Eliad had walked to his camp once again after talking with Jonnathan and then Ardynn afterwards. Though, Eliad, not wanting for Ardynn to know of Aleixo’s…condition, said nothing about him. Eliad set a pack down before moving to join Aleixo. Aleixo laid against the tree, bound with his eyes closed.
“How are you doing?” asked Eliad.
“Alei doing alright,” smiled Aleixo, opening his eyes. “How Eliad?”
“Ah…,” said Eliad, moving to sit down next to Aleixo. “Could be better… I saw Ardynn earlier…”
“She hate Alei..?” frowned Aleixo, lowering his head.
“I think more concerned about you is the proper term,” answered Eliad, shaking his head while looking at him.
“Alei feel bad thing get stronger…everyday…,” said Aleixo, sighing. “Alei scared…”
“That thing won’t win in the end, Alei,” said Eliad, moving to pat Aleixo’s back gently. “I promise.”
“Alei thank Eliad…,” said Aleixo, nodding slowly. “Eliad only just met Alei and be so kind… Treat like family… Alei want give Eliad mark of brotherhood… If Eliad want, of course. Most sacred mark in Alei clan, mean die for, mean live for, me brother to Eliad from this life, and in valley of stars, Alei want Eliad to be brother…”
Eliad kept his gaze on him. Quite frankly, he was surprised of Aleixo’s decision.
“Of course,” smiled Eliad, nodding. “You’re a sibling-figure that I haven’t had before, Alei.”
Aleixo smiled wide at Eliad’s words.
“Can Eliad make fire?” asked Aleixo. “Must do ceremony for brotherhood…”
“Of course,” answered Eliad, nodding.
He stood up so he could grab some of the firewood near the tree and grabbed the flint from the pack. Aleixo leaned back against the tree, waiting patiently while still bound by the rope. Eliad stood up after he grabbed the materials before walking back towards Alei, crouching as he set the materials down so he could start the fire. Aleixo watched for a moment, waiting for the fire to be started.
“Now, when Eliad make fire, must take headband off Alei head and throw in fire to get metal band hot,” said Aleixo.
“Are you sure?” asked Eliad, glancing over towards Alei as he worked on the flames. “I mean, I wouldn’t want to damage your headband…”
“This headband for ceremony,” answered Aleixo, nodding. “Only use one time in life. Alei chose Eliad for brother…”
Eliad kept his gaze on Aleixo for a little while before nodding. After a few more tries, he finally lit the fire.
“Take Alei headband,” said Aleixo. “Alei can’t do since Alei is tied up.”
Eliad nodded once again and used his hands to take the headband off of Aleixo’s head.
“Throw in fire till hot,” said Aleixo. “Then place metal on Eliad forearm, then do same to Alei…”
“Does it matter which arm?” asked Eliad, moving to place the headband into the fire.
“No,” answered Aleixo, shaking his head.
Eliad pursed his lips. His left arm was covered with his black snake tattoo. Though, the other arm had nothing but the brand was on his collarbone. He definitely would need to do some explaining later on to Aleixo.
“Very well,” said Eliad. “Though… You’d be a bit shocked…”
He undid his robe a little before moving to free his right arm, his brand showing ever so slightly.
“Why Alei shocked?” asked Aleixo, raising his brow. “Alei don’t understand.”
“I’ll tell you in a bit,” answered Eliad, glancing at Aleixo. “Erm… The forearm, right?”
“Yes,” answered Aleixo, nodding again.
Eliad moved his hand to carefully take the headband before pressing it against the right forearm, wincing. Aleixo stared out at the water as Eliad seared his own skin.
“Now Alei turn,” said Aleixo. “Must do for Alei since Alei tied.”
“How do I..?” began Eliad, glancing at Aleixo’s armor.
“Take off Alei’s gauntlet,” answered Aleixo, lifting his hands afterwards. “Might have take rope off.”
“Just…make sure to be careful, alright?” asked Eliad.
“Alei can feel when bad thing tries to stir and hurt,” said Aleixo, nodding quickly. “Alei try warn.”
Eliad nodded before taking off the rope that bound Aleixo’s hands. He then moved to take off his gauntlet. Aleixo took a deep breath as the ropes were removed and allowed Eliad to take off his glove.
“If Alei can’t warn, just look at eyes…,” said Aleixo. “Alei eyes are like this… Bad thing eyes are glowing.”
Eliad nodded before moving to apply the hot headband to Aleixo’s forearm once he was able to. Aleixo grumbled a bit at the pain before looking away from it, rolling away from Eliad afterwards since his feet was still tied up.
“Eliad…,” said Aleixo quietly. “Ardynn there…”
He pointed in the direction of the woman and rolled behind the tree.
“Must tie Alei’s hands again,” said Aleixo.
Eliad sighed as he was beginning to feel rather annoyed. He wanted to curse under his breath how the luck was going downhill of the arrival of Ardynn. In his mind, he wished she would have stayed at the Inn. He then grabbed hold of the rope in order to tie Aleixo’s hands together. Aleixo scooted back in the tree as he got retied up and tried to hide himself as best he could.
“Don’t tell her,” said Aleixo.
“Quite frankly, she picked a poor time to come,” muttered Eliad, sighing softly as he fixed his robe.
“Can’t know Alei here…,” said Aleixo, sighing as well. “Too dangerous…”
“I know, I know...,” said Eliad.
“Alei can’t control…,” said Aleixo. “Hurt Ardynn. Don’t want again…”
“You won’t because I’m here,” said Eliad.
“Eliad?” called out Ardynn, walking closer to his camp. “Are you here?”
“Must not tell…,” said Aleixo, laying his head back with a sigh.
“Stay here…,” said Eliad. “I’ll deal with her…”
“Thank you…,” replied Aleixo, nodding slowly.
Eliad dusted his robe before walking to join Ardynn away from his camp.
“What is it..?” asked Eliad.
Ardynn glanced at him, not moving for a second.
“Who were you talking to?” asked Ardynn, eyeing him warily.
“To myself,” answered Eliad. “I’m planning a few things out.”
“That’s not something you would do,” said Ardynn.
“They’re a few important things,” said Eliad, crossing his arms.
“Eliad…,” said Ardynn.
“What is it, Ardynn,” replied Eliad.
“I know you’re not alone,” said Ardynn.
“I’m dealing with a few things, Ardynn,” said Eliad, keeping his tone rather calm.
“Who is it, Eliad,” said Ardynn, studying his face.
Stop prying and go away, damn it…, Eliad thought.
“No one, Ardynn,” answered Eliad. “Now I’m busy.”
Ardynn blinked at him, knowing that he was lying. But she decided not to push the topic, so with one last glance over her shoulder, she left. Eliad let out a soft huff before going to his camp, seeing a large lump against the tree.
“Oi,” said Eliad. “She’s gone.”
“Good,” said Aleixo, sighing as he nodded, revealing himself.
“Damn it,” said Eliad, sighing. “Now I have to think of another place to go to so people wouldn’t pry…”
Aleixo pushed himself up against the tree in order to stand.
“Eliad have other camp?” asked Aleixo.
“The only one I know of is where…other people are…,” said Eliad, rubbing his eyes. “They’re probably there now.”
In truth, it was not exactly his camp but had belonged to his allies, belonged to the Rangers. After getting themselves ready, they had gone to the homesteads. They had found a small empty house before going inside. Aleixo moved to sit down near the far wall of the adjacent room, nearby the fireplace. Eliad set his pack down and sighed, moving to join Aleixo.
“How long Alei keep monster..?” asked Aleixo, staring into the fire a long moment.
“I must admit that thing really is stubborn as hell,” said Eliad. “It should crack sooner or later.”
Aleixo sighed and nodded in agreement.
“Does Eliad know how play music?” asked Aleixo.
“Unfortunately, I do not,” answered Eliad. “I…was grown at a place where we don’t even know music so much.”
“Alei know play one song…,” said Aleixo, lowering his head. “Cousin taught long ago.”
“Really?” asked Eliad.
“Alei have lute in bag, if Eliad let Alei untied…,” said Aleixo, nodding.
He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes, letting out a sigh. Eliad could not help but to feel rather wary since the last time Aleixo had his eyes closed, they had opened to reveal the eyes of the spirit. Eliad looked at the fireplace.
“Let’s wait a bit longer, alright?” asked Eliad.
“Alei understand…,” answered Aleixo, nodding slowly.
He then laid his head back down. After a while, they had both fell asleep, tired of the day.
