Page 23 of The Tricksters Deception

“Corvu-”

“We should get going.” He states, disappointment spread across his face as he walked away from me to start packing our gear. I’m not sure what happened exactly, but it probably wasn’t the best idea to push it anyway. After all, I’d eventually go home, and when I do, it means Corvu and all of this will basically have been one long dream.

That’s right, when I leave I won’t ever see Gecko or Corvu again.

Corvu still helped me learn how to fight that day, and the day after that. Two days later we passed the village Corvu mentioned he grew up in. The land itself was still dry, as if the fire had only recently been put out. Corvu didn’t want to stay longer than we had to, so we continued the journey onward.

On the fifth day of travelling I managed to successfully last two minutes in a sword fight with Corvu before being knocked down, which I considered an accomplishment. He hasn’t quite been the same since that morning Gecko fell down the crevice. He won’t talk much and he keeps quite a distance, even deciding to sleep up higher in the trees was a better option to him. It made me feel a little deflated but I had to assume he understood that I would end up leaving by the time this all came to pass, so there was no point getting closer to each other.

I spent most of our riding time chatting with Gecko. I had no idea previously he actually had twelve other brothers and sisters. Their family gatherings must be a really big event. Gecko knew something was up between Corvu and I. He kept trying to trick us into being alone together, like asking me and Corvu at different times to help him fill up the canteen in a nearby stream so we’d end up there together. I appreciated his effort, even though I didn’t really understand why he was doing it. If anything I thought his distaste for Corvu outweighed everything else. I wanted nothing more than to be on the same page with Corvu again, but for each moment I thought we were getting back to normal something would happen to him and he’d turn away from me again. I know I shouldn’t be upset about it, but it hurt a little.

The day after we finally managed to reach the next main village, and although it was nothing big or special, it felt great to be amongst a crowd again. The village was modest but the homes were built on top of each other in a cluster of brick and mud. It was also surprising how long it took me to realize almost everyone in the village was an Elf, but it did explain why Corvu refused to put his hood down. The only thing that was left to do was find somewhere to sleep for the night that wasn’t the forest floor. However unlike Corvu and Gecko, I had an additional agenda for the evening.

Chapter thirteen

Day Sixteen

Corvu found a place that was less like an inn, more like a backpacker’s lodge for us to stay that night, we were just lucky that the extra bunk in the room was empty for the moment, so we had the time to ourselves.

As I look around the room, it’s obvious that all sorts have occupied it, especially with all the unusual markings, cuts and stains spread amongst the walls. Completely grotesque. Luckily I had other things on my mind to occupy myself. The lodge had a bath, so instead of taking a bath in a lake I jumped at the idea to use hot water, so I told the boys I would be back shortly.

In fairness, I’ve never had to boil water for a bath before. I had dunked most of my foot in too early so it felt really sore by the time I’d finished, but at least I was finally clean. I was also sure that the ‘soap’ they had available by the pound was for your body but I used it to aid in washing my hair a little. As the room was hot with a fire for boiling water it didn’t take long for me to dry myself off and put my clothes back on. I’d have to ask how people washed their clothes around here, because I couldn’t keep wearing the same thing over and over again.

I return to the room, but Gecko is nowhere to be found, just Corvu sitting on his bunk facing the large lattice gridded window. My hair wasn’t dry yet, but since we were alone I decided to go ahead and finally understand what was eating at him lately. I come up in front of him and sit down on the cot next to him. He’s a bit blown back by my sudden presence but otherwise relaxes quickly.

“Hey.” I start.

“Something wrong?” He asks, genuine concern in his tone.

“Well, maybe. You’ve been a little different lately.” He rubs the back of his head and sighs.

“How do you know I’m not normally like this? You haven’t known me for a terribly long time.” That was true, and it was hard to argue with that logic, but he was certainly feeling uneasy and I wanted to get at the bottom of it.

“I think something is bothering you, and that’s bothering me. Makes it hard to concentrate on stabbing you with a pointy object during sparring when it’s all I can think about.” He finally lets out a chuckle.

“It’s hard to explain.” A lot of things are hard to explain in this world, and in mine, so I understand completely. His palms are stretched out over his knees, so I put my left hand over his right. As I do this his ears pull backward and turn a little red.

“Try? I’m not going anywhere.”

“I think that’s what’s wrong.” He states, looking down at my hand over his. “This is one hell of an adventure, one where we are going to risk our lives to make, and the end result, should we succeed…” Corvu exhales deeply before continuing, “, after all this I end up losing a really good friend. It’s kind of nice having someone around that doesn’t judge me for what I am.” I had made the assumption something like that was bothering him, but I had also assumed it was selfish to think it was about me.

“Corvu,” I begin, “, I know that the end goal for me is to go home. And I know that means you might not ever see me again,” Who was I kidding? Once I was gone I wouldn’t be able to come back again. “The thing is, if you really enjoy me being your friend, why not enjoy the time we have together while we still have it.” At this point Corvu tilts his hand up and slightly holds mine. Goosebumps go up my arms but happily my long sleeve tunic covers that up from being seen.

“You’re…right.” He smiles, and for the first time in days it feels real. “I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for.” We’re startled by the door of the room opening. Corvu pulls his hand away and I take mine back. It was actually kind of sad to be interrupted. Gecko comes rushing in to face both of us and stands in front of Corvu.

“Okay, watch the rock.” He says to him. Corvu indulges and watches carefully as Gecko successfully pulls off the disappearing pebble magic trick I had shown him. I had no idea he was even practicing. I clap as he makes it disappear and Corvu seems puzzled. I guess simple magic tricks weren’t commonly practiced in Skiora.

I pat Gecko on the lower arm. “Good job, you got it!”

“Wait,” Corvu stops my congratulations and I retreat back to my regular position, “, where did it go?” Gecko tries to put on a bit of a show as he tries to make the pebble appear again but is a bit lost when he realizes it's no longer up his sleeve.

“Oh, here it is.” I smirk, casually making it appear from behind Corvu’s ear with a swift flick of the wrist.

“Whoa!” Gecko exclaims, clearly not picking up that I had taken it from him when I patted his arm. Corvu is completely bewildered and rubs his ear.

“I thought you couldn’t use the amulet for magic.” He blinks, but I just laugh.

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