~Burdon~

Just then a women came out, who was carrying a bow and arrow, who-basic on facts and observation-shot the arrow. She's very beautiful. If I was entirely human, I would've been completely stunned by her beauty.
A vision flashed across my vision, but I managed to blink it away just in time. I really didn't want to look like a deer in a headlight while staring at her as I'm having a vision. Or to have my eyes rolled to the back of my head and collapse in front of her.
"Kar?!" asked the women, shocked. Which snapped me back to the present.
"Yes, Avalula?"
"It doesn't surprise me that you know my real name. Call me by my nickname, Ava, please," said Avalula-Ava for short. "What are you doing here? Who are those two young men?"
Why does everyone ask that? Do we not look related? Do we not look like his sons? I wondered.
"I was visiting my brother-in-law and my nephew. These two young men are my sons." "Oh, nice to meet you," said Ava.
"You too," Malhaw and I.
At least she didn't ask my Father if he was married-like the last few people have, I thought, slightly annoyed and relieved at the same time.
"Who are you two?"
"I'm Aeri." I nodded towards Malhaw, saying, "That is Malo."
"Are you okay?" asked Ava to Malhaw.
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not." Talking to the elf now, he said, "His foot and knee is injured."
"Oh. My sister is excellent at taking care of wounds," said Ava, as if it was alright. I heard Malhaw groan. "Come on we'll take you to her." The elves, behind Ava, turned around and started walking towards the direction of the healer. My Father started following them, so I helped Malhaw walk-following Father and the elves. We walked, and walked, and walked.
Finally, after a while, we came into view of some houses and tents. We walked past a house. And walked to a door; Ava opened the door. Ava and the elves walked inside and told Father that 'we should stay outside while they check that she's home.' After a few minutes, one of the elves came out.
"She's here," said the elf before walking back inside. We walked inside and followed the elf. While we were walking the elf started speaking, "I'm Kai, by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Kai," said Father, Malhaw, and I-as if in union. We kept on walking. While we were walking Kai kept on talking and talking. I learned to block him out-only responding when I had to. We took some twists and turns. At the end of the twists and turns we-blessedly-came to the door.
I noticed that felt Malhaw's feelings were of dread. Why are Malhaw's feelings of dread? We entered into the room and saw Ava's sister. Ava's sister was attending to a patient. "Hello, Resa. I have a new patient for you."
Resa looked up from attending her patient. "Well, I never expect to see you again, Malo." Then looking back down at her patient. Malhaw didn't look, or say anything to Resa.
"Really?!" was asked when she noticed that Malhaw didn't look or say anything to her. "You really won't speak or even look at me?!" Then she noticed me and asked, "Who are you?"
"I'm Aeri."
"Oh, you look exactly like Malo."
"Wait," said Ava, as if she just remembered something.
"Yeah?" asked Resa.
"Didn't you and Malo have a... thing?"
"Yes, that's right."
My mouth was wide opened as soon as 'yes' fell from Resa's mouth. I was so surprised that Malhaw had dated a elf!
Resa looked at me. "Why do you look surprise?"
"He didn't know me and you courted," said Malhaw for the first time in a while.
Her only response to that was a 'hmm.' Then she said, "Let me have a look at your knee and foot." I helped Malhaw sit down over his protest. After I did that Resa asked my Father and I to leave-so she could take care of Malo. Actually she asked everyone to leave-expect for her assistants and patients, of course. We left the room.
As soon as we left Ava asked, "How did Malo get injured?"
"His foot got caught in a trap."
"What about his knee?"
"Shot by a arrow."
"Where are you going?"
What is this? Integration day? Is she our integrator now?
"We are heading back home," I said.
"Oh," said Ava. Apparently I wasn't the one she wanted to talk to because she turned to my Father and said, "Don't worry about your son." Ava nodded towards me, "Or your brother-" "Half-brother," I corrected, automatically.
"Don't worry about your half-brother," Ava corrected. Turning to my Father again, she asked, "Do you want to stay here while Malo heals?"
"Yes, we are going to stay here. But can we stay in a different house?"
"Of course, you can."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. I'll go arrange it," said Ava, walking away.
She's so nosy. Why does she have to be so nosy? I wondered. If she wasn't so cute, I would-wait! Since when did I think she was cute? I shook my head slightly, trying to distract myself from thinking like that. But another thing started hammering against my skull, demanding its my attention. So when Ava was out of sight and eavesdropping, I asked, "Why did you asked Ava if we could be in a different house?"
"You know why," hissed my Father, stomping away.
"Father?! Wait!" I yelled, while he was running to catch up to him.
He looked back and stopped. "You were supposed to stay where you were," hissed my Father.
"But-" I blinked, surprised.
"Go back there and wait for Ava to show you where the house we're staying at," ordered my Father.
I blinked. My father had never been this mean to me before. And I have no idea why he was being this rude now. Bad day? Stressed out? I turned and ran back to meet Ava, going back inside the house. A few minutes, after I got back to where I was-before I ran after my Father-Ava return. "Come with me Aeri," said Ava. I followed her, without question, to the house Father and I were now staying at. I could tell Ava was about to leave when she asked, "Why are you so sad now? Did something happened?"
"I'm fine."
"You're sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure."
"Okay. Where's Kar?"
So nosy, but so cute. Shut up, mind! I shrugged, as I tried to keep my eyes on her face. "I don't know."
"I'll leave you to sleep," said Ava, leaving the room.
As soon as Ava left, I walked over to a bed and sat down. I set my stuff down next to my new bed. I laid there, looking at the ceiling for who knew how long before a door opened. I think it's my Father that walked into the room. I rolled over onto my side, facing away from my Father. I let him settle in-he's probably in a bad mood, plus I'm tried and I really don't want to have another fight. I heard him get settled in then get in to bed. I fell asleep.

***

~Karlag~

But I wasn't asleep. After a while Burdon started tossing and turning in his sleep. I got up, out of bed. I bent down to get my bag, I searched through it, and got something out of my bag. I walked to Burdon's bed-where he was obviously sleeping. I opened the jar that was in my hand, scooped the cream up with my fingers. And I tapped the cream, lightly, on Burdon's eyes.
I, then, walked back to my bed and I almost fell asleep before I groaned-remembering something I had to do before I fell asleep. Sighing, I got up, got out of bed. I walked out of the house-one of the reasons why I asked to live in a different house: no spies-and into the forest.

***
~Burdon~

"What are you doing here?!" demanded a girl.
Lysende.
A sword being drawn could be heard. And I felt the cool touch of steel against my back. I raise my hands in surrender.
"Stand up... slowly. No funny business."
All professional. Like a boss. She seems tough. I like that in a woman. Knows what she wants and she'll do just about anything to get it. I find that rather attractive in a woman... Why am I even thinking about this at a time like this?! She has a sword in my back and can kill me any second! Just why?!
"But what if I'm all about funny businesses?" I asked, mock complaining, as I stood to my feet.
"Hands on your head. Where I can see them." And I did as she ordered me. "Now turn around and let me see your face. But remember, if you are thinking about fighting, I would advise against it. I am a skilled sword fighter-even if I am a girl."
"I don't doubt it, Princess," I said, as I swung around on my heel. The look of shock on her face was priceless! With her mouth hanging open and taking in my features, it was quite hilarious! She also, slightly, loosened her grip on her sword. Ha, I thought. That's a funny. The appearance of me surprised her that much? I noticed that she's still staring at me. Good. "Like what you see?" I teased.
"Wh-wh-what?" She stumbled over her words as she regained her composure. Then she understood what I said. Pink stained her cheeks. Such lovely cheeks.
Stop it! I told myself. You shouldn't be thinking about her in that way!
Her grip tighten around the hilt of her sword as she scoffed in belief, "I doubt that." Lysende placed her sword onto my neck. "What's with the hood? Hiding from someone? To assassinate someone?"
"More or less," I replied, cautious of the sword at my throat.
Digging the blade in deeper, she demanded, "Well... which is it?"
I lowered my hood with my hands, and said, "Hiding."
Lysende gasped. "B-bu-but you're-"
"Vështirë's son, I know," I interrupted her. I sighed; tired of being called his son.
"Why are you here?" She asked me, suspiciously.
"Hiding."
"From...?"
My Father, I thought, but I didn't want to say that. So I grumbled, "What is this? An interrogation?"
"Considering I'm the one with the sword," and she adjusted her grip on her blade, "I would encourage you to answer my questions." With that, I could feel the steel pressing in harder-if it goes any deeper, it will start to draw blood.
Extending my neck in such a way that I avoid the cutting myself, I snapped, "Then you might want to give me room to breathe." And she loosened her hold on the sword, causing the blade to go back a inch or two. "Thank you," I said, a bit sarcastically.
"My questions still stand." Impatience filled her tone of voice.
"Really? Your questions can stand? That's amazing!" I joked.
"You know what I meant! Now answer my questions before I butcher you up and leave you in one of the pine trees behind you for the animals to find!" threatened Lysende.
She's serious. And mad. She is so cute when angry. Why am I even thinking like this?! And why do I want to kiss her perfect, lush, red lips? Argh! I shouldn't even be thinking like this, unless I want to get her killed! Which I don't! Ugh!
"Are you going to tell me, or do I have to let my friends have a go at you?"
As if on cue, a twig went:

SNAP!

As if to prove to me that there were people out there-hiding; waiting.
Had I not have been distracted by Lysende, I would've picked up on it a lot sooner. I, also, wouldn't have been stuck in this situation; in this trap.
"Take me to your leader," I declared; half joking.

-
Question(s) of the chapter:
When have you made a joke in a serious time? Or any jokes for that matter. Use that finger of yours and add a comment to the comment section about what happens. Honestly, I usually joke when I shouldn't and laugh too(I think it's called nervous laughter).

SC ©