I’m mass scheduling these so I can’t really personalise them. However I can say whatever happened this week wasn’t my fault. I promise.

Also the pacing on this story is kinda weird so I do have to work on it when I actually edit.

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Chapter 5

We found Kat not far away watching the fight from a tree. She hadn’t dared to jump down in case she drew any of their attention. But despite her concerns we managed to get out of the forest without being noticed. The walk back to camp as we were constantly on guard every sound, we heard raising alarm.

When we eventually got back to camp Lauren and Dr Allen were stood there waiting for us. They were not happy we had snuck out without telling anyone and were especially hard on Kat as she is the oldest. We didn’t even tell them about us seeing a fight out there as we knew we’d just get yelled at more. Kat ended up breaking down as soon as we went back to our tent sobbing into Raines shoulder as he held her.

The next day I woke up at the crack of dawn to Raine getting up through my hazy eyes I could see he had his sword with him as he left the tent. I rolled over to look over at Kat who was still fast asleep strands of her hair clung to her face as she lightly snored. A single strand moved back and forth in the air as she breathed making me giggle to myself.

I don’t know when I drifted back off but when I next awoke it was to Lauren making her way into the tent the sunlight streaming in from outside. Birds chirped loudly outside as she let the flap fall back into place; Kat groaned from her side of the room as she sat up moving the hair from her face. She looked around her eyes eventually landing on her mother as she stood up to get dressed.

“Where’s Raine?” Lauren asked as she headed over to the back of the tent where we kept all the bags.

“No clue I saw him leave really early this morning.” I replied pulling on a pair of black pants and a loose shirt. Lauren came over with a comb laughing and telling me to sit down so she could sort my hair out. I swear I’m never going to be able to control it no matter how short I cut it, it just sticks up weirdly and doesn’t comb right. Kat on the other hand she recently grew hers out and she’s found it so much easier to manage. Other than those weird stages she seems to be able to always know what will look good. 

Kat stood there brushing her own hair making fun of me for needing help as Lauren finished combing through it. She patted my head as I stood up and Kat took the opportunity to ruffle my hair laughing all the while. I laughed as well finding it quite funny as I ran away from her.

###

Raine never showed up for breakfast and no one we asked knew where he was, so we just left it he probably had something to do. Kat and I decided we would head down to the guards training field to spar and let some steam off. We didn’t have anything better to do today everyone was still healing and no one wanted to go far in case something happened again. Rumours were circulating that the nobility had heard about us and if that was the case, we didn’t know what would happen.

Kat and I had spoke a bit about what might happen over the past few days I was worried, and she tried help to calm me. Raine did try but he didn’t really understand what’s going on or the repercussions of the nobles getting involved with us.

We arrived at the field seeing it was mostly empty bar a few of the guards who were sparring or practicing their archery. I looked at Kat who slid down the gravel embankment that looked over the field. I followed her down and we headed over to one of the large rectangle outlines in the corner of the field a couple of the guards stopped to look at us but let us get on with it.

I drew my sword preparing for the fight as Kat followed suit at the other on of our arena. I took a deep breath even with this being a sparring match it was still serious. I closed my eyes took another breath opened them and looked at my friend. She gave me a nod them we began the count.

“3…”

“2…”

“1..”

There is no words that could describe the speed at which Kat moved as the last word left my lips. Within moments I was dodging out of the way of heavy-handed strikes as she tried to disarm me. While her movement itself was graceful her attacks were heavy and lacked finesse something she has always struggled with.

I dodged out of the way of another strike as her sword swung by my face just grazing the skin. I felt the warmth of blood start to drip from my cheek as she backed off slightly a look of regret crossing her. “You’re on!” I yelled laughing as I ran towards her.

I swung my sword at her clanging into hers as she blocked me I shoved her back watching as she stumbled I took another swing at her this one knocking the sword from her.

She dodged away from me grabbing her sword as she ran from me laughing.

A few of the guards had stopped to watch us by this point seeming to find the scene funny and I wasn’t afraid to put on a show. I dodged out the way of another attack noticing Kats stance was off. I kicked her legs from underneath her and use my other foot to pin her down. The moment she hit the ground there was a high pitch squeal followed by both of our laughter.

“I win” I said through the laughter looking down at her.

“You win.” She repeated pushing my food off her chest as she sat up looking around. Her face went a deep red when she realised, we had an audience.

I laughed down at her about to move away as I was tackled away from her. I was knocked a couple feet back by the figure, I gripped my sword steadying myself. Looking up I saw Raine stood in front of Kat amused his sword drawn and his hair messy. “Ready for round two?” He asked as Kat stood up behind him.

I nodded the tension in my shoulders returning as I readied myself for the fight. Raine is an amazing fighter and both together I could never win. I shifted from foot to foot as Raine charged at me he swung at my blade jolting my arms. My muscles ached as I continued to push against him Kat coming at me from the side.

I dodged out of the way panting as I backed away from them the cold air burning in my lungs. I looked around the surrounding guards were cheering more gathering to watch the commotion. Lowering myself I moved under another swing tackling Raine. I barely budged him before Kat pushed me off her sword coming to my chest pinning me.

“Who’s the winner now?” She asked with a smirk, Raine came up behind her laughing as he looked down at me.

“I still beat you Kat!” I pushed the sword away standing up. I sheathed my blade as I turned back to Raine, “Also two V one isn’t very fair dude.”

The other two put their weapons away the crowd slowly dispersing, “Where were you this morning?” Kat asked turning to Raine.

He just shrugged waving someone over to us before responding, “I went out for a while and I’m glad I did I got to meet Ripley’s mysterious visitor.”

I looked the hooded figure up and down trying to figure out who it was. The dark cloak that they wore hung loosely around then a golden clap securing it at the shoulder. The clasp of a symbol I recognised however couldn’t pinpoint. A deep purple dress showed from the lower areas of the cloak the vibrance showing against the black cloak.

Who could this be? Mysterious visitor I don’t know who came to see me it could have been anyone. Maybe it was her? I mean it could have been Dorine, but she’s never taken the time to come find me. Would it be Alexis? No, she was just being nice right?

I guess I was staring because I was knocked out of my train of thought by Kat hitting me ‘round the back of the head. I looked up to see that the person I had been staring at was in fact Alexis and that a deep blush had begun to spread across her cheeks.

“Oh my god I’m so sorry I was trying to figure out who you were and I!” I spluttered out putting my head down.

I stood counting the blades of grass below my feet drifting further into my mind. Everyone sounded distant as they spoke around me. I tried to pay attention but struggled to take anything in. Wait why does she hide her face? Is there a reason I mean she keeps trying to hide it from everyone. Is she a criminal?

 A pair of fingers clicked in front of my eyes the loud click echoing in my ears as I flinched back.

“Are you okay Ripley?” Alexis asked her hand coming to touch my cheek a worried look on her face.

“Yeah… Yeah, I’m fine.” I replied nodding to her, shifting from foot to foot. “Actually, could we talk?” My voice was barely a whisper, and I wasn’t sure if she’d heard me. After not getting a response, I grabbed her hand and began to pull her away. She surprisingly didn’t try to stop me and just followed me back.  I dragged her away heading back to camp I wanted to talk in private and the tent was the only that I knew was completely private.

###

I pulled her into the tent hearing a gasp as she took in her surroundings. I turned around letting go of her hand watching for a moment as she looked around the tent before a cloud of fear took over her expression. I stepped back and put my hand up and dropping my head slightly, “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” I spoke softly watching as she worked through the emotions. 

She slowly stepped towards me grabbing one of my hands with a smile, “Warn me next time, please.” if not for our proximity I wouldn’t have heard her small whisper. She stood there a moment her warm breath caressing my cheek as I kept my eyes trained on the ground as if moving may break the moment. 

Stepping away Alexis found her way to Kat’s hammock sitting down and grinning at me. I, no doubt looked a disgruntled mess but took a seat on my own sleeping bag watching her. We sat in silence a moment as I looked up at her trying to find the words to say as she let her hood come down in the privacy of the tent, “What did you wish to speak to me about?” She asked breaking the silence. 

“I should be asking you the same thing. Why are you here?” I asked laughing slightly pausing when she began to look worried again, “Not that it’s a bad thing I’m just confused is all.” She physically seemed to calm at the smiling at me, and she moved her hand to grab something under her cloak. 

A heavy pouch dropped in front of me as she spoke again, “ I wanted to pay you back for the other day.” I shook my head laughing slightly as I grabbed the pouch. Stood up and walked to her placing it back in her hand with a smile. 

“You are not paying me for that it was an apology and my pleasure to take you out.” at that I took my chance pulling her into a hug making sure not to hold her too tight. She started to try and argue with me, but I shushed her looking into her eyes. “If you feel so strongly about it then take me out sometime, but I will not take your coin.”

She sighed putting the pouch back under her cloak and lowering her head her shoes seeming to become infinitely more interesting than the current conversation. I knelt before her looking up at her, ocean blue eyes stared back at me with a hint of amusement but also maybe fear. I moved back sensing the tension growing sitting back on my sleeping bag. 

“Are you scared of me?” I asked quietly not wanting to hear the answer but needing to know. I watched her shift nervously on the hammock before it tipped slightly making her jump. “Careful last thing we need is you getting hurt.” I said laughing slightly as she glared at me steadying herself. 

“No.” She said quietly pulling her hood back up her eyes trained on the ground. 

“Then why do you look nervous and why when I meet your eyes do you look scared.” I asked watching for a moment as she continued to stare at the ground before getting up. 

“I need some fresh air and my parents will expect me home soon.” She said glancing at me for a moment before she walked away leaving me in the tent alone. I didn’t follow her. I don’t know why I didn’t, but she left without so much as a goodbye. 

###

I sat there on my sleeping bag my knees pulled into my chest for I don’t know how long. I was scared had I hurt her? Was she scared of me? What did I do wrong, and how do I fix it? For some unknown reason this girl I’d met mere days ago had managed to push her way into my mind and take up so much space it became suffocating. My throat felt tight as I questioned what this girl was to me tears threatening to spill as I glanced around the room. 

The thoughts clogged my brain like a thick fog, my lungs beginning to burn as I finally let the tears fall. No doubt considerable sobs building in the back of my throat as the fog thickened the thoughts becoming distant memories as my eyes went hazy and dark. As black dots began to fill my vision the tent was filled with light and someone rushed in front of me, but it was too late. 

I groaned as light hit my face urging me to move away from it, but my body wouldn’t move a heaviness forcing my limbs down. My ribs ached too much for me to try to force it and my throat was raw. I needed water, but I couldn’t get up to get it I tried to shift slightly letting out another frustrated groan having only accomplished knocking of whatever was providing warmth. 

I felt something shift beside me shift then the weight from my body lifted as I was once again wrapped in heat. I opened my eyes looking to see who was with me and almost cried seeing it was the girl whose existence had caused this. I closed my eyes dropping my head further into the pillows feeling her eyes on me. 

“Do you need anything?” She asked worry breaking into her voice as I felt her shift above me. I groaned and pointed at my throat to which she silently went and got me some water. She allowed me to drink before sitting back down beside me, I kept my eyes trained on the top of the tent as she slowly stroked my cheek. “Are you ok?” She asked looking down into my eyes however I refused to look back. 

“I’m fine. It just sometimes happens you don’t need to worry about it.” I whispered my throat burning with every word as tears began to brim my eyes. Seeing this she moved to wipe the tears away shushing me gently. 

“I am going to worry about it but for now I think you need to rest.” She said, and I nodded knowing that fighting her on this would just hurt me. Especially if she went and got Lauren she wouldn’t take no for an answer, and she’d make me explain it. Before I could close my eyes though Alexis turned my head to look at her worry no, I think it was fear that showed on her face as she spoke to me again, “May I stay here until I know that you are feeling better?” 

I looked at her incredulously before letting out a low hoarse laugh, “You have me under you wrapped in your cloak, and you only now question your place?” My laugh made her fear worse as she moved away slightly looking somewhat regretful, “Alexis, please stay.” I whispered reaching out to her and grabbing her hand lightly. 

I yawned as my eyes closed again my body becoming heavy as I let myself succumb to sleep.