Already Been Too Much Blood

Heron's mind suddenly hurt and his memory was assaulted with images and people he had never seen before.

It was like his entire world had turned upside down as he viewed life from someone else's eyes.

Growing up in a small village, learning the arts of hunting from an old respected trap master, watching the trap master being executed for a crime he did not commit. Leaving the village, meeting Sun, starting work as a mercenary. All the woman's life who stood in front of him flashed before his eyes.

Elswyth's eyes widened and she yanked her hand back. "W-what just happened!?"

He shook his head in bewilderment. He felt off balance with what had just transpired. He was not even sure what that was so how could he even begin to explain it to her.

Then suddenly she frowned as if confused, "Wait. You're a wizard? Aren't you the prince of

Amriel!?"

So apparently it had not just been him who had seen into her soul but she also saw his life. This was not something he had planned on. But he could roll with it. With a sigh he posed one question to her, "Your point?"

She seemed flabbergasted that he had brushed it off. Not that he could blame her surprise, it was not exactly hidden how his family viewed magic.

She said nothing and just stared at him and then she began laughing. Her laugh was not a happy one but was instead at the absurdity of what she had just learned.

He shrugged, not really caring and looked around. They were surrounded by dead bodies. He assumed it was her handiwork. He was glad that she had not gotten hurt when rescuing him as he did not want that on his conscience. He already had too much blood that had been spilled in his defense. It really was not worth it.

He did not like the idea of other people dying for him. It was alright for them to protect him just as long as they did not get themselves killed doing so.

He turned and walked away, heading for the door. She was not following him, still in there with the dead bodies. He did not think anything of it until his legs froze up just as he reached the door leading outside.

Bewildered by the fact that his body was refusing to move outside he froze in place. Before he could think much on it Elswyth had made her way back to this room and she cocked an eyebrow at him, "Well, I am glad that you've learned not to run off. Don't worry, Your Highness, I'll keep you safe. Just stick with me."

He frowned at her. He really, really hated being called by a title. It always made him feel like people were subconsciously pushing him away. Or even deliberately at times. He sighed and walked outside without even thinking of that oddity from before.

They headed back to the inn in silence as he had left some things there as he had not been expecting to pull a disappearing act.

Heron felt a wave of homesickness crash over him. He felt rather alone even though this ranger was walking right next to him. He especially missed Hazel and wondered what she was doing.

Probably messing with Asrar. The thought brought a smile to his face. That relationship was worth protecting. Someday, he would make sure to get that knight as his brother-in-law. No other male could possibly deserve his baby sister's hand and adoration.

He would surprise his sister by making sure she would be able to have the guy she was crushing so hard on. This was his main goal in life, taking care of any issues that would get in the way of his baby sister's happiness.

If he could not even do that then what use was he? Of course, it would take time and a lot of effort but he would give it his all.

After they grabbed his stuff they left, heading for the center of Jarenkul. They still had that quiet between them but he was aware that Elswyth seemed less hostile towards him. He figured that she had decided, after seeing into his memories, that he was more decent than what she had been thinking.