~A few days later~
Ryo begins the tough road to recovery. Able to finally get up, his left arm remains in a sling. A majority of the burns and bruises on his lower body have faded. Only bandages remain in his head and abdomen. Fresh aroma of coffee lingers throughout the house signaling the time for breakfast. At the table, Ryo and Axel sit across from each other with plates of food laid out in front of them. To the side of Ryo's dish, a spyglass, and dirty silver compass sit untouched. Around his neck the silver flame pendant hangs. Avoiding eye contact, Ryo picks up his fork to eat some of the scrambled eyes. On the other side, Axel keeps his eyes focused on Ryo’s movements, studying them.
“Is there something you would like to say to me?” Ryo keeps eating while he talks between bites.
“Are you human? Its only been a few days and your wounds are almost gone.” Axel comments back to him.
Silence builds up between them. Ryo nonchalantly places his fork back down, returning Axel’s gaze. “Aren't you going to eat?” He huffs a bit picking up his plate, placing it into the sink.
“Isn't it weird? Are you still have no memory. Probably a soldier from Lunestra coming here to cause trouble.” The accusation in Axel’s voice causes Ryo to stop his movement.
He turns back to Axel, leaning back onto the sick board, one leg cross over the front of the other. The air between them grows heavy. Ryo’s deadpan expression remains unchanged by the words. Discomfort travels through Axel’s body from his unwavering stare. “Well, I’m stuck here until I recover at least. Whether I'm a soldier or not." Ryo throws the words right back at Axel without a second thought.
Irritated between Ryo’s words and his own annoyance, Axel ruffles his hand through his bangs. “There is no way I’m staying stuck in this house with you for who knows how long.” He stands to his feet.
From the hallway, Axel throws a coat onto the kitchen table. In one quick motion, he puts on his own coat.
“And where are you going?” Ryo tries to sit down but Axel intercepts him. Ignoring personal space, he thrusts the coat into Ryo’s one good arm.
“I’m not going anywhere…alone. I’m taking the freeloader soldier in my house out. Doctor's orders remember.” Axel walks away huffing with each step he takes.
Disgruntled, Ryo glances down at the coat and shakes his head. “I'm a soldier now?”
“Its quite the hike, hope you can keep up."
Axel pulls open the front door, waiting for Ryo to exit before him. Both men step out onto the porch into the morning sun.
“Besides, I want a house standing when I get back.” Axel comments moving past Ryo, heading down the path in front of the house.
Ryo shrugs his shoulders, closing the front door and following behind Axel.
A rough stone path leads into the distant thick wooded area. Off of the coast a light breeze from the ocean washes over the area, carrying the scent of water mixed with fresh pine. Nature’s calls of small birds and animals echo from the top of the wood’s balcony in lighthearted tunes. Occasionally a few shy local deer and other herbivores make themselves known from a distance. An awkward silence builds between Axel and Ryo who remain quiet, without one word spoken between them. From behind, Ryo takes in the sights around him. His eyes follow each movement to observe the environment.
“The distance is somewhat far.” The words slip out of Ryo’s mouth.
“Told you so, not getting tired are you?” Axel tries to prompt another response from him.
“Its merely an observation that’s all.” Ryo's short answer cuts off
"That better be all it is." Axel says back to him.
The awkwardness builds, becoming even heavier than previously. Deep inside slight confusion becomes rooted into Ryo’s mind unable to understand where Axel’s hostility comes from. Their travel comes to a stop at the outer edge of the forest. In front of them several wood houses fill the area. The outer property consists of flowers and a wood perimeter fence. A large arch sign hangs across the village opening reading, “Remure” carved out in the center.
Both enter under the sign, greeted with the noise from dozens of people going about their daily business. Some take notice of their entry, waving to welcome them. However, pass those waves Ryo makes out that their smiles hide clear discomfort and uneasiness at his presence. Others completely ignore them.
“Seems like a…unique place.” Ryo says.
“Remure, a small village that keeps to itself and relies on trading with outside sources. Imports and exports are important. However, we are also able to live off the land if we need too.” Axel explains, waving to some nearby villagers.
A quick glimmer catches the corner of Ryo’s eyes, diverting his attention to a nearby merchant stall. Many small trinkets hang from tree branch-like displays. Across the counter area, bracelets and charms made from color stones lay next to each other in a neat row. Theresa from behind the counter smiles at him.
“Welcome sir, are you interested in one? Some of these are samples made by my son.” She declares proudly. Her eyes wander to see Ryo’s flame necklace around his neck. “Oh my, it seems that you already have a fine piece of craftmanship already.” She motions to his necklace.
She picks up a few bracelets. Each unique design offers a choice of metal thickness and colors depending on the pattern selected. Theresa picks out a silver pearl bracelet, in between every few pearls, a shining red stone glistens
Ryo’s mouth opens slightly but closes afterwards. He pulls himself away from the stand then leaves without saying anything to her. Theresa watches him leave. Axel comes up and bows to her.
“I’m sorry about that Theresa. I don’t think he has any manners” Axel tries to cover for Ryo’s rudeness.
Theresa smiles a bit and nods. “Its understandable. I think I may have touched a sore spot. Seems like his is conflicted."
“Conflict? Him?” Axel takes in the words with a little apprehension.
She holds out the bracelet to Axel. “Would you please give this to him? I think it would match greatly with his necklace. It is also an apology from me for prying.”
She places a similar second pearl bracelet down on the counter in front of Axel, blue stones replacing the red ones. "This one is for you. As a thank you for helping my son find these stones."
Axel's breath catches in his throat. "You didn't need to."
"Of course I did. Its not easy finding the stone used for these crafts. Your strength helped greatly." She smiles gentley.
He nods, placing the first bracelet into his pocket and hooking the second around his right wrist. A chorus of screams penetrates the air, shifting Axel's attention to the opposite side of the village. He rushes pass multiple people. Around the corner of a nearby house, Axel catches a glimpse of a unfinished home. One of the loose walls breaks free from the restraints. Villagers rush to secure the wall but its weight pulls them opposite direction, dragging their feet through the dirt. Just below a young lady cradles a crying child unable to stand back up, her foot caught in between two lumber beams.
Ropes snap one by one, and the wall falls towards the lady. Axel moves to save her, but in front him Ryo appears beside the lady. With his good arm up above his head the wall makes contact, pushing his body downward in the dirt. Through sheer will force, Ryo slowly pushes against it, stopping the wall from falling. Ryo grits his teeth in slight pain, pushing through it to move the wall to stablize it. Whispers of awe rise from the watching villagers, many impressed by Ryo's strength. Together villagers on both sides reposition and secure the wall back into its foundation using thicker ropes.
Frozen in place, Axel watches the villagers assist the lady and offer thanks to Ryo. He motions his good arm in a circle trying to stretch it outwards. Momentarily shock wears off of Axel. He strides over to Ryo and grasps his arm. “Are you crazy?!" He scolds Ryo.
“You are still an injured man! Now look at what you did!” He points to Ryo's arm, through his shirt, a red stain seeps through.
Axel takes a moment to compose himself. His sudden outburst catches Ryo by surprise.
"What have you been doing anyways? You just wandered off." Axel asks him.
Ryo completely ignores his words, still taking a look around the village. The littlest of details catches his eyes between the individuals walking and the structure of each building. Inside an unknown feeling mixed between uneasiness and sadness settles in his stomach. The laugher of children fill the afternoon air.
“A village like this…it does seem peaceful.” He walks away from Axel.
“Well, I’m gla-“ He notices Ryo's back. "Hey wait up!"
A villager comes up to Axel. "Don't be too hard, he was looking at the stables and watching the children play. He even reacted before we knew what was going on with that wall. Amazing isn't it." He bows to Axel and heads back to work. "Remember to thank him again for us."
Axel left confused, turns to catch up to Ryo. At the village entrance, he stops Ryo mid stride.
"Hey, I almost forgot.” He pulls out the bracelet that Theresa gave him earlier. “This is for you from that woman earlier. She said it was as an apology.” He holds out his hand, the bracelet dangling from it.
Moments pass before Ryo reaches out taking it from Axel. He glances at it for a few moments, closes his eyes then places it into his back pocket. Once again ignoring personal space, Axel goes up to Ryo and points his index finger at Ryo’s chest.
“I don’t know what’s going on but be sure to thank her later. She is a nice person and doesn’t deserve any cold shoulders.” Axel lectures to him.
Axel turns his heels and strides out of the village. Ryo lifts up his good arm, scratches just under his chin in thought, "Full of surprises, aren't you."
Both men make the long journey back to Axel's house for the night.
Comments (1)
See all