A Hero With/Out Time

Chapter 5: My Progress. (Part 4)

"No...."

Despite my complaint I didn't have a choice in the matter. Even Ronalt who was displeased was shut down by Earnest who told him it was under his order. My one ray of hope backed down. I really couldn't rely on Ronalt for anything. Even while Marley healed my leg and the Hero berated Earnest that he had gone too far, he just nodded. I recognised the look in his eyes. During my rampage, each time I reached him, it was the same glow of interest. I had caught his attention. A part of me seriously thought about dying to get out of it.

*

I yawned tiredly. Because of Earnest's 'training' I was put behind on my tasks. Despite it being his fault he quite readily decided to head off to bed and leave everything to me. The night however was peaceful and a soft breeze floated past me as I finished my preparations for tomorrow. My tent however hadn't been set up yet but based off past experience the weather should hold. It was one of the most convenient aspects of my multiple lives and I could camp without hesitation.

I began to pull out my sleeping gear and felt the strain on my body. Although Marley could heal the bruising and bones, she couldn't do much about my tired muscles. A reflexive groan left my lips.

"You know you could always say no," Taylor's voice surprised me.

My bedding fell to the ground as I jumped, "Goddess be damned why is everyone surprising me today!"

Taylor didn't move from the chair she sat in and simply laughed.

"Just how long have you been there?" I asked grumpily as I picked up my blankets.

"Who knows," she shrugged. "Like I was saying, you could always say no."

I turned to her sour faced, "You think I didn't try?"

"Well you did, but it's not like he can really force you to do it. In the end you did it because you wanted to right?"

"You think I wanted to have my leg broken?" I frowned. "I follow orders, it's what I'm here to do." Her gaze hardened causing me to admit the truth as I turned away, "Fine, I also wanted to release some pent up stress."

"You know I've offered multiple times to help you with that," and there it was, Taylor's usual smile.

"Yeah, no," I shook my head.

"And if I ordered you?" her eyes took on the glint of a hunter. A chill crept up my spine.

"You could...." I smiled, "But unfortunately for you I'd still say no. Besides you wouldn't do that. You're incessant for sure but you're not that kind of person."

Her brow raised, "What do you mean by that?"

I chuckled at her confusion, "How do I put it, you're surprisingly kind."

For a moment she was stunned but then a hollow laugh echoed from her lips, "I'm not kind. Trust me, if it was for my benefit, I'd use you in a heartbeat whether it meant you died or not."

"True," my smile softened. Despite what she said, when it came to the Hero and the others, Taylor looked out for them. I had seen it many times even if the others didn't notice. The fact she'd sacrifice me for them or herself however was something I knew very well.

"Anyway, I must say I'm surprised," Taylor focused on me again.

"About what?"

"For someone who doesn't know how to fight you did really well against Earnest. Are you sure you didn't lie to me back in Wester?"

I sighed, "If that's what it looked like to you you're surprisingly blind. He kicked my arse."

"You're the one who's blind. Yeah you looked and fought like an amateur but that's it. A normal person wouldn't even be able to last a second."

"Well I wouldn't say I'm normal," I shrugged. I had always been quick on the uptake to learn new things.

"Honestly...," Taylor curled her body into the chair and looked away as a soft smile crossed her lips, "I'm jealous."

"...." I was stunned to silence and for a brief second my heart fluttered. That smile just now was foreign to me.

She looked at me, "You can do everything. Cook, clean, smith, sew the list just goes on. Wherever you go someone will need you."

"I'm not that great," my voice levelled. "I thought you liked being a thief."

"I love it. When you're out there and the entire city is looking at you, for you. In those moments, it really feels like I'm needed." She smiled again but it wasn't pure like the Hero's. It was like she was smiling at herself like a joke.

"Taylor I-,"

She cut me off and stood from her chair, "Sorry I'm wasting your time. I must have had a little too much to drink. Goodnight." Without saying another word she disappeared into the carriage. My heart clenched. I really didn't know what to make of what just happened.