Alina occasionally glanced at her friend throughout the entire journey, even though she initially spoke against the boy. Just like her father, the child saw in the boy a spoiled troublemaker who would only cause them trouble. So today, she was glad to have him by her side. Not as help, but as company.
The wall rose in light stones all the way up to the wooden roof of the rather small house in front of them, just slightly larger than theirs. Like theirs, it comprised two rooms: one for living and one for sleeping. Her hand rested on the rough wood of the door as she cautiously approached, her head leaning in.
From inside, she could hear her father. As usual, his loud voice indicated the man's fiery temperament. However, she couldn't understand what was being said, not even when she pressed her ear against the wood. Only once did she hear the command to leave. Then a woman's voice, softer but with a dangerous tone.
Knock... Knock... The boy's knuckles rapped loudly against the wood. And right next to her, causing Alina to jump in fright, right into his arms.
"Just open the door," Ero said. "If the old man sends his little bounty hunter again, you can't refuse anyway!"
Unfortunately, he was right, she realized. Alina squeezed past him, heading for the doorknob. She slowly turned it and then entered, accompanied by a spark of curiosity about who this woman might be, who could anger her father so much. That was solely reserved for her.