copy of the instructions but we are no potions maker. It would be safer to let the master do it.” She brought out the instructions and gave it to him. Aaron watched the man closely. He seemed fatherly. He looked around the house and realized it was a simple wooden house. It did look big from the outside.
“Hmm, hmm.” The man looked through the paper and made noises of agreement or dissatisfaction.
“I have all the ingredients but this will take time. Fifteen hours at least.”
“I surmised as much.” Hannah replied.
“Can you start on it? We will wait until you’re done. We need it urgently.”
The man hummed his agreement.
“Can we stay here while we wait?” Knowing the old man, he won’t speak unless he deems it to be necessary.
“Yes. You can occupy my vacant room.” He replied without tearing his eyes from the potion’s instructions, but his finger pointed towards a certain direction.
“Thank you.” Hannah urged Aaron to get up and help her. They tended to the horses before bringing their possessions to the room. It only has one big bed. And there are pillows.
“I’ll sleep on the floor.” Aaron offered, staring at the bed. The floor’s better than the ground from last night. Hannah rolled her eyes at him.
“Don’t be silly. We practically slept next to each other last night. This is no different.” Truthfully, the bed’s bigger than the ground they occupied last night. He can see her point.
“Alright.” He reluctantly agreed.
They offered the old man the food they brought. After the meal, the old man shooed them away as he started on the potion. They rested for a while before Aaron told her to practice with him.
It was difficult than he initially thought. With only one sword, he couldn’t easily parry her attacks. In the end, he cheated by using his ability. He didn’t want to be wounded. She knew it anyway, the moment he used his magic.
Suddenly, he thought of an idea.
“This doesn’t seem to work. How about we use the apples?”
“What do you mean?” She stood up straight and took deep breaths. He was good in evading her.
“I’ll control an apple and you have to hit it as I move it around.”
She thought about it as she tilted her head, “That could work.”
“Let’s try it, then.” He went inside the house to get some apples. He’s not sure why he took a bunch of them. Maybe she could hit one easily and he needed replacements.
Then, they started. Aaron openly laughed at her struggle.
It was harder than she thought. That apple… it’s small. Though it could have been an easy target, Aaron is able to move it around with ease. She paused as she thinks it over.
Hannah turned to him with a serious expression, “Let’s add three more apples. This is no challenge for you. Let’s turn this into your practice as well.”
Well, the trainer spoke. Aaron listened and thought she’s right.
“Alright.” He readily agreed. Four apples, huh?
“How about another bet?” He suggested as he floated three more apples in her direction.
“How so?”
“If you manage to hit one apple, you win. But if you don’t, I win.”
“Huh, how long would this be?”
“Let’s train for an hour?” He offered. Half an hour feels short.
“Alright. If I win, I can ask you for anything?” She’s not really bothered by bets. She’d gladly give him anything he wants. And if she wins… she’s still thinking of a kiss. She blushed. Aaron noticed her pink cheeks and wondered what she’s thinking for her to look that way.
“Yes. And if I win, I can ask you for anything as well.”
“Let’s start, then.” She must win this time, no matter what. It would seem having a bet makes it more… entertaining? No, they take the training more seriously.
Aaron even stood this time as he controlled those several apples.
“You can’t move them too high or too far.” Hannah added.
“Agreed.” He can easily move them around her. From a distance, he has a good view of her blind spots.
After a few minutes…
“I’m dizzy.” Hannah stopped moving and stumbled on the ground.
“Are you okay?” Aaron came forward to check on her. She glared at him.
“Why do you keep them moving around me? I had to move in circles just to catch them.”
Thinking about it, he realized it was a bit unfair.
“What do you suggest, then?”
Hannah looked around. “That tree, to that tree. Let me move forward, and then back when I reach the end. Keep at least two apples in front of me and two behind if you’re adamant in hiding them.” She sounded sulky, which is new to him. She’s normally calm and collected. This is…
Hannah froze at realizing her behavior. She grimaced before standing up. She’s not planning to excuse herself, but she can’t seem to look at him now. She’s embarrassed.
“Alright.” He grinned at her reaction, before moving back to his earlier position.
They restarted and it got harder for him. He noticed her smiling a little bit. No, he won’t be making it that easy for her. She would sometimes move unexpectedly, startling him but he manages to evade her. When the hour was up, they might have gone over time, Aaron won. Not a scratch on each apple.
Hannah was exhausted. It has been a while since she underwent a physical training. She feels good, though, despite the result of their bet. She knows that she moved quicker today and her attacks were targeted.
Aaron helped her up and the physical contact stirred something inside him. Why now? He asked as he stared into her sweating face. She looks flushed, breathing heavily. It oddly reminded him of something sensual he witnessed a long time ago.
They rested outside. Aaron washed the apples and they ate them while sitting under the shade of trees. It’s refreshing. Hannah’s right. It’s the border. He could still smell the northern trees that’s familiar with him, but there’s something else mixed with it.
Hannah briefly went into the house to ask the old man for a place where they can bathe or swim. Apparently, the sound she’d been hearing is from a fall nearby.
“It’s not too high of a fall, not too wide, either. You can reach it on foot.”
And so, she told Aaron. They brought a change of clothes and went on their way. The sound got louder as they came closer. She won’t consider it as noise, it sounds nice to her ears.
“You go first. I’ll keep watch.”
“Why can’t we go together?” She nonchalantly asked before a different meaning came to mind. She flushed. She kept doing a lot of that, Aaron noted. He inwardly smiled.
“Go first.” He gently nudged her forward. She fled quickly and found a space behind a huge rock. There are a lot of big rocks piled on the side of the stream.
She bathed with her clothes on. She brought some tin containers with liquid soap, made from flower extracts. This be the source of the scent Aaron smelled previously. She quickly washed her hair and thought long and hard whether to remove her clothes before lathering her body with the soap. Aaron wouldn’t dare peek on her. She chuckled as she removed the last piece.
“What’s funny?” His voice floated over the sound of the falling waters.
She immediately lowered her body under the water. “Nothing.”
She felt a little bold at being naked outdoors.
When the water upstream flowed downwards, Aaron was able to discern the floral scent from the water. It smells nice. Nothing overpowering.
He glanced at the rock concealing her. He can almost see the crown of her head earlier.
“Can I soak a few minutes more?” She asked, wanting to enjoy the water. She estimates there’s still a couple of hours before sundown.
“Go ahead.” His reply came without reservation. Aaron would appreciate a good bath in this water. He learned to swim on a river. Actually, he’d been soaking his feet all this time already. The water feels cool.
She dried herself before wearing new clothes. Her hair couldn’t be dried completely, though.
“Your turn.” She appeared while still rubbing her hair.
Aaron frowned her way. “Can I take a swim?”
“Go ahead.” She smiled, but then sobered when he took off his upper clothes and pulled his pants down. Her gaze was riveted on him. She likes the built of his body. Not muscular, but not skinny either.
He was wearing shorts underneath and he prepared to dive into the water. There was a splash of water, but it didn’t reach her position. She put her used clothes down before stepping into the stones, barefoot. She wanted to watch him. She sat where he used to sit and let her feet soak. She envies him. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know how to swim. A tragedy. She tried but she just couldn’t seem to get the hang of it.
She propped her head on her hands, leaning a bit forward as her sight follows his movements.
A refreshing bath makes her feel relaxed, this environment, too. Fresh air. The smell of grass and leaves. The sunlight through the trees and on the water was beautiful.
It has been a while since she had time to admire nature.
She spaced out for a bit and was startled when Aaron popped up in front of her.
He noticed her gaze on his body and he got conscious.
“Haven’t seen one before?” Where did he hear that phrase being used? He just thought it could be applied in this situation.
Hannah blushed before explaining, “It’s usual for warriors to train without their upper clothing.”
“Seen many men’s upper bodies, then?” He frowned at the thought.
“In a way.” Yeah, she’d seen them training but she’s usually quite far.
Her answer didn’t sit right with Aaron. It irritated him. As he pulled himself out of the water, she was startled again. When she stood, she inadvertently slipped on the stone. She let out a shriek.
“Hey…” He was unable to catch her in time. She fell into the water and gasped. Thankfully, her feet were touching another stone below the water. She’s not going to drown, but she’s drenched.
“What are you doing?” Aaron offered a hand to help her up, unsure whether she would forgive him if he laughs. His tone says his emotion, though.
When he looked her over, he swallowed hard before looking away. Her dress was made from thin material. If would seem her chemise as well. The fabric clung closely to her body and exposed its shape to him. Even her chest area… he could even note that she has healthy breasts. His body got heated, then he was surprised at his body’s reaction to the sight of hers.
Hannah shivered before noticing the state of her clothes. She quickly covered her body with her arms.
Aaron picked up his cloak and handed it to her. Noticing her clumsy attempts to wear it, he helped her into it. And to make sure she won’t meet another accident, he guided her into the soft ground.
“Wait here.” He went back to get his clean clothes and change. She won’t suddenly turn around, right?
They were silent as they safely returned to the old man’s house. Both were flustered, Hannah more than Aaron.
- Writer
