A New Way

"Man, I'm famished," Ron grumbled, his stomach growling as he trudged along the road.

The night enveloped him in an eerie silence, devoid of any signs of human presence. Ron managed to scavenge a handful of wild berries, but they did little to appease his gnawing hunger.

Just as he continued his solitary journey, the rhythmic sound of approaching hooves pierced the stillness. A horse-drawn carriage emerged from the darkness.

"Hey, kid, are you lost?" called out the man driving the carriage. "It's not safe to be wandering around at night. Hop in."

Ron weighed his options and reluctantly accepted the offer. Climbing into the carriage, he noticed a young girl with dark hair already seated inside.

"By the way, I'm Jason, and this is my daughter, Ava," introduced the man, breaking the silence. Curiosity piqued, he asked, "So, what happened to you?"

"I was traveling with a group, but we got separated. I also lost my money and food," Ron explained, his weariness evident.

Jason smiled warmly, offering reassurance. "No problem. You can stay with us for the night."

As Ron settled into the carriage, he couldn't help but feel Ava's curious gaze upon him. Summoning his courage, he initiated a conversation. "Hey, I'm Ron. Can you please stop staring?"

Ava's lips curled into a playful smile as she reached into her bag and handed him a coat. "You need to cover up," she said, her kindness shining through.

"Thank you," Ron expressed his gratitude.

"Well, you're welcome to stay at our place tonight if you want. It may not be lavish, but it offers comfort," Jason offered kindly.

Soon, the carriage arrived at a picturesque village, and Ron and Ava disembarked, following Jason's lead through the quaint streets.

Hand in hand, Ava guided Ron until they reached a cozy wooden house, illuminated by the warm glow of lanterns. It may not have been opulent, but compared to his previous life as a slave, it was a sanctuary.

As they entered the house, a woman's voice filled the air with warmth and affection. She rushed forward to embrace Ava. "Welcome back, my dear. And who is this young boy?"

Jason eagerly explained to Emily why they had brought Ron home, his enthusiasm contagious.

With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Jason playfully declared, "Oh, he's just a lost adventurer we found on the road. Thought we'd bring him home and see if he's got any skills in dishwashing."

Emily chuckled, rolling her eyes affectionately at her husband's whimsical idea. Turning to Ron, she assured him, "Don't mind Jason's wild ideas. Make yourself comfortable here."

As night descended, all four of them gathered around the table, sharing a simple yet satisfying dinner. Conversations flowed, filled with laughter and camaraderie.

But as bedtime approached, Ron found himself settling down on the floor next to Jason, who emitted thunderous snores that echoed through the room.

Throughout the night, Ron tossed and turned, desperately seeking respite from the cacophony of snores. Eventually, he concluded that sleeping amidst the tranquillity of the forest would have been a more peaceful choice.

The morning arrived, and Jason and Ron ventured into the nearby woods to cut down trees.

"AAAAAA CHOP!" The resounding sound of their axes striking the trunks filled the air, as if the trees were giving their final screams.

Ron, determined to prove his worth and make some honest money, swung his axe with determination. Little did he know, his lumberjack skills were attracting an unexpected admirer.

Ava stood nearby, her eyes fixated on Ron's brawny arms and sweat glistening on his forehead. She couldn't help but be captivated by his lumberjack charm.

"Hey, what's your problem? Stop staring at my body like a squirrel eyeing a nut," Ron exclaimed, slightly flustered as he attempted to maintain his focus on the task at hand.

Ava, the 13-year-old girl with a mischievous smile, blushed uncontrollably. "I-I can't help it. Your wood-chopping skills are just so... mesmerizing," she stammered, her innocent infatuation shining through.

Amused by the situation, Jason couldn't help but burst into laughter, nearly dropping his own axe. "Well, Ron, looks like you've got a secret admirer in the woods! Who knew lumberjacking could be so romantic?"

Ron's face turned as red as a ripe tomato, and he continued chopping the trees, trying to ignore the distracting mix of laughter and teenage infatuation surrounding him.

On the way back, with their pockets jingling from the paltry 4 copper coins, Jason spotted an old man walking towards them. Ron could sense something peculiar about him.

"Ah, the village chief!" Jason exclaimed, extending his hand for a handshake.

The old man smiled warmly and returned the gesture. "You look as dashing as ever, chief," Jason complimented with a playful wink.

The village chief chuckled heartily, his laughter echoing through the air. "Oh, thank you, Jason. And who might this new face be? I don't believe we've met before."

Jason grinned mischievously and gestured towards Ron. "This is Ron, he got separated from his group, so I invited him to stay with us".

The old man's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he turned to Ron. "Ron, huh?" he mused, rubbing his chin. "Well, Ron, my boy, can I have a moment of your time? There's something I'd like to ask you."

Jason leaned closer to Ron and whispered with a cheeky grin, "Don't worry, Ron. If he asks you to do a silly dance, just pretend you've sprained your ankle. Trust me, it works every time!"

"What the heck is going on between these two?" Ron wondered, his curiosity piqued, as he followed the old man.

They continued walking until they reached a slightly larger building than the others in the area. The old man turned the doorknob, swinging open the door, revealing... a quaint and cozy town hall.

Ron blinked in surprise, expecting something grand but instead finding a humble gathering space.

The walls were adorned with simple decorations, and the atmosphere felt warm and inviting. It was the kind of town hall that perfectly matched the charm of the small village.

As Ron found himself in the village town hall, he couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed by the sight of numerous people gathered around, engrossed in piles of papers and documents.

"Welcome to the heart of our community, where all the important decisions are made," the old man explained, his voice resonating through the bustling room.

Uncertainty filled the air as the old man fixed his gaze on Ron, emphasizing, "Trust isn't something that can be earned easily, no matter who you are or where you come from."

Sensing that the old man had a particular request in mind, Ron's curiosity grew, and he cautiously inquired, "Okay, so what exactly do you need from me?"