Chapter 5
817 Words
...Who is that? ...No, I see now—it’s a man!!! But what is he doing in the house with the door closed?! He looks injured?! What a big, heavy man! — I thought to myself as I dragged him into the room and onto the couch.
Alright, those filthy clothes need to come off. I am never doing something like this again! Better cut them off. A bunch of small scratches, and a few deep cuts on his back, but nothing else. Okay, back’s done—now I need to roll this lump over.
— Ugh! Couldn't you be just a little smaller? What have you been eating, bear stew?! You’re impossible to lift, you lump!
The front was more serious. Three deep cuts — one on the shoulder, another across the stomach, and... well, one lower than that. I quickly cleaned and dressed two of them, but the third one took some effort... because I was embarrassed, even though the man was unconscious.
Once I was done, I went to the bath, fetched warm water to wash the injured stranger. While wiping him down, I kept wondering—why am I even doing this? But what else could I do, just leave him? No, I couldn’t. People had helped me too, back when I was in trouble.
When I finished, I wrapped him up in a blanket, lit the fireplace, and turned to unpack the bags of food and supplies I had brought back.
After unpacking everything, I started preparing dinner. I thought, "I’ll cook something first, then sleep — I’m so tired." But no, first a proper meal, then sleep. For dinner, I decided to make fried meat with a herb sauce using the greens I had gathered, and some baked potatoes. I even discovered an old oven — it looked ancient but baked beautifully.
After eating, I went straight to bed. I had to get up early the next day.
I woke up at dawn, surprisingly refreshed and cheerful. Heading down to the kitchen, I began kneading dough for meat pies. I wanted to bring a bit of comfort and warmth into this house. As the delicious smell of freshly baked pies spread through the kitchen, I put a fragrant herbal blend on to steep.
Then I remembered — there’s still that injured stranger in my house.
I wonder… has he woken up?
Want to keep going from there — maybe he wakes up? Maybe he starts talking?
In the morning while I was doing some houswork I heard how someone approching me.
— Who are you? — I asked. How did you even get in here?
— I’m actually the owner of this house! He said looking at like I was a wild enimal.
— Prove it. I said trying to sound more confidant.
— What do you want to know, or how would you like me to prove it?! He said.
— I… I don’t know… — I stammered.
— Alright, upstairs there’s a bedroom with a big wardrobe, it’s divided into several sections. There’s also a hidden exit.
— Where? I didn’t find it!
— It’s hidden for a reason. Come, I’ll show you.
We walked into the room. He approached a bookshelf. On the top shelf were two identical scroll knobs. He turned them both at the same time — a side door opened, leading outside.
He really is the owner, I thought.
— Now tell me, who are you? He asked folding his hands on his brid chest.
— I’m an orphan. I said looking down.
— More details!!
So I had to tell him everything I remembered:
My parents died long ago. We used to live near the borderlands, where dark creatures roamed. Breaches were common — many people died. Now they’re building a wall and a military garrison. In the last major wave, many villages, mages, and soldiers were lost while protecting the border.
We were a poor family. I had no relatives. I wandered here from the borderlands. I barely remember my parents — I was very young. Sometimes vague images come back. I just stumbled upon this cottage, knocked, but no one answered. I pushed the door — it was open. That’s all.
— When exactly did you come here?
— It’ll be a year this summer since I started living here.
— But the supplies would’ve only lasted a month, maybe six weeks.
I hesitated before answering:
— I rationed carefully… Read your books about herbs… Gathered a bit. This spring I found rare ones and traded them in the nearest village for food.
— You’re a clever girl. Who taught you to read?
— No one. I found a children’s book on your shelf.
You’re not angry I’ve been living here… are you? I looked up at him with hope in my heart as I really did not have anywhere to go.
- Writer
