Chapter 3: Heart to Heart

-11 MONTHS REMAIN-

Ulric pulled Aurora up off the ground, but almost immediately she fell back coughing. She gripped her chest. Her body tensed up as she broke out into a cold sweat. Her skin flushed and pale. Every breath was a struggle.

“What… was that thing?” She wheezed.

“Never mind what it was. We need to get you some help.” Ulric helped her back up and supported her with his shoulder. “You wouldn’t happen to have those health potions on you, would you?”

“In… my apron.” Aurora gestured weakly to her front pocket. Ulric reached in and took out one of the small glass bottles. He shook and stirred the potion and popped off the cork. Aurora’s lips and the bottle’s met. Ulric tilted her head back gently and let the elixir flow into her mouth. The sweet, red liquid filled her body with a soft warmth. She eventually gained enough strength to take the bottle herself and finish its contents.

“How do you feel?” Ulric asked, wiping off the corner of Aurora’s mouth.

“Better.” She replied. “Although it’s only a temporary relief. Potions of healing work best on physical wounds. Infections and diseases won’t be treated as well, in fact, they might spread faster.”

“Then let’s get you to a doctor. I’ll help carry you there. Save a bit of your strength.” Aurora sighed. She got down from Ulric’s shoulder and sat down on the ground.

“No. That won’t be necessary.” She sulked.

“I’m confused…”

“What’s the point? Treat me to help prolong my life for only a few more months? Just seems like a waste.” Aurora stared off into the empty streets. “I don’t think the doctors would care anyway. I know the rest of the people in this kingdom don’t care, but I imagine the doctors are smart enough not only to care, but to make sure they don’t waste the rest of their lives working.”

“So what? You’re just going to keep drinking those potions forever? Sit around and wait to die?”

“What else can I do? I couldn’t pursue my dreams before so I doubt I could now, and it’s not like I have the training to do so anyway. I used up all my money just trying to keep the shop afloat, so I can’t afford to leave. And I suppose someone in this town should stick around and help shoulder the burden.” There was a pause. Only the sounds of crackling torches and wind could pierce the momentary silence. Aurora then turned back to Ulric and smiled. “Besides, drinking a bunch of potions all day isn’t so bad!”

“How so?” Ulric wondered. As Aurora formulated her answer in her head, her mind tripped over the hole she dug herself.

“Because I’m… ˢᵒʳᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵃᵈᵈᶦᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉᵐ…“ She sheepishly whispered.

“You’re what?”

“I’m addicted to drinking potions, ok!” Aurora’s face turned red as if she spilled the most embarrassing secret. “It's kinda why I’m like this…”

“Like what?” Aurora gave Ulric a blank stare. She stood up and gestured down at herself.

“Like this?” Ulric blinked. “Do you know how much sugar goes into a commercial potion?? They taste terrible without any kind of sweetener!”

“Oh! I understand what we’re talking about now.”

“Took you long enough.”

“But if they’re so unhealthy then why do you drink them so much?”

“I don’t know. Some taste pretty good. And I can’t use magic so potions are as close as I can get.”

“You can’t do magic?”

“No.” Aurora painfully sighed.

“But anyone can do magic, especially with the right training.”

“Yeah? Well, I’m just not as attuned to the arcane as everyone else.” She said sarcastically. Aurora turned and sat back down again. “Like I said before, I never got that training.”

“For your dreams?” Aurora nodded. “What were your dreams beforehand?” Ulric slowly knelt down beside her. “Was it not owning the potion shop?”

“Not originally. Owning the shop just became my compensation. I originally wanted to become an adventurer.” Ulric’s interest was piqued. “I’ve read countless stories of these great warriors, conquering the unknown and defying the odds on these fantastical adventures.”

“Like John Sailor.” Aurora chuckled.

“Yes exactly. I grew up with these stories. I lived my life wanting to be like the people in those stories. I hoped and prayed to the gods that one day I would get a story like that. That one-day people would sit around the fire and tell tales of my great accomplishments.”

“So, what happened?”

“I don’t know.” She sighed. “Life. Adventuring is dangerous and expensive. If you don’t want to die you need training and to get training you need to join a guild or a party or an academy. Some places require tryouts and trials. I didn’t have the coin or the time.” Aurora rubbed her eyes, trying to cover up her tears. But Ulric noticed. “Eventually my parents helped me open up the shop. If I couldn’t go out on quests then I could at least help those who already were. I planned to use the money and whatever I learned from customers to help me become an adventurer. But then something would need repaired. An ingredient would need to be ordered. Taxes would go up. I never got my chance. And now, I never will.” Aurora shut her eyes and kept her head down. Ulric quietly got to his feet. “Thanks for listening to me and helping me. I know it’s late and I’m keeping you and I’m dumping a lot on you and I really should burden you with my problems but today has been a lot and I’ve been feeling down and I just feel like my whole life is falling apart but I really do appreciate you being here and listening to me and- “

“Hey.” Ulric interrupted her. Aurora sat up and wiped her eyes again before turning around. And there, once again, arm outstretched, ready to help, was Ulric. “Let’s go on an adventure.” He smiled.