Chapter Fifteen - What can go wrong during camping?

After arriving at the next little town we sent back the carriage and wanted to board the local stagecoach. But it only left the day before and we should have waited 3 days for the next one. If Persiana and Ryenne knew how to ride, we could have gone on horseback but sadly they couldn't.

If I wasn't in a hurry, it wouldn't be a problem, but I didn't want to wait that long. We could reach the next town in half a day on foot, but I didn't want to force them to walk.

„We can walk." It was Aprudeé who said that. „I've always wanted to try camping in the woods because of your stories." She looked at Eiran with sparkling eyes.

„A young lady should not be camping." He frowned.

„I am still just a kid." She grinned at us. „When will I get the chance to try it after I become the head of the family?"

„Let's discuss it after lunch." He suggested and we started looking for a place where we could eat and rest for a while. It was a nice little restaurant next to the inn, on the main road. It wasn't glamorous or fancy, but the food was warm and filling, and that was all I needed.

„If your sister is the heir, I don't understand your parent's lack of concern." I whispered to him after satiating my hunger. He grinned at me, it was the same impudent one his sister had shown not long ago.

„They don't know that Aprudeé is their last chance, but she knows us very well. She understands that my older brother would never quit his job and responsibilities to be the head of the family, and she is well aware that I would never give up my freedom to satisfy my parent's greed. And my younger brother didn't care about anything but his books and research. So my little sister decided to be the next Lord and take care of us all. We tried to convince her that it was not necessary, but she is stubborn and headstrong. Well, if that is what she wants, I won't stop her, and she is still young, so she can change her mind. I just want her to do whatever makes her happy.

„Are we going camping then?" I smiled cheekily at him, and he sighed in defeat but seemed strangely happy.

„Yes, but everyone needs to be careful and attentive." He looked around us seriously. „The forest is a dangerous place where you never know what will attack and from where.

„Yay!" Most of the time Aprudeé acted like a proper young lady, but every now and then her inner child would show and she was at her cutest. „Let's go Ryenne!" She grabbed his hand and started dragging him towards the forest.

„Fortunately, I have everything we need for camping." What everything? I am sure you don't have a tent because there isn't one in this world.

„Everything?" I voiced my question.

„Well, it's mostly knowledge." He pointed to his head. „And I have cloaks for the night because the air can get cold and it's better to keep yourself warm.

We walked at a slower pace after the kids. We didn't talk much but it was a pleasant silence. I didn't feel the need to fill it with meaningless chatter. I just enjoyed the clean air and warm weather as we went on.

It was late afternoon when Eiran decided it was time to stop and start getting ready for the evening.

„Ryenne and I will look for some fruit and if I see some animal I will try to catch it."

„I want to go with Ryenne!" Aprudeé raised her hand but he only gave her a stern look.

„No, you will stay here and gather firewood with Lirietta. But you must not go far. You can try to start a fire, but if you can't, I will do it later."

„But..." She tried to protest, but he was very firm this time.

„No. The depths of the forest are more dangerous and camping is all about sharing the work and having fun. It is your responsibility to take care of the fire."

„I understand." She wasn't happy, but she accepted it.

Ryenne didn't say anything, he just silently agreed to everything. At least I hope he would have said something if he had a problem. He always avoided our eyes and only spoke to Aprudeé in a very low voice.

He spent years in captivity, so he probably needs time to get used to everything. But I think her acceptance, openness and brightness are healing for him. I would like to see him as a happy child one day and then as a happy adult.

After the men went hunting, we looked around for some firewood. We made a rather sloppy bonfire, but no matter how hard I tried to make fire with two stones, as I had seen in movies, it didn't work. Damn! I gave up, leaned against a tree and sat on the ground. Aprudeé nestled next to me. The warmth of her body made me relax and closed my eyes as the last rays of the sun caressed our skin. I combed her messy hair with my hand.

I felt like I could fall asleep. But then suddenly I heard a voice calling me. But that wasn't said and that was my previous name. I didn't remember my name from my previous life, nor did I hear it, but I knew that someone was yelling desperately for the one I once was. My eyes popped open and I realized that a wolf was about to pounce on us. Damn it!