Chapter 4 - Cleanse And Unease

Aric wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling the grime and dust clinging to his skin. He knew exactly where he needed to go next.

Sheathing his sword, he started down a narrow path that wound through the thick woods. It was a path he had walked many times before, leading to a hidden spot where the forest gave way to the gentle flow of a river.

Vire, who had perched on his shoulder during the walk back, flitted up into the air. "I'll explore around while you wash up," they said, their voice carrying a hint of excitement. "The forest feels lively today. Maybe I'll find something interesting."

Aric smiled, nodding. "Just don't stray too far," he reminded them. "We'll need to keep an eye on the borders soon."

Vire gave an exaggerated salute, their tiny hand resting against their glowing forehead. "Aye, aye, captain!" they chimed before darting off into the trees, their wings leaving a trail of faint light in the air.

Aric watched them go, the sight of Vire's light flickering between the trees bringing a sense of calm to his mind.

Turning back to his path, he continued his journey, his footsteps silent on the soft earth.

The sounds of the river reached his ears before he saw it—the gentle rush of water over rocks, the soothing melody of the current as it wound its way through the forest.

When he finally emerged from the trees, the sight of the river greeted him like an old friend. The water was clear, reflecting the bright blue of the sky above.

The riverbank was lined with smooth stones, worn down by years of flowing water, and the gentle slope of the land made it easy to approach the edge.

Aric knelt by the river, dipping his hands into the cool water. The sensation was refreshing, the chill chasing away the lingering heat from his training. He splashed water over his face, letting it drip down his neck and chest, washing away the grime and sweat.

The river's touch was soothing, easing the tension in his muscles and bringing clarity to his thoughts.

After a few moments, he stood, unfastening the leather straps of his tunic and letting it fall to the ground. The sun warmed his bare skin as he stepped into the river, the water rising to his knees, then his waist.

He waded out until the water reached his chest, his breath hitching slightly at the cold, but the sensation was invigorating. 

Aric submerged himself fully, letting the river's current wash over him, cleansing him of the morning's toil. The water muffled the sounds of the forest, creating a cocoon of calm where only his heartbeat echoed in his ears.

He stayed under for a few moments, allowing his mind to empty, before resurfacing with a deep breath. 

As he floated on his back, staring up at the canopy above, he felt a rare sense of peace.

The forest, with all its dangers and mysteries, had become his home—its rivers, his sanctuary. Here, in the embrace of the water, he could let go of the weight he carried, if only for a little while.

Meanwhile, Vire flitted through the forest, exploring the nooks and crannies of their shared domain. The tiny beings moved with purpose, their eyes scanning the underbrush and the treetops for any signs of disturbance.

Every so often, they paused, hovering in place as they listened to the forest's whispers, their senses attuned to even the smallest changes in the environment.

The forest was indeed lively today. Birds called to one another in the distance, their songs weaving through the trees. A family of deer moved cautiously through the underbrush, their ears twitching as they grazed on the lush vegetation.

Vire watched them with a fond smile, noting how even the wild animals seemed more at ease on this day.

But as they continued their exploration, a subtle shift in the air caught Vire's attention. The light in the forest seemed to dim ever so slightly, the usual sounds of the woods growing quieter. It was nothing overt, but to Vire, it was enough to raise their guard.

They flitted higher, above the treetops, where they could get a better view of the forest. Their glow intensified as they scanned the horizon, searching for anything out of place.

The forest stretched out in all directions, an endless sea of green and shadow, but nothing seemed amiss.

Still, the feeling lingered—a sense of unease that Vire couldn't quite place. 

"I should tell Aric," they muttered to themselves, their voice tinged with concern. Without another moment's hesitation, they zipped back through the trees, retracing their path to the river.

Aric, now fully cleaned, was stepping out of the water, droplets cascading down his skin as he reached for his tunic. He caught sight of Vire's approach, noticing the urgency in their movements. "What is it?" he asked, slipping the tunic back over his head.

Vire landed on his shoulder, their glow dimmed slightly. "I'm not sure," they admitted. "But something feels off. The forest… it's quieter than usual."

Aric frowned, his instincts sharpening at Vire's words. He had learned to trust Vire's intuition—it had saved them both more times than he could count. "We should check the borders," he said, fastening the last strap of his tunic. "If there's something out there, we need to know."

Vire nodded, their small form tensing with anticipation. "Let's go."

Aric's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready to defend their home from whatever threat might be lurking in the shadows.

As they moved deeper into the woods, the sense of unease grew stronger, a silent warning that echoed through the trees.