If he thought I'd take care of him, he'll be in for a surprise in the morning.
I did not know if the caravan had arrived in the city of Midgen, but I hoped that we still had the opportunity to go as far as possible.
Fearing that the academy might send a professor or dean for me, when we left for the forest, I called an elf who was supposed to kill the remaining bandits.
But without drawing attention to themselves, the chains were silent and, I hoped, would not leave any marks on their bodies.
I didn't speak to Keirin about this for fear that she would not approve of such a decision. So I waited for the elf with chains to return, when he returned without showing any signs of continuing to watch the stars, gradually I noticed how the sky was getting brighter.
A new day began, sighing deeply, I closed my eyes enjoying the sensations that I experienced now. Hoping that the academy would not find an opportunity to follow us, looking at the robber who was trembling even in his sleep.
Slowly getting up from the ground and stretching and went to the Keirin tent, hearing my movement, the robber quickly woke up and began to look around. Seeing only me, he relaxed, perhaps he still had hope that he would escape death.
- Keirin, wake up, it's time to go out. - I spoke in a low voice trying not to yawn.
She and I decided that we would go out with the first rays of the day in order to have time for everything. Sounds were heard coming from the tent, and after a while the lightning opened and a sleepy she Keirin appeared.
- Why didn't you wake me up at night? - Keirin asked in a sleepy voice as she looked around, she realized that she had slept all night.
I just smiled at her sleepy expression, I wanted her to rest, we did not know what dangers await us in this forest.
- I enjoyed the forest at night and did not notice how time passed. - I partly answered the truth with a shrug, in her eyes I saw that she doubted.
It was clear from her frowning face that she did not really believe me, shifting her gaze to the robber who did not take her eyes off her, she returned to the tent dressing back in her camping clothes.
Listening to how she dresses, I examined the field, which gradually began to be illuminated by the sun's rays.
Insects began to wake up and gradually sounds began to fill the field, sounds were heard as Keirin was getting ready and after a while she out in the same clothes in which she walked yesterday.
Dirty spots were visible on her clothes, as well as her shoes were completely dirty, looking at her shoes and the bottom of my condition was no better than hers.
Realizing that this is only the beginning, it would be nice to find a stream where we could wash our clothes. Gathering her tent, she turned her gaze to the robber who continued to sit on the wet ground.
I was not yet hungry like she was, but the properties of the elves' organisms were different from those of humans, giving me a questioning look in which there was a certain question.
Silently nodded at her gaze, I began to collect a tent which I never used, I heard something fall to the ground, looking at the sound, I saw food lying on the ground in front of the robbers. The man glanced blankly from food to Keirin.
From his look, I guessed what thoughts were spinning in his head, grunting at him, I gathered in a tent, while Keirin began to examine the tree with interest. In the daylight, fruits were visible that hung on the branches and the trunk was completely black.
- I have never seen or even heard of such fruits. - Keirin said with interest in her voice as she looked at the fruit.
Going around the tree in a circle, she picked one fruit and sniffed it, taking a knife from the storage, carefully cut off a particle of it.
I watched with interest how the juice dripped from the knife to the ground, and the pleasant and alluring taste of the fruit hit my nose, feeling how saliva began to accumulate in my mouth, I swallowed and with great interest I watched Keirin examine the fruit.
- It can be eaten and often grows in these lands. - The robber spoke in a low voice.
With interest, looking at the robber who ate food, I came up with only one opportunity to verify his words. Understanding my thoughts, Keirin cut off a small part of the fruit and threw it towards the robber.
He tried to catch him but did not have time and he fell into the mud in front of him. It was evident from the man's gloomy face that he was not used to such treatment.
Looking at Keirin hoping that she would cut another piece of fruit for him, but laughing, she put the fruit into her storage and looked expectantly at the robber.
- Eat what they gave you. - Keirin said in an irritated low voice without taking her eyes off the robber.
Realizing that they would not give him a clean piece of fruit, the man took the fruit that fell into the mud with his hands, trying to clean it, and under our gaze began to eat it. I
t was evident that he had not completely cleansed it, but he had no right to demand better treatment.
Observing that the robber did not begin to behave strangely after eating food, I turned my gaze to she is pensive Keirin.
- We can pick a couple of fruits, but we'll wait a couple of days, not all poisons work right away, we'll watch our test subject. - Keirin said as she turned back to the tree.
It was clear that the rogue became dissatisfied with Keirin's words, but he had no say in this situation.
I also wanted to try this fruit, but Keirin's warning did not let me go, so I began to observe the behavior of the robber.
- How far are we from your camp? - I asked carefully looking at the robber.
It was evident that the robber was afraid to hear this question, shifting his gaze from me to the forest and looking thoughtfully around, and whispering something to himself, he again turned his head towards me.
- Several days of travel if we move only during the day. - Thoughtfully said the robber, looking at me appraisingly.
When Keirin returned, it was noticeable that she was still absorbed in thoughts about this fruit. We were in no man's land and many of the fruits and vegetables that grew here were unknown in our current world.
- Which direction do we need to go? - Keirin asked while holding a piece of fruit.
The robber began to slowly rise, ringing chains, rising and looking down at his condition, he let out a quiet sigh.
Raising his head and stretching his arms to the left, he indicated in which direction we needed to move.
Turning my gaze to the side in which the robber was pointing, I began to frown. If I remember correctly the map of this area in that direction was once the city of Avels.
- Is your campsite located in Aveley? - With concern in my voice, I asked, looking to the side where the bandit camp was supposed to be.
If my question surprised the robber, he did not show it, shaking his head, he explained that their camp was in the forest not far from the place where the abandoned city of Abel was located.
Continuing to walk along the wet ground towards the robbers' camp, Keirin and I looked at the behavior of the robber, expecting that the fruit was still poisoned, but if there were any changes, they were hidden from our eyes.
The sun was rising more and more, the singing of birds began to be heard, enjoying our journey, I tried not to think about the issues that would appear in the academy.
Leaving the field, I looked once more at the lone tree and followed Keirin. The mud became less and less, it was noticeable that the rain did not cover the entire forest; this cheered us up.
After examining myself and Keirin, if someone saw us now, I think they took us for those in need. If before leaving the camp we were dirty, now dried mud fell from our clothes.
Now I understood better why Keirin advised taking dark colors on the trip. Heading after the robbers, who went first, I thought about when I would get rid of him.
After he shows us the location of the camp and answers our questions, he will be of no use to us.My thoughts returned to what she Keirin had said to me after we left the caravan master.
I didn't want her to be even more afraid of me and one of the reasons why I didn't tell her that the remaining robbers would be killed.
Taking water out of the store and taking a little sip, feeling how the water passes from my throat down and becomes pleasantly cold.