She was back home in the church. She was happy after the endless ordeal she had dealt with. The orphans wore her down, her niece was visiting, which brought her joy.
“I don’t know why you always like things to be dark,” Teva spoke, glancing around her room
“Are you trying to be mysterious?”
"It's not working," her niece said, flicking her tail in annoyance at the setting. She flattened her ears in response.
This is my room. Don’t you have someone else to bother? She regretted looking forward to the visit, somehow forgetting how much her niece loved sunlight.
“Yea, yea, crabby.”
Here's some food from Mom. She handed her a small basket of assorted fruit.
“Thank you. Wish your mother well for me. “
"Do it yourself. You’re not stuck here. "She ignored the request; her tail still swished as she wondered why her niece was so annoyed—that was unlike her.
“Well?”
"Well, what?" Raising a brow, her niece replied.
"Are you going to tell me who stepped on your tail, or are you going to continue blaming me?" In response, she flattened her ear, narrowed her eyes, and then deflated.
“Sorry, I just haven't been happy since we came here. I got no friends…”
"You had that fox girl, Nina, didn't you?"
"Why not write to her?" Again, she flattened her ears and averted her gaze.
“She's not my friend anymore…” that surprised her.
“Why?”
“She's going to be an elder.”
“We can’t stay friends like that and it’s not the same…”
“I want a friend. “
“Not a pen pal that pities me.” She walked around the small room, with its basic but cozy bed, desk, and window, which had its window covered to reduce light; a magelight was also present. She ran her hand over the desk. “You need dust more…”
“I haven’t had time…”
"Or you're lazy," she smiled, her tail swishing. Her aunt narrowed her eyes, her own tail swishing despite being seated.
You're pushing your luck, dear niece, and if I didn't pity you, my love wouldn't make me so nice.
With a casual stretch and a taunting smirk, she replied, “Sure,” her aunt’s pity palpable as she thought of her niece's abrupt shift from a close-knit tribe filled with the warmth of familial love to a cold, impersonal village, where children were isolated, and the vibrant energy was gone, replaced by silence and a sense of disconnect.
Let's see if we can get you some work; maybe at the inn or the church.
"No, Gods no! Not the church!" she protested. She was amused by her niece. The church was wonderful. She just did not see how nice it was.
“The church teaches kids. You can try visiting them? “
“Maybe…” With that, the visit came to a quiet end with casual talks.
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***
The day started earlier than he knew; he was always used to everyone being up and food being made before he got up.
Len woke him up early, saying he needed to help get things ready if he wanted to join the adults. He did not like it, but agreed this was what he asked for. The work involved a lot of packing random things for the shop.
He knew Dad would gather supplies from barter and trades, but never knew the details. Len said it was mostly herbs and meats, some furs that they also bartered, and other things.
They used coins, especially if anyone was passing through their town at the last stop before a major journey into unknown places.
He ended up asking if they got a lot of outside trade. Len said not really, as there was another bigger town that was a crossroads to the kingdom. Their home area was more of a branch that expanded out for wood and hunting.
It helped to be close to the lake as it also made it a minor attraction for others wanting a little adventure while still being close to the city. It was tiring loading up the cart and packing random items.
They could eat breakfast afterward; it was odd knowing some things that he slept through. Len held him tight as they boarded the wagon, and kept close to him for warmth.
Mom said before they left, she would stop by later with lunch, as Dad slapped the reins. The adventure was off the tree he stared out at in the yard, creeping forward to the world he knew and then beyond;
Maybe it was waking up early or the rumble of the road, but he soon fell asleep, being held by his sister.
His sister's gentle touch woke him, brushing his hair as she reminded him of their unfinished task, clearing the cart. leaving him uncertain about the exact time that had passed.
He was not happy that this was his new adventure, but did not complain and helped unload the various items into the shop. It surprised him when two random fox-like humans started helping. He had seen no one with pointy ears or tails and could not help but stare.
"Are you a wolf? Your father mentioned you the other day. " He was tall and slim, serious-faced, and looked a little like an animal? unsure of how to respond.
“Don’t be rude, brother,” Leena interjected from his side
“Yes, his name is Wolf.”
"I forgot he hasn't seen many beastkin," the man smiled and nodded, unloading the cart and ignoring the boy's lack of response. Noticing the boy's wonder, the girl jumped in to share the moment.
"I'm Nina." Her red hair and wagging tail were oddly pretty, a combination that puzzled him.
How could anyone do that? He had never seen a tail on a human before, so he watched it wag. She saw his attention and wagged more in response.
“Stop being rude, brother.”
“Mom raised you better than that,” his sister chided.
"It's just too much right now," he retorted. The girl stopped wagging her tail, her playful energy subsiding into a quiet stillness.
“Sorry, I’ll get back to work,” and left past the male foxman, causing him to flatten his ear as she left.
“Don’t mind my sister.” Foxman spoke
" She can be overly friendly, but she means well." Wolf wasn't sure what he had done wrong. He had been a little too reserved, but it was all happening faster than he could process.
“No, I was rude.”
“You’re still humans…Um, I didn’t catch your name?” Wolf wondered
"It is Nebo, and that was my sister."He gazed into the distance. She was putting stuff away, looking sad, even though she'd been happy just a sec ago.
He figured his sis was gonna yell at him, but she went and comforted Nina. He didn't wanna stir things up, so he unloaded instead.
Despite the work and waking up early, nothing really happened after that incident, which surprised him. He thought the shop would get hundreds of people with all the things they brought.
Len smiled and explained normally that things started quiet,
and that when Nina came edging back, trying to get close, her mood seemed better even though she had been upset before.
“Sorry, I was rude. You seem like a nice person.” He tried being nice. Her tail wagged, and her ear perked up at that. She quit trying to hide herself, getting close and jumping close instead.
“It’s ok!”
“Where're new here, too!”
“I had a friend who came here before me. “
“I have not seen her in a while, so I was hoping to make new friends or even a new family!”
The words came quickly and threw him off, causing his sister to laugh a bit. She was definitely a cheerful person, he thought as conversations carried on more casually. It was nice.
But it quickly got boring again. When nothing really happened, it felt like being trapped in the house once more…
This was not what he wanted. His sister tried to say this was normally what she did. The few times they wondered or gathered herbs were her break from work. He felt bad that he assumed she was going on a grand adventure, leaving him behind, so he told her so.
"Sorry, Len," she giggled. "I thought you were always exploring without me."
“Nonsense, brother, you make the adventure fun. “
“Truly gathering herbs bore me,”
“It is you running around that keeps me on my toes, that makes it more enjoyable.” Nina heard that and wanted to chime in.
“I love gathering my brother, too!”
“Well, he’s more into reading or doing more boring work.” She looked lost in thought as she said that. Nebo was in the back checking inventory, but she was speaking loud enough that he heard and replied to his view.
“I’m more of a bookworm or merchant, but I don’t mind gathering herbs.”
As he thought of replying, Dad, who was randomly overseeing the few customers who were shopping, chimed in.
“I told you before.”
“We kept you at home because we were off to work.”
“And it was for your own good. Work is work.” Wolf deflated a bit at that, but Dad said a moment later.
“But you worked hard and broke nothing.” That surprised him to want to defend himself.
“Why would I break anything?! “
“You have in the past.”
“We used to always bring you to the shop.”
"You pulled too many random items, creating a safety hazard for yourself and the shop. "Nina laughed at that, which embarrassed him.
"NO!" He refused to accept the blame for something he could not remember. Len smiled and tried to be a peacemaker.
“It was a few years ago.”
“You were still barely walking. It was no big deal,” he still felt attacked and did not like how he had no way to defend himself.
Dad spoke up after that, “What I meant is you helped and saved us time when your mother gets here with food.”
“We can watch the shop if you want, search near the lake for herbs.”
"Really?" both he and his sister said. Dad smiled and replied,
Yes. They both grabbed and embraced him. He laughed and was happy, too. He acted stern, but he loved his family dearly.
He felt downcast in that instant. He pushed them too hard, but they never complained. Well, Leena never complained. A silent sigh escaped him. He was so happy the new foxkin had found him for work and helped so much with the supplies.
It also gives the kids more time to find themselves. It was then he noticed Nina fidgeting nearby.
“Can I go too? “He did not see why not. He looked at Nebo, who was also nearby, and he looked indifferent to the matter but still spoke.
“I would like to stay and keep working in the shop. You have a few records I'd like to review. “
Dad nodded, grateful that He wanted to work on that and spoke to address Nina.
My children like you, and I don't mind you joining them. A broad smile spread across Nina's face as she expressed her thanks with a cheerful, "Thank you."
Jumping up and down in her excitement, which brought a smile to Len's face, who seemed pleased to have her along. Wolf remained indifferent.
Some time passed after that small bout of excitement with Len, Wolf, and Nina playing tag in the shop. After some time, Dad gave a stern look but said nothing, though they took the hint, and did not want to ruin their good time. Mom brought sandwiches that made everyone happy. She was told about the plan to let them gather herbs, and she approved.
As Wolf hugs and kisses his mom and dad goodbye, they quickly rush off to the real adventure. Mom yelled after them to stay safe and be home before the setting sun. as dad watched them go, Elinor smiled as she watched her kids and the fox girl go.
“So, dear, what changed? “
“We never talked about letting kids go play early.”
“That’s not like you, not that I disapprove, just wondering.” he held her in an embrace, then kissed her gently, and she smiled. “You did not answer my question? “
“No, I did not. She grinned, gave him a light smack on the chest, and pulled away.
“So, are you going to talk, or do I have to make you?”
“tempting but no need. I’ll talk there growing up and the world is bigger than our little village.”
“I fear one day they will want to explore it and get hurt.”
“I’ve been to a city, I’ve been to a dungeon,”
“And I’ve seen magic that many here still don’t believe.”
“Even though it is common elsewhere. “
“I notice business picking up not just from explorers, but those interested in expanding beyond the city…”
“I just think we should plan ahead. “
“Leena doesn’t complain, but don’t think she or Wolf want to run our shop. So let them find what they want.”
Elinor thought to herself, amused, while slowly fixing her husband’s shirt
“I thought you would be more stubborn.”
“But nice to see the wise, handsome man I married.”
“Knowing how not only to treat a lady, but also his kids.” She looked up into his eyes, and he looked away, blushing.
"If you say so, my fair lady," he said as she leaned into him to enjoy the rest of their day before evening.
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Finally free! With joy after all the hardship he endured, it finally felt like it paid off as they ran down the street, enjoying the sight, and all the people he never really knew were here in the village. Some frowned at their passing, but the majority ignored them as kids playing.
It took a bit of time, but they made it to the lake. Wolf was tired from the day and asked if he could rest. Leena, used to the busy days, was fine and did not mind. She agreed to him resting while she explored for herbs with Nina nearby.
She stressed not to wander as anything could happen in the world full of magic.
Wolf agreed, though he did not believe her, thinking she used that as an excuse to make sure he stayed. As he was catching his breath, watching her and Nina scout nearby for any easy herb, He admired their strength and how they could keep going. He watched her for a while till they wandered past deeper into the trees beyond the lake.
The calm of it all overwhelmed him a bit. Everything was new; he looked out at the lake’s clear, still waters, amazed at how his hometown had had such wonders.
The lake itself was vast and clear. Until a fisherman in the distance caught his eye. So he waved and shouted, "Hello!" They must have been sleeping. Then jerked slightly, looked into the distance, saw him, and waved briefly before falling back asleep.
He laughed at that when he heard Leena’s voice coming from behind. “Who were you talking to, brother? “
The fisher over there. I’ve never seen them before.” She looked into the distance and saw them in the same spot as before: lazy fishing.
“I think I’ve seen them before,” Nina stated while studying them, swishing her tail and trying to get a better look.
"Me too," Leena agreed. Their brothers moved to town a few months ago.
“Really?” he replied, learning something new. How many people are there?
Leena thought to herself, "I'm not sure." A few hundred, at least, probably more? Never tried counting them. "
Wow, we have many people! “
Not really. Crossroad town has a thousand or more. Last I heard, it was still growing. Nina grabbed him from behind and then added her thoughts.
“And you should see the city people everywhere. It was too much for me, so I left.”
He could not imagine that many people and just said,” You’re both amazing for knowing so much.” Leena ruffled his hair and handed him some herbs to hold. Please hold these for me. I think I found some berries, but heard you yell, so I came back.
"OK! "he was excited; it was a rare treat when she brought berries
"Hey, me too!" Nina also rushed to join her, leaving him holding the random herbs. The herbs she brought were a mix of a few spices. Maybe they could be used for dinner tonight. He watched the lake once more while he waited. Leena came back soon after.
“I wish I had brought something to carry these with. I forgot about the excitement of an early day." She looked in the distance for a moment before continuing.” How about this? We enjoy these Berries now?”The view is beautiful. Then we picked some more for Mom, Dad, and Nebo; she gave him the rare treasure of the sweets.
Nina plopped down near him, annoying him slightly. She was really friendly but always smiling. So he only minded a little. His sister was also near him, enjoying the moment. The rest of the day seemed to pass quickly as he told them about his desire for adventure.
Nina loved it, and she listened closely to his story. His sister, though, was more focused on things that still needed to be done when they went home.
The trip back to the shop was just as tiring for him, but he managed while Nina told of her adventures coming to this town. When they made it to the shop, they shared their bounty. Nebo did not care for sweets but thanked us, anyway.
Mom and Dad enjoyed it much more than it was time to close the shop. We wished the foxkin well with promises to Nina to do it again another time with Nebo, more focused on working much like his sister…
Back home during the evening meal, he retold their adventure to his parents. Leena, thinking of her brother, asked about setting aside some time for Wolf to play with Coby, but Dad frowned despite the good day. He had his dad sour it by reminding him there would be more work. Before playing, he nodded in understanding and ended the day’s adventure.
Exhausted and weary from a previous early awakening, he questioned why he had to rise so early once more; Leena, his usual culprit, roused him with the same familiar prompt, assuring him that today's tasks would be easier, yet the shop still required their attention before the expected influx of customers arrived.
With a low grumble, he questioned the existence of any significant crowds. He attempted to engage her, but she carried on with her morning routine, ignoring his attempts. With surprising ease, they arrived at the shop, and to his astonishment...
With alert ears and a body already straightened, Nebo was prepared to get to work, a stark contrast to Nina, whose droopy ears and low tail revealed her fatigue; however, upon seeing him, her ears perked up and her tail gave a slight wag.
“Morning, wolf! “ Nina said with joy
“Morning, you’re both here early. “
“YEA! Brother said if we wanted to prove ourselves,”
"It's important to keep arriving early, " said, feeling annoyed, disliking the public discussion of private matters. Her brother flattened his ear, yet their diligence earned them Dad's thanks and approval.
But just like he thought this morning, nothing was happening… in fact, Leena, Dad, and Nebo were doing all the work while he watched. His attempts at help were made redundant, as the tasks were already completed, or were disruptive. Hindering the workflow, even Nina, quietly humming to herself as she busied herself with minor duties.
Contributed to the overall impression that this was less collaborative work and more an exercise in individual effort. Frustrated by the lack of things to do or have, he found himself bored and unhappy. His father, sensing his son's distress, took pity on him and spoke.
“You see that shelf in the corner?” he knew it well; he saw it repeatedly in his boredom. It had a few minor displayed items. “Well, clear that shelf and you’re done for the day.”
That surprised him. Mom had not even come yet, so it was even earlier. He got excited but then asked.
“What about Len? I can’t go without her?” Dad replied.
“I was going to let Nina take you home and come back. She used to travel. He was heartbroken that not even two days had passed, and he was no longer needed. Dad noticed his mistake and changed how he said it.
I meant you could help your mother bring food, and afterward, you all could play. Leena smiled; he felt a sense of a mission, one only he could fulfill.
He cleared the shelf of random items; afterward, walking with Nina to his home, she told him stories. Mom was surprised to see them and was already leaving the house.
He was not used to all the walking and was getting tired and wanted to rest. Nina said she could stay with him, but he did not like feeling like a burden, but gave in quickly, as he really needed to rest. Why was everyone else so full of energy? Before his mom left, she hugged and kissed him, leaving them a small meal.
He showed his house off to Nina, who took everything in with excitement. He enjoyed her company a little, but she was much too happy for a normal house. Taking his food, he went to the room and left it on a counter. He asked Nina if he could be alone for a bit.
As he wanted to rest, she agreed easily enough, and he thought just a little nap and slept before he even knew it had happened. He awoke to an unknown amount of time passing, the meal still wrapped beside his bed.
"Nina?" He worried she might leave or become bored while waiting for him.
“I’m still here."She rushed into the room, smiling." So, you're awake? “
“Yeah, sorry, still getting used to so much travel. “
"It's okay! Are we going to eat? " He was surprised she hadn't eaten without him while waiting, so he finally unwrapped the food to reveal bread, cheese, and fruit.
Which he shared with Nina, and they both ate happily. But Wolf couldn’t help but wonder at the odd pair here.
“Why did you come to this village?” she was happily shaking her tail, but after that, it stopped, and her ears pressed down a bit. He wondered if he should not have asked that.
"It's not really a secret... I kind of ran away," she admitted, fidgeting with her fingers. He wasn't sure what to say.
To that, she did not look that old; she reminded him of his sister in age. She continued while he was lost in thought. “I was supposed to be an Edler.”
“But I did not want a tribe worshiping me.”
"So I left."
“And then we went from place to place looking for a home.”
“I had another friend here I hadn’t seen yet.”
“But we grew distant, so they might not want to see me anyway….”
"Won't they come for you?" She laughed at that.
“I say I ran away,”
“But I still got the elder's blessing to leave.”
"No one ever forced me."
“But I also never felt I had a choice.”
“But this is my choosing. "Her ears were down, and she seemed defeated. He wasn’t sure how to comfort her.
"Well, you are here now," he said
“And my sister likes you, so that should be enough.” She laughed at that.
"Yes, it is," she said, eating in silence after that talk.
The trip back to the shop was still tiring, but Nina kept his mind off it as they made their way back. His sister was worried they were gone for a while, even with Mom assuring them they were okay . He asked his sister why she didn’t come looking for him, and she got a sly smile.
Saying she wanted him to have time alone with his new friend…
He wasn’t sure what she was hinting at, but it annoyed him and made Nina blush. His nap wasn’t that long, it seemed, since it was only a little later in the afternoon.
Dad ended up talking to Nina and Nebo, letting them know they could keep working full time, which made them both happy. Dad, he also insisted they camp near their home since their now official employees. Overall, it was a good day, and he looked forward to what was to come.
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