A Loner - Short Story ( Part 3 )

I woke up the next morning with a promised headache. My head wanted to explode and I suppress the instinct for vomiting. I tried to get up, and the whole world around me turned around. I managed to keep myself in the sitting position and I tried to untangle the environment. That man was not in sight from last night, although not far from the place where I sat on the ground was his sword, as well as a horse that is bound to a tree near by.

Even as I came to myself and through the intractable headache I was able to figure out what happened the previous night, than I heard the steps. From the direction of the forest came the hunter who appeared as Ralion. In one hand he wore an bow and in the other two rabbits. Now in the daylight, I clearly saw his face. He was middle aged, his face was scabbed with scars, and long black hair tied in a tail. The calmness of his glance was astonishing. You got up, it's good. Now we will eat and then continue our journey. Let me tell you one more time, I am your friend, there is no need to worry. Since I know some truths that are hidden from you, I will reveal it to you, but not immediately. You have to listen and obey. Come on now, make a fire for us.

I did not speak, I just listened to what he said to me. He did not act like a man who repeated his command. His voice was rough, as if he had not often used it, that is, he had not talked to someone for a long time.

After we ate, I picked up the few things I had and walked further into the mountains on that steep path. We cut the conversation and it seemed to both of us that it is what we wanted. Although I noticed on several occasions that he was looking at me with a shiny eye.

About a couple of days after that, we made a break from that climbing the smuggling path and finally I spoke. Look, I do not understand why are you doing this, why do not you just let me continue my path alone?

You need somebody, believe me. After you hear the whole story, you will realize it. But it's not the time now for these stories. And after he said that, again we started to cut till the next day.

I watched him as he dealt with his equipment or horse. It was seen in his movements that behind each movement are years of experience. It seemed as if the same weapon could be used with deadly efficiency with his hand. I wondered much about who he was, from where he came, and why he is here? I did not see a logical connection in what I learned about my life in the previous days and that an stranger is following me on my way now. But I'll get to know it in time, at least I have an abundance. That headache from yesterday, she was still present today.

Day after day, and our communication was getting better. From some of his stories, through some tiny indications, I discovered who he was, at least I tough so. It seemed like he was a former soldier, or a member of some of the elite unit that were widely known. Although after this time spent with him I still did not know where we are going. Until one afternoon we did not break into a clearing that was rearranged into a large courtyard for a military polygon. The slope at the other end of that large yard was the place where three buildings were built from the stone. They looked like stables for horses far from this distance. There were no signs that would indicate that there are more people in this place. There were no horses, no war equipment, weapons. Nothing. Although it all reminded of a kind of military camp.

You see that middle building, yes? Go there and take a break. There you will find a source of clear mountain water and a new outfit. Refresh yourself and take a little rest, I will come to find you in a few hours. With that he turned his back and headed into the forest at the opposite end of the yard.

I did not have anything left but to listen to him. All that happened to me in the past days, I accepted, and let the current of fate carry me in whatever direction it was intended. I made it to this barracks and in there found a scene I was not anticipated. Extremely quality pieces of furniture made of old oak arranged alongside one wall while the other side was occupied with shelves and the unmanageable mass of the most frugal weapon on them. There were also armor and even at the far end of the room were books. I found the source of water, I washed up and dressed that clothes he told me. I lay on the bed and waited. Dream has overtaken me.

The steps I heard at the barracks woke me up. It was Ralion now in the same wardrobe I used to wear. He sat on the bed and said You were surprisingly patient with your questions. And that's good, that says a lot about your personality. You're the safest here, just in this place. You do not even know what kind of danger you've avoided by escaping from the city, but everything will be clear to you in time. You're here among your friends. Although you do not scare any of us, we know you. Come on up, there's a lot to do for you today. Starting from the truth you deserve.

Image 1