The Elementals: Return Of Creation

Chapter 2: Growth

 Now they were all like very well mannered friends of his, which he was grateful enough for to have.

 Half an hour later, Jack and Povious were approaching a field in the midst of the forest. It was bordered outside with apple trees and had neatly cut grass. Right at the center was a large monastery, made of smooth stone and thick roofs. It looked like it had a whole medium sized house stacked on top of it, and a plump round tower on top of that. Thickets of ivy and rose intertwined all around the building, making it seem entirely green with red dots from a distance. It was his home, and he couldn't be happier to see it.

 The apples were plentiful and ripe, putting a brighter smile over Jack's clammy face. It meant he'd help Calliar harvest them soon, and that there would be quite a scrumptious breakfast the next morning- and delightful snacks for a few days.

 At that moment, the only thing lowering his grin was a smell that suddenly shot into his nose. A stench so foul, so unpleasant, and so off putting. It was sour, fetid, and- sweaty. He realized, it was him. After sniffing himself, he whistled, nose spontaneously twitching. "Boy-"

 "I should probably drop these off and head to the creek,"

 "Go on," said Povious. "I'll take the load,"

 "It's fine," Jack insisted. "The kitchen isn't far,"

 "Ya go freshen up, an' I can't take no for an answer,"

 Jack chortled. "All right, but I'm helping you with the pies,"

"Thought ya hated bakin'?"

 "Someone has to taste test them,"

 "By all means," Povious chuckled. They both stopped. Jack dropped the bundle and ran inside, looking back and yelling thanks to the bulky elf, who beamed and waved in response, picking up the last bundle.

 Jack hurried through the large front doors, by a short hallway containing vibrant blue paintings which only flew as blurs, passed a spacious room with wide and tall windows illuminating a massive table at the center, rushed up a spiral railless staircase (it had rails at one point, but Jack asked them removed, to the elves' horror) in the corner, and finally to his bedroom atop.

 Inside was smaller, but still quite roomy. It was painted dark blue all around, lit smartly from the skylight which made the ceiling. A couple of books were stacked neatly on the nightstand by the tidied bed, one being a story of an amazing mage, the other under it was about wind and how it blows, which was meant to help him better fly the kites laying against the tall wardrobe on the other side of the room. Jack picked up the second one over a month before and still hadn't finished. It was all so complicated and confusing- and it was probably a good idea to return it soon. He slid his axe under his bed and turned to his wardrobe.

 Nym must've been here, he thought to himself as he stared at all his clothes, neat and perfect like the rest of the room. He knew he had hastily grabbed a shirt from there when he left with Povious, leaving everything else as messy as his bed was.

 Of course, it wasn't unlike Nym to clean up after him every second she could, but Jack still wondered if she ever had time to rest. She had proven to stay wide awake many late nights fussing over his laundry, leaving an uncomfortable amount of sleep.

 What would have been a coincidence otherwise, Jack met Nym in the frater on his way out, carrying a basket of fresh clothes. She was a thin and tall elf, beating Povious by a whole head. Her sleek chestnut mane draped down to the waist of her simple dark green dress. Even a meter away, Jack could smell the sweet nutty scent of her hair.

 "Welcome home, Jack," she said as she curtsied, after quickly placing the basket on the dining table, cautious when saying his name. While he wasn't fond of it, Jack gave up trying to convince her not to be so formal every time they met.