It was past noon.
Perrin had loaded a caravan worth of goods and was washing the accumulated sweat away.
He had lived in the village for all his life. Never leaving for work since his grandma was nearing her day of departure.
Work was always hard to find. Thankfully Sir Tobin was kind enough to let him work.
So to sate his curiosity for the outside, Sir Tobin and his crew would share their life experiences with him.
They were not the greatest storytellers but the story itself was fascinating.
The stories of hunting giant wolves and subduing green-skins were unbelievable.
They described them as large beasts who fought for days and nights straight.
Perrin was leaning against the caravan and day dreaming about today's stories.
A figure peeked from the side of the caravan.
A young man, similar in build to Perrin.
He had distinct features different from Perrin.
Perrin had messy dark hair and looked young. There was no facial hair on him that stood out.
The young man had the same coloured hair but it was short and neat. His jaw was defined and he had a noticeable beard.
"Perrin. Are you dreaming in broad daylight again?"
The young man spoke with a mildly amused tone.
"Huh. Oh! Darek. Good morning."
Perrin broke out of his bubble and greeted Darek.
"Good morning? Are you still dreaming? It's already past noon."
Darek facepalmed at Perrin's awareness.
"Ohh sorry, my bad."
Perrin was now fully awake. He rubbed the back of his head and gave a awkward smile.
"Why are you here anyway? Shouldn't you be learning about thr forge with your father?"
"I got up early. The basics were clear to me long ago so I decided to run some errands."
Darek was the son of the village's blacksmith. So as a tradition he would also inherit the skill and the properties of his father.
He brought up a piece of paper with somethings written on it.
"The herbalist has issued a request for more Redleaf Bindroots and Whispergrass. I thought that you would tag along for some quick coins"
Darek spoke while creating a coin symbol with his hand.
"Ohh... let's go then!"
Perrin quickly got up and dusted himself.
"Is someone else tagging along as well?"
"No. Just the two of us."
---
Perrin left the area behind and headed back to get his equipment.
The Great Forest was no joke.
The outer area itself was dangerous.
Ashback Wolves and Ironhorn Moose were the dominant force in the outer forest.
Ordinary villagers could only enter as groups to hunt the beasts.
Thankfully the herbs were not near their territory and could be collected without any danger.
"Grandma! I'm back!"
Perrin arrived at the entrance and yelled his arrival so that his grandmother may hear it.
"Yeah-yeah I heard you. Why are you back early?"
Inside, his grandmother sat near the window, wrapped in her usual shawl despite the warmth of the day. Sunlight spilled across her silver hair.
She didn't look at him immediately.
"You stomp like a Ironhorn yourself," she said, voice dry as old leaves. "Anyone could hear you from the next field."
Perrin paused mid-step, then grinned.
"I announced myself, didn't I?"
Now she looked at him.
Her eyes were sharp for someone old and withered.
They swept over him once. No injury or bruise.
She nodded in satisfaction.
"You're back early."
"Finished loading quicker than expected," Perrin said, scratching his cheek. "And… I got another job."
That made her eyebrows lift slightly.
"Oh?"
"Herbalist Pink needs Redleaf Bindroots and Whispergrass. Darek asked me to come along."
A small silence settled between them.
"The forest?" she said.
"Outer edges only. We're not going deep."
She leaned back in her chair, the wood creaking in quiet protest.
"The forest doesn't care how deep you plan to go. It decides whether you go out or in."
Perrin gave a small, sheepish smile.
"We'll be careful."
She studied him again. And sighed.
"Careful," she muttered. "That forest has buried more fools than bravery ever did."
Perrin opened his mouth, then closed it.
Fair point.
"…We won't do anything stupid," he tried again.
"That's worse," she said immediately. "Stupid people don't know they're stupid."
Perrin let out a quiet sigh.
"Grandma…"
This time, her lips curved just slightly.
A flicker of amusement.
"Go on then. I won't stop you." she said.
"Yeah?"
"Then stop standing there like a guilty thief and get your things."
Perrin brightened instantly.
"Got it!"
He moved quickly now, slipping into the small storage corner of the house. His gear wasn't much, but it was his.
A worn satchel.
A short blade, more utility than weapon.
A coil of rope.
A small cloth bundle with dried food.
He hesitated for a moment… then grabbed a second knife. Old, but well-kept.
Behind him—
"Take the thicker gloves," his grandmother said without looking.
Perrin blinked.
"You didn't even see what I picked."
"I don't need to," she replied.
"You have yet to change. You would like to stay naked than wear something just to feel free."
"Ehh! I don't remember that."
He chuckled awkwardly and swapped them out.
As he tied the satchel over his shoulder, her voice came again.
"Redleaf Bindroots bleed when cut."
"Everyone knows."
"Whispergrass doesn't show itself to loud footsteps."
"…I know Grandma. No need to spell it out for me."
"Ashback Wolves won't care about what you know."
That made him stop.
He realized that she was expressing her worry for him in her cryptic way.
"I'll stay away from their territory," he said.
"I hope so."
Perrin turned back toward her.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The sunlight had shifted slightly. It now touched the edge of her face, outlining the fine lines that time had carved there.
She looked smaller.
But her gaze hadn't weakened.
Not even a little.
"Come back before dark," she said.
"I will."
"And Perrin."
"Yeah?"
"If something feels wrong and you feel like you are stuck…"
He waited.
"Then you really are. Remember that."
Perrin nodded slowly.
"…Got it."
He adjusted his satchel, gave her one last look, and then stepped out.
---
The village greeted him with its usual chorus despite the monotonous oppressive feeling he was feeling.
Voices layered over voices. Traders arguing over prices. Metal clanging from the forge.
Life, loud and stubborn.
Perrin moved through it quickly, weaving past carts and people like he'd done a thousand times before.
The merchant area was still busy.
Caravans stood lined up. Guards leaned against wheels or checked their gear. A few mercenaries laughed too loudly at something that probably wasn't that funny.
And near the edge—
Darek.
Gazing at the sky and appreciating its beauty.
'Heh. Darek is day-dreaming himself and he dares to reprimands me for it.'
Perrin jogged up to him.
"Ready?"
Darek glanced at him once, eyes flicking over the gear.
"You actually came fully prepared? I thought you would just bring your satchel. Looks like the scare from Old Pink changed you."
"Maybe or maybe not."
Darek exhaled through his nose.
"Good enough I guess. So I hope you are ready for horse riding."
Darek pointed towards the two steed at the entrance.
Perrin followed his pointed direction.
There stood two horses of black and grey skin.
"Is there a reason for us to bring horses with us? Our satchel can hold enough of the herbs."
Perrin found the presence of horses a little too much.
Although he didn't own any cattle or horse, he has experienced horse riding when the village awakened warrior took the younger generation to experience the thrill of hunt.
"Hmm... not really. Today we need to bring a hefty amount of herbs."
Darek got up onto the black horse.
"The demand for these herbs have risen for some reason. Maybe the monsters at the cityside are acting up."
"Oh."
"What's with the lackluster reaction? This is high time for us to earn more. So get on the horse and let's leave for the forest quick."
"OK dude. No need to hurry. The herbs are not going to run away."
Perrin dismissively spoke about the situation.
He quickly got to the horse and familiarized himself to his ride.
"Neighhh.."
The horse gave a quick sign of acceptance.
"Yeah bud. Let's get along. Alright?"
"Neigh.."
Perrin got onto the horse and steadied himself on the saddle.
"Hurry up Perrin!!"
Darek was long gone.
Under the glaring sun above, he was already on his way.
"Oof. What's the point of being so impatient anyway."
Perrin sighed to himself.
"WAIT UP DAREK!! I AM COMING!!"
Perrin held the reign and slapped the horse to go forward.
Two figures, one at front and one at back, left for the Great Forest, not knowing what's coming for them.