~Alfyn's POV~

But what happened to Nina ?!!

We were all shocked after learning the news, but Zeph was really the most worried of us.

We quickly ran at full speed in direction of the village, passing through the trees and the dead leaves, following Erik who was running a front of us.

But Zeph was running much faster than us, so fast that he went ahead of Erik, because he was very worried for Nina as a responsible brother.

While we continued to run, I noticed that Travis was running less faster than me because of his smaller legs, but he could still rush with all his might, as he also looked as worried as we were, understanding the seriousness of the situation.

We wondered what happened to Nina: Erik looked so worried when he learnt the news to us, so something serious might happened to her.

We finally left the forest and reached the village, running through the pathway, when some citizens noticed us, and seemed worried about the situation which was unknown to us. They mostly watched at Zeph, who was running a front of us.

"But what's wrong ?!!", exclamed loudly Travis, who was running just at my right.

That's right he too he wanted absolutely what was going on, even if he was just a kid. But kids are always curious, especially during this kind of situation.

After arriving in the village, we slowly decelerated to take our breath, and we just walked fast instead, when I observed there was a crowd in the middle of the village, at the other side of the bridge.

The crowd looked very worried and shocked about what they were seeing. We could even hear them.

"What happened to her ?!!!"

"Oh my god..."

Zeph, who looked very scared for her sister, quickly dashed towards the crowd.

"Let me pass, please !", he yelled at the citizens, passing through the worried crowd.

"Master Zeph !", said a townfolk, watching him coming.

Me and Travis were also worried for Nina, while we approached slowly behind the crowd, and observed Zeph who made a shocking discover.

I observed in shock, through the crowd, Nina, who had collapsed on the knees of her friend Lily, and she looked very sick. She was so pale, so weak, and she had lost all her forces. She couldn't make any movement, but she was still conscious and was hard breathing, while her eyes were closed. She was dressed with her white woolly dress reaching her knees, while she was barefooted. Her brown hair were leaned behind her head, and she was terribly suffering from something invading her. But what was that disease ?! What happened to her ?!

"N-NINA !!", yelled a worried Zeph.

Me too I was very shocked to see Nina in that state, and I quickly noticed at my right that Travis was shocked as well to see someone severely sick like her, and it must be pretty hard for a child with a young age.

Zeph quickly bended down a front of her sister.

"Nina ! Answer me ! It's me, Zeph !", he spoke at her sister in a calm but stressed way.

She didn't respond to him, but she weakly mumbled after hearing her older brother's voice. For an unknown reason, Lily was carrying her friend on her lap, and I deduced she must be the first person who has dicovered Nina in that state.

She looked down at Nina, with a face showing a lot of stress, and she looked very worried to see her sick friend poweress. Tears started to escape her eyes, when she spoke to us.

"I-I-I... I'm so sorry !!!! I couldn't.... have done anything to help her !!!"

Her face became red as she was about to cry, she was feeling so desperate and guilty for her friend. But what did she was talking about ?! What happened to Nina for being in that state ?!

I precipitated myself through the crowd at my turn, and I approached the sick girl to check on her, who has now her head resting on her brother's lap.

I was wondering what she has caught, so I decided to check on her. While Zeph continued to talk to her with a worried tone, I was looking for any traces of wounds or something else which could have put her in that state. So, when I moved her skirt up, and me and Zeph were shocked of what we saw on her left leg.

There was shaped-hole wound with a radius of around 2 centimeters, but we were more surprised to see an edema around the hole, slightly inflated, while it was purple and we could notice through her skin the veins were also purple. I recognized this symptom: she has been poisoned !

But it wasn't like any poisoning: Nina was in transe, and she looked so pale and sweaty. Indeed, during all my life, I've never seen a poison with such several symptoms: the poison was clearly purple and continued to spread in her blood, invading her slowly.

"She has been poisoned... but what kind of beast had bitten her ?!", I told to Alfyn, trying to know what kind of poison she had caught.

"I don't know... But we can not leave her here, we have to find a better place to examine her !", answered me Zeph, who looked as determined as he was worried.

He then carried carefully her sick sister in his arms, and walked through the crowd.

"Move, please !", he yelled at the crowd, who quickly let him pass, while watching him with worrying, feeling bad for the girl.

I followed him too, alongside with Travis, who followed me closely, walking in direction of their home. We have absolutely to know what kind of poison she has caught, me and Zeph have to be very careful if ever we discover a new disease with new symptoms, and it was our role of apothecaries to cure her.

Zeph reached the door of his house, opening it wide while still carrying Nina in his arms, and I passed through the door, waiting for Travis to enter too before closing it. The interior of the house owned by Zeph's family looked like mine, except that it was much larger and bigger, because they were more people living in the house. Flower pots still adorned a few tables, giving the place a lovely decoration, alongside with a few shelves filled of healing potions and jar of plants, but there were much less medicinal herbs inside the bags and on the jars because Zeph was out of herbs before he went in the forest to harvest a new stock.

I lighted the candle placed on the table, illuminating the place, while Zeph was carrying Nina by passing through another door leading to another room, the one where he sometimes bring his patients on a bed installed on purpose for he could examine attentively them, especially if the disease of a sick is slightly important. Sometimes, Zeph was assisted by his sister, who gently prepared a wet wipe with fresh water for posing it on the patient's forehead. She was very glad to help her brother in those kinds of moment, but now, she was now the sick who had to be placed on the bed.

After he entered in the house, Zeph was calmer and walked slower, to make sure to not do any brutal movement to disturb Nina, as she was still weakly agonizing. I then heard his voice when he reached the room.

"Alf ! Could you light me another candle next to the bed, please ?", asked me Zeph calmly.

"Ok !", I answered him, while entering in the smaller room and lighting another candle next to the bedsite table, while he carefully put her sister on the bed.

Nina didn't make any move, but she could still breath slowly, while her face was so sweaty. She winced at the pain, and it was difficult for her to endure the poison. She was now lying on the bed, without her clothes being removed, and without cover placed on her, so we could examine easily the wound on her leg.

I noticed there was still a wooden bucket of water put on a chair, but when I plunged my hand, I felt the water was hot. So, I moved my hand above the bucket, and created a few ices cubes  with my magic, like how I've learnt during my formation of apothecary, in order to help Zeph.

"Thank you.", told me calmly Zeph.

The water the became fresher, and then Zeph picked up a wipe, wetting it inside the water before he pressed it, folded it twice and slowly putting it on his sister's forehead. She winced at the sudden cold, but it was necessary to get her fever down. However, it wasn't sufficent enough because the poison continued to spread in her blood, while she looked so pale, and she must has collapsed after getting poisoned.

Zeph was feeling so bad to see his younger sister in that state. He was bending down next to her bed, while slowly caressing her smooth cheek, when he spoke calmly.

"My poor Nina... How... how did she has been poisoned ?!!"

Zeph looked very desesperate and worried for her sister, he was really feeling bad that something terrible has happened to her while he was absent. What a tragedy: she who was really used to be nice and sweet with everyone... Why did something like that happened to her ?!

"Zeph...", I said calmly to him.

I could understand what he was feeling: he loved his sister a lot, and he was feeling guilty for not being present with her when she get into troubles. And me too I was very worried for Nina: I knew her since she was a baby, as long as Zeph, and I liked her a lot. She also liked me a lot, and she even considered me like her second big brother, and brought me flowers as well, as useful for medecine as they were pretty. I was feeling bad to watch her in transe, and to see Zeph desesperately watching over her, just like he was ready to stay with her for days.

"Does she will... be fine after ?", said calmly a voice behind me.

I turned my head in direction of the door to see Travis, who was standing while watching sadly at Nina. His blue eyes expressed so much worrying for her, and he looked shocked to see her in that state. He too he hoped that she will be fine after, but it was pretty difficult to explain, especially at a young child like him. The poor boy was feeling so bad for her, and it was shocking for him to see a several sick at his age.

While he watched at us innocently, I sighted, feeling bad for him, when I moved at the large room, bending down a front of him, putting my hand on his shoulder.

"Travis... This is serious business: Zeph's sister has been poisoned, and any of the plants we have harvested this morning won't help to heal her. ", I explained him calmly and honestly.

"But why ?"; he asked me curiously.

"Because it's the first time me and Zeph have seen such a poison, and we don't know its origin. We couldn't prepare her something without thinking what she has caught, so we have no ideas for the moment.", I replied to him.

I was feeling a little bad to have not closed the door when I checked on Nina alongside with Zeph, to prevent such a young boy to see her in that state. However, even if he was shocked as I expected, he stayed so calm and he just sighted.

"Are you sure you couldn't help her ?... I just feel so bad to see her in that state.", he answered me calmly with a low voice, while watching sadly at his feet. Despite his young age, he understood how several was Nina's disease, even if he barely knew her and Zeph. He was such someone who cared for many people... He then asked me calmly. "You... you will heal her, right ?"

He watched at me with sad eyes, his expression showing mercy for the young girl. Like Zeph, he wanted so much that she will be fine, and he understood what might happen to her if we don't try anything to save her. But how could I explain such things at a child with an age where he barely starts to discover the world ?!

I didn't really know how to cure her from this poison: during all my career where I've healed common diseases, it was the second time when me and Zeph didn't know the source of the disease, the first one was when my mom had caught a terrible plague, and we were unable to save her... for the moment. Me too I wanted absolutely to save Nina, and we have to find quickly an antidote in order to cure her.

Travis waited attentively at my answer: he really hoped that I'll save her, he expected the apothecary I was would heal her without problem. I would like to heal her quickly as well, but I was not a god who could make miracles.

I didn't know what to answer him, but I have to reassure the innocent kid he was. So, when I was about to speak to him, I heard Zeph's voice muttering.

"These look like bite marks...". I quickly eavesdropped when I heard the word "bite", when Zeph spoke to me. "Alfyn, could you take a look as well ?"

"Hm ? You got it, buddy.", I answered him without hesitation, knowing that he will need my assistance.

He looked serious when I approached him in the bedroom, as he was really determinated to find what kind of disease she had. So, he let me pass, and I bended down at the right side of the bed. I then checked one more time at the wound: it really looked a bite mark, as Zeph said. The poison slowly continued in her body, when I checked at Nina's state: the wet wipe didn't help to get down the fever, and her body looked so limp, while she was clearly in a trance. But the worst, when I mesured her heart rate on her neck, I noticed her heart was beating much slower than usually. It wasn't like all the poisons I've cured before at other patients from small animals, it was something new, something that should belong to an unknown species.

After taking one long minute to watch over again her symptoms, I then told firmly my diagnostic of her state at Zeph.

"She's fallen to a deep trance. This is worse than we thought."

He then sighted, very upset for his little sister, when he replied to me.

"Indeed...", he took his time to talk, as it was slightly difficult for him to stay confident. "Nina's the only family I have. If I lost her, I'd...", he didn't finish his answer, holding back to speak.

He flinched, imagining the worst scenario that might happens to Nina, which could sadly become real with all those several symptoms. I've also heard Travis flinching, shocked to learn that Nina could be lost. I understood their feelings, and I sighted by solidarity, also feeling bad for them.

"Wish she could tell us what happened...", I said calmly, trying to imagine the reason of her poisoning.

We then both left Nina's room, letting her resting, and we have to find a solution to cure her deadly poison. So, we joined Travis, who was sitting down on a chair, swinging his legs back and forth, as he looked sad for the girl.

"How can we do to save her ?", he said calmly, in a low voice.

Zeph started to talk, speaking with a voice slightly louder, but he stayed calm and patient.

"It's safe to assume she was bitten by something poisonous... but what ? Without knowing the nature of the poison...", he stayed standing in place, thinking about what kind of poison has invaded her body.

"Yeah, the wrong medecine could make things worse, and quick.", I replied to him, in a serious tone.

It was totally reckless to prepare an antidote or something else to reduce Nina's pain. We knew nothing about the poison. If ever we tried without thinking, the drug injected might accelerate the progress of the poison, and could instantly kill Nina. We couldn't act in this way, we have to find the source of the poison.

But for the moment, we have any ideas, and Zeph looked desesperate for his sister.

"Damn it all !", he angrily struck his fist on the table, making a loud noise. "What foul beast did this to my Nina ?!"

The poor guy... He was as angry as he was scared for his little sister, while he felt so powerless. It's make me feel bad to see him in that state, I needed to reassure him.

So, I sighted, and told him in a calm manner.

"...Let me ask around. Maybe someone saw something."

I then moved towards the door, and left the house, determined to find a clue which might permits me to heal Nina. I observed that Travis hasn't followed me, as he stayed instead at Zeph's home. The poor boy, he must be slightly traumatized to have seen Nina in that state, and he couldn't prevent himself to feel bad for the young girl.

Me too I wanted to save her, and it makes me so bad to see my friend depressed. I already knew what it's like to lose a loved one, and honestly, when I've seen Nina lying down in that bed, very sick, she totally reminded me of my mother, who was terribly sick and weak like her, and it was so hard for him to see me in that state. 

I should better let Travus with Zeph, while I starts my inquiry with the townfolks. Maybe someone witnessed the animal which had bitten her leg...

I might have an idea who I could ask, for knowing more about Nina's bite marks on her legs, and to find out how she had caught this poison, in order to save her.

~A few minutes later~

~Travis's POV~

It was making me feeling so bad to see Zeph's sister in that state. I know I've never met her before, but I know that I couldn't prevent myself to worry for others. Poor Zeph... he seemed so desperated and sad to see that girl in that state, and it was hard to believe that they couldn't do anything for her, because they didn't know what kind of poison she had.

I was observing him watching over his little sister, and he didn't seem wanting to leave her alone, as he looked ready to watch over her for hours. I was really upset to see them: why did such a young girl have to caught a disease at that age ?! Did there is really nothing to do to save her ?!

In reality, when I've seen that girl I barely knew lying in her bed, with such a fever which made her so weak, it reminded me of Ophilia's father, the old man who was the chief of that Cathedral at Flamegraces. Yeah, when I've seen Zeph feeling so sad for her sister, that's totally reminded me of the time when I've seen Ophilia, and her sister Lianna, watching over their ill father. However, it wasn't the same thing: I found that abnormal that such a young girl like Nina, who was older than me, would catch a terrible disease, while I thought it was a bit normal for Ophilia's father, because he was an old man, despite I was also feeling bad for him.

I was really shocked after learning that Nina may die of her disease... but why can't we save all the diseases ?! Couldn't we invent something to cure every disease to heal any people, and to make their family very happy ?! It must be very sad to lose someone we love, and I totally understood that pain, even if I remembered nothing about my parents.

Fortunately, I don't think she might die: Alfyn said that he will inquire himself from the citizens to look for informations, like maybe the antidote to heal Nina, and so we could save her. 

He really knew what to do in this kind of situation, and he stayed really hopeful, like he was usually. For him, healing people was like a game, but I've heard that some games could be very hard, even impossible to win. According to Alfyn and Zeph, the disease was more several than they thought, but there was no way for them to give up, and me too I wanted Nina to be healed.

The problem, in that kind of situation, is that I have any ideas what to do to help that girl: I'm not a doctor, like Alfyn and Zeph, just a poor child lost in that world. By the way, I still didn't know what was my place here, and I was feeling powerless to not be able to do something, to just stay on my chair, continuing to desperate. I didn't also know how I could reassure Zeph, what should I tell him to make him feel good. But how can we feel good when someone we love will maybe leave this world ?! I think it's might be a bad idea to disturb Zeph.

Instead, I just crossed my arms, sighting with the feeling to not know what to do. 

I wished Ophilia was there, to heal that girl, with her magic, like she has done with me. It was such an amazing power to heal people by disappearing their wounds, and maybe Ophilia would heal the entire village by herself, like Alfyn and Zeph ! However, there was no time to dream: in reality, I didn't think she could heal that girl. If she could have healed my wounds, why did she has not tried to cure her father when he was ill ?! Indeed, I didn't have any ideas where she might be at the moment.

That was such a desesperate moment: not even magic would heal Nina, and make miracles to cheer her loved ones. What was it again a miracle ? Something when during the most desperated situation, will show up to fix everything ?! Did miracles really exist ?!

I sigthed one more time, meditating about that question, when I heard someone running towards the door, and quickly opening wide.

"Zeph !", called the person, whom I quickly recognized the voice.

It was Alfyn: he finally came back, and he looked slightly serious. I watched him taking his breath, after he must have ran to come back, when Zeph left the room where he was, joining us in the kitchen, when he spoke to his friend.

"Well, Alf ?! Have you learnt something useful ?!", he looked very curious about what was making him in that state.

"I know what beast had bitten your sister !", he answered him quickly.

"Really ?!", exclamed Zeph, who walked fast towards Alfyn, before he asked him impatiently. "So, what was the animal who had bitten Nina ?! Tell me, Alf ! Tell me !"

He looked slightly impatient to know the answer, but he finally became hopeful, like Alfyn was. I became slightly happy after learning the news: there was finally a way to cure Nina from that poison, and Alfyn knew what beast had poisoned her ! Miracles really existed, finally !

"So, what was that beast ?!", I asked Alfyn too, also curious to know what animal has harmed Nina.

Alfyn took his time before he answered to Zeph.

"I obtained some informations from her friend Lily: they went in a cave in order to pick some waterblooms for you."

"In a cave ?!", asked Zeph, who was very surprised by the news

"Yes. She has been bitten by a snake.", he told us firmly.

I was slightly surprised to hear the word "snake". We told that snake are animals without limbs which move by crawling, and some persons were even scared of them. I've always wanted to see a real snake a day, not one in a drawing's book, but a true one with scales. I've heard they could have many colors like green, red, and yellow, but we said that they were also very dangerous for people, because they could poison people with their venom by biting them.

Zeph was shocked to hear that.

"A snake ?", asked calmly Zeph.

"Yeah, but not just any snake: according to her description, she was bitten by a blotted Viper.", he replied to him, as he looked slightly serious.

There was a small moment of silence, Zeph looked more shocked than before. I've never heard such a name for a snake: I just knew we also called them "vipers", or even "boas", but I have never heard about a "blotted viper". Did it was a new species ?

However, me too I was more preoccupied by Nina, and Zeph just sighted after knowing the animal who has harmed his sister.

"Good gods... a blotted viper ?", he said calmly, overtaken by the events.

"A nasty critter if there ever was one. This ain't good...", said calmly Alfyn, who looked serious about the situation.

"What's a blotted viper ?", I asked calmly at Alfyn.

I knew it might not be the right moment to ask this question, but I was slightly curious to know what was a blotted viper.

Alfyn then answered me calmly.

"It's a very large poisonous snake which is very dangerous. It has a amber colour with blotches on its back, and his venom could kill a person in only a few hours."

"A few hours ?!", I said, surprised to learn that a snake could kill a person.

I never thought snake's poison could kill someone, and especially during only a few hours. That's means that Nina was really in danger, and we have to be quick to save her !

Zeph who listened to us seemed very nervous that her sister won't live much if we did anything to save her, but he stayed calm when he spoke at his turn.

"Time is of the essence. The poison is spreading through her veins as we speak. I must prepare an andidote with all haste."

Zeph looked ready for anything to help his sister, as there was finally a way to save her, and he was really determinated to prepare her an antidote. Now we know what kind of animal had bitten Nina, we could finally start to make a potion for her, maybe the plants we have harvested earlier would help them.

Alfyn just sighted: I remembered that the poison Nina had caught was something that he and Zeph have never experienced before. That's right they were still apprentices, but that doesn't means they couldn't give up, right ?

Zeph just picked up his bag and carried it around his shoulder, when he continued to speak.

"But I need to get my hands on the original venom. There's supposed to be a nest of vipers in the Cave of Rhiyo, yes ?", he asked Alfyn.

The cave of Rhiyo ? What is it ?

"Yeah, along with plenty of other nastles... Reckless ain't the half of it.", answered him Alfyn.

So, Zeph had to look at the cave for obtaining some poison of the snake to prepare something to heal Nina. I never knew we could use a poison to heal from the poison. However, I deduced from Alfyn's espression that he was really aware that it was dangerous. There must be a lot of snakes inside this cave, and despite I've never met one before, I quickly understood how dangerous snakes might be.

But despite Alfyn's warning, Zeph was still determined to save his sister.

"I know. But what choice do I have ?", he said, while he looked as brave as he was worried for his little sister.

He then watched one more time at his sister, who had trouble sleeping because this damn illness was making her suffering, before he moved towards the door.

"I'll leave at once. Look after Nina for me.", he told Alfyn.

His eyes were full of determination, and he was also angry that such a thing happened to his little sister. He wanted absolutely to save her, even if he has to venture in a cave full of dangerous snakes. At least, there was still a way to save Nina, and Zeph was ready at anything, as he couldn't bear to see his sick sister wallow in that bed.

But before he reached the door, I was surprised to see Alfyn coming forward Zeph, when he put his hand over his shoulder.

"Hold on Zeph.", he told him calmly.

"...Hm ?", mumbled Zeph, who didn't understand Alfyn's behavior, as he stopped in his tracks.

For a reason or another, Alfyn was gently preventing him to go further, just like he wanted to tell him something. Did he was going to tell him some advices to deal with snakes before he leave ?

"You look after her. I'll go."

I didn't expect he would say that: Alfyn wanted to go in that cave instead of Zeph, and ordered him gently to stay at his sister's side. He was really serious: I thought he was going to look after Nina while his friend will go to that cave, but it was pretty nice from him to go at his place. One more time, he wanted to do Zeph's work, but why did he want to go in that cave infested of snakes himself ?!

Whoever it was Alfyn or Zeph, they were both apothecaries, and I don't really think that will make the difference. However, Zeph, who looked pretty shocked of his friend's decision, quickly interposed himself a front of him.

"Alfyn, are you mad ? I'm responsible for Nina !... I won't let you risk your life like this !", he exclamed at him, definitely not agree at all of his decision.

I quickly stood up from my chair, and watched at Alfyn: it really surprised me that he wanted to risk his life, even if Nina wasn't his family. But even if she was his best friend's sister, it was surprising that he wanted to take the risk to find the original venom of the snake, but I didn't really understand how it's could be dangerous...

Despite Zeph wanted to go at his place, Alfyn was really serious about his decision.

"Don't worry about me. Now go back to your sister's side.", he reassured him, but that doesn't prevent Zeph to stop worrying for him.

"I swear, have you taken leave on your..."

"Unh... Zeph... where are you...?", called a low voice, which interrupted Zeph.

This voice came from the room where the sick girl was sleeping on her bed: it was Nina. She finally talked even if she was sick. We were all totally focused on her, when we watched the room where she was resting, as the door was still opened.

"Nina...!", exclamed her brother, who seemed very worried for her.

He then quickly dashed towards the door, and went at her side, when we noticed her eyes were opened. He checked on his sister, who was finally conscious, but she looked still weak and ill, her face being covered by the sweat of her fever.

"I'm here, Nina !", he told at his sister, reassuring her.

Zeph was totally distracted to see Nina talking to him, where she might have listened to his voice when he and Alfyn were talking. He watched at her attentively, when we noticed she was slowly turning her eyes towards her brother, when she spoke to him in a weak manner.

"Will you... hold my hand ?", she slowly flinched at the pain.

Zeph slowly held her hand without hesitation, as his sister was holding tight his slightly larger hand. Nina seemed to want his brother at his side, I think she would like him to stay, as I could see her through her weak eyes that she hoped that he will stay with her. It was her brother after all, she loved him a lot, and she was the person whom she could count on. I remembered from Zeph's mouth that Nina was his only family, but where were their parents ?! Wait... did like me and Alfyn they don't have parents anymore ?! I feel really bad for them, but they seemed still so close.

Alfyn looked a little pensive at the scene, since he saw them holding hands. I then heard him speaking to his friend.

"See, Zeph ? She needs you."

I think Alfyn was definitely right: it's must be better that Zeph stay with his sick sister, and she really needed his presence. I also think it's must be Alfyn who have to find this venom quickly, while his friend look over his sister. He too he has understood that Zeph should stay here with Nina.

Zeph, who was ready to be always present for Nina, was crouching down next to her bed. Seeing her in that state was difficult for him, and he really wanted to watch over her. However, he was still hesitating, still worried about Alfyn's decision, before he finally sighted, and spoke to him calmly.

"Thanks, Alf. Come back safe, you hear ?"

"I promise I'll be careful.", Alfyn answered him calmly.

He watched one more time at the siblings, before he walked towards the chair which he sat on it, where his brown leather bag where he stowed all his equipment and his stuff, and picked it around his shoulder. He was definitely ready to go in that cave in order to save Nina, and he regretted nothing in his choice.

When I saw him taking his back and his stuff, when I saw all the determination he had inside him, I've seen there was a lot of bravery inside him. But me too I couldn't stop to worry a little about him, he was my friend too. In reality, I was feeling so bad as well for Nina, but also for Zeph, and it was hard for me to see them sad. I noticed Alfyn was also worried for them, and something was bothering him since a moment. I wanted to help him, to go in that cave too, even if it was risky, and I wanted to save Nina as well.

So before he reached the door, I called him.

"Alfyn ! Wait !"

He turned at me, and crouched down a front of me.

"Travis, no... Stay here.", he ordered me calmly.

He has quickly understood that I wanted to go with him, and he wasn't agree of my decision. However, that didn't prevent me to maintain my decision.

"I want to help Nina too ! Let me go with you, please !"

"It will be very dangerous, over there. I have to go alone.", he told me calmly.

I already knew how dangerous it must be in this cavern, and that he wanted me to be safe, but I insisted again.

"But I swear I'll be careful, and I don't want you that something bad happen to you ! I want to go with you !", I looked slightly worried for him.

"Me too I don't want that something bad happen to you because of me. Stay here with Zeph, please.", he adviced me calmly, putting his hand on my shoulder.

"Alright...", I answered him with regret.

I know he wanted that a child like me has to stay safe, but me too I wanted him to be safe. I wanted that we go to that cave together, because travelling at two was more safe. I wanted that we will collect this venom together, like how we have done this morning with all those beautiful plants we have found alongside with Zeph. But I think he preferred that I stayed with Zeph, and he didn't want that me too I was bitten by a snake, but they doesn't scared me at all. I didn't want to be a burden for him, like when I've been attacked by those eagles, I would like to help him and to be brave, like I did with the wolf and the stone giant yesterday.

I was also a little afraid that something bad happen to him, because I've heard that seeing the people we like was the worst thing that could happen to people, much more than being hurt or poor.

But Alfyn knew I was worrying for him, so he slowly stood up and watched down at me, when he smiled at me.

"Don't worry, little buddy. I'll be back."

He then opened the door, and closed it behind him, disappearing from my view.

"Alfyn is right, little one. It's more sure you stay here.", told me Zeph, who approved Alfyn decision, while he was still watching over his sick sister.

I wanted to be one more time useful for people, but it finally happens when someone refused my help, not because I was annoying him, but because he wanted me to be safe. It was the first time that someone refused my help: even if Therion and Ophilia have first refused that I follow them in that manor and in that cave, they finally changed their minds after understanding that I was totally ready to help them. By the way, Zeph too wasn't agree that Alfyn will go in that cave instead of him, but he finally changed his mind. I wasn't the only person to help people in need, Alfyn too wanted to be very helpful for the others.

Since a moment, I was still wondering why did I always want to help the others in the need. After I entered in that game, I've met a lot of nice people who were kind with me, although I've known a lot of problems in my life, but they too have their own problems. I don't know what that's make me to help everyone who is nice with me... Did it was for thanking them to be nice with me ?! Or did I've just seen people who needed help and I just would like to help him, just like how the man who has saved Alfyn when he was young ?

What a hard question. I didn't even know what I was used for in this world, but Therion told me that it was a nice thing to help people, even if he got new problems after that, as I was still feeling guilty that he got his bracelet arounf his wrist. It's called solidarity. No one have helped me when I lived poorly in the dirty streets, and me too I haven't payed attention to anyone. But since I've entered in that game, some persons finally cared for me nicely, and I was feeling so helpful and grateful towards them that I wanted to help them in exchange, but also because I liked them. But this time, I think Alfyn preferred that I won't help him, for a good reason. But was I really sure it was the right way ?

I don't know. For the moment I just sat down on my chair and waited patiently for his return.

~Alfyn's POV~

I've made my decision: I'll go in this cave instead of Zeph. I understood that I sometimes have the habit to replace him during his last working hours, but now, it was serious. I refuse that something terrible happens to him while he tries to save his sister. If ever he never come back, Nina would be alone this time, and I didn't want him to carry this burden. His place was definitely at his sister's sides, with all the sufferings she has, she absolutely needed the comfort of her beloved brother to reassure her.

To be honest, she made me think of my mother. Just like her, she was really sick and weak, and when Nina asked Zeph to hold her hand, my mom exactly told me the same thing when I was there for her. When I've seen her in that state, I was exactly desperated like Zeph, and I wanted absolutely to heal her... but I couldn't. So she died last year, and I felt so lonely in her absence, even if Zeph was there to support me. If ever Nina passes away from her disease, Zeph will be alone as well, but I didn't want that to happen, I didn't want that something that happened to me also happened to him. I want he and his sister to stay together, I know I wasn't able to save my mother of her plague, but this time, I will save Nina at all costs, and I know that there was a way to save her.

Travis was also concerned about me, he really wanted to follow me in that cave. I knew he too he wanted to save Nina, but I didn't want him to be harmed by my fault, and we might have not one but two poisoned kids to cure. He was ready to go in the Cave of Rhiyo with me, but I ordered him to stay with Zeph, just to make sure he was safe with him. This boy wasn't like the other kids in my village: he was really passionated by everything he saw, and he really wanted to be useful for once. He was such a brave boy, but I didn't want him to be hurt again, because this cavern is reputed to be very dangerous as there were so much snakes, and I was sure he will be safe with Zeph.

I got everything that I needed in my bag: a knife, a flask for recuperate the poison, a few antidotes if ever I'm bitten by another snake... except one thing, which was much important than all the rest, and I was going to my house to retrieve it.

So, I walked at the door of my house, and opened it with the key, before closing it behind me. The room was totally empty without Travis, and also quiet, just like the whole village who was still shocked after Nina's poisoning.

I then walked towards a large wooden box, present in the edge of the kitchen, underneath the stairs, and next to my bag of provisions. It contened all the old things that me and my family have never used, or just stopped to use it. So, I opened it wide, and I've seen all sort of old clothes invaded by the dust, some of them were worn by me when I was a kid, and there was also a bunch of dresses my mom was used to wear. I already knew what was in that box, but I think I never checked more, even if I was sure it was there.

So, I slowly removed the old clothes and put them on the lid. Shirts, dresses, sheets, all was covered by the dust, and they were some old objects, like keys, or my wooden dragon toy I often played with when I was a child. My mother sometimes told me about this coffer, that we kept the most precious things which belonged to my family, and I was sure the thing I was looking for was contained in that coffer.

After removing a last sheet, at the bottom of the trunk, I've finally found it. I should have asked one from Terrence, the main farmer of our village, or even at Gertas, who was now too old to use it, but I didn't want to annoy them, and I think it was the most effective, as it was still in good state, despite it was old.

It was an axe, a a big and solid axe, which was 3 times bigger than Travis's axe, maybe more. It was really a big weapon, perfect to handle with both hands, and the head was as big as the head of a person. It was still well cleaned at the sharpest part, very well preserved from the time. I needed this weapon because it was the weapon, and when I say the weapon, I meaned it was the perfect thing to use against snakes. I wanted this axe to defend myself from those scary rattles, because it was excellent to slice their bodies, which were long and easy to cut. Indeed, despite it was much heavier than a sword, with a less good range, it was much precise and useful against them.

I then carefully lifted it up in my hands, by taking it by the wooden handle, where I observed it for a minute. I remembered from my mom's mouth that it belonged to my father, who had the ability to use it during his work. However, I couldn't remember what kind of work he had: did he was a woodsman ? Or something like that ? In reality, I had even no memories about him, I knew very few things about him. My mother told me that he was a man full of courage and compassion, like me, and that he passed away in a tragic way when I was very young. She told me that it was his axe, and that he named it "Grey Bear", just like the color of the axe, but when I observed at the sharpest part, it really seemed sharp like the claws of a bear.

It was such something nostalgic to watch this axe, and I was now his next bearer. But there was no time to think about my family: if I wait again a long time, I don't think Nina would survive at the poison. Now I got everything what I needed, I quickly have to find that venom.

So, I carried it behind my back, and I left my house, really determinated to save Nina. I was ready at anything, and it was such a good thing to go alone. Like this, I'm wasn't putting nobody else in danger. It was my choice, my decision, and I'm not gonna go back on that.

I continued to walk through the pathway, when some citizens have noticed me. They looked pretty shocked and surprised at my behavior, and they were worried that I was undertaking such a dangerous expedition, in a place where no one in the village dared to go, as it was very risky. But what choice do I have ? I knew the risks, and I was fully ready to get my hands on the original poison, and to save Nina.

I noticed the other exit of the village, where there was 10 minutes of walk before arriving to the Cave of Rhiyo. The soldiers who were keeping the gate also spotted me, and they also adviced me to stay in the village. Even if they knew I was going to find the medicament to cure Nina, they looked slightly worried about me. But I never stopped in my tracks, I just continued to walk in direction of the meadows. I have to go in that cave, because I was actually the only one to do that.

Hang on, Nina ! I'm gonna get you better !

~Travis's Pov~

What am I doing here ? Why did I haven't insisted more to go with Alfyn ?!

Waiting was such an annoying thing, where we have nothing to do during a few minutes, or even a few hours. I couldn't support to stay here at doing nothing, to stay idly while Nina was really sick and where there was a way to save her, but I was actually forced to stay here while someone else take care of the problem. It was so frustrating for me to be useless in those kinds of moments !

I knew that Alfyn wanted me to be safe, but I was really ready at everything to help him ! Why did adults always want kids to be safe ?! Why did they never trust us ?!

I didn't want to help Alfyn just only to be useful, and to thank him for offering me food and a place to sleep. Me too I wanted to cure Nina, I wasn't able to do something to save Ophilia's father, but this time, even if I wasn't a doctor like Alfyn or Zeph, I could at least recuperate this poison for bringing it to Zeph, so he could heal Nina from her poisoning. But even if I wanted to save Zeph's sister, they preferred me to stay here at doing nothing, while they will do the work.

I was really sad for Nina. The poor girl... that's must be horrible to have been bitten by a snake and to be really sick... I just hope she will recover after Alfyn will bring back the antidote he must be actually looking in that cave.

But I was also worried for Alfyn: since Nina became very ill, her brother Zeph wasn't the only one to show a lot of mercy. Effectly, Alfyn was also shocked to see her in that state, with her skin as pale as snow, and this horrible purple mark on her leg. He was ready at anything to save her at her brother's place, but I didn't think it was only to make sure she wasn't separated from her brother. I saw through his eyes that she was hurting his feelings, and he seemed so serious that I could have noticed all his determination , but also how afraid he was for her. And he was really feeling bad for his best friend, as it must be really terrible for him to see his sister like this...

Wait... He told me that his mother died from a disease... When he saw that Nina was really ill, did the scene reminded him of his mom ?! Oh no....

That must really be a shock for him, to see again someone he likes a second time, which was now the sister of his best friend. I understood now. I understood that was bothering Alfyn since the beginning, that he wanted to save her because he wasn't able to save his mother. What an idiot am I ! Why did I haven't noticed it earlier ?!

I felt so bad for Alfyn, who was also feeling bad for Zeph, and who was also feeling bad for Nina. In reality, I was really feeling bad for each of them.

I just watched through the door that Zeph was looking over his little sister. Nina still looked weak and calm when she was sick, and the poor girl couldn't support all that suffering which was constantly harming her body.

Zeph never left the room since Nina asked him to hold her hand. He was too concerned about Nina, and he was making sure she was ok, that her state wasn't becoming worse. He watched over her wound, he checked twice the temperature of her fever, and removed one more time the wipe on her forehead, before taking a new one, wetting it in the cold water, and putting it on her forehead, to make sure her fever would come down.

"That doesn't work...", said Zeph to himself, as he sighted while being upset.

The poor Zeph was desperately trying everything he could to reduce her sufferings, but at each minutes, her state became worse again and again, just like all the efforts Zeph was doing for her were completely useless. He needed absolutely that venom to prepare the antidote, but I was wondering why there was no pharmacy where we are stowing every drugs ?! Why did Alfyn have to go in that cave full of snakes ?!

What a fool am I... That didn't exist in this world...

Seeing Nina very sick made me so upset, watching her big brother doing the maximum to maintain her in life made me more upset. When I was continuing to watch those 2 sad brother and sister, I was wondering again if I did great to listen to Alfyn and to stay here. The more I observed them, the more I couldn't stop to worry.

Did Alfyn will really find that poison ? I wasn't doubting of his promess because I didn't trust him, I was doubting his promess because I was really worried for him. I understood that he wanted to save Nina because she reminded him of his mom, but it's just like when he rushed into that cave, I couldn't stop to think if his feelings will make him running right into the danger.

Alfyn...

If ever he got bitten by a snake, I don't think he would bring back the antidote for Nina, and I was afraid that something like this would happen to him, and I could never see my friend anymore. This cavern must be filled of venimous snakes, and even if I never met one before, after hearing their conversation, they were pretty shocked while they were talking about that cave, but also about that "Blotted Viper", so I've understood that they must be a real danger for people. Despite Alfyn knew the risks, I couldn't stop to worry him. In reality, I was wondering for the moment... if he didn't need the help of someone.

But what are you saying, Travis ?!! You told him that you'll stay with Zeph !!

I promised Alfyn too that I'll stay here with Zeph, and to wait for his return. But what should I do for him ?! Praying for his safety ?! Like Ophilia would do for the people she loved ?! What would she do in a time like this ?! I wanted she was there with me, so she could maybe save Alfyn with her super light magic, and to find that poison with us... But unfortunately, she wasn't there actually.

Think, Travis ! Think !!!

"Big brother...", said a weak voice.

It was Nina, in her bed, who was talking at her brother. She looked to suffer more of the poison, as she flinched at the pain and winced while this damn thing was harming her.

"Nina !", exclamed Zeph, who suddenly grabbed her hand.

She continued to have trouble breathing, her face was so pale like a doll, and so sweaty like a valve. Her entire body was transpiring, as she calmly spoke at her brother in a low voice.

"It's... hurt... everywhere..."

I was really shocked to hear that, just like Zeph.

"Hang on ! Nina ! Just wait more ! Alfyn will quickly bring you the antidote ! Hear ?", he told at his younger sister, trying to reassure her.

He was encouraging her to resist the pain, but I could see that it was very hard for Nina to endure the venom on her bloods.

She was really sick, and I was afraid that she could die from her disease. Nina absolutely needed that antidote to live, and only Alfyn could save her. But when I was seeing her in that worst state, it made me very shocked, just like I started to stress for them.

But what am I doing here ?!

Why did I continued to stay here ?! What could prove me that she will survives when Alfyn come back ?! During a fraction of second, iI was just thinking again about my decision: did it was really a good thing to stay here ?! To hope that Alfyn will even come back ?!

What did it take me to stay on that chair ?! Why did I'm not in that cave with him ?!

I really hated to stay here while doing nothing, and I couldn't support more to see Nina in that bed. I couldn't stop to worry about Alfyn, who was really walking into the mouth of a lion. I really think Alfyn needed someone to help him, even if he preferred to be alone, he absolutely needed a partner for finding that poison.

I finally decided: I couldn't stay here in that house to wait that Nina succumb at her disease, so I have to go in that cave to and to join Alfyn.

I looked inside my bag, where there were the flowers I harvested earlier, but also the axe Therion gave me. I remembered why he gave me this axe: it wasn't for harming people, it was for protecting the people we love, just like when I protected Ophilia !

Now I had everthing I needed, I have to get out of this house, so I slowly get up on my chair I was used to sit, when I verified if Zeph wasn't seeing me, or he will make sure that I won't leave him and preventing me to go in that cavern.

However, he was too concerned about his little sister, as he was paying attention at nothing but her. He was still reassuring his sister the better he could, still holding her hand at her request, while he was watching her with focused eyes. Despite her big brother was there, she couldn't stop to flinch at the pain, and her movements were so weak and so slow for a sick person. I think she was more suffering than Ophilia and Lianna's dad, and it seemed to not be easy to endure the pain at her age.

Zeph was better with his sister than somewhere else, but me, unlike him, I wasn't thinking I'll be useful here, and that I should be with Alfyn. Plus, Nina seemed to be in good hands with Zeph.

Anyway, Zeph wasn't watching me, so I profited of his inattention for slowly tiptoing on the parket, moving quietly towards the door. That's weird: I think I've already done this kind of thing a moment ago...

Whatever, my hand finally reached the door, but if ever I open it, the door while make a crinking sound, which should alert Zeph. So, I needed to be quick.

I took a small breath, when I opened it wide, and I started to dash at the left, without looking back at me.

I ran at full speed, when I saw a front of me the hill, which I recognized because there was at my left the cemetary where I have found myself, and at the left, of course, the river, which was still calmly flowding at any situation.

A front of me, I saw the exit of the village, different to the other one because there were no forests, but meadows, green meadows with a fresh green grass. I deduced it must be where Alfyn went, because after he left the house, I saw him passing from the window at the left side. So, I followed in his footsteps, and there must be the Cave of Rhiyo they've talked about. I think I'm gonna have to walk for a moment.

I knew that I was going at such a dangerous place, Alfyn and Zeph have said several times how dangerous where those snakes. But what choice do I have ? I had to help Alfyn, even if I have to take some risks to venture myself in a cavern full of snakes. However, I have to be careful this time, and I finally have my axe to defend myself against those snakes, but also to protect people I like.

I don't really know for the moment how helpful I'll be with Alfyn, if ever I find him while he still haven't found the antidote. So, I remembered Therion's words, when he have told me to do the best I could to help people. One more time, I'm gonna to my best to help Alfyn and to save Nina !

Maybe a few people in the village may be watching me leaving the village, maybe some of them were worried about me, but I didn't payed attention to them, and I made my way towards the path, determined to go helping my friend.

~Alfyn's Pov~

It's been a while I was walking through the meadows, making my way on the way covered by the gravel, with the relaxing sound of the river flowding path, as it zigzaged to look pretty in the landscape, and between the fir trees with their leaves softly bathed by a warm sun. It was such a nice sunny day, like almost everyday in the Riverlands, and all of this pretty nature with this fresh green grass was certainly beautiful... but it wasn't really the chosen moment to comtemplate this area.

Actually, the life of a little girl was in danger, I have to concentrate myself and to go inside this cave. If I didn't hurry up, even without any breaks, Nina won't survive the poison she had caught after she was bitten. I have to find the original poison in order to save her.

I continued to walk, my light brown hair warmed by the sun, with a lot of determination inside me, but I could confess that it was a little exciting to go in a place where I've never been there before.

I was passing on a wooden bridge above the river, when I saw a pair of trees next to each other, when I watched at the right.

The river was flowding calmly, but it was now turning left, as it passed beneath a enormous rocky hill that I've quickly noticed from far, thinking it was just a hill covered by the grass. I was slightly surprised to see instead the entrance of a cavern. It was so dark at the interior that I could barely see what was inside, but it seemed so deep.

"That must be the Cave of Rhiyo...", I said to myself, while I stopped in my tracks.

I've already heard a lot about this place: when me and Zeph were children, we often played with the other kids outside the village. But the adults prohibited us to go too far from the village, and to stay away from dangerous place, for safety reasons. This cave was one of these places, and they especially warned us to venture in that place, because of the numerous snakes populating it. Usually, snakes would generally live in forests, but these rattles were special and were able to live in that wet cavern. They were also venimous, but despite their advices, we still wanted to explore it, because me and my friends, whom some of them pretty reckless, enjoyed to play at the little adventurers.

However, we have quickly changed out minds after hearing the story of the old Alek: a few years ago, a thief was chased by the police from the village of Saintbridge for a few days. To escape them, he hid in that cave for not being caught. Of course, he achieved to escape the guards, but he was now stuck in this cave which was infested by snakes. According to what the old Alek has told us, a week after, the research have continued in the cave of Rhiyo. They haven't found the thief, but they have found his loot at the end of the cavern, which was now kept by... a skeleton.

This story had really shivered our spines, especially at Zeph and Mercedez, who were also scared by snakes. Anyway, not even an adult dared to visit that cavern again, as it was so dangerous.

I never expected that I would go one day venturing inside this place. I knew how much it was risky, I knew how dangerous this place was, but now, I wasn't a child anymore, and I have to go in, to find the creature who did this to Nina. And of course, I'll go back to the village in one piece with the antidote, like I've promised to Zeph, or else, who will save his sister now ?

I took a small breath before I decided to enter the cavern, by passing through a narrow path at the left, agaisnt a wet wall, while the right side of the entrance could be only proceeded by swimming in the water. It wasn't the moment to swim for me, and I was looking for a snake, not for a fish.

The cavern was really impressing seen from the inside: it was such a dark place with all those rocky surface all around me, accompanied with giant stalactites suspending on the ceiling, where drops of water were falling on the ground. Thanksfully, I could clearly see thanks to the light of the sun which passed through the opening of a hole leading from outside, which was above my head, but there were also some soft sunny light illuminating the place. I observed a large source of water: the river continued to flow from the end of the cave to here, before leaving the place by the exit. The sound of the water echoed in all the cavern, and the water looked so luminous, so pure.

I decided to made my way, moving forward by instinct, looking for that blotted viper responsible for Nina's poisoning. I didn't know where to go first, so I've chosen the direction where I was deducing Nina and Lily must have took with their fragile legs. I continued to make my way through a rocky wet floor. Effectly, there was water everywhere in that cave: there were a calm river, there was a noisy waterfall at the other side of the cave, and even the air was humidified. It was slightly cold, but that doesn't stop me to find that snake.

Talking about snake, I was just noticing one at the right, which was slowly crawling behind the rocks. It looked menacing with its red colored scales and those spikes behind his head, and even if it flew after seeing me, it didn't seem to be scared of me, as it slowly plunged in a small pool of water. Thanksfully, I was making sure to watch at my feet, and I knew how to avoid a snake thanks to my apothecary's skills. Even if it wasn't really what I was looking for, I was admired about how so many snakes would spend their lives inside this cavern.

While I continued to walk inside this cavern, there were so many rocks and so many water that I thought there were no grass growing in that place... but I was wrong.

After a few minutes, I've finally arrived to a small area covered by grass and flowers, and which was bather by the sun as well. I was mostly paying attention to the flowers: they looked very pretty, and when a puff of wind was blowing, they were "dancing" so gracefully that we could sometimes mistake them as butterflies.

I quickly recognized the nature of the flowers.

"Lookee here. A patch of waterblooms.", I said to myself.

I remembered that according to Lily's testimony, she and Nina were left to pick flowers for Zeph, when Nina has been bitten.

"This must be the place !", I spoke again, feeling concerned about this grassy area.

I then walked in direction of these flowers, where the grass was wet by a few puddles. I was slightly sure it was the place where this viper poisoned the poor girl.

I approached one of the flowers, and bended down a front of it, observing it carefully.

"Not just a pretty sight... makes a good bitters, too. No wonder it's Zeph's favorite.", I said to myself.

Me and Zeph have studied a lot about flowers, including this one, which Zeph preferred a lot, as it was also a good ingredient for drugs. They are generally growing in forests or in plains, but they could also appear inside caverns, on the condition if they're growing right next to a source of water.

What an angel, coming here all the way here to pick flowers for her brother.

Nina was such an adorable little sister for Zeph: she must loves him so much that she could even dare to go into such a dangerous place just to make pleasure at her big brother after his long day of work. She usually pick flowers in the meadow or sometimes in the forest with Lily, but I was surprised that they wanted to go in such a dangerous place like the cave of Rhiyo. I remembered that there were less waterblooms this time, that's why she wanted to go there, to find the last flowers just to please Zeph.

It was pretty reckless from her, I couldn't believe she dared to go there. As a result, she was bitten by that snake. But thanksfully she wasn't alone and Lily was with her to bring her back at Clearbrook, else, she might have finished like that poor thief.

I just continued to observe those flowers when

HSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!!!!!

I just heard a whistle, a loud and high-pitched whistle, which echoed in all the cavern.

I eavesdropped, concerned by the sound, and looked all around me where the noise came from. I continued to hear the same whistle, but I just noticed it didn't seem to be an human's whistle, as I never heard someone hissing like that.

HSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!!!!!

I heard the hissing again, and this time, I was sure it was an animal who was hissing. Did it was a snake ? I don't know. I've never heard a snake hissing like that, unless..

I slowly turned behind me, when I heard the sound of something rubbing the ground and moving the ground. I watched through the darkness, something was moving, something was moving so slowly.

I stepped back a little when I saw the head of a familiar creature: a snake. But it wasn't like any snake, he was big, so big, that I was sure he could swallow an entire human with his enormous mouth.

The creature zigzagged in my direction, when I saw his long and forked tongue, sticked out from his mouth, while he watched me with menacing red eyes.

HSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!!!!!

When he approached the light of the sun, I could clearly see how this snake looked like: he has a yellow... no.... golden skin, covered by a lot of reds stains with blue. So many stains... there was no doubt: it was the Blotted Viper.

He looked really enormous: I remembered in a book I've studied that a blotted viper would sometimes live with groups of smaller snakes, and that the most biggest specimen were seen with around 15 meters of long. But this one, looked like to be in the 20 meters of long, with a width of around 1 meter.

I was really amazed to see such an enormous snake a front of my eyes, but I was also concerned by this monster because I recognized it was the one who had bitten Nina, and put her in that state.

Despite he looked menacing, he wasn't scaring me.

"And if you ain't just the fellow I was looking for ...", I spoke at the viper in a calm tune, just like I was talking to an human person.

I then made a few steps a front of him, while he was watching me carefully anf menacingly, before I excused myself in an ironic way.

"Sorry to drop in unannounced. Say, don't suppose you could spare a nip of snakebite, could ya ?", I asked him nicely, trying to be as polite as possible with that giant reptile.

HSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHAAAAAA !!!!!

He hissed again at me, while opening it large mouth, revealing his sharped teeth, where there must be the poison he was stowing. But despite I didn't speak any word in snake's language, I could understand that he wasn't agree that I borrow him his venom, not even a little. But I have to if I wanted to cure Nina.

I watched at the snake elevating his head, alongside with the upper part of his body, when he looked taller as usual. He watched menacingly at me, when I continued to speak to him.

"Oh, no, don't get up. I'll help myself."

I then took my big axe I carried in my back, Grey Bear, when I was now holding it with both hands. It was slightly heavy at the head, but thansfully I was one of the most muscular man in the village !

I needed that axe, but not only to defend myself against this big snake, but also to cut the teeth of the Viper, which must be actually keeping the poison.

I was ready to deal against that snake, giving one more time a chance to give me his poison and to leave without scales removed with axe strokes.

HSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!!

"Well shucks, if you insist.", I said positively to him, with a determined smile adorning my face, ready to beat that blotted viper, with a weapon on my hands.

He was now continuing to hiss, when his head leaned a little bit at the back, before he quickly jumped in my direction.

HSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!

~

A/N: Hello ! I went back to the original story of Alfyn's chapter 1 now, and I was pretty glad to have exposed Travis and Alfyn's determinations to save Nina. You must have noticed that something was missing: yes, I just skipped the moment when Alfyn inquired Lily about how Nina has been bitten because else this chapter would be too long, and I found this passage slightly annoying. I continue to play sometimes at the game (I've now finished 3 chapter 4, so finished 3 character stories. There will be fight in the next chapter !

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, you can leave a comment if you want, and see you next time for next ! (Yeah, I've already finished the A/N, because I'm too lazy to write a longer one XD)