Chapter 3: Village Exploration
As the first rays of sun hit his face, he rolled over to see his wife's even breathing as she struggled to keep the shared blanket away from him. The twitching of her brow suggested she was still fast asleep despite the bright greeting from the sun. Smiling to himself, he kissed her lightly on the forehead and sat up on the bed. Getting off the low bed with a loud creak he threw on a shirt and trousers, walking into the kitchen. The bedroll and cover the traveller was using last night caught his attention as it was already neatly folded on the floor. The traveller however was definitely missing.
Guessing as the house was empty he walked to the back of the house, noticing the man was sitting on the ground not too far away. The man was watching the morning sun rise over the mountain. The morning chill hadn´t faded yet as he walked through the dirt towards the visitor, the earth was still hard from the cold night as it broke beneath his feet and feeling the slight amount of dew in the soil between his toes. From behind he could see the traveller was definitely in a much better condition, no slumping or anything that seemed close to his original haggard appearance. Sitting down next to the traveller, the visitor broke the silence first.
¨I´m mighty thankful. It seems I've caused a bit of trouble again." An audible sigh came out from the man. "It does seem to be a bad habit of mine¨ the traveller continued without turning towards him yet, soaking in the sight of the slightly green fields around them.
¨Not a problem Mister, Alice was the one that helped you all the way back here¨ the father said.
¨I´ll have to make sure I thank her when she wakes up¨ the traveller responded with a nod as he gazed into the countryside.
¨Do you have a name Mister? ¨ the father asked.
¨The name's Miles. It stuck considering how far I always travelled" he said with a light chortle. The father laughed a little at the poor joke and thrust his hand out for a shake.
¨Well Miles, it´s a pleasure to meet you, the name's Joel. Planning to join us for breakfast?" Joel asked as Miles clasped his hand with Joel. Miles' stomach made a loud growl sounding in agreement at the thought.
¨Breakfast sounds lovely; the stomach's hadn't had much love recently¨ Miles patting his abdomen with a wide grin on his face. The both of them got up and brushed the dirt off.
Joel looked him up and down properly for the first time, no covers or sickness to hide the man's physique or intense character. Miles looked roughly the same age as him but his attitude bespoke a lifetime of experience and wisdom you'd never find in a small village.
His clothing although torn and filthy could barely hide the muscles that were so heavily pronounced and as Miles stretched his body, the flexing of biceps and shoulders surely told of a man that was not just a merchant, the image was giving off a retired soldier. Armour wouldn't look strange on the man, that's for sure Joel thought to himself.
¨So please tell me more of the village, I´m not sure exactly where I've ended up¨ Miles laughed as he conversed with Joel while walking back to the house.
"The village is a bit newer so I'm not sure there is really something written down officially, but the merchants and villagers called this place Noire 'al Medan" Joel explained as they both tried to wipe their feet at the back of the house.
"Hmm, you're right I've barely heard of this place, has it been under attack recently?" Miles asked. Joel was quite surprised at how observant the man was despite being almost half dead while being carried here, on the outlying houses a number of monsters had unluckily come by.
"Unfortunately yes, we've had it tough but recently everything's been calming down" Joel said with much hope behind his smile plastered across his face. Despite the countryside always being in dire straits, it was hard to find a village quite like this.
The scent of breakfast enticed the two men to stop chatting and walk inside, the smell enveloped the household to welcome a new day, Joel always found enjoyment in sniffing out the ingredients.
Joel and Miles came back inside, he could see Narissa adding some extras to last night's soup, probably dandelions from the road nearby. Narissa came over and quickly told both of the men off about the dirt they had tracked into the house despite their best efforts, she was wielding the wooden spoon more like a weapon than a common cooking utensil. While Joel tried to calm Narissa down, Miles was right behind him with a grin enjoying the small fight between the couple.
"Smells wonderful" Miles said as he put his hands together and rubbed them together, warming them up in preparation of the meal. The distraction threw Marissa off her scolding as she took the compliment. The three of them sat at the wooden table, four chairs standing upright for them to sit on. Joel started to hand out bowls and spoons onto the wooden table as he reminisced as usual over his pride in his work and smooth finish he had given to the aged wood.
Joel could remember the day he had to make the table, chopping the trees and sanding down the wood as he created something from the very little they had. The whole house was a labour of love for Joel, his workmanship and spirit had seemed to envelope the house and there wasn't something he hadn't had a hand in creating within these walls.
The scent of breakfast wafted through the house, rousing Alice from her slumber. Alice's stomach complained loud enough for the rest of the occupants to hear her from the kitchen eliciting a chuckle or elbow here and there. Rubbing the sleep on her eyes, Alice came in wearing her simple night dress into the kitchen joining the other three for food. Although Joel and Marissa gave a look of warning as they had a guest, Miles smiled and waved off the concern. Joel gestured to Alice to come to him and she walked over so Joel could pick her up, placing Alice down on her usual spot at her father's lap. Joel let out a small sound of discomfort as Alice made herself comfortable in her father's arms, eager for food.
"You're not getting any lighter there Alice" Joel stated with a wince, his bones were definitely not getting any younger either. Alice looked up at her father and pouted at the comment, finally looking at Miles, who having now recovered caused her to stare at his full figure. Miles sensing Alice's attention quirked his brow and gave a small smile at the child being fixated on him. Joel however quickly covered her eyes, feeling an indescribable feeling of jealously and being threatened.
¨Pardon my lack of manners ladies for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Miles and a travelling merchant by trade. Thank you for the wonderful care you have given me¨ he said with a twinkle in his eyes. Alice pulled her father's hand down and Narissa smiled at the man's polite actions. Joel scowled internally, all this polite manner was all it took to get them to accept the traveller.
Alice beaming at the man didn't make Joel's mood any better. Alice however was happy the man had made a full recovery, she hadn't taken a good look at him when she first found him as she was panicking at the man dying on her. Being barely able to move yesterday he now had the full energy of spring in him. He was still wearing the necklace that had captured her attention earlier. Despite not being in the sun it shimmered and glowed like it had a life of its own. Miles noticed Alice's intense concentration on his necklace and grasped it in his hands and hid it back underneath his shirt.
¨Ah, I believe you're the young lady that helped me." Miles said as Alice stopped concentrating on the pendant he had hidden, "Allow me to give my thanks to you¨ Miles continued, reaching behind his back and presenting a number of wild flowers and roses that were very healthy and freshly picked. Joel raised his eyebrows in surprise, he was very sure that Miles' hands were empty when they walked in the house. Alice reached for them, clasping them in her hand and smelling them with great enthusiasm and trying to hold back her glee. Joel shot his wife a questioning look, which she returned with a slight shrug. The action was definitely surprising to Narissa but not dangerous in itself.
¨I´ll put them into a pot for you dear¨ Narissa said as she took the flowers away from Alice and filled water up in a small clay vase outside, returning with the vase of flowers and sitting it on the window sill of the kitchen. Alice smiled at the strange man; he bore a presence of mystery that was almost irresistible to her. Joel could also sense it as well, tightening his arms around Alice to make sure the man couldn't charm her away his daughter from him.
"Is there anything I could do to repay for your kindness?¨ Miles said as Narissa filled the bowls on the table and some of the now crusty bread was dished out. Alice was already soaking her bread into her left over soup, gobbling up the soggy but flavourful bread.
¨Many hands have always made light work. I'm sure I could use your help to till the soil for the coming planting season¨ Joel said relaxing a little so Alice had more room to finish her breakfast while she was on his lap. Alice finished her bowl and squirmed, Joel pushed the chair back letting Alice fall off his lap and walk with the bowl and cutlery back to the kitchen bench. Alice ran back to her room, coming back in her peasant smock and dirt covered shoes.
"You can go play outside for a bit dear" Narissa said to Alice, nodding in response the child ran off to the back of the house and started to dig in the ground and form small dirt mountains while she waited for her father to finish his food. The three adults enjoyed the meal and conversed a little as Miles started telling a couple stories of the trips he had made before coming to the village. As they finished their food Miles and Joel took the bowls up to the kitchen bench as they still talked
"How old is the little one?" Miles asked
"Alice is getting close to ten now" Joel replied.
"She's definitely going to grow into a wonderful woman someday" Miles complimented. Joel although happy at the compliment was cursing inwardly at the wily merchant. You will not steal my daughter away with such cheap flattery Joel thought to himself.
"For sure. But the suitors are gonna have to get through her father first" Joel laughed showing off his muscled bicep, clapping his other hand on top of it. Miles smiled along with the show of force base if it was a good show to watch. Joel walked outside and grabbed a hoe lying on the side of the house, Miles following closely from behind.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
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stone