Try and Catch Me

The Midnight Visitor (1)
Guessing the identity of her mysterious visitor was easy after her talk with the servant. None of the servants would go to the border, even Lia’s servant said so. Jeremiah, despite having more freedom, could not leave his post as his patients needed him. Lia was not close enough to other people to warrant such effort. Except for Eldric who went around the town every day to check the border. He had the means and the position to move anywhere and no one would be courageous enough to question him.

Eldric pushed a hand through his hair and sighed. “You caught me. I never thought you’d be awake.”

In the now lighted room, Lia could see a haggard Eldric as if he was running all over the town, never resting. She had the urge to put him at ease and ask for his well-being.

But first things first.

“So if I’m not awake, it would be okay to go to a maiden’s room in the middle of the night?” She deliberately paused and watched him squirm in his seat. “If I have my dagger with me, I would have impaled you.”

Eldric winced. “Yes, I see your point and I apologize for my actions.” He gave her an approving look. “That was a nice plan though.”

Lia cocked her eyebrow. “What, impaling you?”

“Yes, no, I mean, defending yourself. I should bring your dagger tomorrow.”

“During daytime.”

“Yes, yes. During daytime.”

Lia took a long look at him. He looked defeated and for the third time ever since meeting him, he looked less than the protagonist she thought he would be. The one who saves the world, the one with the golden finger. The Eldric in front of her looked more… human. He was as frail and struggling as she was.

She felt her irritation went away little by little. “So what’s with all of these sneaking around?”

Eldric let out a heavy sigh. “I was afraid.” He said as if every word was being pulled out of him.

Lia waited in silence. When she thought he would no longer continue, she tried to open her mouth to speak but Eldric beat him to it.

“You’ve heard of my past, something that I really wanted to bury. It was not something I’m proud of.”

If one has a background that concerned the Unseen one would most likely hide that fact especially among his men. Lia could imagine the guards dramatically throwing their weapons away and turning back to the General they used to respect.

“So… you thought that I would judge you. Perhaps even spread the word about your past.” Lia guessed.

“Not the last part.”

“But definitely the first.”

Eldric nodded and closed his eyes.

Lia considered her words before speaking. “You know, I didn’t really understand what that man said. It was confusing as heck. And obviously I didn’t know the past Eldric. What I know is the Eldric in front of me who learned from his mistakes to be the man he is now.”

She let the words sunk in as Eldric gaped at her before letting out a sigh he seemed to have been holding in ever since he came in. He let out a barely audible thank you, his features relaxing as he spoke.

“No need,” because she did not really think it was something to be thanked for not did she think that her words would help Eldric. But those were her sincere thoughts.

“No, I owe you my thanks for saving me back then. If it were not for your help, I would not have been able to get away from the ropes. And for the medicine. Jeremiah said it would have taken me longer to recover if I did not take it right away.”