Chapter 49 Resprout

Chapter 49 Resprout
I screamed as the blinding flash gave way to the gentle light of a candle. It didn’t stop me from springing up, gasping for air and looking around wildly from the bed I lay in.
“Robin!” a man’s voice was followed by firm hands on my shoulder. “Shh, calm down. You’re alright. You’re safe now.”
My shaky vision eventually settled, and I looked up, meeting Jackson’s gaze. My muscles gave out, and he quickly caught me before I fell back. “C—Captain,” I croaked, blinking.
“We’re back at base camp,” Jackson explained, wiping my damp eyes. He sighed in relief. “I thought that… never mind. We’re glad you’re alright.”
“We’re…?” I whispered, flinching when I touched the bandages wrapped around my head. My armor was removed, only wearing my commoners clothes.
“Was that Robin?”
“Is she awake?”
“I think she is!”
Multiple voices came from outside; Erik’s was one of them, followed by Russel. The murmurs of dozens of men came.
Jackson shook his head and mumbled, “Yes. We’re.”
“Robin!” Erik burst into the tent. “Thank the gods. Are you alright??”
“I, um,” I stuttered, spotting many more people peeking inside. All the knights. My cheeks warmed with embarrassment.
Were they all worried about me?
“Quiet, boy,” Jackson snapped. “She just woke up. Leave her be and go back outside.”
“Sorry, sorry, Cap,” Erik apologized and then smiled at me. “Everyone’s worried about you. Cedric won’t stop fretting. Hurry up and get better soon.”
I nodded with a soft smile, murmuring, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be better before you know it.”
“Out. Now!” Jackson growled. 
“Okay, okay!” Erik scurried out, yelping when Jackson threw a rock at his butt.
I snorted, covering my mouth so that I wouldn’t cackle.
Jackson turned back to me. “Your body is covered in bruises, but nothing severe. Your right arm is pretty banged up, but no broken bones. It may be a little tender in the morning though. As for your head and your chest…” His voice faltered. “You took a hit to your head alright. Thankfully, it's not something that needs an immediate hospital trip, but you’re still going straight to the doctor once we get back to the kingdom. And your ribcage…” He sighed, shaking his head with a narrowed gaze. “Like I said, some of your ribs may be broken from your fight against the right-hand. So try not to move too much or lift anything heavy.”
I grimaced and nodded. I had no idea I had banged myself up this badly, and now that my body was finally relaxing, the pain was hitting me like a landslide.
Jackson noticed my face twist in pain, and he stepped closer, lifting my chin as he murmured, “I’ll go get you some pain medicine. You rest up.”
A chill ran up my spine, and I immediately shook my head. “N—no, I’ve rested enough. I’d appreciate the medicine, though.”
The captain’s brows furrowed as he looked me up and down, and then murmured, “Robin… before you fainted, you said something about your…”
“My what?”
We stood in silence until he turned away. “Never mind. We can talk more later. I’ll be right back,” he murmured, leaving the tent.
My thoughts raced. If something bothered our headstrong captain, then it must’ve been something serious. Then, the last words I said to him flooded back into my memory.
I told him I died… Shit. What do I say now? That I just had a nightmare?
A nightmare…
Goosebumps crawled over my skin as I hugged my legs. My last dream was horrifying. I was afraid to even close my eyes; always waking up in that dark world each time I fell asleep. It was starting to feel as if I weren’t getting any rest—my weary mind given no break.
It dawned on me, this dark world I always woke up in… What if it isn’t a dream? That place is so cold. It felt too real. If my revival has something to do with witchcraft, and that dark realm isn’t my overactive imagination… then, is that the real Robin in there? She’s always there. 
Is… she stuck there?
Nausea turned my stomach, threatening to make me puke. Fear sent me into a cold sweat; my thoughts raced.
Will… will I be stuck there too someday…??
Such thoughts made me tremble, hugging my legs tighter. The vision I saw was the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Yet, looking back, I never saw malice in Robin’s eyes when she looked at me. I couldn’t explain it. The vision was… something I wish I could forget, but maybe she was trying to tell me something by showing me that memory, and I was too frightened to see it.
Something awful happened to Robin that night… damn it all.
Jackson stepped inside and I jumped, my anxious heart leaping into my throat with a shriek until I took a deep breath and clutched my chest.
“Robin??” Jackson rushed to me, resting his hand on my shoulder. “Are you alright? What’s wrong?”
The captain’s barrage of concerned questions brought a small smile to my cracked lips. It wasn’t often I saw the man show emotions that weren’t hot-blooded. 
“I’m fine, Captain,” I murmured. “Just a lil on edge. That’s all.”
He looked me up and down before leaning back. “Alright. Here,” he said, handing me herbs wrapped up in a ball. “This is all we have. It’s not as strong as what you’d get at the hospital.”
“That’s fine. Thank you, sir,” I murmured, eating the leaf-ball in one bite. My nose wrinkled in disgust; the bitter taste sucked up most of my saliva. 
Jackson grinned, chuckling as he handed me a flask. “Here.”
“Th—thank you,” I croaked, chugging the rest of the chopped plants down.
I coughed and took a deep breath before Jackson leaned down and wiped the water from my chin with his thumb. My wide eyes snapped up to him, cheeks flushing. The gentle warmth in his hazel eyes became flustered, and he quickly stepped back. He cleared his throat, looking away.
“Try to get some rest, dame.”
“Yes, sir.” 
We spoke formally. Jackson paused for a moment, as if having something else to say, but quickly left instead. My shoulders sagged with a heavy sigh, clutching my chest. The fluttering in my heart was overwhelming.
Now I definitely can’t sleep… Welp.
I stood, flinching as I put weight on my fatigued legs. Might as well go say hi to the boys. I poked my head out of the tent, looking both ways. Making sure Jackson was nowhere in sight before limping to the campfire. 
My ginger hair and female frame were easily spotted, and the knights leapt to their feet to see me; cheering, clapping, and calling my name.
No… Robin’s name.
Despite that, it still brought a warm smile to my face.
Everyone had their armor off, wearing their everyday clothes, holding mugs.
Erik approached me with a grin. “And there’s the most heroic knight in the world! You, m’lady, look like you need a drink,” he said, holding out a mug.
I chuckled, taking it. “A few drinks couldn’t hurt.”