Keirin's request
The generals talked about some battles where warriors won being in the minority due to this knowledge.
At that time, I was bored and uninterested in the instructions of the generals, but now, remembering their words and advice, a slight smile appeared on my face.
As I continued to follow the robber, I saw Keirin's surprise as she approached some plants and trees.
From her behavior, one could understand that she did not expect to see them here. Catching my eye once, she explained that many plants and trees that were considered extinct in the world were here in large volume.
And the knowledge of the races about the no man's land was wrong, which meant that there could be other plants or animals that were considered disappeared from the world.
She collected some of the Keirin plant in her storage, just like I was wondering what else would be in this forest.
Gradually, the day began to turn into evening, I felt how tired from not sleeping last night began to affect me.
I was glad that it wasn't hot during the day and thanks to this we were able to go further than the robber planned, it was clear from his behavior that he was up to something, exchanging glances with Keirin, she also noticed the robber's strange behavior.
But we could only hope that he did not think he would try to do this after we found out the location of the camp. Sometimes we could hear the flapping of wings that caught our eye.
For all the time I did not hear more than one wingbeat, and this suggested that they did not hunt in pairs. Unfortunately, I did not get more information about these monsters from the professor.
When the day turned into night and it was difficult to see the road ahead for the robber, we began to choose a place to rest.
Finding a distant tree from the others, Keirin and I looked at each other, we both came to the same conclusion that it was better to stop here and not try to find another place in the dark.
Due to the fact that the tree was at a distance from the others, possible places were opened up for us from where someone could attack us.
Having dismantled the tents near the tree, I saw how tired the robber was, and as soon as he sat down on the ground, after a while he fell asleep.
Frowning, I tried to listen to his breathing, fearing that he would decide on stupidity at night. But after listening to his breathing and watching him toss and turn on the ground, I realized he was really sleeping.
Glancing at Keirin, who was cooking food on a small fire, we all also feared an attack, but eating raw food was both harmful and not healthy.
The fire was hidden from the forest by a strange device that hid it from the inhabitants of the forest. A thin smoke rose into the sky, but we doubted that any of the monsters or animals would decide to attack the source of this smoke.
Feeling my gaze, Keirin turned to me, her purple eyes were tired, she smiled at me as she went back to cooking.
Unlike her, I did not know how to cook, so it all fell on her shoulders, by the smell that reached me, I felt a pleasant smell from which saliva of hunger began to appear in my mouth.
After swallowing them, I heard an unpleasant sound from my stomach, hoping that Keirin did not hear. But my hopes were dashed by the soft laughter coming from the side where she was sitting.
- That Trey are you so hungry that your stomach is asking him to feed? - Keirin asked in a cheerful voice.
Trying to hide the discomfort caused by my stomach, I laughed uncertainly, perhaps that made her feel better, but she relaxed her shoulders and stopped frowning.
- You know Trey, I'm scared to see what they've done to these poor girls. - Keirin spoke in a low voice without taking her eyes off the lid that covered the fire.
I heard the anxiety and fear in her voice, she understood what the girls faced most likely, unlike me.
- My fears are probably incomprehensible to you, but you must understand that for them it is torture to be in the hands of robbers. - Keirin continued to speak, gradually her voice became quieter.
I saw tears roll down her face, her hands begin to tremble. I had the opportunity to watch her memory, but I wanted her to share her own pain that she experienced.
- In one of the cities where I worked, a new employee came to us. But unlike her friend, she had a look of emotions completely lost and it was not felt in her voice that we were talking with a live girl. - No longer hiding painful memories, she turned to me.
There was fear and apprehension in her eyes, tears flowed from her neck and slowly dripped onto her clothes.
Trying to calm down from the experience and thoughts that were in her head, she began to tighten her hands together.
- At first, the other employees and I did not understand what caused her behavior, but after a while, news reached us about how a group of mercenaries destroyed the bandit camp. - Keirin spoke in a trembling voice.
Not understanding what I was doing, I got up and went to Keirin, sitting next to her, I hugged her. In her eyes, she was surprised at my behavior, but when she felt my touch, she relaxed, clinging to me.
- One day, I caught her sitting in the corner of the room and crying. Trying to calm her down and asking her to tell what happened. - Keirin whispered as she rested her head on my chest.
Having no experience in such cases, I continued to run my hand through her hair and back and press her to me with the other hand.
Feeling her ragged breathing, how her heart was beating, I wanted to calm Keirin but did not know how.
- She told how she ended up in the bandit camp and what she went through there. - Painful voice quietly whispered girl.
I remembered that light elves are more susceptible to feeling for others than dark elves.
- So Trey, I want to ask you to try to save as many of these girls as you can. - Keirin said her request while looking into my eyes.
Considering Keirin's request, I understood that it was important for her, we did not know what condition the girls were in this camp.
I didn't want to give her extra hope that would be destroyed as soon as we freed the captives.
- Keirin, I won't promise you that, but I'll try. - I answered her request in a low voice.
Listening to my words, she raised her head and looked into my eyes, we sat like that for a while.
She looked into my eyes and I into hers, a light smoke rose into the sky, feeling her warmth and pleasant smell, I smiled.
Seeing my smile, a slight smile also appeared on her face, and laying her head on my chest, I felt her breath and heart calm down.
We sat like this for a while until Keirin opened it and stepped back looking at the lid.
- It's time to eat Tray, and after that go to rest first. - Keirin turned to me in her voice, I felt that she was still worried.
After removing the lid from the food, a pleasant and fragrant smell escaped. I didn't know what Keirin had cooked, but I was sure by the smell that it was something tasty.
Throwing a cheerful look at me and taking out dishes from my storage and putting food on it, I saw what she had prepared.
On the plate were neatly cut pieces of meat, it was noticeable from it that it was well fried. Next to the pieces of meat were various vegetables and fruits. Enjoying the smell and aroma, I placed the still-hot plate on my lap.
I took a fork in one hand and in the other hand a small knife with which I began to cut pieces of meat and then cut the vegetables in half, an even stronger aromatic smell escaped from them.
- Bon appétit, Trey. - I heard the voice of Keirin, who pulled me out of the pleasant aroma and smell.
Looking up at her, I saw how she looked with interest at my behavior, trying to remember her like that, I smiled at her.
- And bon appétit to you Keirin, thanks for such a fragrant meal. - I answered her with gratitude.
Without waiting for an answer, I began to eat, the taste from the meat was very pleasant, I felt it melting in my mouth and the vegetables gave a richer taste.
We ate in silence, enjoying the silence and delicious food, having finished eating first, Keirin poured water over the remains of the fire, washed our plates and removed our plates, she looked at me.