Carrying everything home was a challenge, but as always it worked out and I placed my loot on a table in my lone hut.
'I should really get a backback or something like that', I thought.
But I didn't have anything along those lines and I had no idea where to get one. I could go to the village and ask around... but I didn't have any money and I really didn't want to go there again. Last time I was a stranger on the road, but if they see me again, they might suspect I've settled here.
'I really don't want that to happen.'
My hut wasn't really anything special. It was made of wood and straw and had only one room. The floor wasn't made of boards or so but just stones and some sticks. The furniture was more of the same, a bed in one corner, a desk-chair duo in another as well as a bigger table in the middle.
Looking from the entrance, the left wall had an opening that led to a makeshift chimney in which some ash as well as a roasting rack could be seen.
However, the only thing worth of notice was the shelf on which a row of books were placed, outclassing everything else in terms of value.
'Ah, good to see you again', I sighed mentally, as my eyes stayed on the books for a while longer than on the rest. They were my most priced possession and the reason for this way of life.
'Just gotta sort everything in and get right back to studying'
I placed my newly acquired goods one level below the books into the shelf, except for the meat, which I placed on the roasting rack in preparation for tomorrow.
With all of those chores out of the way, I could finally return to my real purpose. The reason I chose this lonesome life.
I carefully took the third book in line and carried it over to the desk, where I laid it out in front of me in an equally carefull manner. I solemnly opened it where I last stopped reading and continued in my studies about life, the universe and everything.
'Let's continue'
---
'That was everyone in the village. It looks like there is noone here even remotely worthy of this power. I dont't want to take it to my grave... But I'd rather do that than give it to someone with no worth as a human being whatsoever....'
I took a last look around the main square of the village, where the last people could be seen hurrying home before nightfall.
'Ahhhhhhh, this is bad. They could be here any time now and I've reached nothing. The only thing I could really do now is hurry up, get out of here and hope that somehow I slip past them... which is basically impossible... But what else is there to do...'
So I just took my leave into a random direction.
'I don't know of anything else in this area, so I might as well put it in fates hand.'
With the village being as small as it was, I quickly left it behind me and once again entered the forest. It was getting dark, but that didn't stop me, I Just continued on my unknown path.
---
Night had settled over the village and the streets were empty. Milton led our group, myself and Adam were right behind him, forming a triangle, as we casually walked onto what looked like the main square.
Normally I would've led the group as I'm the strongest, but under these circumstances Milton makes more sense for that role.
I still maintained my caution, just in case.
"What do you see?", I asked while observing the houses around us. 'What a lowly place. What does he want around here?'
"Traces", Milton answered, "Lot's of them. He spent a good amount of time here, just... snooping around."
"Still here?", Adam asked.
'That man, he really doesn't want to form full sentences, does he? I'm not gonna comment on that though. It's just not worth it.'
"No", Milton said, "Looks like he went in that direction." He pointed his finger at a random house.
'What?' I shook my head "Is he in there?"
"No"
"And what lies in that direction?" 'I really don't understand him. He's just running from place to place, is he searching someone? But it doesn't seem like there's any method to his madness.'
"Nothing noteworthy n' generally nothing he could reach in time.", Adam mumbled while looking up from a map he seemingly pulled out of nowhere. 'He looks just as confused as I am.'
"Doesn't matter. What matters is us catching him and I propose that we get back to doing that."
"Agreed" 'Thanks Milton' "And we are close. Really close. This is the last stretch, so let's go get him!"
And like that, we were running again. We quickly left the village behind us and followed Miltons lead.