Wayfinding | Aaravos x Reader |

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 16: WAYWARD THINKING

The household radiated with a warmth that was as brisk as Avizandum's breath. Even with the number of bodies that filled the setting, you were alienated. You shared part of the blame seeing as you withdrew from the crowd. But as the Semyours and Smiths apathetically prepared for their last last supper with you, you felt like a stranger in the place you once called home. The feeling of displacement grew profound as you packed your belongings and watched each room transform to its original state. Any trace of your stay was erased entirely.

It was almost like you never existed.

But it was the kindest thing to do.

In the little time you'd known Arkeus, you discovered how deeply affected he was by the death of his husband. The cavity in his chest was neglected and mauled until you introduced a new purpose in his life. Now, with your banishment, it would be callous to remind him of another thing he lost.

Fortunately, the devised plan for your exile included being accompanied by the blacksmith. So you had two suns between Katolis and Orlion to share your farewells. Albeit, the honey-skinned man promised to stay a tad longer with you. He was cynical about the small and unfamiliar village. But you reassured him, revealing how Inyah seemed to stubbornly avoid discussing about or passing through the place. You believed they may have made enemies there which would be an advantage if you didn't want your elven captors around.

From out of the blue, the shrieks of chairs skidding across stone floors snapped you out of your daze. The noise reverberated through the household.

"Are you daft?! You sound like a madman!"

"Keep your voice down - she'll hear us."

Your focus shifted to the kitchen where the bellows came from. As not to intrude, you peered from the shop's backdoor and into the house, finding the three friends in an unpleasant quarrel. Each human embodied various mixtures of hostility and trepidation - but the forger was the absolute manifestation of stubbornness.

"She needs a family, Theo. Time and time again she's been robbed of that and I say this is the last straw."

"I understand that and your feelings are valid, Smithy. But we cannot be a party to this-"

"Well, I did not ask anything of you, did I?"

"Arkeus, enough of this. You cannot just up and leave to an entirely different Kingdom!"

Guilt festered in your mind. You knew exactly where the conversation was headed. "But why can't I?"

"Because-" Agatha stammered, her hues glazing over. She stepped towards the brawny man in hopes that he would succumb to her wishes. "What . . . what will become of us?"

There was nothing else in the universe that made you more uneasy than witnessing Arkeus dismiss the woman he truly cared for. And all for what? Some pathetic little girl who had nothing to offer the world. Mirroring the meticulous King, the blacksmith held his chin high and looked at both his closest companions. "May we meet again."

As the half-hearted exchange resumed, you backed yourself to the closest wall and tried to steady your shallow breaths. But as time advanced, you reckoned the kindest thing you could do for the family - at that point - was flee. Without faltering for another moment, you gathered your goods, kissed the structure of the house and made haste towards the door. But just as your fingers reached the handle, your attention was summoned elsewhere.

"You cannot leave Katolis."

You clenched your jaw so tightly, you imagined it would snap your teeth. "You are a conniving, manipulative, lily-livered tyrant!" You turned and called out into the room, undisturbed by the volume in which you spoke.