Watch your step

JP with Lucian, Winteroak and Bandorchu

Not sure what to make of this weird exchange, Alexis looked between Tarmen, Zargari and the departing boy.

“I… I guess we go with him?”

she said hesitantly, clearly somewhat unsettled.

“Thank you again for all your help, Zargari. We… we will see you about that equipment before you depart. Shall we?”

she asked Tarmen, uncertainty evident in her voice.

Tarmen joined her sentiments towards Zargari, a respectful nod before he answered Alexis.
“Rest would be nice, though that boy is… irritating. I can at least take watch and let you get some sleep.”
He waited for Alexis to follow their host, keeping his own uncertainties down for now.

The boy walked you to the other side of the village. Beyond its boundaries you saw extensive fields of barley and grain, recently devastated by the sandstorm.

As you walked across the small village you noticed how the adults looked reverently at the young child. It was a strange scene seeing the deference in their words and gestures at one so young.

You reached his wooden hut in a small clearing surrounded by farmland. The small shack appeared to have withstand the devastation better than most other buildings you had observed.

Two large black cattle dogs came running, barking excitedly at the boy, wagging their tails, but eyeing you and your horses suspiciously.

A small well nearby and a pile of wood were the only other structures around that you could see.

You note that several bones and colourful stones hanged from the hut and the door was painted with some sort of red ochre.

Alexis petted her mare’s head soothingly as it eyed the dogs just as suspiciously as they did them.

That short treck through the village in Berus’s company had been yet another ample reminder that their Helian preconceptions often could not be applied to Arcadia. A warning to tread carefully.
They really had no idea who or what this boy was, did they? Quite clearly more than just a child. A darn lot more.

She imagined that his involvement on their behalf had been more decisive to the elder’s begrudging admittance than the lost girl’s parents’ grief.

His presence, and the way he spoke, hinting at secret knowledge, reminded her of Omen somehow.
She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. What did he want with them?

Alexis stifled a sigh. She felt entangled beyond breaking free by workings far beyond her comprehension. And yet, she had to move forward. Just run by sight, one step after the other.

“Thank you. I believe without your blessing, we would have had to leave right away. But may I ask why you chose to help us?”
she quietly asked their host.