“Blos, isn't this a bit extreme? Could we just wait until he wakes up?” “No.” said Blossom while she was throwing a bucket of water at Cos, who was sleeping in his bed. He immediately woke up. He was in shock and all wet. “AAAH!” he yelled. Blossom threw a towel in his face. “You scream like a little girl.” Cos grabbed the towel and started to dry himself. “It's like four in the morning, Blossom!” “Two..” said Amethyst quietly. “TWO?” Cos looked grumpy. “Avalon is missing, Cos.” His expression instantly changed to concerned. “Oh..” He went out of his bed. “Give me five minutes.” Blossom rolled with her eyes, knowing five meant actually ten minute. “Just hurry.” Cos nodded and went into the bathroom. “So, what do you know?” he asked while he was getting ready. Blossom leaned against the bathroom door. “A dead Highlander somehow kidnapped him and now he's gone. Off the radar.” “And you want to find him how?”

 Invade people's minds, duhh - Really, Blossom…

“I guess, she gave you an answer.” laughed Amethyst. “Yeaaah! Invading my privacy!” The girls laughed. “I feel your pain. She always invades mine too!” He opened the door. Blossom almost fell. She checked him out from top till toe. Cos was wearing his blue suit as usual with his brown hair behind him in a ponytail. “So, where are going to?” Blossom looked away while Cos grabbed his sword and put it in its holder. “Easy, out of The Hills.” said Blossom. “You're sure that he's out of The Hills?” Blossom nodded. “Yes, the dead Highlander was found outside The Hills. They must keep dad somewhere in Highland for whatever reason..”

Somewhere

Avalon was tied up to a tree. He and his kidnapper were in the midden of nowhere. The elf-man put the towel out of Avalon's mouth. He gave Avalon some water and then the assassin started to make a small fire. He grabbed a sandwich out of his bag and started eating it. Avalon just observed him. The assassin wore a ninja suit mixed between grey, light blue and dark blue tints. He had his long blue-ish hair covering some parts of his face. Avalon noticed his amulet that occasionally showed through his suit.

“Why are you doing this, lad?” asked Avalon after a few minutes had passed. He looked at Avalon but said nothing. He ignored Avalon and continued eating. “The dead guy-” “Hans.” “Right, Hans the Highlander. Hans said The Wind wants me dead. I assume you work for them too.” “Yes and no.” Avalon nodded. “I'm still alive.” “Keyword, still.” “Listen lad, just get it done.” “I could have.” Avalon was intrigued. “Care to explain?” “I was in your room. You were sleeping next to your wife. I could have done it then. I am giving you a better death than you deserve!” he yelled. “Really now?! I deserve worse?! What about that Baldwin you so worship?!” The assassin tried to keep his cool. “Do you really think he is better than me?!” yelled Avalon. “Yeah, I noticed the amulet.” he added in a calmer tone. The assassin put down his half eaten sandwich, walked up to Avalon and whispered in his ears; “No, not at all.” He looked away for a second. He was thinking about something. “You're still wearing his precious amulet.” He slapped Avalon in the face. Avalon spit on the ground. “My informants said only a few elves walk around with that amulet like yours.” He walked back and continued eating his sandwich.

“You're him. Tall. Blue hair. Excellent killer.” Avalon laughed a little. “Although, I'm still trying to figure out why you haven't killed me yet.” “Who am I then?” asked the assassin with some sort of kindness. “Hiro. The Winds best assassin. You killed a lot of my men. Made you pretty famous in Eviona, lad.” Hiro nodded. “And soon you will be one of them.” He looked Avalon in the eye. “Why am I alive, Hiro?” He threw a small blade next to Avalon's long white hair. “No more questions.” Hiro blew out the fire.

Highland

Blossom was walking ahead. She was determined on finding their father. “Psst, Amethyst.” whispered Cos. “Huh?” Amethyst glanced at Cos for second. He looked less confident than how he normally was. “Did she..” “Cos?” Cos stopped walking. Amethyst did so too. “Forget I said something.” Cos looked in conflict with himself. Amethyst wondered what was going between Blossom and Cos. “Hey! We are not having breaks until we are in the centre of The Hills!” yelled Blossom who had noticed they got behind. “We are coming!” they yelled. As Blossom was waiting for them to catch up, she thought a lot.

Why did they stop? What were they talking about? Why did he say to Amethyst, MY little sister?

“You good?” asked Cos when they were caught up. Blossom blinked with her eyes. “Yeah…totally!”

They kept walking through The Hills for several hours. Amethyst had never went to this part of The Hills. Usually, she would stay in High Hill, as her father wished. However, Blossom often sneaked out High Hill. She always wanted to go on adventures like Avalon did in his younger days. She felt like that was the only way to make her father proud. And now, she felt like she had failed him in every way and only Amethyst, his bastard, was making him proud. She had to find their father.

They had arrived at an inn by the time it was five in the morning. Surprisingly, it was open for 24 hours every day. Finally, Blossom admitted it was time for a break. The elves went inside.

“Three rooms, please.” said Blossom at the elf behind the counter. “We only have two left, you’re kinda late.” Blossom smiled. “Two rooms then.” “Fill in the registration form.” said the elf has he handed it over. Quickly, she filled it in. “There, happy now?” “That will be fifty coins, miss…” The elf read the registration name. “..Oakson.” Blossom handed over the coins, took over the two keys and they went upstairs. “You used THAT name?” whispered Amethyst when they had arrived at their rooms. Blossom nodded. “None of these elves here would recognise me, Blossom Oakson, but they sure will with ours.” “That name really?” Cos was being sarcastic but he genuinely wondered. “It’s for safety reasons.” she said annoyed. “Don’t worry, I know.” He tried to cover up his curiosity. “Really?” “Really.” Amethyst had noticed the tension between them. She grabbed one of the keys out of Blossom’s hands while Blossom and Cos kept arguing. “Huh?” they both said. “I’m taking this room..” Amethyst smiled. “You two decide who is going to sleep where..” Quickly, she opened the door and went inside. Amethyst sighed.

That was awkward to watch..

4 days ago..

“You are leaving me?” said Blossom slightly upset. She was in the woods with Cos. “Only for some time, Blossom. I thought you would be happy for me since your..” “Since my arranged marriage?!” She was angry. No, pissed. “Really?! Really, Cos! You thought I would be happy because my father decided to marry me off to someone admiral’s son!” He touched her shoulder but she pulled herself away. “Blossom..” He was nervous. “No, go. Please, I insist.” “Fine, I’ll go to High Moon!” He stormed away. Quickly, she grabbed her bow and arrow, shoot next to Cos. He turned around. He looked at her. “I care, asshole.” Cos was relieved. Slowly, he walked back to her. “Do you now?” Blossom nodded. “Yes..” she said with a more calmer tone. “Your hair..” “Hmm?” He pushed the hair piece that blocked her face aside. She was blushing. “Oh…” She turned the other way, trying to hide her blush. “Thanks.” added Blossom a few seconds later. “Are you blushing, Blos?” She looked into his blue eyes. “No, not at all.” Her face was slightly red. “Liar.” he laughed. She walked away. He followed her.
“So, High Moon, huh? How did that happen?” said Blossom. She was trying to break the ice between them. Cos coughed. “My aunt sent a letter to me that I received this morning. She wants to see me for some reason. High Moon even grants me passage.” “And you’re going when?” “After your sister’s ceremony. Avalon approved it, he wants me to figure out how High Moon stands on an alliance these days.” “You’re his bitch now?” He laughed. “Very funny, Blossom.”

They walked back to High Hill. Blossom was quiet for most of the way back but then she said;

“I am sorry about earlier.” “Wow, am I getting an apology? Who are you? And what did you to do to Blossom of Highland?” joked Cos. She pushed him, he fell on the ground. Blossom laughed. “Nevermind then!” He grabbed her hand and pulled her down too. She fell on him. He looked at her. She looked at him. They were staring at each other for a few minutes but then she moved aside. “Uh..” “Hmm.” “You had to...” Blossom’s confidence had broken. She had no idea how to act or what to say. “Yeah, sorry.” smiled Cos.

Now

“I am going to..” they both said at the same time. Blossom was nervous, so was Cos. “Uhh, you go first.” said Cos. He smiled at her. “I think I am going to..”
 
Say it..

“Uh..”

Come on, Blossom.

“..sleep with Amethyst. Here.” She handed over the key to Cos. Blossom turned away and knocked on the door of the room Amethyst and her are staying in. “Thyst. Can you open up?” “I AM UNDER THE SHOWER!” she yelled so loud that you could hear her through the door. “You can, stay in my room until she’s done.” offered Cos.

Thyst, I swear to Eira, open the bloody door now. - No, I’m showering.

Cos opened the door to his room. He held the door open. “Blos?” She turned around. Blossom smiled and walked to the entrance of his room. “Yes, thank you..”