Chapter 07a: When the Heart Flutters

Recollection of Sehanie Moonbow, Woof Elf Scout of Elaeseryn.

I had been waiting for Claude when the morning was still dark. The wind was chilly and I could see a cloud of fog around the river area that separates the guild-city with the forest. This was the same place I met Claude the other day.

I heard from the Chief Elder, who in turn heard from Blizzard Hawk, that Claude would begin his journey today when the day started early. Although I have not been told the time of Claude’s departure, knowing him, he would depart slightly after sunrise, about 7.00am.

And so I waited. And waited. And waited.

While waiting, my mind wandered off to a few days before. I had meetings with both Chief Elder and Father who conveyed to me such a grim message, that Claude was evil. Or perhaps, host to an evil energy inside him. That this evil had such pure intensity about it that it even managed to change the colour of the Jewel of Resonance, an artefact that has been my clan’s keepsake since ancient times. An artefact that I’m holding right now. Looking at the blue light of Crystal, which previously shone in white, I could not help it but get worried. For Claude, for myself and for my clan’s future.

So many questions raced through my minds for the past few days. First, why did Claude even had that energy? Did the evil energy even belong to him? I knew Claude for 12 years since he was yet a child, but I never knew he had this energy inside him. Nearly everyone from our Village knew him, and they too were surprised. Elder Chief and Father knew Claude too, although in this situation they have to be impartial for the clan’s safety. Did he know he released that energy? Why Claude, of all people? The Claude that I cared so much. One thing led to another and thus, I was given this mission.

My mission was simple:

First, to bring the Jewel of Resonance back to the Haederynn, the exclusive kingdom of the Elves, where the descendants of God-King Aldywnn Thrandyl lives. I never met them before and I’m anxious about my meeting with them.

Secondly, and more importantly, to follow Claude during his journey so I can spy on him. On his behaviour, his attitude and everything about him. Especially if there were any changes. I have to report everything even a minor one. The thought that I have to be a spy even to my childhood friend filled me with uneasiness and certain nausea, but I cannot forfeit my duty just because of my personal feelings. If what was my Father and Chief said was true, then anything that I would report back later, can save Claude. I trusted their words.

Claude will not be harmed. In fact, I’ll make it my duty that Claude will never be harmed. As I placed the Crystal back in a special bag that I carried with me, I saw a familiar silhouette coming out of the Western gate of the Guild-city.

“Tee-hee. It’s Claude alright. Looks like I’m right on time. Well, not exactly right on time. But anyway, I better go and greet him already!”

I jumped down from the tree and make my way to him. But somehow, he did not notice me. Usually, he would have noticed me right away and will try to grab my breast.

But not today. I wondered why? It seemed like the beginning of my mission was taking a turn that I did not wish it to be. Though the journey is still far from ending, but please Claude, be like who you were, like you used to. Please. If you want to be a pervert, now was the time. Though, I would still punish you like usual.

Yeah, usual would be the best.

I greeted him and he seemed surprised, in an unpleasant way. What’s with his manner this morning?

Perhaps he was not told I’ll be coming with him. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt for now. And it was still early morning.

I gave him a kiss, to thank him for saving my life the other day.

Claude blushed.

He still blushed like he used to when I kissed him on his cheeks. How cute.

However, he then struck into this weird post. He turned around, his back facing me and gave me thumbs up. What with that idiotic pose anyway?

He told me it was cool and he liked it.

Ughh…

Though, he did have lots of funny and weird ways of doing things, but striking a pose like that?

Well, Claude, I’ll let you have it your way for once.

I told him that I’ll be coming with him, during his journey. And now he was starting to act really weird. He thought I’m just here to see him off, of which I refuted. I told him I was going with him and he declined. For the very first time in my life and his, Claude declined my invitation. How could that even be possible?

And how dare he decline my companionship? Others would die for me to be in their group and he declined to be alone with me, Sehanie Moonbow, his very own Goddess. How dare he? I need to make sure he realized his mistake. I’ll use the usual techniques I used to get what I want with Claude, the Sehanie’s Tear.

Sure, my mission was really important and of utmost confidential, and I preferred it to remain that way, and perhaps no one told him I’ll be coming with him but declining a beautiful elven girl like me to join him? He needed to learn his lesson and his place.

And the Sehanie’s Tear worked like an elven charm. He finally gave in. Again, as usual.

And Claude will continue to be Claude, it seemed.

He even forgot to bring his map. Of all things, he forgot his map. He brought some stupid items instead. Like the two big loaves of bread that took half of his backpack size.

And now, what should we do?

I did not bring my own map too since I’m supposed to follow him, not the other way around. Though I knew the way, but this was not my journey.

Sigh.

This guy is hapless. Between him with the stupid pose earlier and his nonchalant attitude, I don’t know which was worse.

Before long, we took a break by a stream. Claude handed me a canteen of water to which I drank. I found the water pleasantly sweet and refreshing. He then decided to take a short nap under a tree and I too followed suit. I nestled my head on his arm and he seemed happy about it. Well, honestly it’s not just that I wanted to sleep beside him, but I do need to feel the presence of the pure evil energy. A presence that will be shown by the resonance of the crystal I had brought with me. However, the crystal shows no changes of any kind. I felt relieved.

After that, we travelled for about 15 miles further before we took our night’s break. It was getting dark and the night was a not a good time to travel, especially those without experience. This was Claude’s first trip outside the Brotherhood alone (well, not anymore, since I’m here) with a purpose of his own too.

And I don’t want to rush him. And he seemed excited about this journey. Too excited really.

He didn’t know the way and keep insisting on taking paths that led to nowhere. The excitement has gone right through his head. And every time, I have to remind him that I’m an Elf and I know the way better than a brat who was barely out of his travelling diapers. Either that or I’ll knock some senses into him.

And he finally understood the dynamic of this group. I’m the leader and I would lead the way. And he would follow me like a good boy. That’s what you get if you don’t bring a map with you. If he didn’t like that, then he should remember to bring a map, for, without a map, a leader was as good as useless.

Claude set the fire up and I wanted to take a bath. I’m all sweaty and sticky and I needed to clean myself before I can even think of eating. I reminded Claude of the consequences that will befall him if he ever peeped on me. But, his response was underwhelming to say the very least.

What’s up with him? He used to show more excitement and no amount of warning can deter him from peeping. Every time I told him that I would take a bath, his perverted face would soon come to fore. But, what with this sudden change anyway?

I’m not happy! I’m not happy at all.

Did Claude had a girl he already liked? Or does he not like me anymore? Was it because I was being too hard on him? If I’m too hard on him, perhaps I’ll try not to. What am I feeling right now?

It seemed so empty and lonely. I hate this feeling…

Suddenly, I heard a sound. Looks like the traps I had set earlier around this place have been set off. This was to ward off certain ambushes. We won’t know who or what might and will attack us at night. That and also getting rid of any peeping tom. And this time, I’m sure was a peeping tom. Perhaps it was Claude, all along.

Looked like he was at his usual self. Was he peeping on me?

I called out to him.

No response.

Normally Claude would give me a response of some sort. He knew the true wrath of my fury if he ever lied. And, this was not the first time he stepped into a trap that I had just set. He inherently knew how deadly these traps were. One wrong move and he can lose his life. Because of that, every time he stepped on a trap, he would beg me to release him.

But, not now.

I called out to him again. And still no response.

Was it him? Or something else was here?

Suddenly, I heard an explosion not too far off. The trap has been set off. A firebomb trap.

I quickly get dressed and went to check out the trap that has been set off. The firebomb trap was set at certain locations so that I could easily identify and marked the zone with certain traps, but I don’t see anything else, except for few footprints. And the footprints were still fresh. It was not here when I first set this firebomb trap. And these particular footprints are large enough to belong to a human. Footprints that I had seen before many, many times over that belong to a certain boy.

Claude!

I knew it was him, all along.

I walked back to the camp and there he was. He was sitting down, preparing some kind of a stake. I asked him a few questions but his answered seems very nonchalant. It seems like he doesn’t care. This was kind of odd and unusual for him, to behave like this. He would show embarrassment of some kind and would beg me to spare him if he was caught red-handed peeping on me. Or even when he stole my panties. But my panties were not even stolen. And I could not catch him red-handed.

However… however, the way he answered my question, his nonchalant-ness and his general demeanour seemed a little unusual and way off from normal Claude.

Did he really not care anymore? Even if someone else were there and they managed to peep at me. I’m so sad.

The Claude I knew would not let anyone else peeped at me. When he was still a child, he even declared to me that no one else can have and see me, beside him. What arrogance and confidence at that time. To which of course, I still hold it in my heart.

Before I could inquire him further, he told me he was going to catch some fish for us. I looked at him and I saw that his new tunic has a burnt mark on it. Although it was a slight mark, I can make it out what caused it. I knew it was him all along. But somehow, instead of relief (it was him all along and his perverseness still hasn’t changed a bit), somehow I felt empty and lonely. And that makes me sad.

As I looked at his silhouette, trying his best to a catch a fish or two, for our dinner, I felt somewhat distant from him. The weight of my mission probably played a big part on how I am feeling right now, but I can feel that something was missing. Was it because I’m always used to the pervert Claude, who would do anything to get his hand on me, and now he was being more of cold and nonchalant?

Was it a sign of him growing up or it’s a sign that I’m stuck in the past and the current Claude was not the Claude I used to know?

I tried to get thought off my mind. I can’t be depressed all the time. I was thinking way too much. Claude would always be Claude. My Claude.

I let out a dry smile. A sign of my mind being split in a dilemma.

Claude came back with two fish in his hand. Not bad for a newbie.

We talked many things over our dinner, from my long flowing golden hair, which he wanted to see me wear it short someday and then we would be showing off our skills. I showed him some of my skills and he showed his new sword skills. I’m impressed with his new sword skills.

Though not much, I could see his focus and his seriousness that he used to lack in his movement and most other things he tried to do. His posture and his eyes all looked so different now. And of course, he ended his skill movements with that weird new pose of his.

I think Claude was growing up. Perhaps Claude noticed that I have been down that he tried to cheer me up. He flirted with me, to which I let out a laugh. It seems so surreal that Claude was both growing up and noticing about others’ feelings too, not just his own only.

I felt that this Claude seems more matured now. I’ve been sitting next to his side and noticed something else too. Was he taller right now? I gave him a nudge on his arm. Was he a little muscular too compared to back then?

Perhaps I’m already feeling tired and sleepy, but Claude seemed a little different than what I’m being used to. And perhaps because of that, I became restless and uneasy and felt somewhat distant.

With that, the night passed by and I slept beside him. Again, my mission required me to check out his energy. That and because of this time, I feel I was safer with him.

However, that night, I had a nightmare.

I encountered the Claude I’d feared the most to meet. The Claude that was surrounded by an azure blue flame which also formed his wings. Sure, that version of Claude saved my life, but that version of Claude also made me scared.

Not because I hated or detest him, but because of everyone else, without seeing him firsthand, felt scared too. Or specifically, feel scared of this azure flame like energy. And energy which the Elder and Father proclaimed it as pure evil.

The azure Claude moved towards me and with his wings, he grabbed hold of my hand. Never in my life, have I felt so hapless. I cannot even move nor utter a single word. As Claude brought his face closer to mine, I can hear him saying something very clearly.

“So, is this what his woman is like? Not bad. Not bad at all. I approve!”

I did not understand what he meant by that. His eyes were cold an gave out an eerie look. He then gave a smile that sent shivers down my spine. All my energy had deserted me. I’m at his mercy right now.

“What’s your name, young elven girl?”

The azure Claude asked of me. He knew my name, so why did he even need to ask? Or was it because it’s a dream, and he was flirting with me?

“I’m Sehanie. Sehanie Moonbow.”

He brought his face even closer to mine. I can feel his deep and powerful breath down my neck and the breathing made my face flustered. I closed my eyes and call for his name.

“Claude... please stop. Please… Not like this. Claude...!” I cried for him to stop.

I could feel a tense moment where everything had stopped, even the time.

I opened my eyes.

“Claude, where do you think you are touching?”I was still out of my mind and not to mention a little groggy when I saw Claude groping my breast.

He gave a stupid perverted grin, which irked me to no end.

“Where’s my boobie-land?”

“What boobie-land? Don’t you know where you are right now? And more importantly, where do you think you are touching?”

I’m pissed off.

I had a nightmare with an unknown azure Claude, a nightmare that seemed too real to be a dream and now when I opened my eyes, I’m back to the reality.

A reality where there was a massive pervert who wish to die.

I gave him my ultimate technique to handle a pervert like Claude. In fact, it was created just specifically for him if he dared to try something like this, ever. But I never thought I have to use this technique until today.

And I wished I would never use it. Claude seemed to be unforgiving this time.

The whole day started in a big mess. I had a bad nightmare, greeted by a perverted Claude who groped my breast and now he was angry and pissed off at me because I nearly crushed his balls.

I have to admit that I overdid it a little. But I was not in my right frame of mind after all.

And for the first time ever, Claude ignored me. And this time, I’m really sad that I cried for real. And adding salt to the wound, I failed to notice a loose rock that was in front of me.

I stepped on it and the rock gave way which makes me lost my balance. I fell down and sprained my ankle. This was a terrible day indeed for me.

I cried.

Claude came to me and said something. I did not hear anything at all amidst the pain at my ankle and in my heart. Suddenly, Claude squat over with his back facing me.

“Ride my back. I’ll carry you”

At first, I was reluctant. This might be a trick of my mind. But, Claude soon reprimanded me. The same Claude who would laugh at my misery was reprimanding me now. Feeling a little embarrassed with myself and what was happening, I gave in and climb on top of his back.

I’m now being carried by my childhood friend on his back. Claude was giving me a piggyback ride. When I first wrapped my arms around him, I noticed a subtle difference. His shoulder was no longer slim and timid. His back was no longer narrow and weak.

Both of his shoulder and back now felt wide, reassuring, strong and with a certain warmth that put my heart at ease. I put my head on his shoulder and drifted off into sleep. But this time, it was a dreamless one.

It was past noon when we first heard an explosion. At that time, we were taking a break. The explosion came from the main road, of which we were supposed to take when we restart our journey. Without hesitation, Claude suggested that we investigate. Of course, I agreed.

My ankle was alright now and I’m itching to get a move again. Though we had our worries of what might be happening, we nonetheless proceeded with speed and caution.

When we arrived, we saw some sort of incident unfolding. We hid nearby and waited for it to unfold.

Before long, I feared for the worst. It was a robbery in broad daylight. And it was turning into a murder soon if Claude had not interfered earlier to save that family’s life. A family of three, husband and his wife with their daughter.

Claude yet again went beyond and above his normal call of duty. Not only that was admirable, but the manner in which he did, gave me a certain feeling I never felt from him before.

As he laid out his plan to me, I looked at him with an admiration for him that I knew I never had before. He seemed so determined. It was 20 people versus two of us, but with Claude’s plan, we managed to cut their numbers to 13 immediately. I had killed the leader and four of their archers with a single arrow to each of their heads and Claude managed to get two with a fast and yet deadly strike.

He then placed himself in front of the family, protecting them while facing a group of people all on his own. He was buying me some time to cast a magic spell to stop their movements. And so I began to cast Vine Entrapment, a nature skill that stops movement on a mass scale, a skill with a wide area of effect.

It was an easy but time-consuming skill as I had to manipulate two elements at the same time, Earth and Water. However, with that skill, and Claude’s bravery, we managed to overcome the odds and emerged as the victor.

After we had tied the surviving Red Scarlet’s gang and buried those who were dead, we fixed the caravan that was blown earlier. The damage was not serious and the horse was not hurt. I healed the horse and calm him down with Animal kinship, a Wood Elf innate skill that was used to calm and soothe normal animals.

Before long, we set on our journey. However, the journey was moving quite slow for my liking but somehow Claude doesn’t mind and seemed happy. Maybe because he had just saved their lives or perhaps he was just happy that he could travel with more people now.

He looked at me and I saw how bright his face was that even made me blushed. Claude was so cute. And so dependable and heroic.

I think I’m beginning to develop certain special feelings for him now. Of course, up until the human girl, Nelia confessed to him first. I’m beaten in my quest for love by a young and shy human girl, who is much younger and lacking in experience than me.

For what she might lack in her age and experience, but she made it up with her decisiveness and desire to act fast. Claude looked at me, pleading for me to save his life. Maybe I do still have a chance, but then again, with Claude, anything can happen.

I took this opportunity to tease him to no end. He looked so cute, being all flustered like that.

Perhaps I’m starting to be jealous of Nelia, having Claude all for herself that I told her about Claude’s preference about to big-breasted and long-legged beauty. I even reminded Nelia to keep her panties safe and protect herself from his boob groping habits.

However, I was taken by surprised by Nelia’s attitude. Even though she acknowledged that part of him, she was still stuck to him. Her words, before she went to sleep next to Claude stung me a little.

“He may be an imperfect person to you, but to me, he who had just saved my life is perfect enough. All his flaws just highlighted to me that what a beautiful existence he is. I’ll give him more than panties or let him grope me for his kindness and benevolence. I love him. Do you love him too, Sehanie?”

Maybe Nelia was right.

Claude might be an imperfect boy with pervasive habits, but he nonetheless had saved my life before and now he had just saved another girl. He did not ask for any rewards nor acknowledgement for what he did, and yet, here I am, guilty of spying on him, in the name of my mission.

And for doubting his behaviour and attitude. And also for not giving him any slack at all.

I’m so sorry, Claude.

I knew that I’m so selfish. But, please forgive me for now. Once I come back from my mission, whatever the result will be, I’ll do right by you. I promise you that, on behalf of my name and my clan’s name.