The Offer

Scarlett became sensitive to Elestria's every expression as she watched Keir. The man was handsome, muscular, had a bright smile, and was friendly. Still, Scarlett didn't accept his presence.

Keir returned to the cave after a few minutes. He was carrying many slightly wet twigs. He arranged for them to wait for the water content to reduce.

Elestria sat in silence. She was lost in her first encounter with Keir. Speaking of Keir on this mountain, she remembered that strange and magical scent. She knew for sure that the scent was not from him. Could it be a spy?

"Did someone know you were here on such a cold day?"

Elestria gasped. "I do... not. Lusi doesn't come to the boutique and I... don't know where she lives." She explained shyly.

"You're alone," Elestria said, "aren't warriors always in groups?"

Keir left the line of branches. He sat in front of Elestria after removing his wet cloak. "Not always. I heard the other day that you saved Lusi. Being brave isn't easy."

"That... well I hope it's not more famous than the previous. It was a stressful situation."

"You said you wanted to be a palace soldier, right?" Keir looked at her with a slight smile. His eyes curved slightly.

"I did. Why?"

"Let me ask you this. What do you lose if you say it?"

Elestria was stunned. She started to get dizzy thinking of the answer to the riddle. The thing that would lose if she said it was probably money. 

Keir waited patiently. The time that passed didn't matter. As long as the rain wasn't over, he would keep waiting.

"The thing that's losing if I say it's.... is... a secret?" Her eyes lit up as she looked at him.

"That's right. You're good at keeping it?"

"I'm very good at keeping secrets!" She declared with fervor although she often forgot the secrets that were told to her.

Keir rubbed his hair. The dark hair had become floppy, but to Elestria it was even more tempting. It's still a pity they're not a couple, she thought.

"Stop your delulu, fool!" Scarlett scolded.

"There's a position in the warrior team. You fit the criteria." Keir considered what to say next. He had heard that the girl was strong, but not patient enough.

"One more thing, can you tell the difference between ingredients?"

Elestria nodded.

"If you accept this, you must promise not to tell outsiders."

"Why?"

"It's your secret. It will be lost if you tell."

Elestria began to understand. She would lose this offer if she didn't hold her tongue. She then nodded.

***

Unsystematically arranged branches have been burnt by orange and yellowish flames. The water from the sky hasn't finished falling. It was at this moment that the coldest winds took refuge in the cave.

Elestria shifted closer to the flame after trembling from the cold. The tip of her nose and face became warm, but her back didn't. She needed to turn around several times like a roasted chicken.

Keir looked at the cave door. His eyesight was sharp enough to recognize every building in the city. The city was like a miniature when viewed from above.

Elestria watched the man's back. Her cheeks were red from the heat of the fire. She was curious because Keir didn't seem to be cold. She was about to ask.

Scarlett warned, "I'll complain to our mate about what you did. You'll see what punishment awaits you."

"That's ambiguous."

"Not if you keep your mind straight."

Scarlett and Elestria agreed about the ambiguous matter. They were only pointing fingers at each other to protect themselves.

"Keir," called Elestria after a period of silence.

He turned round.

"What duties would I perform for that position? Is it cooking?"

"Almost, but I don't think so."

"Growing food?"

"No."

Elestria's eyes flickered in curiosity. 

"You'll find out when you go to the knight's camp on Sunday after lunch."

Her hand scratched her cheek. Riddles aside, Keir likes to make challenges, Elestria thought. She then nodded.

***

They descend the mountain at dusk. The rain is still present, but not as heavy as last time. Elestria walked in front, while Keir watched her from behind.

Keir watched the thin legs tread carefully on the ground. Her body was even smaller. With that size, she was determined to find her mate to the ends of the earth, perhaps.

Elestria squinted. She watched the soft ground she was about to step on. Once sure, she placed her foot there. However, she slipped.

Keir's right hand caught her right arm. He slipped as well. They rolled together on the slippery, steep path. They stopped when Keir's back hit a tree trunk.

Elestria hurriedly sat up. Her mouth was wide open to see Keir's condition. Both of her hands were about to grab his shoulders. Suddenly, that tantalizing foreign scent passed by.

Elestria immediately looked back. She looked to the right, left, front, and bottom. Nothing.

Keir woke up and grimaced. Elestria's attention immediately fell on him. She helped him up. Then, they continued their journey using wooden sticks.

***

"General, what do you think?"

A brown-hooded man approached the edge of the cliff. He looked up at his general's ever-cold face. Then, he looked at the ground below. There was a pair of wolves coming down the mountain.

"A pair of lovers," he whispered. then smiled softly.

A growl stung his right ear. He swallowed nervously. He changed the topic, "The capital is guarded from all directions, but each side has its strength. I thought we could attack the weak?"

The general removed his hood. His jaw creaked like an old door in a dirty room. His eyes were red and fixed on the small body walking in front of Keir. They walked together by holding the wooden stick.

"General?" His man called out with a stutter.

"No need to attack," he replied coldly. His whole body shuddered from his own emotions. His eyes were still targeting Elestria's back. She was getting farther away as her scent thinned.

The man turned around. His sturdy feet stomped on the ground like annoying insects.

"General, what do you mean?" His men gave chase.