"Now that is the right question! You are going to apologize! And you are going to stop being mean to others. If you can start doing that, I will start training you, deal?" I asked, but Cindy still looked hesitant.
I could understand why she felt that way, but the best way to deal with things was just to do what needed to be done. Cindy had made some bad choices, and now she would have to pay for them.
"Do you think you could come with me when I apologize to each person?" Cindy finally asked, and I nodded.
"Sure, but we will just get everyone together tonight. For now, we can go see Renna, who was very worried about you," I explained, standing up.
"Renna was worried about me?! I was going to hit her?!" Cindy asked in confusion, and I shrugged, offering her a hand up.
"She was the one that told me what had happened and asked if I could make sure you got back safe. She understands why you are upset, and she cares about you," I explained as I helped her up off the ground.
"I don't know what to even say about that," Cindy said, and I nodded.
"Just make amends for what you did, and I am sure that things will be fine. Now, let's jog back," I said, and Cindy nodded with a sigh.
The two of us started to run, and within moments we were back out of the forest. Renna was waiting, and she ran to meet us, looking really happy.
"You both made it back! I was starting to get worried that one of the Lesser Terror Lizards," Renna laughed.
"This person actually saved me from one. If it hadn't been for… What are we supposed to call you?" Cindy asked, looking up at me questioningly.
"That is a good question. Let me think about it, but just call me Man for now," I said with a smile.
"Well, Man saved me, or I would be dead," Cindy explained, and Renna took a step back from me.
"Don't tell me you killed it with your bare hands?!" Renna exclaimed, and I tossed my hands in the air in frustration.
"Why do you all think I could fight that thing with my bare hands?!" I complained.
"Well, you are stronger than anyone I have ever met, and something about you feels dangerous, like you are hiding something. Not that I don't trust you, but you have a strange aura," Renna explained, and Cindy nodded in agreement.
I shook my head but then looked at Cindy, clearing my throat.
"Oh… umm," Cindy said, slowly turning to Renna.
"Hmm? What's wrong?" Renna asked, and Cindy looked away.
"I am sorry for trying to hit you and any other time that I was mean to you. I have been frustrated about Kelly, and I took my anger out on you," Cindy said, looking back into Renna's eyes, but something appeared in my mind, like a message.
[Karma System Activated!]
[1 Karma point gained. ⅕ for first skill.]
The message was gone just as fast as it appeared, but I was able to read it. I wondered what that meant?
"Oh! Umm, thank you for that. I knew that it was hard for you when Kelly left, but I didn't know how to help you," Renna said, looking away shyly, and I started to get what might be going on.
"RIDERS!" Someone from the village called, and both the girls looked at me.
"What does that mean?" I asked as I saw the village start to increase in movement.
"It is the local Countess Eliza. She is from the town to the north, but she assumes that she owns the place," Renna said, sounding angry.
"That is because she has warriors that I can't beat! We have to listen to them, or they might try attacking us or taking some women!" Cindy hissed.
I looked at the two girls, and it was like I was looking at two different people! Renna seemed like she was ready to fight but had no power to, but Cindy was being the more level-headed of the two and telling her to listen.
The two would make a cute couple, but now was hardly the time for such thoughts!
"Get me a cloak or a large robe that will hide my face and body. I would like to see how these people act, and then I will make my choice on what to do," I said, and Renna nodded, running off to the village ahead of us.
"What are you thinking?" Cindy asked as she walked beside me.
"I want to get a feel for what Eliza is like. If she is a good person who is just misguided, I will deal with her appropriately. If I deem her to be a true spawn of evil, I will also deal with her appropriately," I said in a plain tone.
"Hmm, I don't think she is pure evil, but definitely misguided. Her mother was, Countess Margaret was very nice and never bothered us, but she died three years ago, and Eliza was left in charge. Her mother's death was due to a riding accident, and Eliza had not received any formal training, as her mother had assumed she would not take the position for many years," Cindy explained as we reached the village.
"Interesting. Thank you very much for the information. Now, just act normal for the most part, and introduce me as a wanderer that is staying in the village for a few days," I said, and Cindy nodded as Renna came running back over.
"Found one that should fit you," Renna said, handing me a large pink robe as I tried not to grimace.
"Thank you. I want you to go to your tent and not to come out until Cindy comes and gets you. Understand?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at Renna.
"What? Why?" Renna asked, trying to give me some big innocent eyes, but I saw right through them.