7 A stranger's kindness

Zeph woke up with a start. He had a feeling he had another nightmare, but unlike his other dreams, everything faded as soon as he woke up. He only could recall two golden eyes.

He was about to check his own body when he noticed his chest was bare. His left shoulder and feet were bandaged. He sought his newly acquired weapons by instinct and found they were still by his side, just a bit further away than before he blacked out from exhaustion.

Zeph looked around the small room, but there was no one else inside. Despite the protest of his aching body, Zeph still got up. There were some rags covering the floor where he laid before. It was very disconcerting for him that at least one person had got in and did all that without him even waking up. Whether it was because he was completely spent or simply that other person's capabilities, he could also have been killed without even noticing who did that.

There was food on the table. Some bread, cured meat and a jug of water. Thinking that he would already be dead if the stranger who bandaged him wished so, Zeph had no qualms in eating the food.

Everything was gone within a few minutes. Zeph decided against venturing out, opting to rest some more since he had already eaten his full.

He could heard the door creaking before it was fully opened. Zeph reached for the hilt of the sword, preparing to unsheathe the blade. The newcomer edged back scared, but didn't run away.

Zeph inspected the woman in front of him. She was fair woman in her forties. She had a short hair that barely reached her shoulders, and wore a very simple dress. She was carrying a small bundle of clothes in her hands and spoke with a cautious tone.

It was getting quite frustrating to not understand what people in this world were saying. He wanted to ask why the woman had helped him, but he knew he would get nowhere with this.

Zeph put the sword away to avoid scaring away his benefactor. He bowed to thank the lady when his words only got a confused expression from her.

She relaxed after seeing Zeph meant no harm and entered the hut. The small bundle of clothes was delivered on his hands. They consisted on a pair of leather shoes, a pair of pants and a linen shirt. Their size was pretty close to his own, they were quite worn out and it was clear they were second hand, but they were patched very nicely.

Zeph meant to reject the clothes but the lady pushed them back with a gentle smile. His opposition was much more vehement when she tried to hand him a few cooper coins, he shook his head fiercely to show that he would not accept them. It took a while before the lady was convinced and put the coins back on her pocket.

He was not looking down on her good will. He could not even find a way to thank the woman for her help. Although those coins could be very helpful, she did not seem to have much herself, so it would not feel right to him to take anything more.

She took the jug and plate on the table and called Zeph out of the hut. She walked a few meters with him, until they reached a road.

There was a man on a small wagon waiting there. He was gazing at Zeph with some hostility, or perhaps distrust, but did not say or do anything. He called the woman, who went to him promptly and took a sit by his side.

The woman put the things on her hands together with a few bags on the bag of the wagon. She waved at Zeph with a smile before turning her attention towards the road again. They both departed while talking to each other.

Zeph did not know what to feel right now. He appreciated what she did and wished he had a way to repay her. However, he could not just follow them. He did not know what they would think and he still had to wait for Marcus.

Perhaps he could find them later if he followed this road. They probably lived nearby and he would find a way to be helpful.

That stranger's kindness also had another effect on him, besides gratitude. It had quite a harmful impact on his mood. He started feeling guilty. He was feeling guilty because he did not try harder to help the other woman he had encountered. Although it was a very logical decision to run away at the time, he felt he should still try to save her.

Not knowing if he could ever repay that lady for her help, Zeph decided to help someone he could. He was not 100% recovered, but he was still in a much better state. He thought he had a chance against the other two.

Zeph went back to the hut and changed his clothes to the ones he just received. He strapped the sword on his back and the dagger on his wait. He put the mantle over his shoulders and went back the way he came from the river.

…

After Zeph had left, a hooded figure appeared out of nowhere. A white beard covered his face. He was whistling in good mood, looking at the direction Zeph had departed to.

"Yes. That is better. I guess we won't need this anymore" – he mumbled to himself as he turned and touched the old hut. He seemed to have changed his mind and shook his head with a laugh. Then he vanished without a trace.