Sadike {9}

It had been a few days now and Len never strayed far from the main road once he had reached it, he realised he didn't have time to process what had happened and simply had to focus on other things for now to ensure his survival. He had become more alert and noticed that his clothing made him appear strange, he had a wonderful ring and rode a pristine and noble horse yet he was dressed in rags.. he knew he needed to steal some nicer clothing once he got the chance.

Coconut seemed completely unbother by Damians death, she only seemed a little sad at the lack of a competent rider.. but Len was getting better. She trotted on for days before getting a little shock, instead of seeing a massive grey wall she saw a small village surrounded by wooden spikes with a small gate.. was this really a human nest? She trotted in with Len on her back as they both looked around.

The only notable things of the tiny village was a fancy and very tidy well that was obviously taken care of every day, it was the center of the village and seemingly very important. The old creaking tavern was the second of three with it being the largest building in town, Len supposed people would need some entertainment. Finally the third was a temporary army camp, many soldiers were bustling about and it looked as if the tavern could afford some renovations soon with how many soldiers were drunk off their asses.

Len saw the leading General angrily talking to a young boy maybe thirteen years of age "I don't know why you dress like a necromancer you dumb fuck! You are my son, me! a General!" it was true, the boy had on a long dark purple robe with silver outlines, although it confused Len.. didn't the father buy clothes for his son and then get mad at him for wearing them? So strange.. Len at least knew he could steal a pair of fancy clothes from the boy on his way out.

He looked around and seeing that there wasn't an inn he found the shabbiest house and knocked on the door of it. A poor old woman answered and looked at the young boy with confusion, he pulled a small sack of silver out of Damiens old bags "here I'll give you this if you let my horse and I stay a few nights, I'll also take care of your house for you" the old woman seemed absolutely delighted and led him into her sad little house, it only had on table with no chairs and a sad little bed on the ground. Len frowned as he thought his home in the stables looked amazing compared to this "Would you like it if my horse carried you to the next large town? you could buy a nice little house there and sell watermelons on the street or something." he offered but the kind old woman shook her head "no my husband started this village... I will die here watching it grow" she smiled at the sack of coins "this will help.. it can grow lots with all this money" she smiled causing her face to wrinkle more than it already was.

Len could understand her better now that he'd keep Damians bag until it withered into dust, or until he did and so he wouldn't press the issue further. He also knew though that his grief was nowhere near hers, she had lost a lover of many years and he had lost a man he didn't know long enough to figure out if he was a lover or father figure. He shook his head as he pulled out Damians sleeping bag and gave it to her since he was no longer in any need of it. They both fell asleep shortly after with the old woman seeming grateful that she had a comfy place to rest her head.

The sun woke quickly the next day causing Len to get up and head out to explore the village, this was one of his favorite things to do now. It reminded him of walking around that um.. he didn't know the name of where he was before come to think of it. Nevertheless he still enjoyed seeing all the different people, even when he would go to point something out to Damian it was still bittersweet. He walked around all day and noticed that most of the village were either elderly or children, he also learned that it was called sadike village.