He went on to say to Vanroc, "You're coming with me!"

Then, without another word, he pushed the wheelbarrow, on which there were various objects, in front of him and left the shed.

Shaia and Vanroc followed him outside, where Shaia said goodbye and entered another shed which was next to the one mentioned before.

After she disappeared into the shed, Vanroc heard the deep voice of Shaia's father next to him: "Boy, take the wheelbarrow and follow me." The man turned around and started walking. Vanroc took the wheelbarrow and followed him as ordered.

They walked silently next to each other for a while. Vanroc didn't know how to start a conversation with him. It was surprising to him that father and daughter were the complete opposite in their behaviour and accessibility. He could start a conversation with Shaia without any problems, into which she entered with interest. Vanroc had tried to get into a conversation with him the evening before, which was not easy due to the short answers and the perceived lack of interest in a conversation on the part of Shaia's father. The intimidating aura he had on Vanroc was not very helpful.

Unexpectedly, Shaia's father first broke the silence and asked in a relaxed tone, "Your name is Vanroc, right?

Vanroc was surprised that he started the conversation so relaxed. Based on the impression he had from their brief contacts the day before, Vanroc would have expected him to be more aggressive in a conversation.

A little relieved, he replied: "That's right, my name is Vanroc Mirai. I haven't had the opportunity to ask you how to address you, Mr Pellellane?

Apparently a little annoyed by the counter-question, the man walking next to Vanroc sighed and answered after a short moment: "Just call me by my first name, Reg. It's more annoying to talk too formally than to be addressed by a young boy like you by my first name."

Positively surprised by the answer, Vanroc remembered a conversation he had had with Shaia the day before. He had asked her how he could more easily get into a conversation with her father after he had failed before. She had told him it was as easy as talking to her. Vanroc doubted Shaia's testimony, but after that answer it seemed that he could have a conversation with him this time.

Vanroc wanted to thank Reg Pellellane for his help and his daughter for his previous attempt. He knew he was lucky that Reg didn't just chase him away. Now he dared another attempt: "I want to thank you. Had it not been for you and Shaia, I wouldn't know if I was still alive today".

Reg had heard about Vanroc from his daughter the day before when he came home. She had told him how she had met him and how he had collapsed. She also repeated the story of how Vanroc traveled through the forest and came into contact with monsters. As reason for his trip Vanroc had told Shaia that he had no relatives after his grandfather's death and that he wanted to go to town to find work.

"You should only thank Shaia if she hadn't asked, I would have sent you away with some water after waking up. Even if you haven't recovered yet, you have to work for your meals to stay here. But before that I want to know from you why you are here and when you will leave again?

Even though Reg Pellellane had already heard the story of his daughter, he wanted to hear it from Vanroc himself. It wasn't that he didn't believe his daughter's statement, but she was only 15 years old and hasn't yet learned to see through lies and tricks. How could he sleep peacefully if he didn't even check it himself? After all, Vanroc was a strange young man whose motives he did not know for sure. This was also the reason why Reg Pellellane spent the last night awake, making sure Vanroc stayed in his room.

Vanroc nodded and replied: "I owe her one. Should Shaia ever need my help, I will help her as much as I can".

He knew that Reg already implied with his question that he could only stay temporary. He didn't blame him for not wanting him on the farm for too long. Previously Shaia had told him that her father worked so hard to get them both enough food during the winter. It was clear to him that a helping hand would ease the situation for father and daughter, but only if the person already had experience. Training him would be an additional burden for them.

He continued with his answer: "I am on my way to Umbradigum to look for work. I have yet to figure out how to get there after I have lost some of my belongings in the forest, including my money".

When Reg Pellellane heard his answer, he was relieved because the young man did not make any effort to stay much longer. He didn't seem to be lying either, as he answered without hesitation and looked into his eyes. Nor were there any physical signs that he was not telling the truth.

After a short silence, Reg came up with an idea: "Soon a merchant comes along. He regularly picks up our harvests and other products. As far as I know he comes from Umbradigum. Then he drives to Agri and afterwards to Calagri. Since our farm is located in the northern outskirts of Calagri, he is willing to trade with us. If you really don't know how to get to Umbradigum, you should ask him for help. He will come in the next few days, you can stay here until then. Of course you have to work in the meantime! Everything else is up to you."