The Hunter Mage

CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE

Vernon's legs gave way and he fell on his face, thankfully, he was able to react on time and he put his hand out to shield himself. "Oh no!" He could hear cries as he struggled to his feet. He could already hear scrambling of feet as the children tried to rush to where he was but there was a rule that you shouldn't go past a certain point and whoever did was punished and they were toddlers, they couldn't exactly run very fast.

He finally stood up to his feet, with whatever dignity he had left, and continued walking as soon as he got to where the toddlers were he fell to the floor with a loud plop. "What are you doing here?" He heard a thunderous voice ask. He didn't have to look up to see who it was.

He didn't answer immediately; rather, he adjusted first so the children would stop pinning him to the ground. They were all speaking but he could not really listen as he knew if he did not give Madame Rebecca a proper answer, the chance of her telling him to return to the infirmary was pretty high, in fact, she might take him back there herself.

"I was tired of lying down, besides, I figured being out of the bed would help me faster than remaining in bed." He responded looking her in the eyes.

She glared at him but then she threw her gaze away without saying anything. He knew he didn't have her approval but at least she was not chasing him away. He would take it. The one person he probably couldn't convince to let him stay was definitely Madame and he hoped she would not come by the infirmary or the toddlers' section because then she would know he was not in bed.

He did not need anyone to let him know she would most definitely not take it lightly with him or let him have his way, for the most part, considering she knew exactly how sick he was. He waved the thoughts of her away, he would worry about that when the time came for now he had other pressing matters.

He said his hi's and hellos to the toddlers that came at him and quickly did a scan of the group, looking for his sister. It only took him a second to realize she had not come to greet him. She was seated in the far corner with her back to him.

"Penn," he called her. He could try to go to her but he knew he would not make it fast enough.

"Why is your body so hot?" One of the toddlers was asking.

"Because, I am a little sick, Lavon." He tried to explain.

"Sick? What does that mean?"

He could tell the kid was not relenting and if he answered this question it would only lead to more questions and more questions. He didn't mind doing that all day though just not right at that moment.

"Give me just a moment, I will be right back." He muttered to the children that surrounded him as he crawled his way to where Penn was seated facing the other side.

"Penn," He called when he got close enough but she still refused to look at him. "Are you mad at me Penn?" She scoffed and threw her face away. Straining her neck on her defiance.

"I am sorry Penn but you know there is no way I would not have made it here if it was not a life-death situation." He was not even sure if she got what he was saying but he knew she understood the words he was speaking.

"I told you I was sick, I still am, I am sure Dev told you too because I told him to tell you." He was saying a lot of words at once but she still did not budge, she didn't even answer let alone look at him.

When she still didn't answer, he sighed and forcefully took one of her hands, he then placed it on his body. Her reaction was worth it. She immediately looked alarmed and had a questioning look on her face.

"Why is your body so hot?" She asked.

He glared at her and refused to answer at first but he wasn't angry. "Because I am sick. I told you already that's why I couldn't make it yesterday, not because I didn't want to. Didn't you see me fall?"

She shook her head. He had tried to get back on his feet before he was seen, the people who were likely to see him fall were Madame Rebecca and the children who had stood up as soon as they had gotten a sight of him and he knew Penn had not been among them.

"Fine, does that mean you're no longer angry with me?" He asked and she nodded. "Good," he returned. "How have you been though? Have you been eating properly?"

He asked and she shook her head. He was not surprised and he had been afraid of that, at least now he knew why Madame Rebecca had not immediately chased him back. It was definitely because of Penn.

He wondered if she had gone the entirety of the day before without eating. It was not the first time she would do it and it often terrified Madame Rebecca whenever Penn would go long periods without eating.

Thankfully, she always ate whenever he was around and he was pretty grateful for that. "Would you like me to feed you?" He asked softly know there was no way she would say no.

She nodded vigorously and he smiled. "Madame Rebecca!" He yelled calling for her attention and even before he could state what he wanted she handed him a bowl.

He murmured his thanks and accepted the bowl. He wasted no time in giving Penn out of it and he was not surprised when he saw she already had her mouth open waiting for him.