“You didn’t keep your end of the bargain, so I shouldn’t keep mine” I am reneging on my promise with Dixy.

“But it wasn’t my fault! She’s the one who didn’t want to do it!” Dixy complains. My read-sight catches Kassa behind me sticking her tongue out. I inadvertently let out a sigh.

I try to turn to the other side.

“Kassa, I know it might be difficult, but it really helps to know how to read, you know?” I should now. It is quite troublesome to constantly rely on others for that function.

She doesn’t respond well, merely making a grimace and looking down.

“Aren’t you bored just playing with the grass?” I ask her, but all I get in response is a downcast head shaking from side to side. Another sigh escapes me.

Over the next week, the rift doesn’t mend, and I end up spending time with either Dixy or Kassa separately.

With Dixy I am continuing my practice with hardening magic.

Kassa, surely enough, started to complain about having nothing to do after a few days, so I tried a few things.

First, I tried to train her in using the sword and shield, but my adult equipment is way too heavy for her, and she can’t use it at all. Guess I will see about getting something the next time I am in town.

Then, I tried bringing her into the dungeon. It seems that she is quite content merely carrying small critters I hunt, but I am a nerve wrack. Even with the read spell my read-sight, I find myself focusing on her being safe constantly, fearing any monsters come to strike her down. It is incredibly tiring, but at least, it seems to tide over her.

A week later, I have once again been to the city and hunted to fill my pocket, only for it to be emptied the same day. The cause is a suite of equipment bought for Kassa. A light short sword and a small wooden shield, along with placing an order for an approximately correct sized chainmail. At last, there is also the order for my new shoes, as I have been barefoot for a week now. Another week is of course needed to acquire it. I also pick up the clothes I had ordered by my previous visit and have a nice, long chat with Gorar.

Gorar seems to be a nice, simple man. He has a two wives and three kids, hunts on every other day, guards on the others. It is apparently not a well-paid position, but he volunteers as to keep people a little safer. He seems real proud of that fact, and I think he is right to be.

When I return that day, it has already gone dark outside. As I approach the hut, I hear something that tugs at my heart. Kassa is very clearly crying.

I think myself a fool. I had just proceeded with things as I always have, but she is just a child, who lost everything. How could I even think she could function normally? I walk through the opening I couldn’t manage to fashion a door from, and calmly sit down next to her, stroking the top of her head. It feels a bit weird, since most of it is bald, but I just aim to comfort her.

Her crying slows to a sniffling, and eventually, she climbs up and puts her head into my chest. A while later it appears she has fallen asleep. It is honestly troublesome, since I usually spend my sleepless nights practicing magic or hunting in the dungeon, but listening to her now calm breath, feeling the heat of her small, fragile body, I can’t help but think this isn’t all bad.

I spend the night merely stroking her head. It is pretty boring, but even when I try to fall asleep, I fail to. Guess I am too acclimatized to being awake constantly.

When she eventually wakes many hours after, she stretches her body. Then, she seems to suddenly have realized she spent the night in my embrace. She jumps up and creates a distance.

“So-sorry” she utters while prostrating once again. Haven’t we been over this before.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” I tell her. “You know, I actually have some presents for you.”

I fetch my backpack stuffed with goods from yesterday’s trip. She excitedly looks as I produce the short sword, the shield, the dress, but looks quizzically at me when I produce the robe.

“Ah, that is for if we ever need to go to town. You will wear it and pretend to be human.” She frowns a little.

“Why do I need to pretend to be human?”

“Well, I think most people don’t think well of Silvestri.” Wait, why am I explaining this? Shouldn’t she have a better understanding of the situation than me, being of this era and all?

“No, not that. Aren’t you really strong? Couldn’t you just make them be nice?” The Sylvestri I knew from way back were focused on might making right too. I wonder if the culture survived for almost a millennium, or it just is something natural for them?

“It’s not that simple” I try explaining, but I feel like I don’t fully understand it myself, and up not saying much. I end up bailing out with a bad excuse. “You will understand when you’re older”. She looks a little depressed again now. Better fix that.

“Now, grab that sword and shield, and I will show you how to use them properly” I tell her. Her attention and a little smile is immediately restored.