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Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Hazel caved cx

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Yet another uncomfortable moment of silence dragged on between the two women, and Hazel inched towards the door, hoping to leave. Penelope was confusing to her. She didn’t act like the nobles the herbalist had known before. There was a kindness about her that was reminiscent of the way peasants treated one another, which wasn’t a characteristic she wanted to associate with a knight. She preferred her world to be clear cut, black and white, good and bad. Nobles were supposed to be selfish, vain, and cruel, not sweet and empathetic. The fact that this noble was breaking down those preconceptions was not a positive thing to her.

As the silence continued, she grew impatient. Whatever was going on in Penelope’s head, she wanted no part of it. After all, her job here was done. There was no longer any reason for her to linger when she had already fulfilled Crow’s ridiculous wish. What am I still waiting around for anyway? Having made up her mind, she tipped her head in a curt and wordless goodbye to the knight and turned around to head to the door, eager to let her and this unpleasant meeting fade out of her mind.

Just as she began to reach for the door handle, the knight spoke up again, but this time her words made the herbalist stiffen. Ah, there’s that classic noble arrogance, she thought, her lip curling upward in a pleased smirk. She thinks her fancy, educated healer is better than me. Hah! Whirling around, she prepared to shut down the conversation, but then faltered as she met the other woman’s gaze. The mixture of determination and desperation in her eyes was not what she had been expecting. It brought to mind the image of a despondent lover, clinging to anything that might save her dying suitor or husband. It was an expression the herbalist was quite familiar with in all her years of medicinal practice, and it was an expression she never thought she would see on a noble’s face over a thief.

I don’t understand, Hazel thought as Penelope went on to try to convince her to change her mind about the physician. Why is she trying so hard? She remained silent, listening to the knight go on about how she actually thought she understood the herbalist’s hatred for her kind and about why she believed the herbalist was making the wrong decision by denying the physician’s help. It was quite the haughty little speech, in her opinion—how could a knight possibly know full extent of what peasants went through?—but something about it did give her pause.

Four days ago, she wouldn’t have given such a proposal even a second thought, but with Crow’s health declining so rapidly, she was getting desperate to figure out why her medicines weren’t working. Despite her careless and often cold words to him, she didn’t really want to see him die. She would never admit it out loud, but he wasn’t all bad as a person. Since joining him and the other thieves in their camp, she had seen a side of him that she hadn’t known existed, a determinedly compassionate side that swayed her vengeful opinion of him and even reminded her why she had once wanted him to court her all those years ago. There was a fire in him for the people of the outer villages, a fire that she found that she truly admired because it drove him to do anything he could to protect people who couldn’t protect themselves.

She didn’t want to see that fire go out.

She eyed Penelope contemplatively as she thought about her offer. Even if her remedies hadn’t been enough so far, would it really make that big of a difference if a second healer joined the search? Sure, there were benefits to having two people working on the same problem, but it didn’t guarantee that they would figure it out. It didn’t even guarantee that anything would change at all. She wasn’t sure if she was willing to work with a noble when there was no way to know whether the noble’s assistance would make a difference. Besides, she was perfectly capable on her own. She had found cures for diseases before, and she could do it again.

Suddenly, the image of Crow’s coughing episode the day before appeared in her mind, and she wavered in her resolve. While she had confidence in her own abilities, there was no denying that he was running out of time. If he died now, could she really say she had done everything in her power as an herbalist to save him? Perhaps there was a reason to accept this physician’s help after all, if only to be able to say she had tried everything. That way, she would have some peace of mind if he still succumbed to his illness.

“Fine,” she said after a long pause, crossing her arms again as she held Penelope’s gaze coldly. “You win. I’ll meet with this physician of yours on a temporary basis, provided she doesn’t get in my way.” She fell quiet again for a moment, her hard expression fading as she looked away from the knight. “Why do you care so much about him, anyway?” she murmured, shaking her head as she finally gave in and asked the question that had been gnawing at her all night. “I just can’t wrap my head around it. What could a noble like you possibly have to gain from being with a thief? He can’t give you anything you don’t already have. Honestly, no matter which way I look at it, the only thing he can do for you is take it all away. Why would you want that?”

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Hazel is softening up just a little bit

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Hazel relaxed slightly as the knight thanked her for telling her what had happened. She nodded curtly and averted her gaze. She didn’t like how courteous Penelope was being. It made it harder to hate her. She honestly would have preferred her to be unpleasant, just so she wouldn’t have to feel so conflicted.

She shifted and glanced back at the door. Having fulfilled her end of the bargain by telling this woman that Crow was still alive, she wanted to hurry up and go back to the camp. Her mind wandered to Simon’s warm company, and she wondered offhandedly if the thief was still awake. If he was, she intended to go straight to him when she returned, eager to put this disagreeable meeting behind her and spend time with someone whose company she genuinely enjoyed.

However, before she had a chance to leave, Penelope spoke up again, rambling on about what was happening in the knights’ camp. For a moment, Hazel stared blankly at her, confused as to why the noble was going on about such things. Was she trying to be friendly, or perhaps exchange information for what she had told her to begin with? This must be the content of those regular meetings she had with Crow, she realized suddenly. The knight wasn’t just talking for the sake of hearing her own voice. She was giving her the news she would have normally given the leader of the thieves.

“Err, thanks, I guess,” she mumbled, unsure what else to say in response. “I’ll let them know.”

For a moment, a brief silence fell over them, and Hazel hoped that meant their meeting had come to an end. She took a hesitant step backwards, preparing to turn and leave, but then faltered as she saw Penelope lower her gaze. There was a genuine concern in her eyes that caught the cold-hearted herbalist off guard.

She watched the knight observantly for a moment before answering her question. “Actually, his illness is the reason why he isn’t here,” she explained, softening slightly despite herself. “His injury was bad, but it will heal. As for whatever is going on inside of him…” She averted her gaze, uncomfortably aware of the fact that Crow’s waning health was a reflection of her failure to treat him. “I’m not sure how much he has told you, but there are essentially three phases to this disease. The first,” she held up her index finger as she began counting off. “A simple cough that occurs off and on. The second, episodes of fatigue that appear to be triggered by strenuous exercise. And the third,” she paused, pursing her lips together before going on. “The third phase is when the afflicted can no longer move on his own and has begun to cough up blood.”

She tapped her foot on the dusty floor, “It appears the attack of the Younisians was the last straw that pushed Crow over the edge into this final phase. He’s currently bedridden in our camp, which is why he sent me in his place to tell you what happened.”

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Hazel's probably not helping xD

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

As soon as she laid eyes on Penelope, Hazel was reminded of everything she disliked about nobles. She fought the urge to wrinkle her nose in disgust. What was it Crow saw in this woman anyway? Sure, she had a pretty face, but beyond that, what was the draw? There were plenty of respectable peasant women who were just as beautiful as this knight, if not more so, in her opinion. She simply couldn’t bring herself to understand what he saw in someone like her.

As Penelope’s face fell at the sight of her, Hazel quirked a brow in mild surprise. She had never seen a knight express such an emotion over someone of lesser status. Even though Crow had told her time and again that this woman wasn’t like other nobles, this was the first glimpse she’d had of it, herself. She crossed her arms loosely over her chest. It was unexpected to see, yes, but it certainly wasn’t enough to change the herbalist’s opinion of her just yet.

“Slight mishap during the battle in Grimsby,” she answered Penelope’s question vaguely and with disinterest. Pursing her lips, she eyed the knight for a moment before letting out a quiet exhale. She really didn’t want to stick around any longer than she had to, but she couldn’t help feeling like this woman was owed a bit more of an explanation. The sappy look on her face was unbearable.

“Look here,” she went on gruffly. “I don’t know the whole story, so don’t expect me to have every detail for you. From what I saw, it looked like Crow was camped out in a stable during the fight. There was a broken rafter—I think he used it to reach a window near the roof, but it collapsed. He’d brought a bow, so it makes sense that he would have tried something like that.” She shrugged carelessly.

“Anyway, a couple of knights found him somehow when he was down and attacked. He probably would have died if Raven hadn’t found him and saved his sorry ass,” she snorted. “After that, she came to get me, because he was bleeding out from a nasty wound in his leg—I still don’t know how that happened, because he never told me. I patched him up, good as new.” She met Penelope’s gaze apathetically. “So that’s the whole story as I know it. You’re welcome.”

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Poor Rikki and Gavin ^^;

Crow managed to convince Hazel to go in his place cx

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Over the next few days, the thieves returned to their normal routines. Alistair and Rikki took it upon themselves to lead a small raid on the knights’ supplies to pick up the few things they were still missing, along with some extra bandages since they had used up many of theirs after the last battle in Grimsby; Simon continued to go on solo patrols once a day to keep watch for knights; and Hazel worked diligently on a new recipe of an herbal remedy for Crow, who spent most of his days sleeping or otherwise resting in the camp, since he was no longer able to leave without help.

As the days dragged on, the thief began to grow more and more restless. He felt trapped by his own body and often stared longingly at the entrance of the cavern during his waking hours, wishing he could go out and do something—anything—besides lay in bed. He finally understood how his mother must have felt when she had been on her deathbed, and he had been the one to take care of both of them. It was ridiculously frustrating to be unable to move on his own.

Fortunately, with the amount of sleep he was getting, his illness didn’t seem to get any worse. He only had one concerning episode that occurred on their second day back in the camp, when he’d had a coughing fit that ended in him spitting up more of the viscous blood that he’d seen during the battle. Hazel, who had been present at the time, seemed alarmed after seeing it for herself and spent even longer hours poring over her medicinal books as she tried to figure out what could be causing it to happen.

During this time, she was often accompanied by Simon, who had begun courting her after their late-night walk. The thief helped her find herbs in the forest and went over her books to see if he could catch anything she may have missed. Between the two of them, Crow hoped they would find a cure quickly. Being confined to a bed against his will, he had a bad case of wanderlust and was also starting to worry a bit more about whether they would find a way to heal him at all.

Another concern he had was for his fast approaching meeting with Penelope. Though he couldn’t walk on his own, he still clung to the hope that he would find some way to get to Myrefall to see her. After going another whole week apart, he missed her and desperately craved to be with her again. So, when night fell on the third day, he grew much more restless than before as he hurried to come up with some way to make the trip.

Hazel, who had been working on his next poultice, noticed his change in mood. “What’s got you so worked up?” she asked, glancing over at him as she crushed plant leaves in a bowl.

Crow averted his gaze, “I’m supposed to meet with Penelope tonight. I need to get to Myrefall, so I can—”

“No way,” Hazel cut him off. “Are you insane? You can’t even stand up without support, dumbass. There’s no way in hell you’re going all the way to a village.”

“I have to,” he argued hotly. “She’s probably already there. I can’t just ditch her.”

“You don’t have much of a choice,” she snorted. “Just keep resting. She knows you’re sick. I’m sure she’ll understand.”

“I can’t do that,” he shook his head in frustration. “She worries about me. If I don’t go, she’ll just think something happened. I have to tell her I’m alright.”

“But you’re not alright,” Hazel set down the bowl and turned to him with a glare. “In case you hadn’t noticed, you’re officially bedridden, idiot. Face the facts and let it go already. You can see her again when I figure out this godsforsaken cure.”

Crow lowered his gaze, staring down at the ground in silence. His heart sank as he realized that, as much as he wanted to see Penelope, there was no way for him to make it to her now that his illness had progressed so far. After a moment, he looked up at the herbalist again, “Okay, fine. I can’t go, but someone has to. I can’t just leave her waiting.”

“No. Uh uh,” Hazel shook her head vigorously. “I see where you’re going with this, snake, and there’s no way in hell I’m going to meet with a noble for you.”

“Please,” he pleaded. “You’re the only one I can ask. Raven is still mad at me, and Simon and Alistair can’t find out about us. It has to be you.”

“That’s just too bad, because I’m not going to do it.”

“Please,” he said again, taking on a desperate tone. “I’m begging you, love. You don’t have to stay long. Just tell her what happened and that I’m okay. I need her to know I’m not dead.”

Hazel looked over to meet his gaze, opening her mouth to argue, but then wavered as she caught the despondent look in his eye. She pursed her lips and then sighed, “The things I do for you… Fine. If it will wipe that pathetic expression off your face, I’ll do it.”

“Thank you,” he said in relief that she agreed. “We’ve been meeting in an abandoned house on the western side of Myrefall. It’s on the second street from the edge of the village, eight houses down from the southern side…”

--

I can’t believe I agreed to this, Hazel thought bitterly as she trekked through the forest towards Myrefall. Clutching at her cloak, she pulled the fabric a bit more securely around her shoulders to warm herself against the cool night air. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to turn around and forget the whole thing. After all, she could just hide out for a while and tell Crow she had met with his noble lover. He would never know the difference.

Unfortunately for her, she had at least something of a moral compass, so she couldn’t lie to a man who was possibly on his deathbed in good conscience. Besides, it wasn’t like he’d asked her to have a full-on conversation with this woman. All she had to do was go in, tell the knight he was alive, and get out. Simple, right? She hoped so.

When Hazel reached the village, she replayed Crow’s directions in her head, following the streets he had described to her until she came to a dilapidated old house in the middle of a small dirt road. There was a light in the window, so someone was obviously inside. She just hoped it was the noblewoman she was looking for. The herbalist cringed to herself as she imagined walking in on some strange family in the middle of the night.

Sending up a quick prayer that she’d found the right place, Hazel opened the door and stepped inside.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Crow got Simon to finally make a move xD
Even if he had to help

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

The next day, Crow awoke feeling just as tired as he had the night before, which wasn’t a great sign that he would fare any better on the trip back to their camp. He managed to sit up by himself on his bedroll, but trying to stand sounded like too much effort, so he didn’t bother. Looking around the temporary camp, he saw that his companions had already finished packing up all of their supplies. His eyes fell on the washed pot and dishes, and he let out his breath in disappointment when he realized he had missed breakfast yet again. At this rate, he doubted he would ever eat in the morning again unless Hazel managed to do something about his illness.

When she noticed he was up, the herbalist made her way over to him and knelt down at his side, rocking back on her heels as she met his gaze. “How do you feel today?” she asked in a clinical voice.

“No better, but also no worse,” he shrugged.

“Can you stand?”

“I can try,” he said. After waiting a moment for Hazel to give him space, he shoved his blanket off and took a stabilizing breath as he tensed his legs to get up. The effort was straining, and his injured leg burned in protest, but he still managed to rise somewhat unsteadily to his feet. Feeling pleased with himself, he turned to her with a smirk, “Not too bad, huh?” However, no sooner had the words left his mouth than another wave of dizziness reared its unwelcome head, and he staggered to lean against a tree to keep upright. He cursed in frustration, and shook his head, trying to clear the feeling away.

“I’d say that’s pretty bad,” Hazel rolled her eyes. She turned toward the others to start barking orders, “Someone else packed up Crow’s things. Alistair or Simon, one of you will have to help him walk. We need to get going as soon as we can in order to cover as much ground as possible before sunset.”

“Who died and made you the leader around here?” Crow muttered bitterly.

“If you don’t start taking better care of yourself, then you,” she said flippantly, turning to walk over and help the others.

He shot a glare at her back but said nothing. As much as he disliked her attitude, he couldn’t say she was wrong. As was evident from the condition he was in now, he hadn’t been doing the best job of keeping himself out of trouble. So, instead, he merely let out an annoyed huff and folded his arms over his chest, leaning back against the tree trunk as he waited for the others to finish packing up his supplies.

Once they were all ready to go, Alistair stepped over to Crow’s side to help him stand. “Come on, big guy,” he grinned, wrapping one arm around the thief’s waist to help brace him. “Let’s get going.”

Still feeling a bit embarrassed about needing help to do such a simple task as walking, Crow nodded wordlessly as he rested one arm over Alistair’s shoulder. He took a step away from the tree, and as soon as the two were balanced, the group began to make their way south towards their home.

--

Since Crow wasn’t able to keep up with their usual pace, it took the five companions two full days to make it back to their camp. Simon and Alistair switched off on helping him walk, and even Hazel offered her support once or twice when the two men grew too tired to carry him. So, when they finally made it to the tunnels behind the waterfall at dusk on the second day, they were all completely exhausted.

Alistair, who had been the last to brace Crow, collapsed almost immediately on his bed and fell asleep, while the others sat around the fire to chat amongst each other. For a while, everything was peaceful. Crow talked idly with Simon, while Hazel answered questions about healing that Rikki asked.

As they spoke, Crow noticed the blonde thief’s gaze wander frequently to Hazel, and his attentiveness to their conversation began to wane. After a bit, he couldn’t take it anymore. He rolled his eyes, “If you want to talk to her so badly, then just do it already.”

“W-what?” Simon turned to him and blinked.

“Come on, man,” Crow nudged him. “You haven’t been listening to a word I’ve said. Just go talk to her. Ask her to take a walk with you or go stargazing or something. I don’t care, but gods, don’t keep sitting around and pretending you’re not interested in her. It’s painful to watch.”

Simon averted his gaze, “She’s not going to want to go anywhere with me. Why would she?”

“For the love of—” Crow groaned, staring up at the cavern ceiling. “Just do it already. If she wants to go, she’ll go. If not, she’ll just say no. You’ve got nothing to lose.”

Simon hesitated for a moment and then nodded. “You’re right,” he said a bit more confidently, standing up.

“Go get her,” Crow grinned, watching as his companion walked over to where Hazel and Rikki were talking.

The blonde thief cleared his throat awkwardly, “H-Hazel, I was wondering if, perhaps, you would… er, if you would want to…”

I take it back. This is even more painful than when he did nothing, Crow thought, cringing as he watched Simon flounder for words. “He was wondering if you would go with him on a walk,” he called out, rescuing his friend from his own awkwardness.

“What?” Hazel blinked, looking up at Simon in surprise.

Rikki turned to the herbalist with a smirk, “You should go. It sounds like fun.”

Hazel glanced at her for a moment before meeting Simon’s gaze again, “You want me to come with you on a walk?”

Simon shuffled his feet and nodded bashfully, “I-If you wouldn’t mind.”

She was silent for a moment as she seemed to process what he was asking her, and then colored slightly as she nodded. “Alright,” she smiled, rising to her feet and smoothing down her dress. “I’d love to go on a walk with you, Simon.”

“Really?” his eyes widen.

“Of course,” Hazel laughed softly, taking the initiative to link her arm with his. “Lead the way.”

Simon seemed to relax at her gesture and nodded. “Okay,” he grinned, walking with her towards the cave entrance.

With the other two gone, Crow and Rikki exchanged an uncomfortable glance as they realized they were now alone. Aside from when she had found him in the stable during the battle, they hadn’t been alone in almost a week. The tension between them was so thick, it could have been cut with a knife. He averted his gaze, “I should go to bed… Long day.”

“Mhm,” she nodded in agreement, moving to put out the fire.

With a burst of energy driven by his urge to get out of the uncomfortable situation, Crow forced himself to stand up. He leaned one hand against the wall of the cave to steady himself and made his way along the edge of the space until he reached the sleeping area. Fortunately, his bed was already close to the wall, so he only had to take a few steps without support to reach it.

He laid down in a somewhat controlled descent and exhaled tiredly as soon as he rested his head. His weariness from the two-day trip hit him all at once, and he passed out, sleeping soundly as he recovered from the long walk.