Try and Catch Me

Three days. That was how long it took for Eldric to wake up. Lia and Tamara nursed him day in and day out. They kept an eye for any movement in the woods in case Eldric’s enemies still lurked somewhere in the woods, waiting for a time to strike. Lia also kept her trips to the clearing short, no more lounging or sleeping around. She plucked the materials and went back home again.

Lia was changing his bandages when he started rousing. For a moment, she was afraid that she might have caused him more pain than help with her clumsy dressing. She held her breath as she watched him move his fingers and slowly opened his eyes. She waited until his eyes came into focus and stared at her curiously.

“How are you feeling?” She asked softly.

For a pregnant moment, he just laid there with furrowed eyebrows. Perhaps trying to remember what made him land in their house in the first place.

“Who are you? Why am I here? Where is this?” He asked in a rasped voice without any trace of fear or panic. It was as if he only asked what day was it.

“I found you in the woods and I brought you here to our house. My mother is the one who treated you. Does it hurt anywhere?” Conscious with the vigilant look Eldric was giving him, she acted like she did not care as she checked his wounds. But Eldric continued to study her face.

He shook his head. “Am I dead?”

“No. Would you want to?”

He shook his head again. “I thought I would be. You look familiar. Have we met before?” His eyes searched Lia’s face.

“Are you trying to pick me up right after you woke up? No, you wait there. Don’t move so much or you’ll bleed again.” Lia pushed him back as gentle as possible when he tried to get up. She helped him leaned on the headboard instead. “Mother? Mother! He’s awake!”

Not too long after that, Tamara emerged to Lia’s room and checked his body while Lia watched on the sideline. Eldric stiffened when Tamara came in, his eyes focused on her hair. ‘Great. Someone who might know about the witch.’

“Please be careful when moving. Your wounds might reopen.” Tamara said.

“How long did I pass out?” he asked, his gaze flickered between Tamara and Lia.

“Three days.”

Eldric squeezed his eyes shut. “That long?”

Tamara exchanged a look with Lia. “My daughter here told me that you are from the Imperial City. May we know what happened, my Lord? So that we can help you.”

“Please, just call me Eldric. You have already done so much and I don’t want to burden you anymore. I’m forever in your debt.” He glanced at Lia who was watching him silently on the sidelines before turning back to Tamara. “… have you inform the town yet?”

“Not yet. We await your decision. We thought that maybe something happened that shouldn’t be known to the public. Lia checked and there were no rumors around the town because of your disappearance.” Tamara explained.

“That was wise of you.” Eldric considered for a moment and Lia waited with bated breath. “And yes, I guess I owe you two an explanation.”