Chapter Sixteen

I easily walked through the forest, finding my footing as I picked my way over tree roots and rocks. I thought it'd be harder to traverse, considering my injuries hadn't fully healed, but so far I'd been able to move without an issue.

I looked around the forest, gazing up and the trees and down through the undergrowth. This was a different area than I was used to, so it'd be best to stay as close to the edge of the forest as possible. One could easily get lost in this vast expanse of plant life. If I remember correctly, the Forsaken Forest stretched all across the expanse of the Craggy Mountains, almost acting like a barrier to keep humans from crossing them. Of course, our kind always found a way to defy that unspoken warning. 

As I looked around, I found some of what I was looking for. Little clusters of medicinal herbs and plants sprung up everywhere, coming back to life after the harsh winter. They were actually widespread in the forest, as long as you were brave enough to go in and look for them. I gently picked what I would need for the journey and continued my little quest in hopes of finding something to eat. 

I continued my quest in hopes of finding something to eat, but everywhere I looked, all of the fruit and nut-bearing trees were dormant. Oh, well. I suppose I'll have to do without.

As I turned and picked my way back to the entrance, I noticed something strange. I stood perfectly still. There was something eerie about the forest here. It was... quiet. I turned my head from one side to another, scanning the trees. There were creatures making noise. No birds, insects, or even any nymphs. That was truly unusual. Perhaps the nymphs around here were nervous about humans. I could understand that much at least. But it was just so odd not even to see some of them poking around curiously.

The silence was unsettling. I quickly made my way out of the forest and walked back into camp. Something about being in there right now didn't feel right. It didn't feel dangerous, but I still didn't like it, the feeling of being watched when no one was around.

As I walked back into the camp, the knights lifted their heads and looked at me curiously. Did they seriously think I wouldn't come back? I rolled my eyes and sat by the campfire they had started. It was cold and I couldn't get too close with how many people were around but its warmth radiated through the night.

Soon, everyone resumed their conversations without paying me much attention. Good. I preferred it that way. I settled into a little spot against a large rock and watched the fire send sparks up into the night. The sound of the knight's laughter and conversation filled the air. Are they ever quiet, I wonder? No, I don't suppose they would be. Knights are well known for their camaraderie and boisterous personalities. 

Almost as if he could read my mind, Husk abruptly sat down next to me, startling me out of my thoughts. I didn't even notice him approach. "They're a loud bunch, huh," he asked, his face still split with a smile. 

I shrugged. Maybe if I don't give him much of an answer, he'll take the hint that I'd rather be alone and go away. I was sorely mistaken.

Husk stretched out his legs and leaned against the rock beside me, arms crossed beneath his head. "They may be loud, but they're good men. Maybe you should try talking to some of them?"

Who does he think he's kidding? If any of these men other than him were interested in talking to me, I'm sure they would have done so by now. 

Taking my silence as an invitation to keep talking, Husk continues. "Besides that though, what did you manage to find in that horrendous forest?" He picked up my bag and started rifling through the herbs I had collected. "Wow, how did you manage to find all of these in such a short period of time? You couldn't have been gone for more than an hour!"

As he continued looking through the herbs, all I could do was shrug again. I've always had a talent for finding herbs, even in the most unlikely of conditions.

Husk looked at me skeptically, then leaned in close, speaking quietly. "Tell me, you're part fae, aren't you? That's the reason you have such a way with the forest."

I turned to look at him fully, disbelief at his words written all over my face. "How could I be part fae?! I'd be far prettier if that were the case." 

His face lit up as he laughed. "Oh come now, I'm just teasing. Besides, I think you're pretty enough to pass as a fairy. Or maybe even an elf, if you smiled every once in a while." Husk winked at me and grinned as he said this.

Despite his jest, my face lit up with a flaming blush. "I don't think my looks, or expressions, warrant comments from you. It'd be best if you minded your own business." I turned away from him so that he wouldn't see how red my face was. 

This solicited another booming laugh from him. A few of the other knights looked over, curious as to what I could have said to make him laugh so hard. However their curiosity was short-lived. Husk was the type to laugh at almost anything, it seemed. "Oh, come now, little Amelia! How can I mind my own business when you're such an interesting person? Besides," He reaches over and grabs a small bundle from beside him that I hadn't noticed before. "I thought you might be hungry. You don't seem to have found any food in that forest of yours."

I rolled my eyes. "You are correct that I didn't find food, but I don't take handouts. I thank you for your generosity, but as I told your lieutenant, I will fend for myself." 

Husk grew serious for a moment. "Listen, eating is important. You've been walking all day and tomorrow will be more of the same. Besides, where we're going, you will need all of your strength. How can you expect to heal others with a frail body?" He leaned in close again before finishing, "And your wounds won't heal properly if you're malnourished."

I look at him, astonished. I know I'm not fully healed, but the worst of the wounds are hidden by my clothing. How could he tell? I haven't even been limping, as far as I'm aware. 

Husk takes one of my hands in his, facing my palm upward with a surprisingly gentle touch. He places the small bundle of food in my hand. "A soldier is trained to notice these kinds of things. I won't ask how you got hurt so seriously, but I do ask that you take care of yourself. All of our lives are in your hands now, Amelia." He let go of my hand and laid back against the rock. He didn't say much else the rest of the night but didn't leave my side either.

My chest was tight. Since my mother passed away, no one has bothered to care if I was paying proper mind to my own health. It was... A nice feeling, if I'm being honest. Although, it is a bit suspicious that I man I just met today was being so kind. Was it just in his nature, or was he trying to get me to lower my guard?

I placed the food in my sack, feeling Husk's disapproving gaze on me, and continued to stare into the fire as it burned down. My mind raced with thoughts of Husk's words and gentle touch until I dozed off.