DLRV 9

Well, I suppose a creature like an eagle, small and vulnerable, couldn’t afford to be friends with monsters.

[My wyvern brother was an exception. Even if I knew other monsters, I doubt they’d be as willing to help me.]

Humans can’t be trusted, so I guess animals are the way to go. I need to decide on a destination and start asking around for any animals who might help.

I spread out the map. Choosing a destination was easy enough. I just needed to pick the most remote and secluded spot. The problem was getting there. The area was mostly mountains.

“I’ll have to go into the mountains to find animals.”

That meant camping, and if I couldn’t convince any wild animals to help me, I’d be in trouble. Just because I could communicate with them didn’t mean they’d help me. I’d need some way to protect myself.

I wonder if there’s a magic item shop around here..

I thought money could solve everything, but without anything to buy, it was useless. If I hadn’t had to abandon my bag during the knights’ pursuit in the city, I’d be in a better situation.

“Annelie, I have to go now. My kids are waiting.”

“Oh, alright.”

The future was already uncertain, and now with the eagle leaving, I felt even more lost. I smiled and waved goodbye. In a dense forest, an eagle wouldn’t be much help anyway.

“I’ll introduce you to my kids someday! You’re my friend, Annelie.”

“Sure. Take care of them.”

I wondered when, if ever, I would see him again. I watched the eagle soar into the sky. I watched it grow smaller and smaller until it was just a dot in the distance. Then I turned and headed towards the village.

I was starving. Surely, even a small village like this would have an inn.

The building I found looked more like a barn than a restaurant, but I pushed open the door anyway. The sounds of chatter and the smell of food greeted me, but as soon as I stepped inside, I was overwhelmed by a mix of sweat and body odor. The air was thick and stuffy. I knew I shouldn’t complain, but my stomach turned. The restaurants in the city had been nothing like this.

This was a new kind of challenge. I pinched my nose and stood there awkwardly. A waiter, carrying a tray of food, looked at me with disdain. I quickly lowered my hand, but it was too late. He turned away without a word.

I realized I’d been rude, walking into a place and plugging my nose. I couldn’t blame them for being unfriendly.

I scanned the room for an empty seat. A long wooden table was crowded with people sitting shoulder to shoulder. It seemed I would have to join them. I would have to get used to this kind of thing. But I wasn’t ready yet. I’d never eaten in a place like this, not even when I was in the temple.

“Can I get a meal to go?” I asked.

It would be better to eat alone in my room. At least then, I wouldn’t risk getting sick.

“To go?” The waiter scoffed. “Where are you from? We don’t do takeout here”

He didn’t even try to hide his sneer. Though he’d called me a lady, he clearly didn’t feel the need to treat me as such. Probably because I was alone. A real lady wouldn’t be wandering around by herself.

“Maybe there’s a bakery nearby…”

“The town’s so small, you won’t need directions. But I wouldn’t recommend the bakery. They put flies in the dough.”

Should I just starve?

As I seriously considered this, I noticed a group of farmers inside the inn whispering and pointing at me. Without a word, I turned and left. As I hurried away, I heard footsteps behind me. I tried to ignore them, but they caught up to me quickly.

“Hey, wait a minute.”

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

There was a hint of amusement in his gruff voice. I turned around, trying to look nonchalant. How much would it take to get rid of them? I narrowed my eyes at them, and they frowned.

“You don’t look like you belong in a place like this.”

“If we take you home, can we get a reward?”

“You look like you’re wanted for something.”

Their whispers made my mouth go dry. I was glad they hadn’t recognized me yet, but if they kept looking, they might.

“It’s none of your business. Go away.”

“Oh, but it is. Someone like you is a walking purse.”

“Exactly, so let’s—”

The farmer’s words were cut off by a dark shadow. A large gray wolf darted between them, silent and swift.

“Oh my god, what is that beast?”

“It’s a wolf!”

The farmers recoiled in fear as the wolf bared its teeth and growled. I froze in terror.

[Ganging up on one person is wrong! You can’t bully your own kind!]

I was startled by the wolf’s righteous indignation.

“Quick, get the watchmen!”

“There’s a wolf in the village!”

Realizing the wolf wasn’t about to attack them immediately, the farmers turned and ran. The wolf glared at them as they fled, then turned its attention to me. Its dark eyes were wild and fierce. The wolf bared its teeth again.

[It’s dangerous to wander off from the pack. Where’s your leader?]

What luck! A righteous wolf.

I was about to speak when someone else appeared. Tall and lean, he bowed deeply.

[I’m so sorry if I startled you!]

The first thing I noticed was his messy red hair, covered in dirt.

[Please don’t be alarmed. I may look fierce, but I don’t bite.]

He offered me a reassuring smile. His golden eyes, hidden behind long bangs, seemed to shimmer. They were round, but with slightly upturned corners, like a cat’s. A cat, yes, but somehow gentle, almost… dog-like?

It sounded like an insult, but I couldn’t think of a better way to describe him. With his ragged appearance, he really did look like a stray cat.

[Ignoring the danger to your own kind? You’ll never be a leader!]

“Hey, you scared her!”

[Let go! Weakling! When are you going to grow up?]

“Don’t worry, he’s just full. He’s acting like this because of the commotion.”

[Having a weakling like you in my pack is a disgrace!]

I watched as the wolf shook its head wildly and the man struggled to hold it back. Whether this man was the wolf’s owner, its keeper, or something else, they were definitely together. And they definitely couldn’t understand each other.

“You can let go now.”

The man looked up at me, struggling to hold onto the wolf. It was clear he wasn’t going to stop it.

“I’m not scared. The wolf saved me from those men.”

“…Really?”

[You fool! You’ve messed up my fur!]

The wolf shook itself off, and the man let go. I couldn’t help but admire the wolf.

“You’re not from around here, are you?”

I didn’t take my eyes off the wolf as I casually dropped a hint. I didn’t want the man to know I could understand the wolf, so I needed to be alone with it. First, I had to get rid of this guy.

“Oh, yes. I’m just a simple adventurer.”

“Would you sell me this wolf?”

“What?”

The man’s eyes widened in surprise. I smiled and said, “I need a brave wolf like this. Name your price.”

The man looked at me awkwardly and glanced at the wolf. “I’m sorry, but he’s not for sale.”

“I can afford whatever you ask.”

“No matter how much you offer, I won’t sell him.”

His voice was firm. I frowned and turned my attention to the wolf.

“I like you,” I said softly. “Come with me. I’ll give you fresh meat every day.”