Chapter Text
They were alive! They jumped from a cliff thousands of feet high up and unto the ground without even a single scratch!
Erik is still processing that information. Even now, as he’s watching the boy in front of him sleep so soundly, eyeing the simple mark on his left hand, he just couldn’t believe it. But what else could explain it?
The young thief sits back against his chair, closing his eyes as he recalls that dream like yesterday. The scent of flowers, the sound of water rippling, the cool breeze against his skin, and the woman’s words...
“Have faith in the Luminary,” he repeats to himself. A chuckle escaped Erik before he turns his gaze back to his companion. “So this really must be destiny. You really are the Luminary. Then if I stick around and help you, maybe…” Erik leans forward, clenching his hands together. “Heh, you better wake up soon. Now that I think about it, I don’t even know your name.”
A gentle knock on the door makes Erik turn his head back, his hand already hovering over his knife until the door opens and the kindly old nun pokes her head in.
“Oh, dear. Is he still out?” she asked with furrowed brows. Erik quickly shifts his body to face her, tugging his shirt over his weapon as discreetly as possible.
“Yeah, he hasn’t come around yet.”
A warm smile glowed on the old lady’s face as she approached him, eyes lingering on the Luminary until she was finally just in front of him. “Well, do not fret, my child. I’m certain that by tomorrow he will be fine.”
“How can you be so sure?” Erik asked, and was surprised to find almost a twinkle in her eyes as she slowly turned around to look at the altar on the nave.
“This sounds strange but when I was praying for your friend’s recovery, I saw a vision.” The nun spoke with such casualness while Erik gaped at her.
“A vision…?”
A field of flowers as far as the eye can see, interrupted by a quaint river that surrounds a small inlet at the centre. And on that inlet is a quaint cottage. Puffs of smoke escape the chimney on the roof, where a young woman with long hair sits, holding a fishing rod. A near picturesque scene Erik could never forget even if he tried.
“You saw a vision? Are you telling the truth?”
The holy woman nodded wistfully. “Yes. I saw you and your friend at camp, gathered around a fire under the stars and laughing together like old friends. And,” she looks between the two of them. “Is it just the two of you? Where are your other companions?”
“What?”
A weak growl interrupts them. Not from any monster, as Erik quickly realizes with embarrassment.
“Hoho! My apologies. It didn’t occur to me to ask if you were hungry.”
“N-No, it’s fine!” The thief tried to reassure, scratching his head with flushed face. “Just, uh, forgot to eat breakfast, you know.”
“My, we can’t have that!” She laughs. “Let me get you something to eat. It’s not much, but it should fill you for the night.”
“That would be appreciated. Thank you, sister.”
She smiles again. Erik can practically feel its bright, almost saintly, purity boring into his guilty heart. It makes him uncomfortable. He’s not used to taking kindness from strangers–and he never will because that’s nearly gotten him killed enough times–but just for tonight, he’ll indulge.
It’s a decision he instantly regrets when the sister finally returns with a bowl of piping hot porridge . Months of eating gruel and his first meal out had to be...a similar thing.
Erik stifled a groan until the old lady finally left after assuring him that it would be okay to ask for seconds.
To be fair with her, her cooking was nothing like the slop the soldiers served him in Heliodor. Theirs was a brown and thick substance, with a few lumps of ungrinded oats mixed in that left a strange, lingering, powdery feel on his tongue that felt and tasted disgusting. The nun’s, however, is glistening white with streaks of emerald green from the vegetables mixed in. And, as Erik mixes it with a wooden spoon, is smooth. Almost velvety. The earthy aroma coming from it was honestly relaxing for his soul.
But, porridge was porridge. Filled with vegetables to boo–herbs. It was herbs.
Erik’s nose wrinkles all the same at the mental correction as he chews it. It’s bitter but thankfully not too strong. Enough that it sends almost jolts of energy through his body, as if to wake it up.
It’s hard to admit but it’s not intolerable to him. He’d even pick eating this over Heliodor’s garbage any day. That said, by tomorrow, maybe he’ll buy some meat. Enjoy some real food to finally celebrate his freedom.
Erik sips his–he sighs–bitter tea as he looks back the sleeping Luminary.
For obvious reasons, all that would need wait first.