The Chronicles of Onyx: Book 1

Chapter Eight

Morning rose once again, and Onyx awoke to the sound of disturbed leaves. She sat up slowly, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort enveloping her. But what truly caught her attention was the sight of an awake Rok, his strong, bold, imposing figure watching over her like a loyal dog.

Rok's broad shoulders were illuminated by the gentle morning light, and his expression held a mixture of focus and care. His eyes met hers as she sat up, "Morning," he greeted her in his deep, soothing voice.

"Morning," Onyx replied curiously, her voice holding a hesitant tone. She could sense something was bothering Rok, and she knew he was not one to communicate his thoughts well.

As she got to her feet, Rok moved closer, offering her a hand to help her up. She took it hesitantly, locking with his eyes conveying the look 'you need to talk to me', in response he shook his head slightly and gestured towards the passed out Dwarf. Oldren had seemingly drank too much Ale the night before.

"Did you sleep well?" Rok asked, breaking the silent conversion, concern evident in his eyes.

Onyx nodded, "Seems, I slept better than you," she answered back, Onyx glanced over at Oldren, still passed out, his flask still in hand. "Looks like he had quite the celebration," she remarked with a smirk.

Rok nodded, a hint of eased tension escaping him. "He's a spirited one, that's for sure," he said. "Though I'm not sure how useful he'll be today."

"We'll have to let him sleep it off," Onyx suggested, her gaze returning to Rok. "We can continue scouting ahead while he rests."

Rok nodded in agreement, but there was a lingering heaviness in his eyes. Onyx could sense that something was weighing on his mind, and she couldn't help but feel the need to pry it out of him. They had become more than just traveling companions; they had become friends.

"Rok, is there something bothering you?" Onyx asked gently, her voice softening with concern.

Rok hesitated for a moment, his gaze briefly dropping to the ground before meeting hers again. "It's nothing, really," he replied evasively.

Onyx didn't buy it, and she knew Rok well enough to recognize when he was trying to deflect. "Come on, talk to me," she said, reaching out and placing a reassuring hand on his arm.

He sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly under her touch. "It's just..." he paused looking at her, his kind eyes holding worry in them. "Nothing for you to worry about", he finished firmly, avoiding the question.

"It will come out eventually" she told herself as she watched Rok walk away towards the direction of the hitched horses. "I just hope it comes out sooner than later"

-ooooo-

Rok attended to the horses, tacking them up for the long day ahead. Onyx took the moment to gather her thoughts. She knew that Rok was a man of few words, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was troubling him, something he didn't want to burden her with.

Lost in her contemplation, Onyx felt a sudden rustling of leaves behind her. She turned to find Oldren finally waking up, rubbing his head with a groan. "By the hammers of Thor, my head feels like an anvil!" he exclaimed, trying to sit up but failing as a wave of dizziness washed over him.

Onyx couldn't help but chuckle at his disheveled appearance. "Maybe you should lay off the Dwarven Ale next time," she teased.

Oldren grumbled in response but managed to sit up properly this time. "Bah" he argued. Making his point clearly—to himself.