As I looked up the mountain that seemed to continue forever and memories of my recent trip appear in my mind, how I had to take two breaks and almost fainted when just a few minutes from my goal, just to have being used as a drum by the kids who were passing by.
Damn, I already had it tough just to go down this mountain, I can't imagine how bad it will be to climb back...T_T
As we pass by a farm, I see a wooden wheelbarrow and have an idea.
I turn to Bia and ask her with pleading eyes.
"Hey, miss Bia, can I borrow a wheelbarrow? I promise to give it back when we reach my cave."
My pleading eyes are ineffective due to the closed helmet which hides my face but she still gives a favorable reply.
"Hmm, it should be no problem. They shouldn't have much use before the next harvest season, so even if you take them for a month I doubt anyone would notice. But just to be sure wait here for a second as I go ask Bill."
Bia runs to the farmer's house and comes back in a minute.
"No problem, he just asked to be careful with it."
"Of course, thanks!"
With the wheelbarrow in hand, I start taking of my armor and putting it on the wheelbarrow. First the gloves, then the plate armor, next the chain mail that goes below it, and...
I feel a chill passing through me, what is this feeling of danger?
I look around just to see Bia and Leticia glaring at me like wolves ready to pounce on their prey...
What this a really good idea? T_T
Man, I remember some friend telling me city girls were scary, but as I see, these village girls don't seem to lose to them at all.
"Ok, this should be enough!"
"Oh, no need to hold yourself back because of us."
"Yeah, yeah, you can take another piece!"
As I said, scary....
The only things I can take out now are my helmet, pants and boots...
No matter which of them I choose, it doesn't seem like a good idea.
"No, really, this is enough. Let's keep on moving..."
I grab the wheelbarrow handlers and start walking up the trail with both girls following right behind. It seems like they are whispering something to each other again, but I am too scared to pay attention, so I will just ignore it and press forward.
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We have been climbing up for some time now, I think we should reach the rive detour soon...yup, there it is. The wheelbarrow was doing a good job, while I was quite tired, it is not as bad as before. Even so, thinking about the long way ahead, I thought it was time to take a break and rest.
"Girls, how about we take a rest in the river before keep on going?"
The eyes of the two sparkled as if expecting something which I don't dare to guess and they answered at the same time.
"Yes, let's go!" "I agree!"
So I let go of the wheelbarrow since there was no need to take it with us, and the three of us advanced through the river path.
As we reached closer to the river, we could hear the sound of children playing in the water. Hearing their happy voices I couldn't help but smile, as for the two behind me, I'll pretend I don't know why they suddenly seem annoyed. Good job kids, I will forgive for your earlier transgression!
Another few minutes and we reach the river bay, the children are playing with my two sprites, splashing water everywhere. As soon as the sprites see me, they float to me while shouting.
""Master!""
"Hello little ones, so this is where you hid yourselves. Did you have fun?"
The two nodded in unison.
"Good, you can play a little longer, I will rest here for a bit before heading back."
"So cute!"
"Can I hold one?"
Bia and Leticia seem to like the little sprites as well.
"Hehe, you can try."
Leticia tries to grab one but when her hand pass through it and grab nothing she couldn't help but make a disappointed face and say.
"Ehh!?? How come??"
"They are sprites, sprites are spirits so they cant be touched."
"No waaaay! When they are this cute! So unfair!!!"
I make a helpless smile and agree with a question.
"Right?"
Bia nods her head agreeing with both of us.
The two sprites turn around and float back to the children who had stopped playing and were watching us. Seeing the sprites come back, the children resume their game as if it never stopped.
I take out my boots and sit on a stone by the river's edge. My feet touch the water and a refreshing feeling pass through my body as all fatigue from before is washed away.
As I lose myself in the sensation of the cold river passing by my feet, I suddenly feel something bouncy pressing on both my arms. Speechless I get stunned not knowing what to do.
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Right is no good, Left is just the same, because I am sitting on this rock, I cant really head back as well, so there is only one options left! Let myself getting eaten and fall in a path of no return? No! Of course not! That was never an option! Yes! The real path was always in front of me, not in the mountains, not the valleys but in the river instead. So I jumped! So fast, so unpredictable, that no one was able to stop me!
Splash!
My hot body screamed as the cold water enveloped it all at once, taking all my heat away. The sensation only lasted a few seconds before my body adaption to the new environment. Now it was only refreshing and nothing else.
Taking opportunity of this newly gained freedom, I joined the kids in their splashing game. As for the two who still sat on the rock, they looked incredibly surprised by my sudden escape, stunned and unable to decide what to do. But this didn't last long, soon after me, they joined the fun and entered the water game as well.
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I don't know how long we played, but finally the kids were tired and decided to head back. I took this as a signal that it was time to head back home as well, so I put on my boots and followed them through the path. As we reached the crossing, I said good bye to the kids who answered to me:
"Bye bye Mr. Dead Knight!"
"Mr. Dead Knight, let's play again!"
"Bye Mr. Dead Knight! Take good care of sister Bia and sister Leticia!"
What the heck is this kid saying!?
And who are you calling Mr. Dead Knight!? How am I dead!?
...Wait, no, maybe they are right?? Sigh, whatever!
Taking the handles of the wheelbarrow, we continued climbing the mountain until we finally reach cave entrance.
"Home, sweet home! Darling, I am back!"
"Welcome back, Master!"
For a second I feel a chill running through my whole body. It was not like I had any darling, I was just saying it for the sake of saying it. Then who the heck just answered me now!?