The Ronin of the North p3

After the two gathered what they could from the broken cart. “Follow.” he told the woman.

“Why are you helping me Outlander?” the woman asked The Ronin.

“You were in danger.” he said, “So I helped.”

“You could have gotten yourself killed against something that large, Outlander, why risk your life for a stranger?” The woman asked.

“I’ve faced bigger and more threatening creatures.” Masayoshi said.

“Larger than a Yeti? Where and when would you face something so large?” The woman asked, following close behind.

“Every few days.” Masayoshi said, “I’ve become used to it.”

“Become used to fighting beasts? Outlander, you must know how absurd that sounds.” she said.

“You’d think so. But it is my burden.” The Ronin said. “What can I call you?”

“My name is Nitesh, but most call me Tesh.” She said, “And what is your name Outlander?”

“Masayoshi.” The Ronin said.

“Masa…” Tesh struggled to say the name,

“You can just call me Ronin.” he said, as the two crested a hill a small shack hidden by snow came into view only noticeable by the small wisp of smoke coming from the chimney. “There.” he pointed. “Only a little farther now.”

“How do you walk like this?” Tesh asked, “Where are your snowshoes?”

The Ronin paused. “Do you mean my boots?” he questioned her puzzled.

“No. They are…” she paused and struggled to explain them, it was one of those things for her that seeing them all her life they are so common place trying to form the words to describe them was hard. “They help you walk in the snow.” she said.

“My boots work just fine.” Masayoshi said.

“I’m not used to walking without them in snow like this.” Tesh commented.

“We are almost there then you can rest.” Masayoshi told her.

After a short time of walking through the shin high snow they arrived at the small cabin. The interior was by far warmer than the outside but the fire was nearly dead, only embers rest in the hearth, Masayoshi grabbed two logs from the pile and placed them on the coals blowing on them to raise the fire to life once more. The try longs began to smoke, then crackled as new flames rose. The change in heat rose slowly but notable quickly. Once the fire was going The Ronin placed a few more logs on the hearth.

“Do you need something to eat?” he asked as he took off his fur mantle and placed it over a chair, and took a pot placed on the shelf over the fire.

“If it is not asking too much. You have done so much already.” Tesh said.

“I would not have asked it if it was a problem.” he said, quickly opening the door and scooping snow into the pot. “I hope soup is okay.” he said, raking some coals free from the wood and placing the pot on them.

“That would be fine.” Tesh said, taking a seat in the other chair, and looked around the living space. “Is this your cabin?” she asked.

“It was abandoned, and I need shelter. If that makes it mine then yes.” Masayoshi said, as he started to gather small cloth bags filled with dry ingredients.

Tesh continued to look around and her view stopped on something leaning next to the door. “What is that…?” she asked, pointing to a pair of objects.

“What are what?” Masayoshi looked at where she was pointing. “Some strange fishing nets?” he asked. “I couldn’t figure out how they worked, and haven’t seen a body of water so I’ve been ignoring them.” he said dismissively before going back to the melting snow.

“Those are snowshoes…” she said, slightly frustrated.

Masayoshi dropped a handful of jerky in the pot to rehydrate. “If you want them, take them,” he said.

“Didn’t you say this wasn’t your house?” Tesh asked. “You can’t give them away if they aren’t yours.”

The Ronin shrugged again, adding more dried things to the simmering pot. “I’ve been staying here for a few months now and seen zero signs of the owner returning. If you do not want them, at least use them if you go outside.” he suggested. “You are borrowing them.”

Tesh took off her boots and started warming herself by the fire. “So…” she trailed off. “What is someone like you doing this far north? Judging by your complexion you’re not from anywhere near here.”

“I have enemies, this is the last place they will look.” Masayoshi said.

“Right, fighting the monsters. So why are monsters after you?” Tesh questioned, still not completely convinced the man hadn’t gone crazy from isolation.

Masayoshi patted the blade at his side. “I took something from my old master. He wants it back at any cost.”

Tesh studied the oddly made but elegant blade. “Sending monsters to get back a sword?”

“Not just a sword…” The Ronin waved his hand in a wizardly way. “Magic. It’s how I got to you and moved so fast against the yeti.” It felt odd telling a stranger about the sword, and the creatures after him, but Masayoshi hadn’t spoken to anyone in a while and better this than going crazy.

“What were you doing this far out in the middle of nowhere?” Masayoshi asked. Turing back and letting the stew simmer.

“I was taking some meat to trade with another settlement, but the yeti attacked and stole the meat, guess it wasn’t full because I was next on the slab.” she said, “Or would have been.” Tesh added.

“Will you need an escort home?” The Ronin asked, giving the stew a quick stir.

“After all you’ve done…are doing I couldn’t ask you to take me that far.” Tesh replied.

“We can set out tomorrow if there isn’t a storm.” The Ronin didn’t seem to take her, disregarding his offer. “If you are up to travelling that is.”

Tesh sighed knowing he was going to help weather she wanted it or not, and when she looked up Masayoshi was holding out a bowl of steaming stew for her. “Thank you…” she said as she took the bowl.