Rancent sat at the rough-hewn table, swinging his legs idly as he finished the last of his breakfast. His sister Maeve, a few years older than him, bustled around the kitchen, her long black hair tied back in a loose braid. The smell of fresh bread lingered in the air, a warm reminder of the life they lived—humble, but full of love and care.

Maeve turned to Rancent, her golden eyes soft with affection as she placed a hand on her hip. “Rancent, I need you to run to the baker’s and pick up some more bread for dinner tonight. Can you do that for me?”

Rancent groaned playfully, leaning back in his chair. “But Maeve, I was going to go play today!”

Maeve laughed, a sound like the tinkling of bells, and ruffled his already messy hair. “You can still play, silly. The bakery isn’t far, and besides, you’ll get to see old Mr. Harl again. I know how much you like his stories.”

Rancent couldn’t help but smile at that. Mr. Harl, the village baker, was known for his tall tales and the way he always slipped an extra pastry into Rancent’s bag when Maeve wasn’t looking. “Fine, fine, I’ll go. But you owe me, Maeve!”

Maeve rolled her eyes but leaned down to press a kiss to his forehead. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

Rancent’s eyes lit up at the thought. “Deal!”

With that, he hopped off his chair, grabbing the small wicker basket from the counter, and dashed out the door. The cool morning air greeted him as he stepped into the village square, already bustling with the beginnings of a new day. Vendors were setting up their stalls, and the sound of chickens clucking and adults laughing filled the air.

Rancent made his way to the bakery, waving at the familiar faces he passed along the way. Old Mrs. Brine gave him a toothless grin as she swept her front step, and the blacksmith, a burly man with arms like tree trunks, gave him a nod as he worked the forge. Rancent loved this village; everyone knew each other, and there was a comfort in the routine of it all.

As he reached the bakery, the bell above the door jingled softly, announcing his arrival. Mr. Harl looked up from behind the counter, his wrinkled face breaking into a wide smile. “Ah, Rancent! Come to get some bread for your sister, have you?”

Rancent nodded, placing the basket on the counter. “Yes, sir. Maeve says we’re having stew tonight, so we need something good to go with it.”

Mr. Harl chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “Well, you’ve come to the right place, lad. I’ve just finished baking a fresh batch.” He wrapped up a loaf of bread, still warm from the oven, and placed it in Rancent’s basket. Then, with a wink, he slipped in a small pastry, just like he always did. “A little something extra for my favorite customer.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Rancent grinned, his heart warm with gratitude. “Thanks, Mr. Harl! You’re the best.”

Mr. Harl waved him off with a chuckle. “Now off with you, before your sister starts wondering where you’ve gone. And don’t eat that pastry all at once, you hear?”

Rancent laughed, giving the old man a quick wave before darting back out into the square. As he made his way back toward home, he noticed a group of children gathered near the fountain, their heads bent together in hushed conversation.

Curious, Rancent approached them, recognizing his friends—Edrin, Teris, and a few others from the neighborhood. They looked up as he joined them, and Edrin gave him a wide grin. “Hey, Rancent! Done with your chores already?”

Rancent shrugged, holding up the basket. “Just picking up some bread for Maeve. What are you all whispering about?”

Teris, who was always the one with some new idea or plan, leaned in closer, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “We were just talking about exploring the old mill outside the village. They say it’s haunted, but I don’t believe it. What do you think?”

Rancent’s interest was piqued, but he also felt a small pang of responsibility. “Maeve’s expecting me back soon. So, if we wanna do it we gotta be quick.”

Edrin nudged him playfully. “Come on, Rancent, it’ll be fun! We won’t be gone long—just a quick look around, and then we’ll come right back.”

Rancent hesitated, glancing down at the basket in his hand. He knew Maeve wouldn’t be too pleased if he came back late, but the thought of an adventure with his friends was tempting. “Maybe... I’ll just tell Maeve first, so she doesn’t worry.”

Teris clapped him on the back, grinning. “Good idea. You tell her, and we’ll meet you by the old oak tree. Don’t take too long!”

Rancent nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and guilt. He hurried back home, where Maeve was already busy with her chores. She looked up as he entered, her expression softening when she saw him. “Back so soon? That was quick.”

Rancent set the basket on the table and fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. “Uh, Maeve… some of the kids are going to explore the old mill. Can I go with them? I’ll be back before dinner, I promise.”

Maeve frowned slightly, her golden eyes studying him with concern. “The old mill? Rancent, you know it’s not safe over there. It’s falling apart, and there’s been talk of wild animals in the area.”

Rancent bit his lip, feeling a wave of disappointment. “But we’ll be careful, I swear. We just want to look around a little. We won’t go inside or anything.”

Maeve sighed, her expression softening as she saw the eagerness in his eyes. She reached out and ruffled his hair again, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Alright, but you have to promise me you’ll be back before sunset. And stay close to the others, okay? I don’t want anything happening to you.”

Rancent’s face lit up with a wide grin. “I promise! Thanks, Maeve!”

He gave her a quick hug before dashing out the door.