“The legends say that man was made in the image of the gods when they walked amongst us, making the realm of Krottorus where nothing but the oceans last, eventually as the need for god's diminished, they started to disappear one after another never to be seen, only worshipped”

As I soak in my freshly run bath, watching the steam slowly arise into the air only to disappoint into nothingness. I can’t help but question their generosity towards me.

There must be some kind of ulterior motive, I mean no one’s that nice for nothing. I can’t help but be sceptical about it all, unsure of his reasoning all I can do is keep on my guard and wait for the punch in the gut when their real reasoning is revealed.

Ulterior motives or not though it did feel particularly enjoyable to share in someone else’s company and not just my own, being able to share the stories of my travels with others.

Disturbed by a subtle knocking at the bathroom door. “Rudsek, food’s almost ready downstairs” Sapphire announced through the door “I’ve gotten the blood out of your shirt and the scarf as well”

“Oh… thank you” Unsure how else to respond, how far will their generosity continue to extend towards me already making me as if i’ve already taken advantage of them.

Submerging myself one last time in the murky water in one final attempt to ensure all the muck and blood was washed away but also to attempt to wash away and drown all the negative thoughts, consuming my head.

Ready to get out realising they had taken most of my clothes leaving me only with my boots, my trouser and belt with my dagger and all my tools still attached although even at a glance I could tell a knife was missing from it immediately, even when it’s laid scrunched up tossed across the floor. A slight smirk emerged on my face with a suspicion of where it might be though.

As the water ran in streams down my body, dripping onto the mat laid atop the floor, I felt so good under my feet, soft and relaxing to the touch as I wiggled my toes enjoying the feeling knowing it wouldn’t last, as I’d be back on my way in a couple of days.

Catching a glance in the mirror that sat beside the door taken aback my own appearance, slicking my long black hair back down to my shoulders, a few rogue strand bounce back dangling in front of my face, continuing to run my hand through my beard, it’s the cleanest i’ve ever seen it, although now a vibrant grey but so soft when I run my hand through compared to the usual brittle and wired look it it normally has, staring intently at my reflection never before had my age of forty-three been so apparent.

As I started to bandage up my wounds, make sure it’s firmly pressed against my skin with no chance of coming loose, admiring my reflection as I washed my face in their sink which felt tiny compared to the size of my hands, washing away any honey residue that sealed the wound leaving only a scar in its place.

“Dinner’s ready!!!”

I hear being shouted from the bottom of the stairs from an over excited six year, more than excited to claim her promise, making my way down to meet them at their dinner table excited for what is most likely my first actual meal in months although the thought of sharing a meal with others does but a smile on my face.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs scanning the room to see Damian and Sapphire waiting patiently at the table ready to eat as an overexcited child bops up and down on the spot waiting anxiously for me to take my seat with the family.

“I would've put a shirt on but it wouldn’t fit… sorry” Rubbing the back of my neck in my own embarrassment standing in only my trouser and boots. “I’ll just put my coat back on”

“Don’t worry about it, you’ll be sweating if you put that back on in here.” Damien responded instantaneously, not giving me a chance to even reach for.

Was it really ok for me to sit and eat shirtless with them? I thought to myself in my subtle discomfort, glancing back and forth between the table and my clothes drying my by the fire unsure what the best course to take would be. Interrupted by Sasha grabbing my hand leading me over to the table, sick of waiting any longer no doubt.

Picking up the chair as I pulled it from under the table not wishing to mark the floor of their beautiful home, my nostrils flaring at the aroma of the full roast that laid before me, a plate packed to the brim almost overflowing; meat, vegetables, potatoes, puddings, gravy.

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My mouth started to drool just from the sight of such a meal, saliva building up in the base, anxious to begin eating, my eyes frantically scanning the plate from side to side unsure of where to begin though, it all looked so appetising. Not that it mattered though it was going to end up in my stomach regardless, reaching for my knife and fork ready to feast like royalty for the night.

“Say, what’s with the bunny looking things over there?” pointing my knife over to the small bed full of them beside the base of the stairs trying to appease my curiosity as I've seen all manners of creatures but never anything like them.

“There Yagerjack’s silly” Sasha outburst swinging her chair back raising her hands in the air nearly sending her food flying. Honestly the sight was enough to make me chuckle causing me to forget to chew the food in my mouth causing me to swallow the potato whole.

Pounding on my chest ensuring the food goes down reaching for the water chugging the glass in one foul swoop, followed by a couple of coughs into my fist afterwards.

“Have you been to the north before?”

“Once before but I don’t remember much about it, it must have been around” I start to say as I sit doing the maths on my fingers as if I were a child figuring out how long it’s been “roughly twenty years or so”

“What have you been doing in that time?” Sasha asked curious about my past, only fair considering they’ve willingly opened their home to a complete stranger in which they knew nothing about.

“Been travelling all over this realm, exploring temples and ruins, seeing everything Krottorus has to offer, from herbs and plants to creatures and those of myths.” I respond in excitement at having the chance to discuss the topic with others for a change waving my fork around in the air.

“Wow” an amazed Sasha sat staring captivated by my words of the realm outside of Freyview, which she knows nothing about “Can you show me something?” her parents watching in the background opting not to interrupt her keen fascination about the realm outside, just enjoying the smiles that their daughter wears.

“Of course” reaching below the table to my belt, unclipping one of my small vials and handing it over to the curious child as she popped the cork.

“What is it?” Sapphire enquired as she was also curious about the yellow goop inside the vial.

“Honey, you can eat it. Pour a small amount on your finger and swallow it.”.

Watching the young girl frantically shaking the vial upside down impatiently waiting for it to run down the side and out the vial as her parents sat chuckling to themselves at the sight, huge grins from ear to ear across their faces as we all sat back and enjoyed the show. Finally her eyes light up, managing to get some out of the tiny vial a matter of seconds before it’s gone.

“Eeekk” she shrieked as the flavour immediately hit the back of her throat “So Sweet”, she declared, her face lit up as if she’d just received a bunch of gifts on her birthday.

“I’ll tell you what when I come back to town next I'll bring you a crate of honey, since you can’t gain it in the harsh conditions of the north… Deal” He eyes widened at the excitement of being able to taste more honey.

“Make it two.” She retorts back opening negotiations on the honey shipments she would be delivering.

“Oof, you drive a hard bargain but… I think I can make it work'' As we shook hands to finalise the deal, each smirking, her cause of her new found honey import she had managed to start, and myself being able to make a little girl so happy with such a simple thing.

There was a warmth to the whole night, my heart a flutter at being able to see this happy family, that doesn’t have much but still so closely bonded together that it doesn’t matter, but still making wonder about the missing pieces in my life refusing to let me feel whole, no matter how much I travel and knowledge I gain nothing seems to fill it.

Our night was disrupted by a panicked and unrelenting brayying on the door, followed by the distinct scream in the distance.

“Quick, Help the Drakari’s childs gone missing” A voice bellowed through the door

As we didn’t know what was going on, only that something was wrong, me and Damian each lunged from our seats, grabbing my shirt, coat and scarf leaping into action racing towards the door, forgetting completely that no one is supposed to know I'm here.

“Sasha, Stay with mummy” Damian demanded, putting on his hat and goggles, unsure whether it was still blowing a gale outside as Sasha ran swiftly into her mothers arms.

“Come on honey, we’ll go to your room and wait there,” Sapphire added, trying to reassure her, whilst hiding the apparent concern on her face ushering upstairs out of the way.

Flinging the door open the blizzard had stopped luckily making much easier to see the surrounding areas, as people were frantically running all around the town searching anywhere a child could possibly be hide, the more people that ran past us, the more eyes I felt catching my glance each of them bearing there own suspicions.

I guess what Damien said earlier was right, these people don’t like outsiders. I catch myself at a thought observing each person from a distance, each taking the time to look me up and down at a moment's notice, but a moment is enough for them to display their distrust towards me.

“I’ll check around the town border, if I find anything i’ll come find you” I instruct Damien offering any aid I can in the time of crisis, at least if i’m around the border of town, I shouldn’t draw too much more attention towards myself.