Jaren stumbles around eating and getting dressed, then he limps out his door. Bright sunlight shining down through the different hues of leaves from above casts a beautiful arrangement of light onto Jaren as he steps out his door. The journey to New Rustion takes twice as long as usual.
When Haimont's smithy is in sight Jaren collapses, he slowly crawls towards the the smithy. Suddenly, Jaren is high up in the air being packed towards his destination. He is sat down inside and given water. Haimont asks, "Now lad, didn't you think I offered for ya to sleep here for a reason?"
Jaren painfully responds "Yes... I wanted to talk to you... About the pain. It's all over and only used my arms."
"Aye lad," Haimont responds, "see ya arms will be sore from the labor, and ya legs well they be sore from exhaustion. I remember my first day. I worked all day and made four swords. Couldn't move for two days nearly. Now, still ya used to the work ya need to stay here and have Elle help ya muscles from being to sore to work. Elle!"
A soft voice replies "Yes, dear. I over heard. I'm on it now. Come see, Jaren."
Jaren slowly walks to Elle. She was a strong woman with bright red hair and beautiful brown eyes. Jaren says "Ma'am?"
"I'm going to show you a few stretches you should do when you wake up. This'll help your muscles. Then, afterwards if need be I will massage your arms. Can't go smithing and not be able to lift your arms"
"Yes, ma'am. I await your instruction."
Elle gave Jaren a quick arm massage and showed him some stretches that he could do daily. Jaren does the stretches as instructed. He then walks to the smithy. Haimont refreshes Jaren on the process. After the refresher, Jaren makes 3 swords better quality than the day before. Harold shows Jaren how to attach the hilts onto the swords.
All sat as if they were a family, Haimont, Harold, Elle, and Jaren sit and eat dinner in Haimont and Elle's estate. Jaren is situated in the spare room across from Harold. Jaren heads into the room and collapses on the bed and sticks to his thoughts.
Lord, what have I gotten myself into? This is more difficult than I ever expected. Tomorrow I should see about getting my own smithing apron and some new clothes. That's if I am allowed. I wish I could just sleep, but damn I'm just hurting all over.
In time Jaren drifts into sleep. He is rattled and moves around frantically in his sleep. It's memories from the raid.
Burning buildings are dotting the plain of sight. Smoke scattered across the horizon. Flesh set ablaze burns the nostrils.Panic sets in as Jaren starts searching. They are no where to be found. Heart beat speeds up and he starts running. Running. Running. Jaren's house is in sight and then someone throws in a torch. The running hastens, but the house gets further and further away. Jaren trips and falls endlessly.
Suddenly Jaren wakes up sweating. He walks to a water basin and washes his face. Returning to the room Jaren encounters Harold. "I still have nightmares occasionally," Harold says to Jaren.
"Mine make me feel like I could've been there for my parents and helped them," Jaren says somberly.
"I'm sorry. If there is anyway I can help let me know. You're like a brother to me."
"I appreciate it. Do you think your dad would let me go buy a smithing apron and some new clothes tomorrow? Since, I will be staying for a week."
"Yeah, he shouldn't mind just so long as you ask and get back early enough to do some work. And, you need to get some sleep. I will see you tomorrow"
"Thanks again. Sleep well," said Jaren. Harold and Jaren depart from the hall and head to bed. This time Jaren sleeps more soundly. As the sun rises, light shines down upon Jaren in different shades of green, blue, and orange. Jaren awakens and gazes at the beautiful stained glass window situated at the left of the room. The window is a picture of an orange flowers backed by a blue sky and grass. After stretching Jaren heads down to find a fresh breakfast. There are biscuits and eggs. Jaren sits down at the table next to Harold. Haimont and Elle sit across the table. Everyone starts to eat. Jaren breaks the silence by asking, "Haimont?"
"Yes, lad," Haimont questions back.
"Would you mind me heading into to town and buying some clothes for my stay along with my own blacksmithing apron?"
"No, I don't mind at all. Just make sure you make atleast one sword today."
"Yes sir."
Everyone finishes eating. After helping clean, Jaren heads outside. On his way to the tailor Jaren bumps into Sirena. Sirena says, "We meet again."
"Aye, that we have. Where are you off to on this lovely day," Jaren asked.
"Just walking around. I've nothing to do."
"Well, that just won't do. Why not accompany me while I go see Mark?"
"Who is that? Still sort of new here."
"Hahaha, Mark is the local tailor. I plan to stay in town for a week. I am Haimont the blacksmith's apprentice. And, at the moment my house is a bit too far away."
"Well, yes I would love to go with you. But, may I ask where you live?"
"Malandaria."
"The Malandaria? Where no one has ever returned?"
"Guess that myth isn't true. I visit town quite often."
"I guess it isn't."
Jaren and Sirena head off to the tailor. Once they are at "Mark's Clothing" Jaren holds the door open for Sirena. Mark welcomes the two of them, "Hello, what can I do for you today Jaren. And, who is this lovely lady?"
In her usual seductive voice Sirena responds "I'm Sirena. I'm fairly new in town."
Jaren interjects saying, "Yeah, I need a few things and asked her if she would tag along."
Mark playfully says, "Ah, is that all," then winks.
Jaren laughs and says "Yes Mark, but I do need a blacksmith apron and clothes for the week. Decided to stay with Haimont for the week"
"Okay, I can do that for you. Shouldn't cost more than twenty-five slinx."
"Here is your payment plus five as a tip. How long do you think it will take?"
"Eh, since I have made clothes for you many times shouldn't take, but maybe till noon. You can just come on back then."
Jaren and Sirena bid farewell. After they step out Jaren says to Sirena "Are you hungry?"
"Yes, I am a bit famished," she replies. The two then walk towards the bakery, where Jaren buys some bread, then walks to Harogar's. As they enter Harogar's out walks Harogar to welcome them then he sees Sirena. Harogar says loudly, "Oy, you caught you a nice one there. She is a pretty lady."
Both Jaren and Sirena laugh as they're embarrassed. Sirena says to Harogar, "No, I think I caught a nice one."
Embarrassed, Jaren doesn't know how to reply. Jaren asks Harogar, "So have any smoked beef?"
"Aye, lad I do. But, why haven't you thanked this beautiful lady for her nice words."
"I. Uh. Uh. Haha! Thank you Sirena."
"You're quite welcome," Sirena responds.
"Now that's more like it. Now, let me fetch you that beef," Harogar said before departing to the back. Harogar emerges with around three pounds of beef. "Here you are, I know you'll over pay me so give me seventy blix," Harogar directs to Jaren.
"Once again you know me too well my old friend," Jaren replies to Harogar. Then, after handing over the money Jaren and Sirena set off for the lake. Once there, they pull out the food and begin to eat.
Suddenly Sirena asks, "Do you really have enough money to just over pay people?"
"I also make them under pay me," Jaren says to Sirena, then takes a bite off his bread.
"You have that much money. So, how do you have it? How did you earn it," asked Sirena. She then eats a strip of beef.
"Malandaria. It supplies me with everything I need. I grow a garden and hunt for food. What ever else I kill goes to Harogar and the pelts go to Mark. They both paid me handsomely for the first two years. But, the last six years I haven't needed any money and I've just saved it all."
"There sure is more to you than meets the eye. Your posture makes you appear to be from a wealthy family. But, your eyes say you're kind and caring unlike the rich. Then, come to find out you are self made."
"I appreciate your kind words. It wasn't easy that's for sure."
"Why do you live in Malandaria? Are you alone out there?"
"Yep, I am alone. It's not something I usually talk about..."
"I understand if you don't want to tell me."
"No, no, no. It's not that I don't want to tell you. Just when I was eight, which was eight years ago, there was a raid on the town. My parents were some of the ones that died in the raid. I stayed maybe a week after the raid. A few days with Harogar and a few with Haimont. Both offered for me to stay, but it just didn't feel right. So, I ran off with my bow in hand into Malandaria."
"Oh, I am so sorry. That must have been detrimental to you."
"I have made due. What I don't understand is you. You're obviously very well educated. But, you don't seem to be that type. Like, you seem tougher than other women, but it's hidden. Your eyes don't lie."
"Well, I grew up with some tough men. They didn't treat me so well."
"The hand we are dealt, no matter how poor or how great, can make us stronger if we endure."
Sirena leans in and kisses Jaren on the cheek. "I'm glad you understand," she says and sits back down.
Jaren stands up and holds out his hand to Sirena.