I remember my grandmother told me about how the world was sent into chaos. The death and even further death when society realized there was no government aid, no sanctuaries to call home, that those who were left either barely survived or died slowly from radiation poisoning. The rest of us turned into survivors or were driven insane from lack of socialization or the new conditions their bodies were going through. I thought about those deaths as he led me around the compound.
"What's over there?" I pointed to the two guardsmen by a door.
"Nothing important. A precaution, nothing more." Thor responded.
He avoided my gaze and continued on, showing me the irrigation system where I could collect my own water if need be. The well itself was substantial. Ten people could collect water at once if they saw fit to. Ropes were looped neatly onto hooks.
"A precaution I should worry about?" I asked after he paused and seemed to hesitate.
"No, you will be fine." His smile was forced, tensed. I simply nodded in response as he walked quickly forward and I allowed some distance between us.
That hardly felt convincing as I raised an eyebrow. Thor's shoulder's tensed as he waited for me to follow him. Jaw clenched as if dreading any more questions. Part of me just wanted to ask questions to see how he would react. Volatile natures were normal for me to see, this Order was a world apart from the rest I had passed by. Most Orders had open trade, but only through merchants and then rations split amongst the people under their mercy. Too often I saw those go hungry. Here, everyone was smiling around me as they flitted through the market. There was a sense of joy everywhere, but this was a piece of secrecy I was drawn to. Leverage meant I would stay alive. However, curiosity had a way of leading to trouble as I learned more than once before.
Snapping my head up from a noise, a small gasp of surprise, I saw a young woman probably near my age stumble as Thor caught her shoulders. They chatted a moment as she laughed and he shook his head, but not in disgust. There was familiarity and comradery as his eyes softened and smirk widened into a smile. He gestured back to me and she looked surprised. Quickly she turned her wide eyes and pursed lips into a smile as she waved.
"Hello, you're Milana," she said. Her blonde hair practically glittered in the sun, her green eyes were full of interest and wonder, a small sheen of sweat coated her fair skin as red appeared on her shoulders from too much time outdoors. Her clothes were plain, a sleeveless cotton grey top and black shorts, and her brown sandals were worn. It was obvious from her body tone she worked hard here. "My name is Ivy."
"Ivy here needs some help in her metal shop. She repurposes items, but I won't steal her chance to shine. Since you're so keen on finding something to do, I have duties to attend to and I leave you in her hands," Thor said. I nodded as he turned to leave waving without looking back at us. "Don't have too much fun!"
"He's a brat, but he's a good Second," Ivy said with a giggle. "Anyway, I'm glad to have some help, today is chaotic since my helpers are other places right now."
She motioned for me to follow her. A carefree gracefulness radiated from her, a likeable quality. Her arms swung freely as swore I heard her humming quietly to herself. A small burst of envy ran through me.
Ivy waved to people as they greeted her, and nodded with acknowledgement to me before continuing on their way. Most would regard a Wild as a leper of sorts in other Orders. The more I followed her, the more out of place I felt. A shallow tingle worked its way up the back of my neck as the uneasiness grew.
"Here's my shop," she said gesturing to the small wooden shack with an open front.
A canvas was rolled up above the entry, but I could imagine it being used if the weather was less than promising. There were two benches with work stations neatly put together with hammers and other small tools. The shop was orderly and full of many items. Braces and other armor, jewelry, decorative wall pieces, and other trinkets lined the walls. The craftsmanship of the pieces made me forget I was here to help, not shop.
"It's not much but I work hard. A lot of my customers ask for custom items, just depends. Do you know how to do metal work?"
"No, sadly, but this is beautiful work," I said looking at a necklace shaped like a flower.
Metal strands crossed over each other until they formed the image. The leather strand it hung from was also well made, I could imagine the shops traded a lot with each other.
"I'll just have you do some finishing work, polishing, and if you want to do some more just let me know," Ivy said as she pointed to one of the benches.
There were leather strands for necklaces and a small brush with rough material on the other side of the handle, water was in a bowl off to the side and gloves.
As I walked to the bench, I sat down looking at the items with wide eyes. She smiled at me with reassurance as she showed me each item and what they were used for. Pendants and rings were the main items in front of me as she showed me how to properly polish each one and to adorn with leather straps if needed. When she felt confident enough for me to work on my own, she went to her bench and crafted her artwork.
A few walked in and chatted with her. Her smile never fading and voice always kind. No one bothered me, and when people did ask who I was she quickly redirected them by saying I was her new helper and to just let me work. Grateful didn't even begin to describe the emotion every time she allowed me to just stay absorbed in my work. However, I kept thinking to that guarded walk way. While my hands continued working diligently, that sense of curiosity grew as I became comfortable enough with my projects to let my mind wander.
"Milana, you doing okay?" Ivy called out from her bench as the brightness from the sky was dimming. I looked up noticing she was walking over. As always, with a smile. "Wow, this is awesome! I may just hire you full time."
My face flushed from her compliment as she inspected my work. She had done so here and there in the beginning but now she seemed even more impressed. A warm surge of pride warmed my body as my cheeks grew even more red.
"Thank you," I said.
"Good work deserves the credit," she said as her eyes lit up walking over to some of her items, pulling one down. I recognized the leather strap and the piece that hung from it. The flower I looked at earlier. "For a job well done. Here you go."
I hesitated to reach for it and she smiled even more. "May I?" she asked as she held the necklace up to me.
I nodded as she put the necklace over my head and adjusted it so it fell just below my collar bone. Beaming ear to ear she nodded her head in approval. I touched it and let my fingers embrace the cool metal against my flushed skin.
"I… um, thank you," I said. Not knowing how to really thank her.
"Don't you dare thank me, you did about two days worth of work in a few hours." Laughing, she waved her hand dismissively. "Well, at least two days worth to my other helpers. You're more than welcome here any time if you'd like to learn some more. I was a Wild once, for a small amount of time. I was from the Mountain Order and made my way up here. I hope you consider it a home one day."
"Wait, you were a Wild?" I asked, eyes widened with shock.
"Oh, only for a few months until I wandered here. Thor helped me get out of a tight spot and I set up shop here. In any case, Thor will be back at the compound where you met him earlier. He said he'd keep an eye out. Need an escort?"
Ivy dismissed the idea of being a Wild very quickly. Some couldn't handle being alone, while I wish I could stay that way forever. The idea came swift when she asked if I needed an escort. My chance to wander freely for a moment and fulfill a curiosity. "No, I'll be fine. I remember how to get there."
The layout wasn't complicated, but I had a feeling the escort wasn't for my well being. The windows of the fortress lined every room, at least the length of two men between every window. However, there were only doorways on the first floor. Most had open wooden doors lined with iron brackets and braces. Trusting of them to keep doors wide open. However, I could see where opening the large doors would be rather daunting if unnecessary to do so.
I'd felt as though they were watching me. Eyes lingered on me when my back was turned, I could feel the heat of them burning through my skin. Even for moment I wanted to escape it. The metal work helped for the time, but my body was itching with anticipation to roam.
"Well, alright. Just don't take too long, dinner time is coming up soon." Her voice shook for a moment, and I could sense a moment of unease.
Ivy was once a Wild, same as me, but even though her time was short it was still something I'd like to know more of someday. Part of me wondered if everyone here was a Wild once. I stifled that thought before it became too prominent. I had another idea that took priority. Dirty secrets were my specialty to find.
I walked towards the fortress of stone and metal. Truly a magnificent structure that stood a testament to time and the brutality it faced in the Calamity fifty years ago. This strong hold seemed to house nearly everyone as there were only smaller huts outside. However, I had a feeling when winter came the activity simply moved indoors and hardly slowed down the economy.
The archway with the guards I spied upon earlier was before me with no guards in sight.
Windows lined the space above it, but no one was watching there either. Ivy had said it was dinner time, but were the guards really that naive. Or perhaps they trusted their people to not be too curious, or that everyone was also eating. Either way this suited my needs just fine. Looking around me, I saw and felt no eyes this time. The burning had gone away and the pulling need to know what was here came instead. Curiosity was a trait that usually got me in trouble instead of helping, but this Order was too good to be true. Their offer was too kind, their people too willing to help an outsider, and I had to know what I was getting myself into.