One year had passed since Papa came home injured from his hunting trip. The village was bustling with life, its cobbled streets filled with merchants, villagers, and children playing. The sun was high, casting a warm glow over the busy market square. At six years old, I had grown more confident and independent. Mama and Papa had given me more freedom to explore the village on my own, trusting that I would stay out of trouble. Today, I decided to head to the market square, eager to see what new things I could discover.
* * *
The village was alive with activity. I walked past familiar stalls, greeted by the friendly faces of merchants and villagers. The scents of fresh bread and ripe fruit filled the air, mingling with the sounds of chatter and laughter.
"Good morning, Mrs. Maren!" I called out to the baker, who waved back with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Keyn! Be sure to try one of our new pastries later," she replied cheerfully.
As I made my way towards the center of the market square, I heard a commotion nearby. Curious, I followed the noise and soon found a group of children gathered in a circle. At the center, a boy about my age was being pushed around and taunted.
"Hey, what's going on here?" I demanded, pushing my way through the circle.
The boy being bullied had tears in his eyes and a look of helplessness on his face. The other children, bigger and older than us, were laughing and shoving him.
"Leave him alone!" I shouted, stepping in front of himvand glaring at the bullies. "What did he ever do to you?"
One of the bullies, a tall boy with a sneer on his face, crossed his arms and looked down at me. "Why do you care? He's just a spoiled brat."
"It doesn't matter who he is. Bullying is wrong, and you need to stop," I said firmly, feeling a surge of anger and determination.
The bullies hesitated for a moment, surprised by my defiance. They exchanged glances, unsure of how to react. I could feel my heart pounding, but I stood my ground, ready to defend no matter what.
"Fine, whatever. Let's go," the tall boy finally muttered, rolling his eyes. "He's not worth it anyway."
One by one, the bullies dispersed, leaving us standing in the middle of the square. I turned to him, my anger fading into concern.
"Are you okay?" I asked, helping him to his feet.
"Yeah, thanks," he replied, wiping his eyes. "I'm Zed. What's your name?"
"I'm Keyn. Nice to meet you, Zed."
* * *
As we walked away from the square, I learned more about Zed. He was new to the village, having recently moved here with his family. His father was a wealthy merchant, but Zed didn't seem like the spoiled brat the bullies had claimed he was.
"My father says making friends is important, but it's been hard," he admitted, looking down at the ground. "Thank you for standing up for me, Keyn."
"No problem. Bullies are just cowards who pick on others to feel strong," I said confidently. "We should stick together."
Over the next few days, Zed and I became fast friends. We played together, explored the village, and shared stories. One afternoon, while we were sitting under a tree near the market, our fathers approached us, deep in conversation.
"Keyn, Zed, what are you two up to?" Papa asked with a smile.
"We're just talking, Papa. Did you know Zed's father is a merchant?" I replied excitedly.
"And did you know Keyn's father is one of the best hunters in the village?" he added, looking at Zed with a grin.
It turned out that our fathers were close friends through their work, often trading goods and sharing stories. They laughed as they realized we had become friends without knowing about their connection.
"Looks like our sons have followed in our footsteps, making friends and supporting each other," Papa said, ruffling my hair.
"Indeed. I'm glad to see they have each other's backs," Zed's father agreed, placing a hand on Zed's shoulder.
* * *
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the village, I felt a deep sense of happiness. Not only had I made a new friend, but I had also learned the importance of standing up for others and building strong, supportive relationships.
"Zed, let's make a promise," I said, looking at him seriously. "No matter what, we'll always stand up for each other and be the best friends we can be."
"I promise, Keyn," he replied, smiling.