- I don't know what pushes your feelings this deep, but I hope ... someday you will share with me.
As the sunlight faded away, the moon rose to the sky. The following few days have gone as the previous ones. Mira stopped with the theoretical parts because the next parts without the understanding of mana are useless. She focused them on practicing and meditating to step on the next level. As she cared for them, the alchemist of the village made some special potion for only them. To repay this kindness, Mira worked harder on each day, as her healing magic became stable, no one knew it happened thanks to the kids.
The emotions that slowly consumed Mira consciousness are gone. Her healing had a special ability. As she used it on someone, the hidden effect of the heal slowed a person's body aging speed. Thanks to this hidden effect, the village chief that week turned to 87 years old with the looks of a 60 years old man. The village prepared a festival to celebrate his health and birthday.
*Birthday. Is it an important day? Someone's are happy, some are not. When was the last time my birthday was celebrated by anyone? ... When is it my birthday ...*
Riox, as he usually did, just lied under a tree alone. He had no intention to join the festival, but he didn't say anything what's his reason to refuse. The other children nagged him to join them, even when Ayla told them to don't disturb Riox. After the kids left, Ayla just sat down next to him.
- Why don't you join us? They are so cute!
- Because I don't want to.
- The whole day when we don't have training, you just lie here and do nothing ... why ...
- Because I don't want to do anything more.
- But!
- Should I repeat what I told you before?
- Um ... no. You don't need ... When we were in the forest, the only thing you worried about was me. What has happened to your will since then? We are not important for you? Am I not important for you?
Ayla then stood up in a hurry, filled with anger and sadness in her heart.
*As you can see, everyone is different. It will be just better if you hate me. At least you won't have any reason to follow or worry about me. This is how it must be ...*
Riox closed his eyes and slept. At the time of sunset, Lok arrived back from Carnag. The days have gone fast. As Lok came back, the first thing he saw was Ayla, as she was sobbing behind the bench next to the wall. He walked there and sat down.
- Hey, what's wrong, little girl.
- Not-nothing. It's nothing. I'm. I'm fine.
- Nah, come and sit here. Tell me what happened.
- Riox is not caring about me at all!
And as she said those words, she started to cry, keeping her voice down. To comfort her, Lok just kneeled down before her and gently grabbed her hand.
- Ayla. You don't need to be sad about this matter. I bet Riox is worried about your happiness.
- No, he's not!
- He is, he just can't show his emotions.
- What do you mean he can't?
- Ah, girl. It's more complicated than you can imagine. He's like this because something happened with him, something bad that left a wound in him.
- Why do you think this?
- Because ... ugh, fine. When Mira heard at first she can't become stronger and for the people around her she thought are her friends, turned their back to her. She lost as everyone left her alone. Also when I discovered I can never become a magician, just a cripple, I also lost my faith. But we helped each other in the hardest times, and even though you see us fighting, we still love each other. You know ... many people will leave you, and you will leave many people too, but your siblings will always be by your side!
- But Riox is not my brother ...
- It depends on your thinking! If you see him as a protective brother who always would stand up for you, it doesn't matter. I see that Riox is not a talkative one. The words are just words, you will forget them with time. But when someone does anything to ... not to, for you! It is completely different! He lifted you through the forest just to get some help, and not for him, but you! This is what is important! Don't be sad about what he said, he's doing what matters. Don't forget this!
- Thank you, uncle Lok! You cheered me up!
As a thank you, Ayla hugged Lok who sat embarrassed because of this sudden act. Ayla stood up and went to play with the kids a little before they went to sleep.
- So, what the hell did you do to Ayla?
A sudden scary voice was heard by Lok as his sister talked.
- She was in a bad mood and I cheered her up. Hihi.
- What's so funny?
- She and Riox ... they reminded me of our younger self. We are grown up, huh?
- You were always bad at hiding your emotions.
- Aaand you always reminded me about that fact ... what a pain ...
- Come in, let's talk about what happened in the city. And tell the kids it's dinner time.
Lok gathered the kids for dinner, and after they finished, Riox and Ayla went to sleep. As for Lok and Mira, they still sat in the kitchen and talked about what Lok heard in the city.
- Tell me, what's the news?
- A lot has happened since I was there. The most important, a group of bandits slaughtered a village next to the city of Latte!
- Latte is one of the farthest cities in the east!
- Yes, it is. But people heard that they are moving to the west. For now, nobody knows where the group is.
- That's a worrying matter. Hm. Lok!
- Yes?
- From tomorrow on, you take Riox and Ayla with you on some hunting! They should learn the environment around this area!
- Why is the sudden change in your mood?
- I have a bad feeling. They don't remember where they came from. You tracked their trace after you brought them here.
- Yes, and the traces of theirs come from ... south ... east ... Do you wanna tell me they ran away from there?
- I don't know! But if a group appeared and attacked a village, and no one left alive it means they searched for someone.
- I can follow your thinking, but is it not a bit over-thought?
The argument between the siblings was similar to a ball game. In Lok views, this a big fuss about this matter, as for Mira she had an idea about how the bandit group is searching for Riox and Ayla.
- Just think about it! Lok! FOR FUCK SAKE! Sorry, I overdid it. A human and a dark elf with a special body the most people can never have, lost in the forest without any memory of where and how they came!
- Okay, that makes sense, but something is still missing in your explanation.
- As for now, finish this matter here. We will talk about it later again, but for their safety, you will teach them some tricks about hunting, tracking and other stuff!
- Fine, I will, I promise that.
- Are there any other things you heard?
- The magical beast became restless in the last few days. Some scouts discovered a few Frost Fanged Tiger at the foot of mountain Tharg. This was also a hot topic.
- The Tharg mountain is far from here, so it's not a relevant thing.
- Ugh ... A storm occured a month ago in the south and many orchards were destroyed. The kingdom is planning to transport food to the south to help the disaster area.
- So the tax of the village will increase as well. Luckily we can pay our tax in food or resources instead of gold. Did you tell this to the village chief?
- I already left a letter to him. After the festival he will manage to fulfil the request of the kingdom. The last is still the same, Carnag don't plan to build a road between the village and city, they refused our request.
- Argh, that fat noble shits! The only thing they are interested in are just the wealth and slave girls!
- Hey, hey, Mira! Chill yourself! The kids are sleeping!
- Yes, yes. Sorry. Uhh. What should we do, Lok? You always stay calm in the critical moments too. What should we do with the current situation? It's too much already for me!
- Just calm down, take a deep breath. What you said earlier, I will teach them to hunt, also how they should use the tools and weapons. We decided to take them, it's our responsibility to protect them!
- Lok ...
Mira is touched by her brother's decision. They agreed they will protect the children at any price. But with a surprise, the matter about the bandits and the children stayed between them. Mira and Lok agreed to tell nothing about it to the chief and the other villagers as if no one knows about it, the less the chance the information leaks.
The following day started with a strict and hard wakening in the form of Lok banged a metal pot on their door.
- Wake up, kids! New training will start from today!