Nym, the boy just trying to help

In a small house outside the city an older woman sits in bed, smiling a little out the window and watching a young man head for the town. She sighs and shakes her head, mumbling to herself, "I hope you don't get into trouble somehow. You have a knack for finding it."

****

"My hair needs to be cut soon…" I mutter to myself as I head for the town, black hair partially getting in the way of brilliant blue eyes. I head straight for the apothecary first to get moms medicine.

"Welcome back Nym. The usual?" The elf behind the counter is a man seemingly in his early thirties with light brown hair and eyes. He's taller than me by a few inches since he is five foot ten inches tall.

I smile at him and nod, "Yes please. And maybe something for a cough? I heard her last night though she hasn't mentioned."

"Sure thing. You have the silver to pay, I assume?" The man smiles as he goes to get it all together. I smile and pull out a small pouch. "I have just enough I think. Please tell me if I don't." My reply comes rather cheerily as I worked hard for this money.

Over all it's not much but I need the medicine for mom. I had to help move and split logs for most of the week to get even this though. I smile more as the man hands me back one silver and the medicine.

Putting the medicine in my bag I head out waving, heading for the food stalls to buy some simple groceries. It honestly doesn't take long and I'm heading back home.

"Thank you, Nym, but I have told you not to work so hard." My mother smiles as I enter. She is older, mid sixties I think. Her health is declining and she can no longer work. I'm not sure what's wrong but we can't afford a healer.

"I know. I just want to help. Besides we have to eat somehow." Putting the groceries down I go to give her the medicine, making sure she takes it.

"You don't have to stare at me like that you know." Hearing this I shake my head and chuckle, responding quickly, "Last time I didn't make sure you tried to hide the medicine. I know it doesn't taste good but you have to take it."

She chuckles herself and puts her hands up in mock surrender, "Fine, fine. You're right. That won't happen again dear. I promise."

I nod in satisfaction after a moment and go to make us breakfast. "After we eat I need to find work for the next little while. This cost the last of what I earned." Even without turning I hear the gentle sigh. "Don't worry I like working. So it isn't a big deal."

"I disagree. I may be old but I shouldn't be a burden. You should be going to the adventurers academy but here you are, cooking for us and working hard. I truly appreciate it but you shouldn't have to do this."

This time I sigh. Sure I had wanted to try being an adventurer but it's dangerous. And mom needs me now more than ever. She is getting sicker by the day and constantly staring at her necklace in a daze. I wonder if it's dementia?

"Ow!" I flinch as the knife I was using nicks my finger. I sigh and go to wrap it in cloth. I hear mom asking me if I'm okay and I respond "Of course. Just needs a few minutes and I'll be good as new. I'll finish breakfast then." She doesn't look convinced so I give a reassuring smile and finish making our breakfast once I get the bleeding to stop. I have to help her eat as her hands shake badly most of the time. I don't mind and we idly chat as we have breakfast before I leave and head for town once more.

I ask around for work and after a bit someone says I should see Danny in the apothecary. I guess he needs herbs so I start for his shop once more. Upon entering I look around and don't see him so I call out, "Hey Danny? I heard you may have some work."

The reply came shortly after from the back. "J-just a minute Nym! I'm getting so- Eeep!" There is a rather girlish shriek followed by the crashing of falling objects. I rush to the back to see him on the ground with a few boxes around him.

"Are you okay?" I ask helping him up. He nods smiling a bit and we put the boxes back except the one he needed. He always seemed a bit timid even with the small smile he has now.

"I'm fine, thank you Nym. So you're here for work? I could use some more herbs from the forest then." Danny replies, setting the box on the counter and grabbing a book of herbs. "This is the herb I need. They're called Palate Grass. They're teal blue and found growing around tree trunks in damper areas. I'll pay two silver for a bunch."

I nod smiling. This sounds like the easiest job I've had in awhile. "I'll be heading out then. I'll be back in a few hours." I say as I turn to head into the forest surrounding the town.

****

The apothecary sighs as Nym leaves. "Why does he think I'm a boy..? My voice makes it obvious I'm not… I know I dress plainly but still… plus he took off before I could warn him to stay away from horned rabbits… they have a nasty bite…" She shakes her head and gets back to work.