“How long have you been following me?”

“Since you killed colourful fire man.”

“Makes sense... Stupid question now that I think about it.” Apple sighed and kicked the dirt from under his boots.

It had been six days since the incident at Pier. Six days of none stop walking across roads of cobblestone, sand, and now dirt. Apple wasn’t quite sure how he had managed to escape that accused city, it had all been one melancholy blur. He mostly remembered walking. Walking and walking along the city’s shore. Relatively peaceful he remembered the journey being, except for those four guards. Each showing up alone at different times, each one trying to apprehend him in the name of justice. All they got for their sense of duty was the gift to look down upon their families in the ethereal plane of their deity. Of course, only if said deity was willing to forgive them for their newfound fondness of an edge-less shape.

After about a day out of the city and his moodiness had subsided, Apple instead felt rage. Rage at himself, in his juvenile angst, he had forgotten to retrieve the magician’s wand. He had no intention of using it as a replacement for his large hand-crafted baby but thinking about all the materials he could have stripped from it made Apple weep.

“Hey! Are you ignoring Mula?” The tanned child huffed.

Apple broke free from his thoughts. Once again, he lost himself in the riches he could have so easily acquired. “Sorry Mula. Just thinking about some things.” He explained to the girl; still wearing his stained shirt. “How did you find me anyway?”

“Never lost you. Mula waited for good time to stab fire man, but you killed him before I could.” It appeared to Apple that she was upset about not slaying the man herself. “You looked like you in bad mood, so Mula waited until you not. Mula super sneaky, you never see Mula. Almost said hi two days again, but you suddenly kept yelling about a wand-thingy. So Mula waited until you better again.”

Apple felt awful. A lump formed in his throat. He had abandoned the girl so easily, and now here she was in front him. Even worse she was always with him, in the shadows, waiting for him to stop his tantrum; his unpleasant mood had forced her to hide from him. “I’m sorry, Mula. Sorry for leaving you.” He replied softly to her.

She grinned. “It ‘Kay. It happens.”

“That, that doesn’t make me feel any better.” He frowned.

“Stop being so moody.” She ordered, with a jab of her finger.

Apple could not help but let out a small laugh at her behaviour. “Alright, Mula. Are you sure you want to travel with me though? It’ll be very dangerous and we only just met.”

She simply shrugged. “Mula have no idea where Mula is. You helped Mula and can-do magic. You good choice, for now.”

Apple could not argue with that logic, “fair enough. Welcome to the Apple party. Oh, the name’s Apple, by the way.”

“That’s a stupid name.” She so flatly informed him.

“I agree, very stupid.” Apple grinned. He grinned wider than he had done in a long time. “But it’s my name.”

“Kay. So, where you goin’, Apple?” She asked.

“Where are we going.” He corrected her. “I believe our first order of business is to get some supplies. You, little lady, are in some desperate need of some clothes.”

She nodded. “Mula agrees. Mula tired of being cold.”

“Then let us be off. We’re sure to reach some kind of settlement if we keep following this pathway – probably.” He added.

So, with nothing left to say for now, the two continued to stride boldly down the dirt road side by side. Hoping that a gathering of humans would be an eventuality.

***********

“Well, that was quick.” Apple exclaimed, as he looked upon the sporadic weave of quaint little buildings.

A sparse, yet dense formation of habitats almost hidden is dense trees of birch and oak. The structures camouflaged even further as they too were made of the wood that surrounded them. Was it not for the convenient dirt path, Apple doubted he would have found the place?

“Seems like a particularly mundane settlement. Hope the locals aren’t a bunch of savages.” Apple mused to himself.

“Stop using words Mula doesn’t know.” She ordered of Apple, as if he was mocking her for lack of vocabulary.

“No. You either learn the words, or pretend you know them.” Apple scoffed in response. Not bothering to continue the conversation, he pressed forward towards the unknown hamlet.

It did not take long for him to encounter one of its inhabitants. A young woman, about the same age as Apple, was in the midst of pulling a bucket from a well.

Apple approached quietly, cleared his throat and spoke: “Hail, woman.”

The woman jumped in response and turned her head towards the pair. As soon as eyes caught the sight of the two, they bulged and she ran towards the hamlet. Her bucket forgotten on the grass, its liquid contents feeding it.

“Hey wait!” He cried with an outreached arm. Unfortunately for him, his words fell on frightened ears. “Well, that didn’t go very well.”

After some quick pondering, Apple concluded that perhaps being a complete strange man, at night, covered in dirt, exposing his bare chest through the gap of giant leather coat, probably was a bit unnerving for such a common young lady. Also having a half-naked child companion with bright yellow eyes and canines so large they protrude past her lips, most likely did not help either.

“Not a great start Mula, I’ll admit. We’ll have to go in nice and slow. Hide that knife of yours and try to look cute.” Apple told her, as he began to head into the settlement once more.

“Mula already cute.” She informed him as she followed.

Apple turned and glanced at her while he walked. High protruding cheekbones that looked sharp enough to scratch glass. Chestnut coloured hair so knotted, it looked like an oversized bird’s nest. Piecing yellow eyes that reminded Apple of a wolf. Teeth that reminded him of a cat. Long arms contrasted her stout legs. Skin the colour of wet sand, a shade just not enough to quite hide her unusually hairy forearms. Apple did not know much about the varieties of humans but it looked as if Mula possessed a lot of them in her blood. Apple was also willing to bet she possessed some traces of not-so-human heritage as well.

“Sure, why not.” He eventually responded with a small shrug.

It did not take long for the pair to reach what could be considered the village centre. There waiting for them were eight gruff-looking men, all wielding some of the more menacing farming tools used to toil fields.

‘Definitely not a great start.’ Apple thought.

“What you doin’ ‘ere in our lil’ ol’ village?” Asked a hairy fellow at the centre of the line, in his grip was a large billhook slasher. Apple promptly determined him to be the leader of the group.

“My companion and I are but simple travellers. We were lost and are in desperate need of supplies. We walked a random dirt road in the hopes of finding sanctuary and here we are.” Apple answered honestly.

“Companion, aye?” He looked directly at Mula. “What kinda man keeps a child as a companion? Especially a girl.” He added, his uninviting face turned even more sour.

“She’s my niece.” Apple quickly lied. “Her parents are dead and I am her only kin left. As you can see, I’m not quite equipped to be taking care of a child, but I’m all she has.” Apple laced his words with sorrow to add power to his tall tale.

Mula looked at him with wide eyes, but she did not say anything.

“She don’t look anythin’ like ya – she don’t.” Another man protested.

“True. Her mother and I looked a fair bit different to begin with, her foreign father widened the gap.”

The man grunted in response, although he appeared more appeased than he did a moment ago.

“Why were you scarin’ me daughter, Gale?” The leader once again chimed in.

“I’m assuming Gale is the girl who was at the well. I’m sorry about that. All I did was say greet here, although I must admit our current appearance must be a tad frightening to gaze upon all of a sudden.” He replied, once again telling the truth.

The leader nodded, “aye you two look and smell like cow shit, ya do.”

Apple laughed to help lighten the mood. “We sure do. Been on the road for a while now. Bandits stole our clothes, weapons, and coin. All I wish is for me and my niece to bathe, rest and hopefully do some trading here.”

“What kind of trading?” A short hostile-looking man asked.

“Well, like I said, bandits took most of our belongings, but I’m more than willing to trade in deeds. Got anything you need help with?”

The group of men all began to look at each other, communicating entirely with their eyes and facial expressions.

“Alright.” The leader finally said. “It’s late now. You two can sleep in my barn for night. We’ll discuss trading in the morning.” He told them. Apple could see that some faces in the group did not approve of their leader’s proposal, Apple took a mental picture of each of their faces.

The group eventually dispersed and their leader indicated for him and Mula to follow. All except one of the men had left, the remaining individual was a burly fairly young fellow that looked a lot like their leader. “Must be his son.”

The gang shortly arrived at a study looking wooden house, with a small barn standing beside it.

“Stay here. Need to let the misses know about you two.” He ordered, just before he went inside his house. The son stayed with them, most likely to keep an eye on the pair. Apple tried to make pleasantries but the man refused to return the favour.

After about twenty of silence with brief periods of small talk with Mula, the house owner appeared. In his thick meaty arms was a large wash bucket filled to the brim. “Follow me to the barn.” His gruff voice said.

Apple gave Mula a reassuring nod and followed behind.

“Ere.” He dropped the bucket on the barn floor with a wet thud. “Give ya self a wash. I’ll be back soon with some ol’ clothes for ya. Not havin’ you two filthin’ up me home.”

“Of course. Thank you so much...” Apple stopped.

“Names Ger.”

“Ger. Thanks. The name’s Apple.” Apple replied.

Ger’s chapped lips finally allowed themselves a small smirk. “Sure, it is, lad.”

Ger left the barn before Apple could convince the man it was indeed his name. “Mula you go first.” He told her.

“Kay.” She immediately took off her shirt and dove into the cold water.

Apple turned the other way. While she was only a child, he wished to respect her privacy. Only turning back every so often to make sure she was cleaning herself properly. He was tempted to use his magic to warm the water, but feared someone was watching them.

After about twenty minutes of grooming, Apple and Mula finished and draped themselves in the clothing Ger left them. Apple wore wool trousers and a soft grey wool tunic, both slightly too big for his lean frame. Mula was covered by a pale one-piece dress that was a little too long for her legs.

The two walked to their saviour’s house and knocked on the heavy door. After several moments Ger opened it and greeted them. “That’s better. Come in.” Ger nodded.

Apple said a quick thank you and ventured inside after the man.

It was a well-maintained interior. Lacking in any kind of décor but clean and sturdy looking. The slightest whiff of cooking and recreational smoke filled the air.

Ger took them to a room with a small wooden table placed in the centre. On top of its dusty physique was a large pot of a nutty pottage and besides the pottage was a row or tough-looking rye bread.

“This is my wife, Kat.” Ger gestured towards a stern looking woman, about half way through her life, sitting at the table.

“Lovely to meet you.” Apple smiled, though the smile clearly failed to warm her face. “And this is my son, Gill. You two have already briefly met.” He them motioned to the angry looking fellow at the end of the table.

“Nice to meet you, Gill.” Again, Apple’s greeting failed to etch away the disapproval of his existence.

“My daughter won’t be joining us her supper tonight. Even without you scarin’ ‘er, I wouldn’t want a strange man around ‘er, no sir.”

“I understand. I’m a guest under your roof and won’t do anything to cause the slightest bit of trouble.” Apple replied truthfully.

Ger grunted. “Good man. Now let’s eat.”

Apple sat down and Mula plopped down on the chair next to him. The exchange of nutrition began and Apple partook readily. Apple dipped his stale bread into his watery pottage with a grace to rival the most ancient of surfs, “if only my family could see me now.” He smirked to himself.

“So, what deed do you need us for?” Apple asked, right after swallowing a torn lump of seed bread.

“Didn’t I say it could wait until tomorrow?” Ger replied, with food still in his mouth.

Apple nodded, his mouth still full of food. He gently ripped out the starchy innards of his bread and playfully rolled it into a ball with his hand. “You did.” He admitted. “But I see no reason to not say it now. Unless of course the task itself is sealed with a privacy I didn’t foresee.”

“You talk like a right queer.” Ger’s son chimed in on the conversation. Apple pretended he did not hear that

“No, it’s not all hush-hush – it isn’t. Suppose there’s no reason in sayin’ it now.” Admitted Ger, seemingly ignoring his son’s contribution to their talk. He took a breath. “You ever heard of goblins?”

Apple’s left eyebrows cocked slightly. “Goblins, aye. I’ve had my fair share of encounters with rambunctious little curs. Why, you got an infestation?”

Ger nodded, “’bout three moons ago a mate of mine came across one the green bastards on a hunt. Then people started seein’ them in bushes, watchin’ us. Little time goes by ‘n’ we start noticin’ a few piglets ‘n’ a lotta the local squirrels ‘n’ hedgehogs had gone missin’. Then a lamb or two. Now, now a man must hide his women from their tiny hands.” His words became slower and more pronounced as his story went on.

Apple remained silent for a moment, allowing the tension in the room to dilute a little. “I see. Forgive me if this is a rude question, but have you made any attempt to be rid them yourselves?”

“Of course, we ‘ave ya pillark. We’ve been goi-“

“Hush Gill.” Ger interrupted. “Sorry about my lad, he and a bunch of us ‘ave bin huntin’ the lil’ shits since we lost a sheep. They’re as strong as a child and half as smart, but there’s so many of the bleedin’ bastards. Ya kill one, three more appear and anyone ‘ere that has any fighting experience is either too old, like me self, or dead. Oh, my boy is strong alright, stronger than his da but he was never forced to fight in wars like us old ‘uns, our Lord is old and no longer cares about such affairs. We’ve also got no armour or weapons round ‘ere, apart from some axes meant to chop wood and a couple bows.”

Apple absorbed the information, wondering what to do with it. He was already in too deep to tell the man that he had never even actually seen a goblin before. He thought he might have heard a few in a forest several months back but was too scared to investigate. All of his experience with the stunted humanoids came from his times back home., every couple of years men would report to his father about goblins attacking one of his mines. He had heard descriptions of their appearances and heard tales of their deeds and that was it. Although, from what he did know, Apple believed he should be able to handle this new foe.

“Say no more, my good man. Just tell me where they live and I’ll snuff them out. I may not look like much, but I’ve had my fair share of scuffles with their kind, and much worse.” Apple ever so confidently told them.

“Terrific.” Ger smiled. “I’ll have Nick, the village hunter, take ya there tomorrow.”

“That’s fine with me. I’ll repay your kindness two-fold. Though, I must ask that my niece have something to cover her feet with and perhaps a cloak of some kind to ward away the chill.”

Kat, who had remained completely, spoke with bulging eyes. “Surely you’re not taking your niece with you?” She stammered.

“Of course. She’s my little apprentice and this will be valuable experience for her.” Apple calmly informed her.

“But she’s only a child, and a girl! Do you have any idea what goblins do to women?” She pressed.

“I do.” He did not. “Don’t worry, she’ll be in my shadow the entire time. I don’t plan on making her fight as an equal. More like an observer.” He explained.

“But, but...”

“Leave it, Kat. It’s the man’s decision. Let’s not tell him how to do our job for us.” Ger interjected.

“What about the girl?” She complained, unrelenting to her husband’s statement. She turned and looked warmly at Mula. “Poppet. Are you okay with going with your uncle to fight goblins? Be honest with me, please Poppet.”

Mula looked down. Her shoulders shimmied side to side in silence. Unable to bear the brunt of the table’s gaze. After a few breaths she eventually spoke: “Mula is fine with goblin killing. Mula help. .. Uncle.” She said with a slight crack in her pitch.

“Ya see Kat. The girl’s fine with it.” Ger reassured her.

The tension returned to the table. Apple waggled his eyes around the room, examining the faces within. Kat was clearly unsatisfied with the verdict of Mula’s participation. Ger looked stern, unwavering as a rock. His son, wielded the same hostile expression he had when Apple first met him.

“Well.” Apple said. “Thank you so much for supper. I believe it's time for me and Mula to hit the hay. Got a long day ahead of us.”

“Sounds good. My daughter should ‘ave put some blankets out in the barn while we ate. I think we’ll get some shut eye as well.” Ger replied.

With another quick farewell, Apple and his little companion headed outside to their beds. He pretended to not hear the panicked scuttling of Ger’s daughter just before they left the dining room. Apple had sensed her presence behind the wall the past half an hour or so.

At the barn they found the blankets Ger had promised them. With a discussion using nothing but their eyes, the two searched for the softest pile of hay and hunkered down.

“Rest well, Mula. Got a very big day ahead of us.” Apple whispered to the girl beside him.

“Kay. Mula sleepy anyway. Mula excited for fighting gobbly-thingies tomorrow. She grinned, or at least Apple believed she did.

“Me too, Mula. Me too.” He lied. “Goodnight.”

“Night-night.”

And with that, the gently sound of snoring hiccupped from the girl. Shortly after, the heavy breaths of a tired man joined her in a duet.

**********

The big day had arrived. Apple and Mula had awoke at dusk and completed their morning stretches that Apple insisted they do.

Apple sat upon a large upside-down bucket they had used to wash yesterday evening, whilst he was going through his trusty traveling sack. Sat on the grass beside him was his new party member, Mula, looking at Apple’s bag of goodies with a mix of boredom and mild envy. In the sack, Apple found his jute rope, some old jerky, bandages, a torch, a rock that he could not remember why he carried it around, four strips of deer leather, and several pieces of bound parchment.

He stared at his contents over and over again, for there was little to do right now. Gill had left earlier to fetch the village hunter, so Apple was forced to wait here for him. Not that he minded, however. He was still waiting for Ger to give them some supplies and hopefully some breakfast.

As if she had read his mind, a not-so familiar girl appeared. “H-hungry?” Apple heard a small squeak from behind him asked. He knew who it was immediately but thought it would be wiser to act as if she was a complete stranger.

“I’m famished.” Apple replied cheerfully, after he turned his head deliberately slow to face the voice. Stood nervously before him was the reason for him being almost gutted by a mob of disgruntled peasants. A short, moderately plumb woman, with medium brown hair and a large collection of freckles.

“B-b-breakfast.” She stated with her arms outreached, holding a bowl in each hand.

“Thank you, luv.” Apple replied, adding a common colloquialism in the hopes it made him seem friendlier. Her cheeks flushed red in response and flushed brighter when Apple took the bowls from her hands.

A block of cheese and more rye bread, simple but effective. Alongside the food were two wooden cups full of a watery ale. Apple gave Mula her share of cheese and bread and dug in, without a single utensil to be found. Apple inhaled his cheese immediately and feasted upon the soft innards of his break, breaking so many etiquette rules he had drilled into his as a youth.

While he and Mula ate, the girl left and swiftly returned. In her hands was now a small cloak and wrapped leather shoes, both brandishing the ugly shade of brown.

“Ah, these must be the attire asked for. Thank you very much, luv.” Apple beamed.

“It’s nothing.” She gulped. “Ma asked me to get these for your niece.” She stared at Mula, trembling somewhat when she noticed her unusually large fangs.

Apple noticed that Mula was aware of the woman’s fear of her and her seeming to be enjoying it. She took the items the trembling woman with a smile, a large exaggerated smile that showed an unnecessary number of teeth. Apple wondered whether he should scald Mula for teasing such a timid creature.

“Your ma, aye.” Apple said. “That explains why you’re the one giving us these items. Your father made it clear that he didn’t want us near each other.”

“Neither does my ma. She says you’re a wild man, risking the life of a girl for no good reason.” Apple was surprised by her honesty.

He released a boyish smirk. “Can’t say she’s wrong. I’m in need of a shave and carry around a giant stick as some kind of fashion accessory. You also ran too, once you saw my barbaric mug.”

Once again, her face turned red, rivalling the ripest of tomatoes. “Well... Erm, you startled me. It was dark and you’re a man. Dad doesn’t let me around men.” She stuttered.

“Hah! Don’t worry, I understand. Like your ma said, I am a wild looking fellow.” He laughed.

“No, no. That’s not what I was sayin’. You look... You look good.” She gulped.

Apple could feel his eyebrow rise that that remark. Good she said he looked. “Did he?” He wondered. He had lost a lot of weight and acquired a few scars on his travels. He had heard in the past that women like scars. While he was average length for a noble, he was a couple inches taller than the average peasant, even an inch or two large than father and brother, although certainty not as muscular as the pair. Perhaps it was just due to her lack of male contact. It did not help her standards when the majority of this hamlet’s population seemed to be grumpy old men. A dark wave of confidence washed over him.

“Good you say?” A smug grin asked.

A response of unintelligible words came from a red-faced source.

Before Apple could continue his teasing, the man of the hour had arrived.

Gill had returned and beside him was a lanky man with a bow strapped around his back.

“Hail masters.” Apple cried in greeting.

The hunter replied with a nod and Gill seemed ignored the wild man’s existence.

His moody face slumped angrily when he saw his sister behind the detestable bucket-sitter. “Gale! What are you doing outside with the stranger?” He yelled.

“I was givin’ them food and clothes for their quest, like ma asked me.” She replied meekly.

“Well you’ve given them the stuff so get going. Da doesn’t even like you near men he’s known since they were suckling on their ma’s teat. How’d ya think he’d react if he found out you’ve bin talkin’ to a queer savage?”

Apple wondered that if he did not have his catalyst causally resting on his shoulder right now would he fear this brute? He was mildly annoyed right now but not nearly enough to risk the consequences of a confrontation with the lout. Though he supposed he should at least try to resolve the situation.

“Please calm down. It was I who engaged your sister in conversation. She was just too polite to ignore me. Please don’t blame her.”

“Shut up, savage! Don’t you have some goblins to be killin’?” He scolded.

“A hairy surf, living in the middle of nowhere with not even his Lord’s location known is calling me a savage...The world sure is an interesting place.” Apple mused. “You’re right. We best be off. Farewell Gale and son of Ger.” Apple bellowed, as he pounced off the bucket and walked towards his guide.

“Wait, before you go. . . My sister! Please find my sister, Gwen.” She suddenly stammered with enclosed hands.

“Gale!” Gill spat. “I thought we told you to give up on her. She was taken over a month ago.”

“But what’s the harm in asking? Da is too proud to mention her, so I will. Please, good Sir, find my sister Gwen. She looks a lot like me expect a little older and has a large birthmark on her left shoulder.”

“Gale!” He scolded again.

“Alright, Gale. I make no promises, but I’ll do my best. Farewell.” Apple walked away to the sounds of weeping and gratitude. He wondered if this is what it was like to be a hero, like in his childhood story books if it was, he was a bit disappointed.

“Wait!” Gale suddenly cried, as the trio had walked almost completely away from the Ger household. “How will you fight goblins without a weapon?”

“A weapon?” He brandished his staff in the air. “I have a weapon right here.”

“That stick? You surely can’t be goin’ to fight an entire nest of goblins with that?” She asked incredulously.

“Worry not, luv.” He smiled. “It’s a really good stick.”