I have concluded that the wave of soldiers passed. It didn't even last that long, maybe one and a half-day? And they brought so much change to our lives. It was mind-boggling. A person died. There was no burial, his body was thrown outside the village, so that its smell, once it started to rot away wouldn't attract dangerous beasts. Some villagers even took parts, to use in their traps, for hunting wild animals.

Nobody complained, even if we all took a stand. What could nineteen beggars do, armed with mud and fists? And in the end, they were right. It would have been our job to bury him, and nobody wanted to dig two meters deep with their bare hands. And well villagers weren't looking at us with anything else than an annoyance. And well some even had hate in their gaze.

When I thought about it, they were probably scared, confused? Maybe they expected more of those [Soldiers], some kind of aid? They had so many carts, all full to the brim. With food, weapons, herbs, some kind of vials, I guessed medicine? But I couldn't tell. And it is probably their first time as well. Seeing so much new stuff passing by, and being out of their reach.

Maybe they thought that they came here for them? Some kind of aid, or recruitment plan? But how could one be as stupid to think that, when we already knew that war is happening. How could they be so self-centered, that even after who knows how long, with no one visiting our village? To think that it was related to them?

I guess greed and well hope. Can be a great way to blind the masses.

A day has passed since then. And without a sign of villagers becoming friendlier. And that meant no coin. I had a nice meal, yesterday. And somehow I still felt full of energy, maybe even I was affected in some way, by the [Soldiers] passing through our village? The way that the [Soldier] that killed a man, looked at him? Us? Even seconds as he did it?

I could see a lesson there, a lesson that I already learned. But never, even in my dreams. Did I think that human life could be treated like that? It somehow made it more clear. That well, no matter what you are, unless you are important as a person, being a [Healer], or I don't know the only baker in town, or something similar. That well made it either impossible to kill you, being strong like that [Soldier]. Or well crucial enough that their life would become miserable without you.

And if you were a pathetic beggar? Well, you made sure that you obeyed, once they looked away you could curse them, as much as you wanted.

And well, like life. While it can be harsh, deadly at times boring at others. Lessons can as well.

If I wasn't beaten for stealing, and smart enough to learn from it? Would I have been dead? Certainly.

That realization, somehow made it easier to appreciate things.

Shaking my head, and clearing my thoughts. I still felt adventurous, so I decided for the first time, to expand my knowledge of this village. Since villagers, and beggars alike were still vary. The streets were empty, from what I could see. Even that bakery was closed. I think they were working only at specific times now.

Before I got up, from where I was sitting. I made sure to slump my shoulders. And well I decided to walk slow, and not show the energy that I had in me.

As I walked closer to the end of our street, one of the beggars yelled something, I guess it was aimed towards me. I continued walking since there was no way for me to confirm if he was talking to me, and there was a chance if he was? That he would be lazy enough to not bother and get my attention.

"Yo kid, what made your sorry ass move, and leave your comfort zone?"

The voice came from my left, I almost stumbled and fell, from shock. I managed to catch myself, looking up at the person standing there. He was a beggar just like me, just bigger and well, older. While trying to hide my surprise, I stammered out.

"Er... I just want to look around. I haven't eaten anything for the past three days. I, I am feeling desperate."

He looked at me, somewhat confused.

"Why are you scared kid, I just asked you. Well, you picked the right time, with streets being empty and all."

I just nodded and went on. I was lucky, that he didn’t bother me any further.

After I have gone through a few streets, I came to a few conclusions. I wasn't missing anything. Everything looked the same, only difference. Well, there were no beggars, I guess we all grouped up, for safety and other reasons. Or well villagers decided to move us to a single street. To avoid stepping on excrement on their walks.

The second conclusion, walking slowly, barefoot on mud. With slumped posture. Well, it was hard.

I came close to quitting, but being one street away from my goal I just went on. But at the end it didn't change my opinion.

I came to a conclusion that our village had ten streets, the three that I knew being much shorter, and from the houses that were there only ruined pillars were left. While these streets that I was now walking, had nice-looking houses, or at least they looked whole. Somewhat similar to the bakery, and were much longer.

There were no fireplaces for a beggar, there was no food either. So for people like me, well those three streets were much better. For surviving.

Having completed my goal for the day, I decided to go back to my street and sleep. Maybe if I found some crumbs, I would eat but I doubted that my luck would get better.

I guess I could reward myself tomorrow, with a bread roll.

_______

Dirtyhair woke up, everything was back to normal. Except for them having one less in their street. Shaking his head, he to the side, seeing his brother sleeping and deciding to not wake him up. He noticed one more inconsistency the smallest of them was missing. Which was weird, when he thought further down that line of thought, it was even weirder that he didn't leave much further than the three streets. So he just left it bee.

Thinking about their plans of leaving, and trying to find another village. He noticed his brother start to wake up, and decided to wait, and talk it out.

Sitting up, with his head somewhat cleared. Bronzedirt yawned. Things about the kid dying, and attitude of the villagers and [Soldiers]. It made him even more certain, that he wanted to change things, make it so that everyone had equal chances to enjoy life.

If Bronzedirt got lucky, first time in his life. He prayed! To become something, someone that could change, give him the opportunity to change the way that things are now.

And with that, Bronzedirt became certain, of my goals.

"Brother, how are you feeling?"

Came a voice from his left waking him up from his musings.

"Better, I think I found a goal for my life"

"Really? That's good, as long as we keep going strong. Keep together and we shall make a name for ourselves. I am certain."

"You think so? I still see it as a pipe dream, but having a goal, it feels nice."

"All we did so far was survive. But we are getting closer to the point where our lives turn for the better, or well, we are done for."

"Yes."

"Now that you are up, I wanted to talk about, well do you still want to try and find another village? See if it changes something. Maybe it would be smart."

Scratching his chin Dirtyhair, looked at him. He looked like… he really wanted to try, and leave this place. Bronzedirt didn’t have it in him to refuse, and now even he wanted to do it. So he nodded.

"We certainly can, it wasn't long since the [Soldiers] left. I doubt that beasts would come anywhere close to that road, anytime soon."

Dirtyhair was happy, that his brother thought the same way.

"Yea, but we'll need food, water. And if we don't make it in a day, we'll need to sleep a night there. And that is dangerous."

"Food shouldn't be an issue, we have some coins left. The only issue is that the baker doesn't work all day anymore."

"Yeah, so if we don't manage to get bread today we can't go tomorrow. So I guess we will see how it goes."

Thinking for a bit, Bronzedirt concluded.

"Only thing that we have to worry about then is where do we hide the bread?"

Shaking his head, Dirtyhair explained.

"If we buy enough for a few days, and as we'll be walking all the way. I don't think hiding is an option. I guess we just go with it, as soon as we get the bread, we go?."

"It could work, would it be smart to bring something with which we could start a fire? We never know if it'll become useful. And it most certainly will."

Scratching his head, Dirtyhair thought about it.

"Only way that I saw them start the fire, was hitting two rocks together? Couldn't we just find them along the way?"

Nodding, Bronzedirt sighed. His shoulders somewhat relaxed.

"Sorry brother, it's just... this is something new. And I have no idea what we could need. Better to prepare right."

Dirtyhaird, clapped his shoulder.

"Don't worry, we will manage... somehow."

And with that their little plan was finished. They would venture out in hope of finding change.

______

Arriving back at our street, I was exhausted. If someone talked to me or looked my way. For the first time in a few years. I didn't notice or care to. Somehow it felt nice. Not needing to follow everything. Pay attention to details, postures, gazes. It was relaxing.

Even though I gained nothing, just experiencing this peace. It felt nice.

I dragged my feet towards my spot, and just plopped down, and fell asleep.

I have no idea how long I have slept. When I woke up, I felt like shit. But I regretted nothing. I felt like I found an equilibrium, I was getting tired of always thinking. Always seeing through all of the possibilities that I could see. It felt nice, to think of nothing. As you pushed yourself to achieve a goal, that you set for yourself. But that didn’t make the experience any better. It hurt.

I had nasty cramps, even standing up was difficult, and so I thought about doing exercises, or stretch a bit every morning. But with so many eyes, it was too risky.

So I would need to either suffer through it, till Awakening. Or end up taking a risk, that my body couldn't even take. And since, even though I was in a bit of a rebellious phase, my brain won over my instincts and wishes.

As I worked on cramps in my legs, my stomach started to rumble. It surprised me. I would usually be fine for the next day or so. But now, I felt starved. And thinking about the reward that I promised myself yesterday. I just couldn't wait.

So I gingerly stood up, making sure I got coins hidden in a spot, that well no one could notice. And headed towards the bakery, wishing that it worked.

It turned out that it didn't, as I approached it. I heard two familiar voices. As I got close I could see the Dirt brothers talking about the bakery.

And from what I understood, today was their day off. And something about a ruined plan. I paid no more attention, as I headed back. The top priority being food. However meager it was. And it was meager.

Everyone had something like a cup, made out of stone. However impractical and heavy. It did the job, and it was perfect for hiding a bit of food.

Before I headed out to explore. I left some crumbs, well those crumbs were equal to, let's say one-tenth of the bread roll. Even though it wasn't fresh, they were delicious. Somehow when you are starved, everything tasted much better.

But I wasn't full, I was still tired. Cramps didn't magically go away. So I was in a dilemma, do I attempt to find some more food. Or just sleep it off, in hope that the bakery opens up early. And get me a double dose of bread rolls. I was tired, so when I finished the crumbs, I didn't even notice when I fell asleep.

_______

Dirtyhair was somewhat annoyed.

"One day will increase the risk, but it's worth it."

"Are you sure brother, that we can't make it?" Bronzedirt asked.

"It's too risky, we haven't had a good meal in a few days. And yesterday we came back after a whole day of walking, we can't keep that going."

Bronzedirt was hesitant.

"But better to starve, then encounter beasts, we can't defend oursel---."

Dirtyhair interjected before his brother could finish.

"I would rather die trying than die starving. And having more energy means we would travel quicker."

Having been somewhat convinced, Bronzedirt nodded.

"Fine, but don't say that I didn't warn you."