Bound At Heart

Unexpected

In the depths of unconsciousness, Ilyana found herself floating and dreaming about home, reminiscing within her fondest memories, remembering when she first learned how to shoot a bow, when she obtained her first kill and when she first went hunting on her own while Elmora remained by her side throughout all of it. Her childhood memories soon turned to her most recent ones and it took a drastic turn. To the trials and the pain that came with it. Before she knew it, she was falling for what it seemed like an eternity and she wanted it to stop. The pain grew and she also grew incredibly warm and soon that warmth turned into a raging flame.

"Stop it..." she protested and continued to resist it. She thrashed around to find a way to escape yet it didn't help much.

"STOP!" she screamed against the void and a flash of vibrant and menacing purple that took the shape of pupil-less eyes flashed before her as the memory of meeting Ryu quenched the flames and all the burning ceased. She was at ease and found herself smiling at Ryu. Her boat rocked once more and this time she was being pulled from the numbness.

•~○~●~○~•

Ilyana stirred to feel a small yet rough nose sniff her cheek then it nuzzled against her. She flinched and stirred some more, forcing her stiff body to move. When she opened her eyes, she was a bit blinded.

"Ilyana!" she heard Ryu's voice first.

She groaned and rubbed her eyes. "What happened?"

"What do you think-?!"

Jean's voice silenced Ryu's as he nearly shouted over Ryu, "You seemed to have fainted two days ago since you've been overrun by fever."

Ilyana's eyes narrowed as her focus cleared as she found herself back in her room, safe within her bed. She sat up groggily. "Odd... Even I didn't predict that would happen."

"How are you feeling?" Elmora asked as she chuffed.

"I'm feeling better, I guess," Ilyana replied as she felt her cheeks. "Not warm or so I think."

Jean answered this one, "That's because your fever faded because you took the medicine made by the same doctor who made your pain medicine. It cost your friend a coin or two while he was still here."

"Eldrin?" Ilyana then panicked, suddenly wide awake. "Eldrin?! Where is he?"

"He took off," Ryu spoke up. "He personally told me that he had to make this trip short because they requested his presence at the castle for knight training."

"Right..." Ilyana's face fell.

"From the looks of it, you're still on the road to complete recovery. You should be healed after this week." Elmora added.

"Right..." Ilyana repeated, rubbing her temples now. She sighed at the thought of the chaotic timing of having a disease in the midst of her recovery and how guilty she felt for not paying attention sooner how vulnerable she was to disease in her fragile state. She cringed at the thought of what's happened.

"Why don't you think a little more about taking care of yourself?" Ryu disturbed the silence.

"I'm sorry... it's always been a terrible habit of mine."

"Oh, I've heard first hand." That statement made Ilyana look at Ryu. He sighed then ask, "Can I have a moment with Ilyana alone, please?"

Jean and Elmora nodded and they both left the room, leaving Ryu and Ilyana be. Ryu watched the wolf and panther walk before turning towards Ilyana. He took a breath before looking Ilyana in the eye. "Yeah, he and I talked before he departed. I have to ask, though, why do you do that to yourself, knowing that you're just as – no, more important at times than the situation at stake? Are you always this reckless?"