5 Leaving

Several days past. 
A runner had been sent to get help and was due back any day. I had done my best to keep the fire and trap food for the men. The wolves stood sentry but didn't approach. I called at them once again and they stood, turned and slunk away. The man was no longer threatening me with a knife but warily watched me just in case something happened.
On the third day I had caught a number of rabbits, found yams and coming from the stream, had managed to bag a few carp. That together with some leaves I had picked on the way back, would make it a feast worth savouring.
The men watched as I skinned, gutted and pushed sticks through the rabbits ready to roast. I then descaled the fish and wrapped them in leaves to place in the embers of the fire. The pot went on and I cooked up a vegetable soup.
"You're skilled little miss. Been doing it long?" one man asked as he walked towards the fire.
"Years, sir. How I live." That was the most words I had strung together in years. Felt strange but also good.
"But can you fight?" he said mockingly, turning to the other men with that look of superiority.
"I fight every day sir. Survival. I kill if have to." I placed my focus back on the rabbits, and turned their skewers.
"That's a fine knife there. Where did you get it?" The man picked it up and turned it in his hands.
"Dad smithy. I made. Mine" I stammered and grabbed it back.
The man was shocked. "Ok, Ok, I wasn't going to take it from you, I was just curious. Your father was a blacksmith then?"
"Yes sir. Made swords, knives, spears. I learned. I watched. I pushed bellows, kept fire strong."
"So where is you father? Where do you come from?" he seemed genuinely interested. I wasn't that bothered in answering him.
"Four years walking away," I replied.
That was all I knew.
It was another two days before the party of soldiers arrived to escort everyone home. People were placed in wagons and others on horses. The dead were placed onto carts and covered over.  Everyone assembled ready to leave.
The man who had had the greatest mistrust of me throughout, came over and thanked me for my help. "Do you want to return with us?" he asked.
I shook my head. I had places to go and things to see. I wasn't finished with my journeying, but when I had, I would know and it wasn't yet. I smiled. Bowing to him, I thanked him for his kind offer but refused.
I watched as they left and turning, I went back to the centre of the arena and gathered my belongings. I spread the ashes of the fire and swept the area of footsteps and cart tracks. I then picked up my bundle and walked across the valley to the other side. We had camped for over a week. I was used to leaving few traces. Surveying the scene I was pleased with how clean and restored the valley floor clearing looked.
I had stopped long enough and my feet itched to get moving again.


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