A loud slap and a scent of roasting meat pulled Heron back to reality. His eyes opened to find himself propped against a tree,his wounds healed with barely any marks. A small fire crackled nearby, where Lucia was turning meat on a makeshift spit.
"Look who's finally awake," she said, her heterochromatic eyes glinting with amusement. "The mighty slayer returns to the land of the living."
Heron tried to sit up straighter, wincing at the pain in his neck and then realizing his cheek was burning as well. As his vision cleared, he noticed something odd about the meat. It looked surprisingly ordinary.
"What happened to the monsters?" he asked with a rough voice.
Lucia burst into laughter. "Monsters? Oh, that's precious! They were wild boars, you silly boy. Though I'll give you credit. You took down two of the younger ones. Not bad for a rookie." Her tone turned mocking. "But mommy boar? That was a bit out of your league, wasn't it?"
"Lucia." Almir's deep voice cut through her teasing as he emerged from the darkness, carrying water skins. "That's enough."
"Oh, come on, I'm just having a little fun," she protested, but there was something sharp in her smile. "Besides, this is nothing compared to the stuff we've gotten ourselves into. If he can barely handle some wild boars, how's he going to survive the trip?"
"You mock the boy, but how did you get that second eye as a replacement?" Almir said quietly as he handed Heron a water skin. "As I recall, that wasn't exactly a tough assignment either."
Lucia's playful demeanor faltered for just a moment. "That was different," she said, her voice losing some of its edge. "I was just joking anyway." But there was something in the way she touched her scarred eye that suggested Almir's words had struck home.
"Also, those boars rampaged because of the effects of Crossus. You know it serves them as an aphrodisiac and makes them more vile."
Almir turned to Heron. "You lost quite a bit of blood. We had some in reserve, so physically you'll be alright. Crystal did its magic. Though in terms of stamina, I think you are in no shape to move. I don't know if you will finish the trial."
Heron's head was spinning, but his mind latched onto one crucial detail. "How much time do I have left?"
"About two hours until the deadline," Lucia replied, tossing another piece of wood on the fire. "Not that you're in any shape to do anything about it."
"Could you carry me?" Heron suddenly asked Almir. "If I gather the flowers, could you carry me to the meeting point?"
The request hung in the air for a moment before Almir burst out laughing. "You want a piggyback ride to complete your trial?"
"I know it sounds ridiculous," Heron admitted. "But the flowers are right here, and even if I'm late, showing up is better than giving up, right?"
Almir studied him for a long moment, then a slow grin spread across his face. "You know what? Why not? It's the craziest thing I've heard in ages."
"Oh, this I have to see," Lucia chuckled, her earlier edge forgotten in the situation's absurdity.
With trembling hands, Heron gathered three Crossus specimens despite his exhaustion. Once they were properly wrapped and preserved, Almir helped him onto his back.
"Hold tight," Almir warned. "I'm not exactly a gentle ride."
"I can vouch for that." Lucia chuckled. Almir just looked at her with an icy stare and then rushed down the forest path. Because he was so large and buffed, he was much faster running on foot then Heron, so they were cutting down time as they rushed towards the city.
Lucia followed them, occasionally making jokes about "The Great Piggyback Adventure" as they rushed through the forest. Even with Almir's considerable strength and stamina, the sun was well above the horizon by the time they reached the meeting point.
Richard stood waiting, his expression stern as he watched their approach. Heron's heart sank as they were at least an hour late.
Almir set Heron down carefully. On shaky legs, Heron stepped forward and presented the flowers to Richard.
"I know I'm late," he said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "And I know that probably means I failed. But before you say it..." He turned to Almir and Lucia. "Thank you both. For saving my life, for helping me try one last time. I'll head back to the village I came from, but I won't forget this."
He moved to sit on the fallen log where he'd cried just yesterday, every muscle in his body protesting the movement.
"Did I say you failed?"
Heron looked up at Richard, confusion written across his face.
"But... I'm late. And I needed help to get here."
Richard cut him off. "But the trial we've given you is not the actual trial."