Chapter 81 The Cruelty of The Gods - Part 6

Chapter 81 The Cruelty of The Gods - Part 6

He didn't look very convincing as a small trail of blood broke free from the wound on his leg and made it down his shin. Both women now bore the unmistakable visages of anger.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, IDIOT!? ARE YOU GOING TO UNDO ALL OUR HARD WORK?" Nila shouted, attempting to shove him back in the chair.

"Nila – be gentle," her mother cautioned, but from the stern look on her face, she was equally of the same opinion.

Beam grabbed Nila's hand as she pushed, holding her tightly, knowing that he'd struggle to maintain his balance. His expression, for the first time in hours, returned to one of the utmost seriousness. "I'm sorry... After you put so much time into fixing me up – but I need to go. I have to see Greeves and I have to get back to the forest before sundown."

"You're not going to stay..?" Nila's mother asked, tilting her head. "But you can't walk anywhere like that, can you? You'll tear your stitches out."

Nila bit her lip, thinking the same. But she could tell that Beam was deadly serious, and though she wanted to say that he should rest, she knew that he wouldn't listen. She stared at the hand that was holding hers, feeling the rough calluses of his palm scratching her skin.

"He's got to go, mother," she said, "otherwise he'll get in trouble. I'll walk him back and make sure he doesn't push himself too much."

Her mother shook her head in worry. "Both of you – this is too much. He's already lost so much blood. If he keeps walking around like he has, he really will be in danger this time, you know?"

"Take good care of yourself, Beam," her mother said as he left, her face the very picture of worry. Beam nodded resolutely, swearing to himself that he'd recover quickly, and make sure that this family could comfortably make it through the winter.

"Thank you," he said again as they left. Nila closed the door after them with a sigh.

"Do you not know how to say anything else?" She said wearily, the tiredness showing on her face. "Honestly, what a day this has been."

The two of them trudged down the road into the village centre, as people spared them curious glances. Nila with her bright red hair wild behind her head, and Beam with half a trouser leg cut off and his terrible looking wound on his leg bared for the whole world to see.

The two of them were too tired to pay any attention to the glances.

"Wait here, at the edge of the square. I won't be too long," Beam said, once they had passed the bakery.

"What? No way. You can't walk by yourself on that leg of yours. You'll ruin the stitches," Nila said, frowning.

But Beam shook his head adamantly. "Nila. You do not want to get yourself involved with Greeves," he said sternly. "I'll manage by myself."

She looked unhappy with his words, but seeing his expression, she couldn't protest. She mumbled "fine," and folded her arms, making her discontent clear. "But if I shouldn't get involved with him, then why are you?"