Adam and Alyssa set out early in the morning. Of course they only had the detestable berry syrup and some jerky for a breakfast. Adam held Alyssa's hand as he walked away from the wagon. As he pulled her hand, Alyssa looked back at the wagon with teary eyes all the way until it was out of sight. Alyssa then turned her head forward as she looked down at the road while sniffing her little nose. As she thought about how they were moving away from her parents and that she would likely never see them again, she inched closer and closer to fully crying and outright sobbing. Seeing this, Adam picked Alyssa up and started to hum a nice tune. Alyssa clung to Adam and her want to sob subsided a little as she listened to Adam hum. Adam didn't mind Alyssa crying into his simple clothes. She was a little girl that had just lost her parents. Isn't she entitled to cry out her heart as many times as she wanted for as long as she wanted? Still, Adam couldn't bear to let the girl shoulder this pain alone and on her own.
After a while, she stopped crying and then said with a voice that was slightly chocked from crying: “I'm fine, Mr. Adam. I can walk now.”
Adam gently let Alyssa down. “You don't have to call me mister. You can just call me Adam.”
Adam wasn't too used to this 'Mr. Adam' that Alyssa had started calling him. It felt a little foreign to him. Alyssa looked up at Adam: “You are so much older than me though. I feel a little weird just calling you Adam. Can I call you Uncle Adam?”
Adam gave a little surprised look and then thought about it. In town, it would certainly be easier for others to think of Adam and Alyssa as uncle and niece. If Alyssa just called Adam 'Mr. Adam' some people might question why the two were together and try to intercede in the wrong way to pull Alyssa away from Adam. Adam wanted to find Alyssa a good home. Not have people pull Alyssa away from him because he looked a little like a vagrant with worn clothes who was not related to her. These concerned people would likely then just throw Alyssa into an orphanage, rather than take care of her, while they thought of the 'good deed' they had just done.
Alyssa and Adam continued on down the road, ever forward. The next town ahead was called Neretown. It would be their first destination on their journey together. As they walked along, they would occasionally take breaks so they both could rest or Adam would hold Alyssa as they walked. Alyssa was still very young and she was also injured. She simply could not walk all day long without getting tired.
When they stopped for lunch, they had to settle with that berry syrup again! While there were plenty of insects and even frogs around, Adam was certain Alyssa would not eat such things. Finally, in the afternoon, Adam caught sight of a hare! It was a small ways off from the road and hidden by a bush. Adam turned to Alyssa and said: “Wait here for a minute. I am going to get us a delicious dinner!”
Starting his strange hum again, Air pressure suddenly locked the hare in place! The hare's heart rate suddenly climbed as it felt like it was being pressed down and couldn't move at all! Adam quickly walked up to the hare. With another hum, he tapped the hares forehead with his finger as a small wind blade chopped out from it. The wind blade cut a small hole through the hare's head and instantly killed it! Through his elemental sight, Adam respectfully watched over the hare's soul as it dissipated from its body leaving only its true soul to momentarily flutter before disappearing. Adam then picked the hare up and went back to Alyssa with a wide grin. “Look, we don't have to eat that berry syrup for dinner again!”
Alyssa excitedly looked at what Adam was holding. When she saw the cute hare, sadness entered her eyes. She dearly wished to eat something that was not that berry syrup, but to kill such a cute hare... the way Adam was holding the hare clearly showed that it was already dead. She could only ask with a worried look: “Did you hurt it much?”
Adam saw her worried gaze that was cast onto the poor hare he was holding up. “No. It died before it even knew what was happening. I always make my kills as quick and clean as possible... let's find a small clearing where I can dress the hare and we can camp for the night.”
It didn't take long to find a good spot to stay for the night. Alyssa didn't look as Adam skinned and dressed the hare. That night, they had a delicious hare stew. Even thought there weren't many seasonings around that Adam could use, it was worlds apart from having that berry syrup again!
Adam and Alyssa continued traveling down the road. Their road eventually met up with a wider one that was a main highway. As they got closer and closer to Neretown, they saw more and more people traveling both ways along the road. Most people only spared Adam and Alyssa a brief glance as they passed. Many had wagons or could simply walk faster than the two, so they were constantly being passed by. With their pace, it was another week before the finally arrived at Neretown.
Neretown was of a respectable size. It had a fare amount of traffic traveling through it as people utilized the highway that it sat against. It wasn't bustling like a city by any means, but it was still prosperous and busy. Adam took Alyssa into the town to find a good inn so they could finally have a good rest and some real food! As he was looking for an inn, he asked Alyssa: “Is anything familiar here? Did you and your parents pass through here before?”
Alyssa, who was originally looking at everything with some interest, suddenly cast her gaze down. She then silently shook her head no. Adam inwardly sighed. Through his elemental sight, he could see her soul and could tell that his question made her depressed. It was understandable, but he could also tell that she was telling the truth when she shook her head no. it appeared that her home town would be back the way they came from. He hated to press Alyssa for answers, but soon he would have to. He first decided to come to Neretown since it was the closest town to where they were on the road. He might have to work, but he could build up enough provisions here that would last them a full trip when he figured out where Alyssa came from or where her uncle was.
First thing first, though. Adam had to find an inn, but he no longer had any money. He had a plan though. Most people liked the sound of his flute playing and he could easily barter with inn keeps to let him stay in exchange for his playing services. Once the innkeepers heard his playing, most agreed right away. Adam had to find a good inn that might pay him well so he could save up money to buy provisions for their future trip.
There were four inns located around the town. Adam couldn't discern if one inn did substantially better than the other or got more patrons, so he just chose one at random. Each of the inns were standard looking and stood three stories tall the bottom floor in each was a tavern style restaurant where those staying in the inn could buy meals and also attracted residents from the town. As Adam walked into the inn, he could hear some folk songs being played by a band in a corner to provide some lively atmosphere.
When Adam walked in, a few stares were directed his way. For wearing a blindfold and looking the part of a blind old man, he had a remarkable sense of direction and of what was around him. When they saw Alyssa, they believed that it was the girl that was directing him.
Adam walked up to the bar that was on one side of the tavern. The stools here were high so Adam picked Alyssa up to put her on one of the stools before he sat himself down. The barkeeper gave a curious and slightly worried glance at the two, unsure of what to make about the situation. Adam waved in his direction and said: “Hey, barkeep. I need to talk to the inn keeper. I wish to ply my trade for some room and board, hopefully some pay too.”
The barkeep's eyes furrowed before he asked: “And what trade might you have to convince my boss?”
As Adam produced his flute, he twirled it in a flashy manner. He held it with a proud look on his face and said: “I play a mean flute!”
The bar keep slightly frowned. It wasn't that he didn't believe Adam could play, but that he doubted his boss would give room, board, AND pay just for Adam playing his flute. Room and board would likely be no problem if Adam could actually play. In the end, the decision would belong to his boss so the barkeep left to find his boss and see if he was interested.
The barkeep came back a few minutes later with another man. The man walked up to Adam and said: “Hello, my name is Fredrick. Before we haggle about anything, would you mind playing a bit for me?”
Adam gave a simple smile. “Not at all. Would you prefer that I play with the others or do a solo piece?”
Fredrick shrugged. “Whatever you think will best show me what you have to offer.”
Adam nodded with a 'sure'. He then turned to Alyssa and said: “Stay here and don't go anywhere. I will be right back.”
Alyssa nodded and said: “Okay”
Adam then got up and walked to the other musicians while Fredrick stayed at the bar, giving a curious glance between Adam and Alyssa. After the musicians finished their current song, Adam pointed over to Fredrick and explained what was going on. Seeing this, Franklin slightly frowned. Adam had walked over and pointed him out, as though he could see perfectly fine. Why was he wearing a blindfold? Regardless, he decided to wait until hearing Adam to pass his judgment.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
The musicians put down their instruments and relaxed as Adam stood in front of them and prepared to start playing. Adam had chosen to play a solo piece he had personally made. A few of the patrons around the tavern noticed this development and looked over with some mild interest. Adam put his flute to his lips and started to play a beautiful song. The song was rather calming and cleansing. If you closed your eyes while listening to it, your mind would instantly conjure the image of rain falling in a forest. It wasn't gloomy by any means. Rather, it felt pure. Many of the patrons stopped talking or eating in order to listen to the song.
Listening to the song, Fredrick also thought it was quite nice. However, there was a problem. He wanted his tavern to be a lively and fun place. It made people buy more food and come more often. While this calming tune was nice, it totally went against his business!
Just as Fredrick was thinking that, the song suddenly changed! It was as though the rain had stopped and the clouds had started clearing. Sunlight shone down upon the forest as squirrels and rabbits crawled out of their holes. Birds chirped as the the squirrels and rabbits pranced about in a fun and lively tune. This seemed to wake everyone out of their previous reverie. While they still enjoyed the song, they once again ate and talked. They did so at a slightly faster pace than before too! This pleased Fredrick.
As Adam finished his song, there was some clapping from the audience. The musicians also enjoyed the song, though they worried that Adam would steal their jobs at this rate! Adam placated them with a few words. He even had a few songs they could play with him. With more instruments, he could create and even more complex and deep scene!
Adam returned to Fredrick with a smile. He only asked: “Well?”
Fredrick nodded. “Let's talk.”
Adam and Fredrick haggled a bit before coming to an agreement. Adam and Alyssa could stay in the inn with two provided meals a day if Adam played during the major meal hours. Adam would also receive a small stipend that might increase depending on how much his playing attracted more patrons.
Word of Adam's musical skill spread over the next few days as he played. With the support of the other musicians, he was able to play a wide array of songs, many of which invoked vivid images in the listeners mind. As this remarkable music garnered more attentions, Adam's small stipend also slowly grew.
Between times he had to play, Adam spent most of his time with Alyssa. The girl really had no one else to talk to as she was too shy or scared of the others that stayed at the inn, most of which were adults. Overall, Alyssa was mostly bored while they stayed as Adam couldn't spend too much of the money he was earning to take her out somewhere fun. They had to save up for their travels! Unfortunately, this boredom often led Alyssa to depressing moods. With nothing else to think of, her mind would often wander back to her parents.
They lived in Neretown for close to a month before Adam decided to move things forward. He had long ago purchased a map. The kingdom they were currently in was called Arlding Kingdom. The map listed the names of all the cities, towns, and most of the villages that existed within and close to its borders. Adam was going to have to play what he was sure was going to be an uncomfortable game with Alyssa. He would point out the names on the map and asked if that was where she used to live. Adam was certain she knew the answer, but she just didn't want to say it. So he had to watch for her reaction. When he said the name of her hometown, he believed she would have some kind of emotional reaction within her soul that he could pick up with his elemental sight.
After Adam had played his rounds for the evening at the tavern, he had Alyssa sit on a bed in their room with him. He pulled out the map and started talking: “I have here a map! I know you can't really remember the name of the place where you used to live, but maybe if you see or hear its name you will recognize it!”
Alyssa was surprised and a little disturbed by this sudden development. Thinking or her home and her parents, her head became downcast. Adam asked: “Is there anything wrong?”
Alyssa slowly shook her head. One by one, Adam started pointing out various villages and towns to the south. Occasionally, Alyssa's mood wood worsen as Adam got closer to her hometown until he started choosing names that went the wrong direction. As he saw her mood lighten, Adam could only sigh inwardly as he started going back in the opposite direction, getting ever closer to her home. Eventually, Adam pointed out a village called Harrington. Alyssa's mood took a steep nose dive and she suddenly said: “I don't want to do this anymore!”
Alyssa had tears forming in her eyes and she jumped off the bed Adam was on and hopped onto the second bed in the room. She covered herself with the blanket and hid from Adam. Adam pondered to himself: “Harrington Village, huh?”
Adam got up and sat on Alyssa's bed. She flinched a little when the bed dipped as she silently cried. Adam looked at the her back with concern. He was unused to taking care of children. He wasn't sure of what was the best way to comfort her. In the end, he decided to ask: “Why don't you want to to back to Harrington Village?”
Alyssa's silent crying suddenly grew into sobbing as she cried: “I...I don't know!”
Adam picked the sobbing girl up and held onto her. Adam wasn't sure that was the best thing to ask, but at least she had indirectly admitted that Harrington Village was her home. That was a step forward from before. After Alyssa calmed down some, Adam asked: “Didn't you say that you had friends there?”
Alyssa nodded her head. “It... it hurts whenever I think of Mama and Papa. Going back home... I will think of them even more!”
Adam was sorry to make Alyssa feel like this, but he had no choice. “I'm sorry. If you really don't want to continue living in Harrington Village, somebody there should know where your father was heading. Where your uncle lives.”
“I don't even know my uncle. He might be a scary man! Can't I just live with you?”
As boring as it was staying here at the inn, she had come to depend on and trust Adam. He saved her life after she was attacked by the bandits and from those scary coyotes. He also had that mystical hum that she always found enchanting. She didn't know anything about her uncle and that made her scared of being left to live with him. She also didn't want to go back to Harrington Village. At least, not right now. If Adam just bought a home, wouldn't that be enough?
Adam gave a sigh: “I'm sorry, Alyssa, but you can't live with me. Even if I could take you to a home of my own... I have a disease that is harmful! Right now it is under control, but in the future it will definitely get dangerous! You can't live with me.”
Adam had chosen to explain his condition as a disease rather than fully explain everything. Alyssa was too distraught when Adam scared the coyotes to realize what he had done. He had also hidden it whenever he used his abilities as a spiritualist to help start a fire or make clean water. While it might have been something mystical he could have used to entertain her, he wanted to keep a low profile wherever he went. He didn't want different kingdoms bogging him down with invitations or the like. It was simply easier to travel around without letting people know he was a spiritualist. It made far more sense to explain his problem with death essence as a disease and keep his cover than try to explain everything to Alyssa.
Alyssa first showed an astonished face when she heard Adam had a disease. She was then saddened for both him and for her. If it wasn't for this disease, might he have let her live with him?
It was getting late so Adam started to tuck Alyssa in for bed. There was a lot to think about for her, but she couldn't do it all at once. As he tucked her in, Adam said: “Don't worry, I will only leave you in a good home. I won't just settle for the first thing that comes up. If it turns out your uncle really is scary, we will just have to keep looking.”
Alyssa had grown on Adam. Originally, he only wanted to find a suitable home for the child that was stable. Her uncle's sounded stable and he was related to her, that would be the most perfect home! However, he also really wanted her to have the rest of her life be happy. If it seemed that she couldn't live that kind of life at her uncle's he would just have to find somewhere else. Alyssa had cried far too much, he wanted to see her smile ten times more than he had seen her cry.
[AN: Sorry the late update, Kerbal Space Program has me thoroughly distracted X.X Still working on getting out that new paragraph in the previous chapter to depict Adam as appearing older and with worn clothes. too distracted XD]