“Okay, so who is he, Riel?” Simon asked, breaking the silence that hung in the air.

The man continued to sleep as the two friends stood nearby and ate their breakfasts while it was still lukewarm. The cool wind had stolen much of their heat as they had crossed the field back to Amriel’s cottage.

"Not really sure, honestly," Amriel replied with a slight shrug. "I've never seen him before. I was hoping you might recognize him. "

“Nope, never seen him before,” Simon said, taking a bite of his boiled oats and casting a glance at the man. “Looks like you really took in a stray this time. He seems like quite the character.”

"Mask and everything," Amriel couldn’t help but smile at his words, though a twinge of worry tightened in her chest. “He wasn’t exactly on my agenda, but here we are.”

“Do you think he’s dangerous?” Simon asked, his expression turning serious.

Amriel hesitated, her gaze drifting to the man. “I don’t know. He needs help. That’s all I know for now.”

“Fair enough. Just keep your wits about you.” Simon nodded, a hint of concern flickering in his eyes.

With no siblings of her own, Amriel always imagined having Simon around was just like having an elder brother.

Despite Amriel and Simon’s presence in the cottage, the man continued to slumber undisturbed. Only twitching lightly in his dreams.

Together, they stood side by side, eating their breakfast as they stared down at the sleeping stranger in front of Amriel’s fireplace.

After several spoonfuls of porridge, Simon let out a sigh, setting down his empty bowl with a soft thud. “So, I’ll take it this is the heavy thing you need to be moved, right?”

Amriel put down her bowl, wiping her hands on the front of her rough woolen pants. “Kind of. I just want to get him off the cold floor,” she replied, gesturing toward the small cot in the far corner. “I was thinking we could move that over here, in front of the fire, and lift him onto it.”

Simon’s dark eyes followed her gesture, a frown tugging at his brow. “And where exactly will you be sleeping, Riel?”

She opened her mouth to respond, but he cut her off, shaking his head. “No, you know what? Don’t even answer that, because it will be at our house.”

Turning to face her, Simon’s expression shifted. This time, she could tell he was serious. “I will help you move the cot and get him settled, but you will not be spending another night here alone with him,” he said firmly.

Amriel considered how well the man seemed to be doing now, and it was hard to argue with Simon’s protective instincts. All she really wanted was to get him off the floor, so she swallowed her objections and nodded in agreement.

“Fine,” she finally conceded, a sigh escaping her lips. “I’ll come over for dinner tonight if Maeve agrees.”

Simon shot her a sidelong look, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “You know she’ll be delighted. But I’ll ask anyway, just to be polite.”

“Thank you,” Amriel said, grateful for his unwavering support. “And now, I made a promise that you wouldn’t be late for work.”

He chuckled, the tension easing a little. “Alright, let’s get to it then. He’s not going to lift himself.” With a shared resolve, they prepared to move the cot, ready to face the day ahead together.

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********************

Some hours late, after Simon had departed for the forge, Meeko showed up, his presence announced by a muffled yowl at the door. When she opened the door, the large cat entered with a confident stride and sauntered into the cottage, proudly displaying the remains of his triumphant hunt—a rabbit, though he had already relieved it of its head.

Amriel couldn’t help but smile as Meeko brushed against her legs, his soft fur sending delightful vibrations through her body as he purred loudly. The comforting sound filled the cottage, momentarily drowning out her worries. With a swift flick of his tail, he dropped his fresh kill at her feet, as if presenting her with a prized trophy.

But his attention soon shifted to the slumbering man on the cot. Meeko began to prowl around the cot, moving slowly and deliberately. His padded paws barely made a sound on the packed dirt floor, a testament to his hunter's grace. Large, tufted ears twitched at every faint noise, alert and curious.

Amriel watched, amused and intrigued, as Meeko circled the man, inspecting him with the seriousness of a seasoned guardian. She chuckled softly to herself. “You’re not the only one watching over him, you know,” she said to the cat, who paused to look back at her as if he understood her words.

Simon had kept his promise. Together, they worked efficiently to bring the cot nearer to the fireplace, ensuring the man would be warm and comfortable. With great care, they positioned him onto the bed, his slumber undisturbed save for a few mumbled words that slipped from his lips as they lifted him.

In that moment, Amriel made a swift decision to postpone showing Simon the arrows. Her mind raced with caution and uncertainty; she feared he might leap to the same conclusion she had. The last thing she wanted was to escalate the tension between them, especially when so much was still unknown.

Once satisfied with his investigation, Meeko left the man behind, stretching luxuriously before trotting off to find a sunbeam to nap in. The cat's absence added to the stillness that settled over the cottage.

Once more, Amriel found herself alone and awake, the soft crackle of the fire the only sound in the room. She glanced at the man on the cot, the flickering flames casting shadows over his features, and a mix of concern and curiosity washed over her. What secrets lay beneath the surface?

Picking up the dead rabbit Meeko had left at her feet, Amriel stepped outside to break it down. There was a sturdy bench on the side of the cottage, sheltered by an overhanging roof, where she often performed such tasks.

Taking a seat on the stool next to the bench, Amriel paused for a moment, allowing herself to take in her surroundings. The early morning sun cast a warm glow over the cottage. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, creating a soothing melody that wrapped around her like a comforting embrace. Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply, letting the sounds of the forest and the earthy scents soothe her soul. The past day had been trying, to say the least.

As she began to clean the rabbit, the familiar sounds of bones cracking and flesh separating brought back memories of her mother’s lessons. Although Nythia hadn’t been the most affectionate mother, she had ensured her daughter was equipped with all the skills necessary for survival—except perhaps how to fix a leaky roof or mend cracks in the cottage walls.

In her childhood, there had been days when Amriel questioned the purpose of her mother’s rigorous training. But now, as she worked, she felt a deep gratitude for those lessons. They were the foundation of her independence, the tools that had shaped her into the woman she was today.

As she focused on her task, Amriel’s mind began to wander, contemplating the upcoming evening at Halivard’s. A mix of excitement and apprehension swirled within her. It had been months since she last stayed overnight at their home, and she was looking forward to reconnecting with them. But the thought of leaving the man alone gnawed at her. If he hadn’t progressed so well, she might have fought Simon harder on the matter.

After cutting off a portion for Meeko, she wrapped the rest in cloth and stored it in the cool storage beneath the cottage. Perhaps she would take it with her to the Halivards tonight, a gesture of goodwill.

Making her way back around to the front of the cottage, she heard a cheerful knock at her door. Rounding the corner, she came face to face with Maeve.

Dressed in a flowing green skirt and a light wool jacket, Maeve carried an empty basket in her hands, with a backpack slung casually across her back.

Holding up her wicker basket, Maeve smiled brightly. “Fancy a trip to the market?”