“Which legion and which unit where you part of?” The man asked with narrowed eyes, looking at him with suspicion.

“I wasn’t part of any. I came with foreign forces to strengthen the republican army.” Loïck responded , and to his relief, this seemed to satisfy him.

“Come inside, then.” He said with a nod. “My name is Akmad.”

He showed him over to the house which he had come out from earlier. This wasn’t a village like Loïck had thought. He now saw that the other houses were open barns containing wood, with a single one closed which probably contained supplies for the winter.

“You live here alone?” Loïck asked.

Akmad nodded. “With my family, yes.”

They entered the hut, which was warmed up by a fire at the centre. A middle-aged woman welcomed them. She had long brown hair and big eyes, and was rather thin, in stark contrast to Akmad’s muscular figure.

“Hi. I’m Astrid.” She said with a warm smile. “And those two are Calder and Brenda.” She presented the two children hiding behind her skirt. They were observing him with curious grey eyes, with a quite a bit of shyness too.

“It is nice to meet you all. My name is Loïck.” He smiled warmly, trying to appear as friendly as possible. It didn’t seem to work very well however. The children seemed even more wary.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had visitors.” Astrid excused them, brushing Calder’s hair.

“I’m sorry if I’m intruding. I have no other options.” Loïck said with a helpless shrug.

“Nonsense! You are most welcome, it will only do the children good to see a new face.” Astrid said, putting a large cooking-pot over the fire. She began preparing a meal, while keeping an eye on the children who were now whispering together in the corner.

“You don’t look cold.” Akmad said. His calm black eyes were unnerving to say the least.

“I have been walking and running, trying to keep my body warm.” Loïck lied. Saying the truth might not be a good idea. He didn’t want to find out their reaction. He could probably take the muscular southerner, and the woman looked way too thin to be of any threat. It was easier with their help however. And he wasn’t a murderer, he didn’t just kill people.

“Hmm.” Akmad reached down to a crudely made wooden chest and took out a few skins which he threw to Loïck. “Put this on. We’re going out.”

Loïck nodded and did as he was told, putting the useless extra skins on.

“Astrid, I’m going to check the traps. I’m taking our guest with me.” Akmad said to his wife.

“What? He hasn’t even had the time to warm up yet!” She protested.

“He’s fine.” Akmad said and opened the door, showing Loïck out. He exited the house and was immediatly followed by Akmad.

They walked down to the lake’s shore.

“The traps?” Loïck asked, trying to found out a little more about what they were supposed to do.

“For the fish. Loïck, where do you come from?” He asked inquisitively. Another test, this guy was much more cautious that he had first let on. He decided to answer truthfully, omitting the fact about his newfound abilities and the cave.

The only time he noticed any kind of reaction from Akmad was when he mentioned the murder attempt. The man had slowly shaken his head, but he didn’t ask any questions however, so Loïck just continued. While he told him, Akmad pulled a net out of the water, with a couple of small fish in it. The ice had earlier been broken through at this part.

“That is strange. You have anyone who might be after your life in mind?” Akmad asked after a moment of silence.

Loïck shook his head. “I can think of a lot of people who wouldn’t bat an eye at my death, but none who would go this far. None who has that kind of power.”

“Everybody thinks you’re dead. You should stay that way until you discover who.” Akmad adviced, while emptying the net in a small sack.

“That’s the plan.” Loïck lied. He actually hadn’t thought much about it, since he now had freedom to do whatever he wanted. There was the chance they would mark him as a deserter, but he was confident his father would protect him from that. The man took any attack against his own blood personally.

They returned to the hut, and gave the fish to Astrid so she could prepare them and put them into her soup.

“Forgive me if I’m intruding, but you don’t seem like you’re from here.” Loïck asked Akmad hesitantly.

“No, I’m not. I served my time in the military, and got these lands as a reward.” Akmal said, while walking over to his children.

As Loïck had guessed, the man had been in the legions. And now he lived up here in the mountains. It should be quite dangerous lately though.

“You haven’t been bothered by barbarian raiders?” He asked curiously. That was the reason they had been sent to the north in the first place after all.

“Pff. they would never dare...” The boy named Calder began, but stopped when a heavy hand fell on his head.

“No. They have left us alone so far.” He said calmly. “I would appreciate if you didn’t talk of that before the children.”

“...My apologies.” Loïck said hesitantly. Had the boy said ‘dare’? Why wouldn’t the northerners dare come here? Maybe a story Akmad had told them to boast, or as a joke... Then again, he didn’t seem like that kind o type. Maybe he was...

“Urgh...” Loïck grunted involuntarily when his headache came back in force, interrupting his train of thoughts. It had been somewhat bearable the last few hours, but now...

“You’re okay?” Akmad asked him with a frown, having risen up from his seat at the fire. Loïck saw concern too in the eyes of Astrid, and confusion amongst the children.

“I’m fine. I got one bit off a headache, but otherwise, I’m fine.” He said with a forced smile.

“Hmm. You have two bumps on your forehead.” Astrid remarked. “Come, let me see them.”

Loïck hesitated a slight moment, but then approached. There was no reason to not let her. He grimaced when she lightly touched the bumps, and then she sent a strange gaze to her husband.

“Are there any other places where it hurts?” She asked him with a light frown.

There was something going on, Loïck thought. Normal isolated peasants would be extremely cautious, and not simply welcome a stranger into their house. He knew that by firsthand experience. But these people, he had not at one single moment seen any trace of fear whatsoever. Loïck didn’t like people he couldn’t figure out.

Either these people valued kindness over their own and their children’s lives, or else there was something else going on.

“No. Otherwise I feel perfectly okay.” He said with a thankful smile. She hesitated, seemingly briefly surprised.

“Okay then. I hope your headache won’t keep you from enjoying the dinner.” She said with a smile.

The only ones who couldn’t feel the tension at this point were the children, who happily gulped down their food. Even though he was wary of this strange couple, he still ate wholeheartedly. It had been a long time since he had eaten a true meal.

Alstrid eagerly gave him some covers and furs, and he went out to sleep in their barn. It was far from comfortable, but that was the least of his concerns right now. At least he had a roof over his head.

Loïck abruptly woke up when something landed heavily on his chest. Looking up, he saw Akmad standing not far from him.

”There’s some food, a shield and a spear.” Akmad said, leaning against the barn.

”Thank you.” Loïck responded, putting the sack on his back and picking up the spear and shield Akmad had left on the ground. They weren’t exactly good quality, the shield being thin and made of wood covered with a skin to soften blows. The spear was long but slightly rusted. It wouldn’t be of use other than testing the terrain ahead of him.

“A word of advice. Seek a man named Calus Karendore, if your... Headaches worsen. He resides in the city of Tal.” Akmal said with his indifferent expression and his arms crossed.

“Calus Karendore?”Loïck repeated, perplexed. Akmal nodded, and then pointed between two mountains in the opposite direction of which he had arrived.

“Go that way. Follow the river, until you reach the old mines. Then you just have to take the road south, and you will eventually reach Malburg.”

“Thank you, once again.” He said with a respectful nod, and began walking towards said. He still didn’t feel comfortable around them, and left quickly.

The river wasn’t hard to find, he just followed the shores of the lake and then found the small creek leading away from the lake. The path was not clear, and sometimes there were slippery stones and rocks lying beneath the snow which made the path quite treacherous at times.

The creek was soon joined by small streams, becoming larger. Loïck frequently had to use his spear and a few rocks to cross the stream when the path was blocked on one side.

The sun was high in the sky when he decided to open the lunch pack they had made for him. It contained a smoked fish, and he ate half of it and then wrapped it up again. He would eat the other half later, as dinner.

The day passed without much event, and he arrived at the mines before nightfall. The stream made a turn, and there was a small flat but rocky place right next to a cliff. Several man-made mines had been carved out of the cliff. An old abandoned hut stood not far from them.

Loïck decided to stay in the hut, even though it wasn’t in good state. He preferred not to venture into a cave again, considering what happened last time. With his bad luck being what it was lately, he thought it much safer to stay in the hut.