Disarray

Chapter Twenty-four

          Aden was waiting for him when he arrived, intently staring at the carved table. He looked up, hearing him approach.

          “How is Raelein doing?” he asked.

          “Malifar says she may be recovering, she has been doing well the past day.” Rylan was pleased to have something positive to say about her condition. Aden nodded.

          “Alas, how are you coping?”

          “Me?” Aden inquired, looking confused.

          “Yes. All this cannot be simple to handle.”

          “I have been alright. I do not matter anyway.”

          “Don’t lie. And yes, you do matter.” Rylan stated. He knew he was far from what he claimed to be. Aden sighed, as if deflated by his failed attempt to conceal the truth.

          “We were ripped from our lives to save the world. You defeated Zayleth, and nearly died several times doing so. The stress from having you not remember anything for over two sevendays is lingering, and the next few days are vital for Raelein’s life. These past months have offered little time to comprehend this, it has all happened so swiftly.” Aden spoke calmly, but there was a slight tenseness to his voice.

          “I am sorry this has been so hard on you,” Rylan replied, feeling guilty for his distress. “When all this is over, I promise we will return home.”

          “Really?” Aden inquired, forgetting his worries for a moment. “We will go back home?”

          “I do not see why we would stay. The elves can come get us when they need us,” he replied, adding a tinge of sass to his words. Aden laughed.

          “Raelein will come too,” he said. Rylan’s smile faded a bit.

          “Yes, maybe.” He agreed. “...What are you implying?”

          “We all know! Why does it remain a secret to you two?” Aden chuckled. “You and Raelein, you’re ideal for one another.”

          “Perhaps,” Rylan stated. He tried not to think of what might happen to her if she didn’t recover.

          “You know it is true,” he teased. Rylan smiled slightly, and ignored his overly encouraging tone.

          “The fairies miss you,” Aden said after a moment of silence. “They often inquired of you when I visited them.”

          “I shall speak to them soon,” Rylan said, somewhat flattered by their concern.

          “As you should.” He answered. “I am going to meet Jalmar to practice archery, I should be off.”

          “Archery? Why were you never this eager back home?” Rylan inquired, surprised.

          “I never saw the purpose in it. Sure, sword fighting might be of use, but archery, not as much. And there is not much else to do.” Aden replied.

          “Shoot well, then.”

          “Ha! As if there’s a chance at that,” Aden laughed. He left, and Rylan stood to leave. He had enjoyed the past little while, life had seemed normal again, even if only for a moment.

          Rylan slowly walked back toward the infirmary, he wanted a moment to himself to think things over. He had scarcely a minute to think since he remembered, and he was rather unsure about his emotions toward everything.