Chapter 295: The Three Things On Her Wrist

(Alnitak)

We fully trust Amaia. The riddle seems tough. I rake my mind but get nothing.

Amaia’s cute face is contorted, her cheeks puffed. Concentration makes her forehead abridged. She thinks for a few seconds and then her face lights up as if a realisation has dawned on her.

"The answer is a book," she confidently says.

The cunning, hunched-down woman smiles at her words.

"That’s correct."

"Yahhh!" We cheer and I instantly hug her. She beams, leaning into my embrace.

"You can spend the night in my cottage. But must leave at sunrise. May the spring door find you where the leaves turn red." With that, the old woman disappears.

"So proud of you, Amaia," Mintaka holds her from the other side, embracing her.

"Truth be told, I had no idea what the answer was," Rahria says, taking Kacir’s arm. "I was thinking of shrubs." She shrugs her shoulders and we laugh.

Kacir pats her head as if saying, "I still love you with all your weirdness."

"Let’s explore." We move towards the cottage.

"Did she give us a hint on how to find the Spring door?" Amaia asks, rubbing her chin.

"Something about the leaves turning red, whatever that means," Rahria thinks aloud.

"I guess we will find out. For now, I’d like to take a nap for a few hours. Every joint is aching." Mintaka raises his hands up and legs out a small yawn.

We reach outside the straw cottage. It’s small with a single door and window. I reach out for the door handle while others draw their weapons just in case.

Turning it, I throw open the door and enter the small place. Musty smell and warmth welcome us.

Inside is a couch, a single bed in the corner, and a fireplace with a rug. A wooden table with four chairs on which sits a clay jug and a glass. On one side is a very small kitchen with a few utensils.

"Well, better than what I was expecting," Rahria comments, placing her hands on her waist and approaching the fireplace.

Mintaka grabs the jug and pours out water which to our astonishment appears clean.

He takes a sip and brings the glass for Amaia offering her water. With a thankful nod, she accepts and drinks.

Mintaka is thoughtful in this way. He always puts her first and cares for her without being asked. I am still learning how to do that.

Kacir approaches the fireplace with Rahria. They inspect the firewood and try to start a fire. I flop myself on the sofa. My back hits the comfy wool seat of the sofa and I just melt into it, placing my weapon on the table.

The apples we ate were long digested and now my stomach is empty again. I turned out my pockets and placed the remaining apples on the table alongside my weapon. We can ration them later.

Amaia approaches the tiny kitchen and begins to sift through the cans looking for food. Mintaka follows her, helping her.

Kacir turns towards me. "We will take turns to guard the place so others can sleep for a few hours and then switch."

"Alright."

"Alnitak will be the first since he wants to laze around," Mintaka calls from the kitchen, making me grunt.

"Fine," I mumble, crossing my arms. Rahria and Kacir both giggle at my reaction.

"I will keep you company. We will take the first shift," Amaia adds like the beautiful soul she is.

"Absolutely not, you will rest along with Rahria and Kacir," Mintaka firmly says. She turns to hold his face.

"It’s fine. I am not that tired, seriously."

Always resilient, even when she has been fighting alongside us, nonstop.

Kacir and Rahria built up the fire. The yellowish-orange fire slowly cackles, warming the cottage. Both of them sit on the rag, near the fire. Kacir holds Rahria as they watch the flames.

Amaia and Mintaka have found some tins of beans and soup. Pouring them into the pan, they bring it to a boil on the logs.

"It’s not much but it’s better than having nothing to eat," Amaia says.

The smell wafting from the pan makes my mouth salivate.

Removing the pan, Mintaka helps Amaia to carry it to the table. "Come, let’s eat guys."

We gather around the small table. Rahria brings the wooden spoons from the kitchen and Kacir cuts open the apples so we can have dinner.

We relish the food together. There are no plates so we eat straight from the pan, enjoying the food.

"It’s n...not that b..bad," I comment with my mouthful.

"Yeah, I wasn’t expecting to find any food at all," Amaia answers with a smile.

We finish the beans and soup. Rahria and Kacir put away the utensils. I pick up my axe, ready to head out for a lookout.

Amaia gets up and joins me.

"No, stay with Min. Get some sleep. You must be exhausted," I insist but she shakes her head.

"I am not. I will keep you company."

Rahria slowly yawns. "Wake us up in a few hours and we will take over." She lies down on the rug near the fireplace to stay warm

"Will do." I escort Amaia out while Mintaka takes the couch. His legs dangle down. His arms behind his head as his eyes focus on Amaia.

"My chest is empty. Come whenever you feel tired. You don’t have to keep him company for too long." She nods at my brother with a smile while we exit through the door.

Outside the night has fallen and it’s pitch dark. There are no moon or stars in this place. I take a full glance around but there seems to be no one in sight. No creatures or any other teams.

There are two stones just outside the cottage, so we proceed to sit on them.

The air is cold, the kind that seeps into your skin. The stones are colder. I wrap my arms around her, trying to keep her warm with my body heat.

Amaia places her weapon into her lap but she stays in my arms, against my chest.

Her fingers slide against the three things bound on her wrist. A black rose with a Shanguite crystal, Alnilam’s streak of hair and a handkerchief.

"Tell me about these," I gently ask her, rubbing her back, trying to keep her warm.

She nostalgically smiles and touches the black rose first. "Rigel gave me this when I met him for the first time in that dungeon. He was wearing black rags and he created this from a torn piece of his cloth."

The bond becomes alive from her grief as her fingertips rub against the small flower.

"This flower means the world to me. More precious than any jewel in the universe," her voice breaks and I kiss the top of her head.

"It is precious beyond anything."

She ups her gaze and stares at me with tears twinkling in her eyes. "Do you think he is alright out there?"

With extra care, I rub my thumb on her cheek.

"I am confident, he is. He will return to us."

Amaia sighs and drops her gaze on her arm again.

"Alnilam left a part of himself with me when he went to fight the B-Twins. It has been with me ever since." The silvery streak of my brother’s hair creates a tiny heart on her wrist as if trying to cheer her up. Alnilam’s magic is truly exceptional and we don’t even understand how it works.

She finally touches the handkerchief. "Saiph gave this to me when I met him in the bazaar and spilt that kulfi on my clothes. The one you brought me."

She carries the three of them with her when they are not here.

"I know they miss you as much as you miss them. We will return soon."

"Yeah! I can’t wait for these guild wars to be over so we can go home. This place is suffocating." Amaia exhales and rubs her cheek on my chest.

"We will."

I can’t truly imagine how she must feel. I only have her and separating from her will rip my heart open. She has been so brave with Rigel gone and Saiph back in Orion and now even away from Alnilam, her heart is so heavy.

We sit there in silence, listening to nothing but the quietness of this place. Until Kacir walks out after a few hours.

"Amaia, get some rest. I will sit with Alnitak." She slowly nods and gets up, heading inside the cottage.

"Is she alright?" He asks, sitting beside me on the stone.

"She misses them."

"I can imagine. It’s hard being away from your mate."

I agree with Kacir. Mintaka walks out after a while and the three of us sit together reflecting on the events and what might await us in the next seasons. Our girls sleep inside and it’s a very sweet feeling to be someone’s protector.