CHAPTER TWO: Bed Ridden

The days moved sluggishly in Aoi’s homestead. Han’s injuries ebbed with each day, while his boredom grew out of bounds.

She didn’t let him help with anything that had a hint of physical labor—no leading the lambs back to the pen, no chance to help on the roof that had been leaking for all of his stay. His help was entitled to only handing her tools when Aio needed them, if and only if the tool weighed less than a feather.

He could sweep the floor on the second day. He allowed the dried herbs to be put in the bowl, but he couldn’t mash them. “You missed something on the floor,” she said, saying it didn’t have to do with his injuries. There weren’t many clothes to be folded, and the floor didn’t have much time to get dusty again. So, his boredom swelled, and it was only the beginning of the day.

People came from the village; no one had a serious injury. Just a few light fevers and checking in for previous treatments from Aoi. They went as fast as they came, with Han sitting on the fence, dangling his feet.

Despite almost being as good as new, he couldn’t leave. He had nothing to offer in return for the aid provided, and the least he could do was wait for her blessing before leaving. Aoi told him not to make any sudden movements—no running, no climbing, no swinging, etc. The list went on and on.

Birds chirped, taking on the forest. It seemed ages ago that #1 was still on his mind. Maybe it was just because he had nothing better to do. Dangerous or not, Han wanted to get a glimpse of him and see which parts of the stories were true and which were not. His whole demeanor changed after Aoi mentioned #1, and he hasn't necessarily acted the same.

He took a stroll around the house, breathing in the sweet air and peering toward the village. Aoi’s house was built on a hill, giving him a vantage point to see miles away across the meadows.

Laden carts made their way on the rutted road—tens of them. One would think their village had the most powerful lord in residence, but they were just making their way inside the kingdom. The kingdom’s walls filled the horizon, making the villagers’ roofs seem like pointed pebbles beneath.

He found a stump of a tree and sat, hoping to see one of his friends.

It took hours before he glimpsed Edward. He had short, cropped, curly blond hair that was a few inches longer than Han’s hair. Han smiled, waiting to hear if there was any news from the camp. But Edward seemed sullen—not his usually jaunty character. He smiled for a heartbeat as he greeted Han before his mood returned. His green eyes rested glued to the grass as he leaned on a tree opposite Han. His sleeves were clean for once; usually they’d be as charred as coal from the soot in the forge.

"Edward, have you some free time?” Said Han.

Edward worked his jaw. “I have all the free time in the world. I'm no longer working actually."

"Why?" Han asked.

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Edward always complained about the iron works. Like everyone else, he had dreams bigger than making the next dull spade and rake.

“Said my apprenticeship ended. He said he had nothing more to teach me; I’m to open my shop now.”

If Han knew something about Edward, he knew that news like this should have him jumping with joy. Something was wrong. “That’s great news,” Han smiled. “We can put a few things together, clear some rubble, and make room for your shop in the camp. We have great work ahead of us; why aren’t you excited?”

"Well…"Edward paused. “Oh, bugger with me. I’m sorry, Han. I should be the one worried about you. How are you feeling?”

“Bored,” said Han. “Very, very bored.”

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t come yesterday. I came when Koto told me, but you weren’t able to speak then.” Edward clenched his fists. “I can’t believe Roeff did that, and he spiked the board with a nail too."

“Three nails to be exact.” Han corrected, "he tried to smack me into the next life, but don't worry, we knocked them all unconscious; that should make them hesitate for next time. Oh, you should have seen it.”

“I wish I was there.” Edward shrugged. “Guess we can’t venture alone in the woods anymore then; we’ll have to stick together.”

Han nodded. Edward was not much of a fighter; he preferred craftsmanship. He and Haru, Koto’s sister, took the brains of the operations, unlike their counterparts. They were always dragging Han and Koto out of trouble.

“We’ll always stick together.” Said Han, “Speaking of which, how’s the camp? I was wondering what kept Koto away.”

Edward’s eyes widened. “What do you mean? Isn't Koto somewhere here? Where’s Aio? I haven’t personally seen him since yesterday. I jumped through hoops to cover for him. I thought I’d find him here.”

Han’s heart thumped all of a sudden. Koto was known to disappear from time to time, but recent events have made Han warier and more suspicious. What if he was ambushed?

He jumped to his feet, cringing at the pain around the stitches. He curled up on himself clutching his ribs. “We should search for him in the woods.” He said it between breaths.

Edward placed a hand on his shoulder and said, “You really should stop mentioning the woods. I’ll ask around in the village.”

"No!” Han snapped, “Koto wouldn’t go there. You’re the only one who likes it, for some reason. No, Koto must have gone inside the kingdom walls.”

Han stood upright as things started to make sense now. Koto was always eager to make use of their entrance into the kingdom. Koto witnesses any event going on in the city—festivals, fairs, and ovations meant for an acclaimed lord or warrior on the rarest of occasions. He admired the place and with his thievery prior, things were adding up. Koto undoubtedly was spending time in Atlas.

Han tried to convince himself that everything was alright. “What’s the last thing you remember him telling you?"

"I'm not sure. We talked about you.” Edward paused, thinking, “Oh, he said that he has some plans once you recover.”

Han battled his thoughts; they drove him to the worst of outcomes: “Why didn’t you tell me that before? What kind of plan?”

"What should I have told you? You know him; he’s always up to something.”

"Yes. That’s exactly why!” Han breathed out, “Can you come with me? I need your help to convince Aoi that I’m ready to go home now.”

Edward grinned. “Why not? It’s about time that I ruin her opinion of me too.”