Chirp, Chirp

I awoke to the gentle nature and soft chirping of birds acting as my alarm clock.

The sun's early rays filtered through the tree branches, casting their light on the ground around me.

They brought with them a warmth that was a welcome change from the cold of the night. The air was fresh, filled with the earthy scent of dew on grass and the lingering smokiness from last night's fire, now reduced to mere ashes.

Stretching out my stiff limbs, I sat up and ran my hands over my face, rubbing away the remnants of sleep. The roughness of my palms against my skin helped bring me fully awake.

I took a moment to take in my surroundings.

"Still as beautiful as yesterday."

Grrrumble..

However, the beauty of the morning couldn't distract me from the gnawing hunger in my stomach.

I hadn't eaten anything since leaving the Arashi estate, and the pangs were a harsh reminder of it.

If I didn't make it to a village soon, I would be facing not just another day of travel, but a day of starvation.

Determined not to let that happen, I stood up, dusting off my clothes.

Today, like yesterday, I would run. I would push my body, train my dexterity, and hope that each step brought me closer to civilization and to food.

As the hours passed. My legs moved in a steady rhythm, propelling me forward across the varying landscape.

But as the day wore on, with no village in sight, my hope began to wane.

The monotony of the scenery, the unchanging rhythm of my footsteps, and the persistent hunger started to weigh heavily on me.

Pushing through the fatigue and hunger, I noticed the sky above began darkening.

At first, I barely noticed it, my focus firmly on the path ahead. But soon, the first few drops of rain fell, light and sporadic, quickly transforming into a steady downpour.

The sudden rain caught me off guard, soaking through my clothes and leather bag in moments.

I contemplated seeking shelter under a tree, but the thought of stopping, of losing precious time, made me hesitate.

It was then, amidst my indecision and the increasingly heavy rain, that I noticed a shape emerging through the curtain of water ahead. It was a carriage, moving slowly along the same road I was on.

In this downpour, the carriage seemed almost like a mirage. I quickened my pace, splashing through the growing puddles, my eyes fixed on this unexpected encounter.

As I approached, the carriage seemed to take on more form - a sturdy, well-built vehicle, its sides splattered with mud from the road. The driver, covered with a cloak to shield from the rain, held the reins of two strong-looking horses that seemed unfazed by the weather.

"Hey!" I shouted, my voice barely audible over the rain and the clopping of the horses' hooves. The driver pulled back on the reins, and the carriage rolled to a stop. I reached it, out of breath and dripping wet.

However, my plans came to an abrupt halt when the carriage, which I had initially seen as a beacon of hope, stopped not to offer assistance, but to block my path.

It was then I noticed the armed guards surrounding the carriage. They were well-equipped and had a stern, imposing presence.

The carriage, which had seemed like a chance for rest, now appeared more like a mobile fortress, and the guards' stern expressions made it clear they were not here to offer help.

One of the guards, a tall man clad in armor that glistened with raindrops, stepped forward. He eyed me with suspicion, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Hold it right there!" he commanded. "Move any closer, and it'll be the last step you take."

I stopped in my tracks, the seriousness of the situation dawning on me.

The thought of trying to negotiate my way into the carriage vanished instantly.

These men were not the type to show leniency to a stranger on the road, especially under such suspicious circumstances.

Understanding that my chances of getting a ride were next to none, I shifted to my next pressing concern. "C-Could you please let me know how far the nearest village is from here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite their cold and the intimidating presence.

The guard scrutinized me for a moment, as if weighing whether or not to provide the information. After a brief pause, he finally spoke. "Marleth Village is about a half-day's walk from here, in the direction you're headed."

I nodded, a mixture of relief and resignation settling in. A half-day's walk wasn't ideal, but it was better than wandering aimlessly. "Thank you," I said, deciding it was best to maintain a polite demeanor.

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I then proceeded to walk past them, keenly aware of their watchful eyes and hands resting on their sword hilts. Their gaze followed my every move, a silent reminder of the warning they had issued.

Once I had fully passed the carriage, I picked up my pace. The rain continued to pour, drenching me, but I was determined not to let it slow me down. The knowledge that the village was a half-day's walk away spurred me on.

Behind me, the guards and the carriage remained stationary. I didn't look back; my focus was solely on the path ahead.

It wasn't long before the carriage and its guards disappeared from my sight, swallowed up by the curtain of rain.

Yet, curiosity gnawed at me. Who could be so important, or what could be so valuable, that it warranted such a guarded and well-armed team of escorts?

The way the guards had acted, their hands ever-ready on their sword hilts, suggested they were protecting something—or someone—of significant importance. Were they guarding a high-ranking official, a member of nobility, or perhaps transporting a precious cargo? The possibilities churned in my mind.

Such displays of security were not uncommon for individuals of high status or for the transportation of valuable goods. But out here, on this rural rain-drenched road, it felt out of place.

I shook my head, trying to clear these thoughts. Speculating about the carriage and its occupants wasn't going to get me anything.

After what felt like an endless journey through the relentless rain, the outline of the Village finally came into view.

You have gone past your stamina limit! You have gained 1 Dexterity Stat!

As I approached, a small notification flashed in my mind – my dexterity had increased by 1. It was a small victory, a result that was much welcomed.

The village itself seemed almost deserted, the streets empty due to the pouring rain. The buildings were modest wooden structures, arranged in a way that gave the village a cozy, if somewhat cramped, feel.

There were a few small shops and barracks, their windows dark and lifeless in the dreary weather. But one building stood out – the largest one, which I immediately recognized as the village inn. This was clear from the wooden sign hanging by the front door that had "Inn" written on it.

I made my way to the inn, my clothes soaked and clinging to my skin, my energy nearly spent.

As I pushed the door open, a wave of warm air hit me. The inn was surprisingly well-lit and lively. A number of villagers were gathered inside, seated at tables, eating and drinking.

Their conversations paused as they turned to stare at the sudden, drenched guest.

Their gazes were fixed on me, curious and a bit cautious. It was an uncomfortable moment, but I pushed past it, making my way to the reception.

Behind the desk, a man sat in a relaxed posture, his feet propped up. He seemed to be in charge, or at least he acted the part.

"Excuse me." I said, my voice hoarse from the cold rain. "I need a room for the night, please."

The man looked me up and down, taking in my messy state. He then slowly took his feet off the desk and sat up, eyeing me with business-like appraisal.

"A night's stay is 4 bronze coins." he said, his voice carrying a no-nonsense tone. "And if you're wanting a meal before you turn in, make it 5 bronze coins."

Hearing the reasonable cost, relief washed over me.

I quickly reached into my bag, pulling out 5 bronze coins.

The coins clinked as I placed them on the desk in front of the man. "One room and one meal, please," I said, my voice carrying a hint of gratitude.

The man nodded, scooping up the coins with a practiced hand. He then rummaged behind the desk for a moment before producing a key, which he slid across the desk to me.

"Room 2, upstairs on your left. The meal will be served in a few minutes. Go take a seat, it will be brought to you." the man instructed, his tone shifting to a more hospitable one as he gestured towards the common area.

I nodded in acknowledgment and made my way to an empty table near a corner. My stomach rumbling in anticipation of the meal.

Sitting down, I took a moment to observe the patrons around me. They were a diverse bunch - some appeared to be locals, enjoying their evening meal, while others though a small minority looked like travelers, much like myself, seeking shelter and sustenance.

Before long, a server approached with a tray carrying my meal - a hearty stew that smelled delicious, along with a chunk of fresh bread and a small mug of water. My mouth watered at the sight, and I thanked the server as they set the food down in front of me.

As I began to eat, savoring the flavors of the hearty stew, the inn's door suddenly swung open, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

A woman, drenched from the rain, hurried in. She cradled a small child, about two or three years old, in her arms.

The child looked ill; his little face was pale, and he coughed weakly in her embrace. The woman's eyes were filled with worry and desperation.

She made her way straight to the reception desk, speaking urgently to the man who had checked me in.

Even though I couldn't hear their conversation, it was clear from her demeanor that she was pleading for a room. My heart sank as I watched the man behind the desk shake his head firmly in response.

The woman's desperation intensified. She dropped to her knees, her voice raised in a plea, tears streaming down her face as she begged for a room for the sake of her sick child. The room fell silent, the atmosphere turning tense.

The man at the desk, visibly irritated, raised his voice at her, exclaiming that she was making his customers uncomfortable. His lack of compassion was startling.

Yet, the woman persisted, her cries echoing in the inn, filled with the fear and helplessness of a mother trying to protect her child from the harshness of the night.

The scene unfolding before me resonated with a deep and personal memory.

It was like a vivid echo from my past life, bringing back the haunting image of my own mother, her face etched with desperation and tears, begging for help as I, her child, lay dying in my bed. The helplessness in her eyes, the trembling fear in her voice – all of it came rushing back to me as I watched this woman plead for the sake of her sick child.

Her situation mirrored the despair and hopelessness that my mother must have felt.

I couldn't stand idly by.

Moving towards the reception, I reached into my bag, pulling out another Six bronze coins. With a firm hand, I placed them on the desk in front of the man.

"Please, give this woman a room for the night, and a meal for her and her child." I said, my voice steady and resolute.

The woman looked up at me, her tear-streaked face a picture of astonishment and disbelief.

It was clear that this act of kindness was the last thing she had expected in her moment of desperation. She tried to speak, but her words were choked by emotion.

I turned to her and offered a reassuring smile. "Please, join me for a meal," I said gently. "You and your child need to eat. You can go to your room afterwards."

With a shaky hand, she wiped away her tears and nodded, her eyes still wide with gratitude.

Together, we walked back to the table where I had been sitting.

The patrons in the inn, who had been watching the scene unfold, now turned their attention back to their meals and conversations, the moment of drama having passed.

As we sat down, the server quickly brought over another portion of the stew and bread. The woman cradled her child, who was still coughing but now had a place of warmth and safety, at least for the night.