The meeting

A week flew by since the attack. A collective funeral has held at the outskirts of the village two days ago. Mom wanted that dad's funeral was only his so it'll be tomorrow.

Most of everyone's routine was change to clean the debris of the village. Mine was change into patrolling the perimeter of the village and helping mom treating the injured of the attack and the injured from the cleaning task. It's kind of boring compared to going to the forest to collect herbs, but at least I don't get drenched in blood. As for Rosa, she started helping mom processing the herbs and preparing medicines, so she passed from a half-hearted apprentice to a diligent one, mom for some reason was overjoyed with this.

Auntie Lynn, uncle Roger and little barrick started to build a three walled room where their house was for using as a temporary shoe shop, with that they'll have some income and can reconstruct their house faster. Mom told them not to worry, but they just pretend they didn't hear anything and continue the construction.

"Little Rosa, can you please process some Mandragora today, I need it for the bones medicine"(Jessica)

Mom requested to Rosa while we where eating breakfast.

"Auntie Jessica, we ran out of Mandragora yesterday, we also don't have anymore lipious or amapola" (Rosa)

"Mom..."(Alef)

"No, I don't want you to go to the forest alone"(Jessica)

She interrupted me

"But, many people will die if we don't give them medicine"(Alef)

"I don't care, just don't go, please" (Jessica)

Mom looked at me with pleading eyes.

"Jess, I know you're afraid of loosing Alef too. But, I know you'll blame yourself for the death of those people. How about he goes with someone?" (Auntie Lynn)

"That's a bad idea auntie Lynn. Anyone just will be a nuisance"(Alef)

"Not even the chief?"(Uncle Roger)

"If Krugger ever enters the forest, he'll just be walking to death's door" (Jessica)

"Mom"(Alef)

"Sigh. Alright, but don't go to deep"(Jessica)

"Thank you"(Alef)

After finishing breakfast, I headed to the forest. After an hour of walking I arrived to the nearest spot where the herbs grow.

~Inhale~

"Hah, who would have thought I missed the forest scent so much"(Alef)

"It's impossible not to miss it, the scent is really soothing"(unknown woman)

I got shocked momentarily and then look at the source of the voice. Seated in a branch of a tree was a woman in a black dress with a scythe at her back. The woman have pale skin, red eyes, and a beautiful black straight hair. She exuded a seductive aura but at the same time you can feel a veil of darkness shrouding her.

"You know, making a woman wait is really rude. I've been waiting you for almost a week"(unknown woman)

Before I could ask her who she is, she reproached me for making her wait. Next, she jumped down of the tree and approached me. As she came near I realized that she's the same height as me.

"I'm sorry. Wait!! Why am I apologizing!?, Who are you?" (Alef)

"You should apologize, you made me wait for almost a week, and now you're saying you don't remember me!!, I can't believe you, you forgot about your fiancée"(unknown woman)

She yelled at me with teary eyes. Huh!? My fiancée!!!!!??? Oh no, she's about to cry.

"I'm sorry, please don't cry."(Alef)

I said in a bewildered manner

"Hahahahahahaha. You're so cute. I like you more now, it was a good decision making you my apprentice. At least, I'll have fun with you"(unknown woman)

"I haven't agreed to anything. And you didn't answer my question"(Alef)

"Oh, you don't have a saying in that. And I did answer your question, I said you're my apprentice, which means I'm your master. See, question answered"(Unknown woman)

"You know what, never mind"(Alef)

I ignore her and start collecting the herbs.

"Don't ignore your master!!!! That's super rude"(unknown woman)

She yelled at me and puff her cheeks in a cute way, which made it more annoying.

"Of course, it would be rude, if you were my master, that is"(Alef)

"Mmph. In that case, how about this, if you beat me, you won't be my apprentice, but if I beat you, you'll be my apprentice, no questions ask"(unknown woman)

"I don't see anything for me there"(Alef)

"You'll win a kiss"(unknown woman)

"A kiss?"(Alef)

"Yes!! If you win you'll receive a kiss from me, the most beautiful woman in the whole planet. Not that you can win"(unknown woman)

She said in the smuggest possible way, which make me want to throw into a river.

"Okay, bring it on"(Alef)

I unsheathe my twin daggers.

"This will be fun"(unknown)

She grabbed her scythe and got into fighting stance.