The next week felt like hell for Aurora, who stayed bedridden the entire time. Camilla continued to cook easy to eat meals every night, slowly increasing how solid the food was as time passed. It all felt monotonous to her, as she laid in bed on the eighth day, far more bored than she considered possible.
I need to get out of here before I start going crazy. She stared at the door Camilla had left through just this morning, off to go search for some missing adventurers. "Let's do this."
She threw off the covers and swung her legs off the bed, slowly pushing herself up with a lingering bit of pain. Seems I've nearly recovered full mobility. Another week perhaps?
She frowned at the thought. Well even if my mobility isn't fully back by then, I should still be able to walk through the city. She stood up, wobbling a bit from being off balance, and moved towards the washroom.
She stared at the crude magic faucet they had installed. Well it's better than nothing, right? She placed her hand on the left knob and released some mana inside. Warm water began to pour from the faucet, which she used to quickly wash her face.
"Now then, shall we attempt to head downstairs and see if I can even make it?" Aurora turned her attention to the door to the hallway.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Is someone here? For what? She hobbled to the door and pulled it open with some effort, seeing none other than Mel standing there. She was wearing a more casual outfit, a simple yellow knee length dress, white tights, and a wide-brimmed sunhat.
"Mel. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Aurora smiled down at the rosy cheeked witch.
"Nothing much… I just heard you got hurt recently, so I decided to come check on you." She looked rather apprehensive about asking, which brought an even wider smile to Aurora.
"Do you want to come in for a minute?" Aurora turned to motion with her arm, moving a bit too fast, and winced in pain.
"Are you sure you're okay? You don't look so to me." Mel suddenly looked like a lightbulb went off in her mind. "Oh, I know! How about we go on a trip in town!? We could get to know each other better and get you some fresh air. What do you say?"
Hmm. That could be good for me. Plus, she's there to help me out if needed. "Sure, why not, Mel. Let's go!" Aurora headed for the door, pulling Mel along with her.
"Alright, I'll show you all the best spots! You won't regret this trip!" Mel's confidence was easily apparent.
Mel's quite cute… but Camilla's way better. Aurora blushed at her inner thoughts and quickly turned her head away from Mel's direction. Mel raised an eyebrow at her sudden actions before it clicked for her.
She smirked while leaning forward as they walked down the hall. "Oh? Is Aurora embarrassed by little ol' me?"
Aurora glared back at her, "You wish that was true, pervert."
"P-Pervert?! How could you be so cruel to me! I only asked you a simple question." Mel folded her arms and turned her head away, pouting as she did so.
"Pfft. So that's what triggers you, huh? Ugh!" Aurora clutched her side, nearly falling over as pain spiked through her. Lucky for her, though, Mel caught her arm, stabilizing her.
"Oi! Are you okay to be out like this? Shouldn't you still be in bed?" Mel's concern is evident in her tone.
"I-it's fine…I was just… caught off guard, is all. Do you know somewhere private we can go to rest and talk?" Aurora was catching her breath as she spoke.
"Hmm… I think I know just the place. Let's go." Mel helped Aurora down the stairs and out the door of the inn.
~~~~~~~~
Aurora found herself sitting in a cafe booth, a cat resting in her lap, as she sipped on some tea. The black cat in her lap lazed there half asleep, as she ran her hand repeatedly across its back. "So why pick this place, Mel?"
"Didn't you say you wanted to talk?" Mel asked in between bites of small tarts.
"I did.. But I was expecting a… secret lair or something." Aurora never stopped her hand from moving. She set down her teacup, reaching her empty hand out to grab a tart herself before bringing it to her lips. She slowly pushed it past them, sliding it into her mouth, feeling it melt away as it traveled down her throat.
Mel gulped and looked down at the white cat with orange and brown spots on it. Calm down, Mel. She's just eating food. Ignore those juicy looking lips and… AHHHH! I can't do it!
Aurora raised her eyebrow, watching Mel shake her head back and forth in silence. This girl is truly not right in the head. Aurora sighed before she brought two of her fingers together and slid them past each other.
SNAP
Mel's eyes snapped back up to Aurora, who smiled once she had her attention. "So are you ready to answer my questions now?"
"Alright, fine, but first.." Mel's hand glowed pink as she cast a sound barrier around them. "There, now we can talk in peace."
"Let's talk about the cult then. You told me in the cave that they were searching for a key. What does it look like?"
Mel stirred her tea for a moment before answering. "It's not a typical key like you are imagining. It's an object holding a piece of a goddess's Authority."
"Huh?" Aurora's face went pale. Her words came out as barely a whisper. "But if that's the key, then what horror…"
Mel remained silent as she waited for Aurora before she continued. "Don't worry too much. No one besides the goddesses knows where it's hidden. I doubt they will find it anytime soon."
Aurora let out a sigh of relief, knowing that they had time meant they could foil their plans. "So then who is in charge of your group?"
"The overseer is unknown to me; the person under the overseer here is a cat beastfolk. Her name is Neme Borstine. She's a crazy fanatic of the cult." Mel shivered, recalling some of the actions she had witnessed the individual in question perform.
"She's dangerous, Aurora. A sadistic, twisted individual who gets joy from enslaving her fellow beastfolk. Not to mention that she possesses beast taming magic." Mel's face turned grim as she spoke.
"Mel." Aurora stared at her with hatred burning in her eyes. "She's responsible for the attack on my hometown, isn't she? Laid waste to Trentfel with that massive army of monsters?"
Mel gulped again, the fury coming from Aurora slightly terrified her. "Yes.. That was her doing."
BANG
Aurora's fist hit the table hard, making Mel recoil and the cats to both run away. I'll kill her. I swear this before the elven goddess, Lenau. Aurora stood and started to leave, before Mel grabbed her arm to stop her.
"Wait. Don't do anything rash. You'll only end up killing yourself in your state!" Mel's concern only made Aurora pull her arm away.
"Don't worry about me. I know my condition better than you." With that, Aurora left Mel behind in the cafe.
You stupid girl… Why can't you just ask for help from those near you? One day, it's going to break you, shouldering it all on your own. Mel sighed, staring out the window, as her cheek rested on her palm.
~~~~~~~~~~
Aurora slammed the door to her room shut, moved to the bedroom, and collapsed on the bed. The energy that coursed through her from her rage had faded, leaving her drained. Neme Borstine. I'll never forget you! Never!
She turned towards the window, watching the light slowly start to fade as the sun started to set. She stayed there for almost an hour, unmoving until some strength returned to her. Once it did, she sat up and began to undress, slowly changing into sleepwear and crashed back into bed. She pulled the covers up and drifted off to sleep, unaware she wouldn't find any rest that night
~~~~~~~~
Camilla lay against the wall of a small cave. Damn, this quest was supposed to be easy. Just how lost is this party? She looked over at Stella, the lady busy doing small repairs to her gear.
"Do you think they are still alive, Stella?" Camilla fiddled with the straps on her shield, making sure they were tight.
"At this point? Not likely. They probably ran into a monster that was too strong for them. Rather unfortunate for them."
"Let's do one final sweep in the morning. If we don't find any signs of them by midday, we'll go back and report they're dead." Stella nodded but said nothing, the party's grim fate settled in.
Camilla shut her eyes to get a bit more rest before they set off.