Chapter 2: Thyra

After jogging up the path for about fifteen minutes, I finally reach the centre of town. I stop beside a stall with stuff for sale and buy a loaf of bread. It's about midday now, so the streets are quite busy. People walk around in groups or alone, buying things from the stall and stores set up, or heading to their jobs. Some even sit atop horses, especially a few soldiers on duty, keeping an eye on things from above.

I walk away from the stall, and stop short—nearly dropping the bread—just as a bunch of kids run past, laughing and squealing in delight as they push and shove each other.

"Race you to the docks!" One little boy squeals.

"I'm gonna win!" Another boy grins.

"Last one there has to volunteer at the stables!" A girl responds, grinning deviously.

"For a week!" Another girl smirks.

"You're on!" A boy with more than enough missing teeth replies, pumping his fist in excitement.

The first boy turns to him, glaring. "No, Faje. You'll just mess it up as usual!" He gives the smaller kid, Faje, a hard shove and he lands in the dirt. My surprised gaze hardens. "You… you just stay and keep watch."

The group of kids run away, leaving the kid in the dirt, in danger of being trampled on by the number of people roaming around.

Nearby, a soldier's horse spooks at the kids and the rider loses control as the horse plunges forward, straight towards Faje.

I rush forward without thinking and grab him by the arm, yanking him back just in time. The soldier calls out his apologies as his horse ploughs forward, struggling to pull it up.

"You ok, kid?" I ask the kid, who nods wordlessly, out of breath. He frowns sadly, and I follow his gaze to see the bread I'd just brought lying trampled in the dirt.

Aww, man!

"I'm sorry, mister." He mumbles, ashamed. I ruffle his blonde hair, grinning kindly.

"No, worries, kiddo. Better the bread then you!" I reply. He smiles shyly at me.

"Hey, Uh, do those kids do that to you often?" I ask, slightly hesitant.

The boy bites his lip and nods, looking down.

"Well, you shouldn't let them. If they bother you again, come find me!" I tell him. He nods shyly.

"Are you a fast runner?" I ask. He nods, smiling up at me now.

"I-I'm the fastest kid in town!"

"Well, then, I'm sure you could catch up with them no problem!" I grin.

"Yeah! I know all the short cuts in town, anyway!" Faje exclaims, excitedly.

I smirk and give him a gentle shove. "Off ya go, show em who's boss!" I order. He grins, turning to me and giving off a two-fingered salute, before spinning around and sprinting off through the crowd.

I chuckle as I turn and walk back to the cart, buying another loaf of bread and heading for the higher streets of town, dodging many obstacles as I go, which include: one cart full of netted fish, one runaway riderless horse, one knife fight, a flying sword, and a group of off duty soldiers going for a drink.

Eventually, I make it to my destination: Thyra's house.

Thyra the Unholy is my best friend. She and I became friends when we were young, and we've only grown closer as the years pass. She is my best and only supporter, but not someone I take for granted.

After she doesn't answer when I knock, I find her around the back of the house stoking the fire pit.

Wow. Another party?

She glances up at me and grins when we make eye contact.

"Figured it might be fun."

I frown at her. "Thy, don't you remember the Chief's reaction last time you through a party?!" I scold. "It took them all of the next day to get the blaze under control!"

She crossed her arms over her chest in defence. "That wasn't entirely my fault!"

I step closer to her. "That's true, " I admit. "But the chief was really angry."

She tucks some of her light brown hair behind her ear, shuddering visibly. "His death stare could unsettle the toughest warrior." She agrees. "That's not something I want to relive."

I give her a small smile. "so, it's settled then—"

"Which is why, this time, I'm being extra cautious. You and I will be the only ones touching the fire. The Logmen's aren't invited, and I'll be monitoring everyone's drinking—I'll kick em once they get too drunk."

I frown, about to protest, before something she said registers. "Wait, me? You want me?" I ask, stammering slightly. She grins and lunches my shoulder lightly.

"Well, yeah! You ARE my best friend, aren't ya?!" she replies with a grin. "no use throwing a party without my best mate!"

"Won't I get in the way? I'm not exactly the most popular person." I ask curiously.

She cocks her hip and crosses her arms. "You're coming. End of story, Tore." She exclaims sternly, glaring at me—daring me to defy her.

I roll my eyes and huff. "fine, but only to keep you out of trouble." I respond, crossing my arms. She grins widely at me in response and opens her mouth to speak, but I hold up a hand to stop her. "And, you're coming on tomorrow's hunt with me!" I add.

She blinks in surprise. "Sure, but, they finally let you join?" she tilts her head in curiosity.

I chuckle nervously. "No…" I mumble sheepishly. "But, that's why we're stealing us some horses tomorrow morning!" I blurt out. Yep, no one notices me or lets me join in on anything around here. I won't lie, if it's not for Thyra, I'd probably be completely invisible. Hell, I could walk out into the forest and submit to the beasts, and no one would notice my absence. Considering I have gone walking in the middle of the night several times before and never been spoken to, I'm either assuming they really don't pay attention to me…or they want me gone.

I'm brought back to reality when Thyra frowns at me. "Tore, you are crazy."

"Maybe, but I'm the good crazy." I give her a lopsided grin, and she smirks back at me.

"oh, yeah." She nods, a glint in her ear. "Well, shell we finish setting this up?" She gestures to the fire pit.

"Ok, ok. So, how many people did you invite?" I start a conversation as we get to work.

We continue talking for the next half hour as we clean and stock the fire pit, split some wood, clean the surroundings, and drag out some barrels of Velca—our island's alcoholic specialty. Finally, we drag out a table from her hut out and some seats, to set some food and drinks on. We share up the replacement bread I'd brought earlier for a late lunch, just talking happily as the hours pass.