In early September 2404, the West Taiga lay shrouded in a tranquil stillness, the kind that makes you feel as if time itself has paused. Alam surveyed the scene around him, noting the peaceful slumber of his companions. Not a soul stirred; even the dogs nearby were curled up, breathing softly in their dreams. The air was crisp and cool, a refreshing embrace
Alam stepped outside, seeking warmth by the flickering flames of the fireplace. The sun began its ascent, casting a golden hue over the landscape, and slowly, the camp came to life. People began to wake, some stretching languidly, others still lost in the comfort of sleep, gazing dreamily at the sky.
“There is always the darkest before dawn,” Alam yawned “Hnm,”, taking in the beauty of the morning.
Just then, a figure approached, cloaked in a hood that obscured his features. He walked slowly, his gaze fixed on the ground , seemingly lost in thought. After a moment, he paused, stretched his arms, and took a deep breath before speaking in a soft, gentle tone.
“Morning, everyone. It’s a really beautiful morning today, don’t you agree?”
“Yeah, gott bless,” Alam replied, feeling the warmth of camaraderie.
The man continued, his voice soothing as he admired the clear sky. “The breeze is refreshing.”
“Yeah, it’s almost September,” Alam added, nodding in agreement.
The man turned to Alam, his eyes kind and inviting. “Excuse me, stranger, but would you like me to guide you around this encampment? Or would you prefer to stay here and relax?”
“Oh, alright, sure. Guide me around,” Alam said, intrigued.
“Okay. First, we should meet the others here in the encampment.” The man gestured, pointing in a direction before setting off at a leisurely pace, as if savoring every moment.
As they walked, Alam observed the people around them, some engaged in games, others simply enjoying the morning. The man’s pace was unhurried, embodying the calm of the morning.
“Let’s walk that way,” he said, leading Alam toward a group sitting in a circle, their laughter mingling with the morning air.
“Ehem. Yeah sure,” Alam replied, feeling a sense of ease in the man’s presence.
Upon reaching the circle, the man addressed the group, his voice still soft and gentle. They listened intently, nodding and smiling in response.
Alam stood back, observing the interactions with curiosity. The man turned to him, finally noticing his presence. “I’m sorry for not introducing myself. My name is Abubakar, a guardian of this encampment. May I know your name?”
“I see, I’m Alam,” he replied,
“It’s a great pleasure to meet you, Alam. You might wonder why I introduce myself as a guardian. Here, we all look out for each other. One takes the role of guardian while others become hunters, gatherers, or traders. Regardless of our roles, we are all guardians of one another.”
“Understood,” Alam nodded,
“May I ask you something?” Abubakar inquired, his tone shifting to one of concern.
“What?” Alam asked, intrigued.
“You seemed drowsy earlier, and it made me worry. Is everything okay? You don’t need to worry about anything here. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“I... I don’t worry about this place. I’m worried about... other places,” Alam admitted, his voice trailing off.
Abubakar’s expression softened. “Oh, I see. May I ask what place that is? What troubles you?”
“Well, I think you already know my story, right? The fisherman dude and Nalin probably told everyone...” Alam began, but Abubakar shook his head.
“No, I don’t know anything about your history. All I know is that you got injured in the river and that you’re a traveler from the east. That’s all.”
“I see. Well, I lost contact. My friends probably think I’m dead, which is why I need to wait for a caravan trader to help me contact them again,” Alam explained.
Abubakar’s eyes held sympathy. “So, you have friends far away?”
“Europe, parts of Asia,” Alam confirmed.
“A long journey,” Abubakar observed. He paused, studying Alam. “Is it… a personal matter?”
Alam chuckled lightly. “It’s… a business matter. An international one.”
Abubakar nodded slowly. “Trade, perhaps? Ensuring safe passage?”
“Something like that,” Alam replied, carefully avoiding specifics. “Do you know who rules this area now?”
Abubakar hesitated, then spoke cautiously. “That’s… a complicated question. There are whispers… some call him a tyrant, others a savior.”
“I see,” Alam said. “Well, I need to contact my… associates. I heard caravans come through here.”
“Three times a month, usually. The next one should be here next week,” Abubakar confirmed. “The last one was almost two months ago.”
“Two months?” Alam muttered. “I hope they come next week…”
“They will,” Abubakar reassured him. “But… you seem worried. Is everything alright with your… business?”
“I’m responsible for a lot of people,” Alam admitted. “My absence… it’s not ideal.”
“A leader, then,” Abubakar said, his gaze steady. “It must be difficult to be away for so long.”
“It is what it is,” Alam replied, waving a hand dismissively. “What do people do around here?”
Abubakar shook his head. “Simple things. Foraging, hunting. We call this place West Taiga Survival. We don’t use money.”
“Taiga Survival? Sounds like a boot camp or something,” Alam joked.
Abubakar laughed softly. “You’re not wrong about that. Everything here feels like survival training. We gather food, make fire, and even sleep outside to prepare for anything. But on the other hand, this place is quite comfortable, and the people here are friendly.”
“How many people are here?” Alam asked.
Abubakar took a moment to count. “There are roughly about 25 people in this encampment, but there are also many who stay outside, almost reaching 50. They hunt or forage.”
“That’s quite a lot, actually. Are most people here war refugees or natives?” Alam inquired.
Abubakar smiled slightly. “About half of us are war refugees, while the other half are natives. We all have different backgrounds, but we manage to live together. This camp is like a small community; we all live and work together.”
Alam yawned, feeling the weight of fatigue. “Sure, man.”
Noticing Alam’s yawn, Abubakar tilted his head curiously. “Are you sleepy?”
“Yes, I always feel sleepy if nothing happens,” Alam admitted.
Abubakar sighed, then asked, “May I ask you a personal question?”
“What?” Alam replied, intrigued.
Abubakar hesitated but finally spoke. “Did the fisherman give you any medicine or food to regain your strength?”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“Yeah, he gave me medicine on the first day, and his adoptive daughter provided food,” Alam explained.
“That was quite nice of him. What kind of medicine did he give you? We might have something similar in our medicine storage,” Abubakar said.
“Oh, do you have a painkiller?” Alam asked.
Abubakar thought for a moment. “I think we have something like that. But why do you need a painkiller? Do you feel any pain now?”
“Yes, my wound still hurts when I walk,” Alam replied,
“Oh, I see. You still feel pain in your wound? How about I check it?” Abubakar offered, concern evident in his voice.
“Sure,” Alam said, revealing the bullet scar on his hip. “It’s dry now, but the pain is still there.”
Abubakar examined the wound, his expression serious. “You’re right; this bullet wound seems dry but still causes pain. Let me try something, if you don’t mind.”
“What is that?” Alam asked, raising an eyebrow.
Abubakar pulled a bottle from his leather bag. “Can I apply this salve to your wound? It’s made from wild herbs and has medicinal properties to treat your wound and reduce pain. Is that okay?”
“Of course,” Alam agreed.
Abubakar smiled, relieved. He applied a thick layer of the salve to Alam’s wound. “Now, this will reduce your pain. We need to wait for it to take effect. Can we wait a few minutes?”
“Yeah, sure. I think it’s better if I head back to the tent and rest,” Alam suggested, feeling the fatigue wash over him.
Abubakar smiled softly, sharing Alam's sentiment. “Yes, good idea. You can head back to the tent and rest a bit. I’ll stay here to make sure no one interrupts you. Let’s meet back under the big tree once the salve takes effect, okay?”
A few hours later, as the afternoon sun cast a warm glow, Nalin delivered Alam’s meal.
“Hey girl, let me wash my clothes,” he said,
Nalin looked surprised but quickly regained her composure. “O-oh, sure! Wait a minute; let me get you some water first.” She hurried off, returning shortly with a bucket of water.
“Thanks! By the way, I haven’t seen your... father figure since I got here. Where is he now?” Alam asked, curious.
Nalin hesitated, her tone softening. “Um, he’s currently hunting in the forest. He’s expected back after his trip.”
“What's his name again?” Alam pressed.
Nalin’s brow furrowed as she thought. “I think his name is Yordan. It’s kind of weird for me because I never call him ‘father.’ I usually call him ‘Big Bear.’”
Alam chuckled. “A bear, huh? Well, I thought I might just take his tent since he never comes back. Do hunting trips usually take several days?”
Nalin’s eyes widened. “You’re taking someone’s tent? That’s kind of weird! But to answer your question, normally, a hunting trip lasts a couple of days. I’ve heard him mention hunting big beasts, but I never really paid attention to that stuff.”
“Hmm... I noticed you like to copy the way I talk, using ‘kinda weird’ a lot,” Alam teased.
Nalin blushed slightly. “That’s probably true. I guess I’m subconsciously mimicking you. It’s not weird, right? Just kind of funny.” She chuckled softly.
“I hope I’m not a bad influence on a 16-year-old girl,” Alam said, raising an eyebrow.
Nalin laughed. “you’re not a bad influence at all. I’m old enough to not be swayed by bad things.” She lowered her hand, a playful glint in her eyes.
“Right... If the caravan comes, I’ll follow them to contact my friend in the city. Will you join me?” Alam asked, gauging her reaction.
Nalin hesitated, then smiled. “Hmm, leaving this place sounds like a big decision, but I think I’ll join you. This place is getting kind of boring, and it’s time for me to leave too.”
“Are you sure? It’s not like you can come back easily. But yes, it’s a big decision,” Alam cautioned.
“Yes, I’m sure! This decision is more exciting than staying in this dull place. I don’t really have anything left that would make me want to come back. Let’s make this big decision together!” Nalin exclaimed,
Alam smirked. “I’ve lived longer than you, but I don’t think this place is boring. It’s just perhaps less flashy for teenagers like you.”
Nalin laughed again. “That’s probably true. This place is peaceful but also pretty boring. When you grow up here, it feels dull. But yes, you do live longer than me; I’ll give you that.”
“My hands feel weird from doing nothing for days. I need a small task to keep them occupied,” Alam admitted.
Nalin’s eyes lit up. “Well, I do have a small errand for you! I need you to pick some flowers near the creek. Can you get me as many as you can before the sun sets?”
“Is the place far? I still can’t walk too far,” Alam replied, a hint of concern in his voice.
Nalin laughed. “No worries! It’s actually quite near, just a few minutes away by the creek.”
“Okay then, lead the way,” Alam said, following her.
Nalin guided him to the small creek, pointing out the flowers. “These are the ones I want you to pick. They’re beautiful and easy to find. Just be careful when you pick them, okay?”
“Why pick these flowers? Why not just let them grow?” Alam asked, genuinely curious.
Nalin chuckled. “Oh, it’s simple! These flowers have healing properties. They help relieve pain, reduce fevers, and fatigue. I use them to ease body aches after hunting.”
“Cool! What should I pick? Just the flower part, or everything?” Alam inquired.
Nalin laughed again. “Just the flower part! You can pick the whole flower or just the petals; it’s up to you. But yes, just the flower part and put it in this basket.”
“Alright,” Alam said, starting to gather the flowers nearby.
Nalin watched Alam as he began to gather the flowers, her curiosity evident in the playful glint in her eyes. “Just making sure you know which flower to pick, right? There are a few different kinds around here. You should only choose the ones with bright colors, beautiful petals, and long stems.”
Alam grinned, “I know the calendula already. The yellowish color is pretty recognizable.”
Her smile widened at his confidence. “Okay, good to know you can recognize that flower easily. Just go ahead and pick as many as you can. When you’re tired, you can come back and relax.”
“Yeah,” Alam replied, settling down on the ground after gathering some flowers.
Nalin’s concern flickered across her face as she noticed him lying down. “Okay, take your time. Just don’t fall asleep, alright?”
“I won’t…” Alam mumbled, his eyes already drifting shut.
Nalin smiled softly, watching him relax. She walked over and sat beside him, leaning back to gaze at the sky as the sun began to set. “Ah, you finally relaxed, huh? You’re already tired from just a little work. Don’t worry, I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“Hey, let me help you cook this time,” Alam said, suddenly alert.
Nalin lifted her head, her eyes sparkling with interest. “Oh? You want to help me cook?”
“Yes,” he affirmed.
Her amusement was palpable. “Okay, but you have to do exactly what I say. No improvising unless I tell you to, alright?”
“Sure,” Alam replied, a grin spreading across his face.
Nalin stood up, taking his hand to pull him up beside her. “First, we need to gather all the ingredients for cooking and prepare the equipment. Let’s go find what we need, shall we?”
“Sure…” Alam agreed, following her lead.
As they walked, Nalin asked, “So, what sounds good for dinner? Anything you’re craving?”
“Something simple. Soup and meat, like usual,” Alam suggested.
Nalin grinned. “The usual, huh? We could do that, or… how about something a little more interesting? We’ve got moose, lamb, or even deer.”
“Deer sounds good,” Alam decided. “You guys have a lot of variety here.”
“We do alright,” Nalin said. “We hunt for most of it ourselves. Keeps the caravans from visiting too often.”
“Makes sense,” Alam replied. “Self-sufficient.”
“Exactly. We’ve got everything we need right here,” Nalin said, gesturing to the surrounding area.
“So, who usually does the hunting?” Alam asked. “Is it just a few people, or…?”
“Everyone can, really. We have some dedicated hunters, but anyone can join in. We share everything,” Nalin explained. “I can go grab a deer now, if you’d like.”
“You’re going hunting now?” Alam asked, surprised. “I thought we were just cooking.”
“I can handle it,” Nalin reassured him. “Hunting’s not a big deal. I’ll be back before you know it. You just relax.” She turned to go.
“Wait,” Alam said. “Maybe just a smaller animal? I don’t want you taking any risks.”
Nalin laughed. “Dear, I told you, I’m quite good at hunting. I’ll bring home a deer for dinner tonight. It’s tastier than smaller animals, and we’ll get more meat from it. Just wait here.” She waved goodbye as she walked toward the forest.
“Nalin…” Alam called, watching her disappear into the trees.
He settled back in the tent, waiting for her return. Moments later, he heard the sound of bow and arrow hitting the forest, followed by an eerie silence. Then, Nalin emerged, a deer in hand, her expression calm and triumphant.
“What?! How are you so fast? You’re cheating, right? You already put the deer nearby!” Alam exclaimed, shocked
Nalin laughed, “I’m using a bow and arrow for hunting! Of course, I’m going to be more efficient than those who use spears or melee weapons. So yes, you could say I’m cheating.”
Alam shook his head, a hint of skepticism in his eyes. “No, it’s too quick. I’ve hunted deer before, and it took me hours or even a day just to track and locate their position.”
Nalin raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her expression. “Oh, I know it takes time to hunt deer. But this is my specialty. I have quite a bit of experience, so I can usually bring one back in just a few minutes. The location here is quite convenient for hunting, which helps.”
Alam narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping in.
Nalin sensed his doubt, her playful demeanor shifting to something more serious. “What? You think I just put the deer here or brought it with me beforehand?”
“Never mind,” Alam replied with a chuckle. “Next time, I’ll make sure to be beside you while I’m fully healed.”
Taking a deep breath, Nalin tried to relax. “Fine, but please don’t accuse me of cheating. This is my expertise, and I’m really good at it—at least from my perspective.”
“Speaking of Gott,” Alam said, “let’s skin this deer and cook it.”
Nalin nodded eagerly, grabbing a skinning knife from her bag. As she worked, Alam watched her deft movements, impressed by her skill. Within minutes, the deer was skinned, leaving only the meat behind.
“Well, that’s the hardest part done,” Nalin said, putting the skin away. “The cooking part will be easy.”
Alam peeked into the cooking room, where various ingredients awaited. “Hey, wait a minute… you have electricity?”
Nalin chuckled at his surprise. “Of course! This place is quite well-off. We have all the kitchen appliances we need. We don’t have to rely on fire anymore; we just use electricity to cook.”
“Ah, I see. So the only thing missing is communication, huh?” Alam mused.
Nalin’s expression turned thoughtful. “Yeah, that’s true. We’re mostly self-sustaining here, but we lack communication technology. No cell phones or wireless devices, so that’s our only gap.”
“Interesting. This place is like an adult dream,” Alam remarked.
Nalin laughed lightly. “Yeah, it is. Everyone here lives a peaceful life, bartering for what they need. It’s a paradise, really.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about, girl. You’re only 16,” Alam teased.
Nalin laughed softly. “You think I don’t know much just because I’m 16? I’ve read books and heard stories from the older folks here. I know about the world outside.”
“Do you need help with cooking?” Alam offered.
“No, but thanks for asking,” Nalin replied, her tone relaxed. “I can handle it. I have plenty of experience cooking meat.”
“Alright, then I’ll just sleep,” Alam said, settling down.
“Just sleeping? You’re not going to watch me cook?” Nalin teased.
“Maybe I will,” Alam said with a grin before closing his eyes.
As Nalin cooked, the delicious aroma of the meat filled the tent, making Alam’s stomach growl. Soon, she entered with the cooked deer meat, a proud smile on her face. “Dinner’s ready! I cooked it with garlic, onion, and some herbs. You should try it!”
“Sure, I’ll eat,” Alam replied, eager to dig in.
“Just be careful; it’s hot!” Nalin warned playfully.
As Alam ate, he sighed. “I feel bad just sitting here like this every day. It’s war out there.”
Nalin’s expression turned serious. “I know. It’s tough, especially with the Blood Khaganate and the True Horde. You’re lucky to be here, away from the fighting.”
“You’ve heard about it?” Alam asked.
“Yes. How do you know? Do you know someone involved?”
“A close friend,” Alam admitted.
Nalin’s eyes glistened. “I’m sorry. You must miss them.” She pulled him into a tight hug, her voice shaky. “I miss the world outside too. It’s painful to think of who’s gone.”
“Hey,” Alam said, patting her head gently. “Humans are stronger than you think. I’m still here.” He rubbed her cheek gently as she relaxed into the hug, burying her face against his shoulder.
“I’m sorry for being emotional,” Nalin murmured. “So much has happened in the last two decades.”
“You’re here now,” Alam reassured her. “That counts for something.”
Nalin nodded, pulling back slightly but still close. “Thank you. You’re kind to put up with me.” She smiled softly, a gentle warmth spreading through her at his touch. “By the way, your ‘bear’ still isn’t back from hunting, is she?”
Nalin’s expression shifted to concern. “Now that you mention it, she’s been gone longer than usual. A day or two is normal, but…”
“Right,” Alam said, glancing around. “I think it’s been about ten days since I got here. Maybe more.”
Nalin counted mentally. “You’re right. It’s been over two weeks.” Her brow furrowed.
“Well,” Alam said, considering his options. “If this caravan takes too long…”
“Oh no,” Nalin interrupted, a frown crossing her face. “It’s too dangerous to travel to the city now. Especially with winter coming.”
“So, no caravans until spring?” Alam sighed.
“That’s what the weather forecasts say,” Nalin confirmed. “A harsh winter, lasting until mid-spring. No caravans.”
“Six months,” Alam groaned dramatically. “September, October… six months! I’m trapped!”
Nalin chuckled. “Trapped? This place is comfortable enough.”
“It’s not the place,” Alam said. “It’s my… position. People need me.”
Nalin grasped his hand, her concern deepening. “Important things? Who needs you? Family? Friends?”
“Yeah…” Alam hesitated.
“Who are they?” Nalin pressed gently.
“I can’t say,” Alam said softly.
Nalin released his hand, understanding. “I’m sorry. It’s alright if you don’t want to talk about it. I’m here if you need to.”
“Yeah…” Alam rubbed the back of his neck. He started to say something, then stopped.
Nalin squeezed his hand again. “What is it? Is something wrong?”
“Let’s finish eating first,” Alam said, redirecting the conversation.
Nalin nodded, refilled her plate, and sat beside him. “Here. Finish your meal. We can talk later.”