18 Why are you Here?

We passed a few apple trees while heading for the river. "They aren't sweet, but we can eat as many as we like. These are wild trees, so no one will bother us. Summer is great, we'll struggle in winter though", I said. She was still hungry apparently, because she grabbed an apple and bit into it. "Stfu! Why are you trying to trick me?", she asked angrily. "Why?", I asked and grabbed an apple for myself.

When she saw me eat it without a change in my expression, she widened her eyes at me. "How can you eat them? They are so sour", "I got used to it. It's free food, I'm not picky", I explained. She decided to eat the rest of her apple, although it looked painful for her. "No wonder the villagers tell you nothing. You must be the only person who eats them", she added once our walk resumed.

We arrived at the river's bank, where I hid my net. "You are fishing as well?", she asked surprised. "Food is energy. I burn like a stove thanks to those stupid tasks... Though, it's easier now. If you saw me when I arrived here, you'd be shocked", I replied. The river was quiet, while Senty and her goons were nowhere to be found.

I caught a few fishes, and made a fire. "Were you a hunter before getting stuck in this place?", she asked. "Nope, I'm just a traveller. You learn when you travel, I guess", I said. "Then, what did you do to be stuck here?", she asked another question. "Nothing", my reply was short and to the point. That was also the truth. I didn't harm anyone from that village, nor tried to steal from them.

"I'm confused. If you did nothing, did you get sold?", she asked. Though unfortunate, such cases were common. Parents sold their kids for some money. These kids would serve someone their entire life. "No, I wasn't sold either", I shook my head. "If you weren't a criminal, nor were you sold, why are you doing this?", she followed up. I gave it some thought, as the events of the past few months re-emerged in my mind. "Because life is such".

My reply stunned her, but she didn't ask anything else. She sat there quietly while staring at the fire. "I think the fish is ready, here, you take one too", I said to break the silence. "You sure? I already ate your dinner", "I'd be the same as them, if I denied you food. I know how it feels to be starving. I don't wish that upon anyone. Take it, your work starts tomorrow, and you need energy for that", I said.

On our way back, we encountered the two lackeys from Senty's pack. "Uuu, two slaves hanging out together. So you're a pair now? Hahaha", one of them said. "Yea, you match each other great! A skeleton, and a scar face. Hahahaha", the other one added. "You bastards...", she was about to rush at them, but I stopped her. "How about you two? Always together, how nice. Did you start dating already?", I snapped back.

Their faces changed, as anger rushed to their heads. "I'll kill you, you fucking slave!", on of them exclaimed and rushed at us. I grabbed my new friend's hand, and escaped the other way. "They can't catch us, don't worry. I've ran away from these two so many times, they don't usually bother me when they're alone", I explained as we ran.

We easily outran them, and returned to our house. "When you see them, just escape. They will not bother you during your work, and they are afraid to enter this house. I'm not sure what sort of stories they were told, but apparently, this house is cursed", I explained. "Seems alright to me... A bit empty though", she replied then recalled something, "I never asked your name. Wish to share?".

"I suppose it will be easier. My name's Nex, you?", I introduced myself. "Heh, that's a weird name. Anyway, my name is Dina", she replied. "Either way, we had an eventful day. I'd say we should rest. Since you just got here, sleep on the bed first. We'll change tomorrow". I grabbed the duvet and pillow, then went to another side of the house.

"Thanks, and I guess we'll see each other tomorrow", she replied before laying down in the bed. 'I wonder how am I suppose to train now... I don't trust her enough to do it when she's here. Should I give up, or find another place?', I asked myself. Moreover, I collected enough metal to make a weapon, but there was no mould to make a dagger at Grond's smithy. The mould had to be created, and for that I needed an imprint of a dagger.

'My wooden daggers could work, but they were made hastily and crudely. I'd need to make something better, before doing a mould', I figured. Just because practicing at the house became a bit of a pain, it didn't mean a real weapon wouldn't be useful. I decided to leave tomorrow's worries for tomorrow, and went to sleep.