Multiple months passed but the monotonous routine of serfdom never changed. The only difference in the village was the change from grain as their main food source to meat from butchered animals as the seasons changed to winter. I could finally stomach tougher food than soup so being able to eat more meat was a great change.
The cawing of roosters woke me early in the morning as they have every morning since arriving here. Something felt different today. No. Something was different. I moved the blanket aside and swung my body so that my feet hung slightly above the floor. They were no longer bruised and looked more or less fully healed. However there was only one way to find out if the looks were deceiving. Taking a leap of faith my legs descend until they are touching the ground. Pushing off the bed I slowly put more and more weight on my feet until I am standing up straight and unsupported. "Ahh" I yelp as a loose my balance and come crashing to the wooden floor face first.
Lydia quickly comes running into the room with a worried look on her face. "Are you ok?" Practically yelling she moves to pick me up. "Wait. I think I can do it myself." I smile at her hoping to convince her. "If you think you can Alex. Just don't get hurt please." She took a few steps back and stood in anticipation. I slowly pushed myself back up using the bed as leverage. My legs pop from the sudden use. Lydia Silently cheers as I stand up without support and don't fall.
With half of the battle done the only thing left to do is actually walk. Slowly raising my left foot I set it in front of the right foot following it up with the opposite foot once again. The steps are wobbly and awkward but I do not fall. In six steps I make it to Lydia before my unused legs begin to give out from already being exhausted. Lydia supports me as we make or way to the main room.
"The cripple walks huh. Congratulations." Marcus is at the table fiddling with something in his hands. He evacuates the room in quick succession as he always has when I arrive.
"He seems slightly happier than usual." My joke makes Lydia chuckle a little. "I think he is warming up to you now that you have regained some strength." she helps lower me to the chair. "Try to stand and walk as much as possible to help regain the strength in your legs." The small but joyful celebration now over we get straight to work. The hood on my tunic is now perfect. I start to work on a pair of gloves with scrap material to insulate against the bone chilling cold of winter.
Over the next couple of days I slowly regain more and more strength. Although I still have a very prominent limp I can now navigate our house without faltering. The house is a lot smaller than I originally realized. There is only four rooms total. My room, Marcus and Lydia's, the main room, and a small pantry. Marcus and Lydia's room was only slightly larger than mine.
While I am yet to go outside and see everything else around the house I know we have a small garden as Lydia explained to me one day when I asked were we got our food. Marcus's forge is supposed to be right across from the garden As Lydia described it. It is more like a platform with a roof and two stone walls were the furnace and anvil are. A lot of the smithing materials are held in a secure shed by the back of the house.
Now that my legs are somewhat working I hope that Lydia will let me out of the house. However until then I will simply be grateful for everything she and Marcus have done.
After another afternoon spent pacing the house I wander into the main room to see if Lydia needs help. Leaving my room and entering the main room I see Lydia on her knees by the cooking pit trying to kindle a fire. Hearing my footsteps she Turns to face me with a beaming smile on her face.
"Perfect timing. Be a dear and start this fire for me." without hesitation I take the fire starter from her and get to work. Lydia leaves the main room and enters her room. After a handful of minutes I turn to Lydia who has now returned. "There you g.." before I finish the sentence Lydia thrusts a bool in my face. "Surprise!" I take the book with a smile on my face. Feeling Lydias gaze I wipe the slight amount of dust from the cover and read it. J
"Thank you so much Lydia!" I am actually very excited to read the book. I have heard some tales about Cardonian history from Lydia but she doesn't know too much. This gift if quite sudden though. "I have to ask. Why the gift?" from what I understand there is no way the book was cheap since they have to be hand copied.
"I know a lot of things must weigh on your mind Alex but you have been a "God send" I know you have an interest in history so Marcus used a portion of his savings to buy this from a Temple of Mina right out side of Callien." Hearing that Marcus was involved is surprising. The way he avoids me and never wants to speak to me makes me think he hates me. Honestly he might hate me it is entirely possible Lydia used her wifely charms to convince him.
Lydia seems to always hold some indescribable sway over Marcus. He holds a rough and emotionless exterior but I can tell he deeply cares about Lydia. She is probably the only person that can bring out the soft side in him.
"Lydia. From the Bottom of my heart. Thank you for everything you do."