Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Oaths Before Shopping

“WHAT the Bloody Hell was that?!” Ronnie shouted in between coughs.

“That was me, savin’ yer life,” Skye put simply.

Ronnie’s eyes bulged at Skye words. Zas had grabbed a towel for the lad when he had seen the blood. When Ronnie took the towel from him, the general asked Skye what she had saved him from. She pondered a moment on how to word herself before speaking.

“It’s hard to describe... When we found Jonathan collapsed earlier, it was due to a buildup in his large vein, near his heart. I was gettin’ a similar feelin’ from Ronnie here, just.. not the same. It felt more threatening now; when I shook his hand. It hadn’t felt that way earlier, and Ima not one to tempt fate.. So I decided to take care of it now.”

The group looked at Skye in disbelief a moment. However; the pool of blood on the ground with a sizable clot in the middle of it easily convinced them of her words. Ronnie stared at the clot with his mouth slightly gaped. He couldn’t believe he’d nearly shared the same fate as his father a few years ago.

He’d been working in the orchard when he’d suddenly collapsed: dead by the time he hit the ground. The doctor had told Ronnie and his family that his father had suffered from something called an aneurysm. It was what had been causing his headaches and memory loss, something Ronnie had been experiencing lately. It had scared him, but he was about twenty years younger than his father was when he’d died. He used that thought to rationalize his fears away, and out of his thoughts..

Vomiting up the blood had caused his eyes to water, but now Ronnie was actually crying. He’d had terrible headaches lately with dizziness. Sometimes he’d even forget what he was doing when he’d walk into a room. His mother had been worried sick over him. Remembering and thinking that what had happened to her husband, was happening to their son.

.....

Ronnie looked up at Skye from his seat, then moved to kneel before her in a clean spot. Zas and Tidas quirked their eyebrows at the lad’s actions, while Skye bent to try and get him to stand. Ronnie cleared his throat before saying: “Please princess, allow me to speak..”

Skye gave an irritated look at him before huffing. She didn’t like Ronnie being so formal, but when Tidas signaled to her, she let him speak. Ronnie straightened his back, but kept his head bowed; like one was supposed to do to royalty. He took in a decisive breath before he spoke.

“Princess Skye; ye not only saved me, but ye saved me family as well. Ima the only provider for me mother and younger sisters. If I would’ve died, so would’ve they.. I own you a great debt that Ima not sure I’ll ever be able to repay.. But! But I will dedicate me life to serving ye. The moment I pass the RMC Trials next year, I will request to be part of yer Personal Guard!”

Skye wanted to laugh at how dramatic Ronnie was being. When Klaus knelt next to him and swore a similar oath to her, however; she’d been put at a loss for words. Zas chuckled loudly at the situation before saying, “You lads better be ready for some hella training if you plan to be Skye’s guards..”

“And you might want to work on your speak there, Ronnie. The Nobles don’t like commoner’s tongue.. But you’ll both see that during your guard training down the road.” Zas added with less joviality.

The two looked up to General Zas with glee as he promised to help them. So long as they proved themselves fully committed throughout their training, he would do what he could. The group chatted another few minutes before finally bidding each other farewell a final time.

Tidas had been surprised by their declarations to his wife, but understood them. Skye’d saved so many lives in the few hours they’d been in town. He was proud of her for her efforts, and honestly; a little shocked. She’d just awakened her Shaman powers, but she was already doing things most couldn’t. Even with decades of experience under their belts.

General Zas hugged Skye, much to her surprise. It had been hilarious to see him hug Tidas, who seemed uncomfortably used to it. It had worried her a bit when she’d heard a cracking sound when the general squeezed the her husband. Finished with his hug, Zas smiled and waved them off as the newlyweds finally headed off to the marketplace.

The noises and smells filled the streets as the prince and princess walked along with their hoods down. Everyone already knew they were there. As least this way, their new friends from the hospital would be able to keep the majority of the crowds away. Many still waved and said wishes of happiness for them as they passed. But they weren’t being crowded or cornered. It was one of the most pleasant outings Tidas had ever had.

They walked along together; hand in hand as they browsed. Everything Skye could’ve ever imagined seemed to be for sale at one stall or another. Food and drink stalls were found every few regular stalls. Some sold fabrics, some sold housewares, and some sold swords and armor. The father they walked the more they came across.

After stopping to look at some trinkets laid out on a blanket; a particular smell drew Skye to a food booth. It was run by a couple from Sai, and they were selling one of Skye’s favorite foods: Sobayaki. Genie had made it for her on many occasions. He’d even attempted to teach her how to make the noodles for it, but she could never get hers to turn out right. The noodles she was happily munching on now tasted close enough to Genie’s recipe to bring a nostalgic smile to her face.

Tidas beamed at his love as she happily ate. Her smile was contagious, as well as her appetite. They ate two bowls each before heading to the next stall. Once Skye saw it’s content, she squealed with delight.

Shelves were packed with books and ancient tomes. She was a little shocked at how poorly everything was organized, but imagined it’d be hard to keep up with due to the crowd. Nobles and commoners mixed together as they all sought that perfect book. Unified in their mutual love of reading.

Some of the nobles began to crowd the couple. When Tidas introduced Skye, he became annoyed at how some of them stared at her in front of him. It’d been happening all day, but these men were especially annoying to him. Most had wives that stood just a few feet away from them. Many of whom were now engaged in conversation with his wife.

Tidas gently reminded Skye of their dinner plans, which were quickly approaching. She nodded her acknowledgment, and bid the woman farewell until they’d all reach the capital. Skye was grateful for the save from her husband. She hadn’t really wanted to talk to the women, but didn’t want to be rude. She was far more interested in the treasure that lay before her.

The books were mixed together, but their spines were exposed. Skye grinned softly as she stared at the books in contentment. Bringing a similar smile to her husband’s face as watched her. Others in the store stole glances of the golden-haired beauty occasionally. One man stared particularly hard, prompting Tidas to go ask him why.

Skye was too involved in her search to realize the hostility emanating from her husband. The man shrunk back slightly as the prince approached. He was more intimidating than the man thought he’d be, but stepped forward anyway.

He held a tome in his hands that was large and heavy looking. He smiled fearfully at the prince before bowing his respect. He apologized for staring, and explained that he wasn’t sure how a commoner should approach royalty. Tidas smiled at the man; reassured he wasn’t ogling his wife.

The man happened to be the owner of the shop, and family to several orchard workers. He wanted to present the book to the princess for saving several members of his family. Tidas read the title to himself and chuckled; drawing Skye’s attention.

The prince gestured to the man and said to his wife; “Would you like me to turn away this gift as well?”

Seeing the large book, Skye nearly ran over to the two in her excitement. The tome was huge and looked like an educational one. As she reached the pair and read the title, the princess gasped as she beamed. The cover was a dull, plain black color with faded golden writing. The title said: The History of Dragonhorn; written by Roland Snare.

Skye exclaimed her excitement. She clapped her hands rapidly for a second before asking if she could see it. The man was enchanted by her beauty, and simply smiled as he handed the heavy book off to the princess. She ran her hand down the cover, confused at to the material used to make it. She thought is resembled the high walls that surrounded Dragonhorn, but those were solid, giant bones.

Skye looked to the man and thanked him for the offer, but explained that she understood the value of a book like the the one she held. After some odd haggling in the opposite direction, Skye convinced the proprietor to sell her the book at a discounted price instead of just giving it to her. Tidas couldn’t help but laugh at his sweet wife. Anyone else would’ve just accepted the gift, but Skye had a pure heart. And it made him love her all the more for it.

After some more browsing and suggestions from the shop owner, Skye happily left with her arms full of things to read. Modern books on magic, ancient tomes, a even a few odd ones on recipes. Tidas had been very excited for Skye to pick one with a particularly delicious-looking roast on the cover. She’d laughed at him for smacking his lips together.

They’d eaten quite a bit today, but Skye still felt hungry. Her stomach gurgled audibly as they walked towards the gate they’d entered through. Tidas had stopped and bought a large sack to carry his wife’s books in. Jonathan was waiting for them near the stagecoach.

As Tidas stashed their purchases on top of the coach, Skye leaned in and asked where they were going to eat. Tidas exhaled slowly as he wrapped his arms around his wife. He looked up at the sky’s fading light before replying to his wife.

“It’s a surprise... But I will tell you this my sweet wife..” Tidas kissed the top of her head, then continued; “After dinner, I intend to enjoy you for dessert...”