I woke up to crows cawing outside my window. It was midday, someone had removed my boots and draped a blanket over me. As I looked towards the door, a basket full of food was brought in for me. Rilmdra must have helped me last night. I’ owe her. Maybe on my next hunt, I’ll try to find what's left of the season’s herbs for her. Rilmdra was a kind of nanny to me will my while my uncle was away. She has worked here as the cook for the barracks for many years, and she never batted an eye when my uncle asked her to look after me. Her only child died of sickness; they were the same age that I when I was orphaned. She became the surrogate mother I needed, and I became the child that she had lost.

I rolled out of bed and went for the basket of food. That is when it hit me; I haven’t eaten since before the attack. My stomach let out an awful loud growl. Technically before that even, I hadn’t touched the soup because Rodyk spooked me. I inhaled a few of the rolls, ignoring the fact of how much his last words bothered me, and put on my boots and reached for my bow and dagger. The attack on the village only meant I would have more chores to do. I grabbed a few more rolls from the basket before leaving my room. I wanted to see how the repairs on the gates were going. Once I reached them, I saw my uncle standing back watching the progress. Figures he wouldn’t rest until he knew the village was secure. They had the gates closed, while they finished reinforcing it. The gates would probably be complete by this evening.

I headed for the stables to assist Aoro with the horses. Once I started learning how to fight, especially on horseback, uncle decided I was also old enough to help out with the horses. Helping with the chores helped keep my mind off Rodyk’s seemingly cryptic message. “You seem to have an awful lot on your mind, young one,” Aoro stated as he gazed intently on knowing why I was so focused. “I do have a lot on my mind.” I didn’t feel like discussing it with old man Aoro. Granted he wouldn’t say anything to anyone; I didn't feel like opening up. “Well if you aren’t going to let out what's bothering you, you might want to ease up on that brush a bit, or that horse won’t have any hair left to brush.” I stopped for a second and realized he was right. I’ve been too focused on my thoughts to pay attention to what I was doing. I sighed; maybe I should not be doing my chores right now. I’m running on only a few measly hours of sleep as is.

“You’re right, Aoro. With everything that's been going on lately. I feel like I’m not doing enough for the village.”

Aoro chuckled, “I have not in all my long years known a youth such as yourself.” he paused as if waiting to know if he had my full attention, “you are without a doubt strong and brave but care so much for your people and your home. I believe there is nothing you would not do for them. Now, if you don’t mind, what is troubling you?” Aoro could see through anyone whether he knew them or not; including my uncle. I should have known.

I let out a sigh, “Rodyk asked me to wait for him.”

“Oh? And are you going to wait for him?”

“Well, of course, I will, he is my closest friend. He is even like a brother to me. He is family, and I’m not sure what exactly he means by wait for him?”

Aoro studied me for a minute and chuckled again, “child, when Rodyk returns, ask him what he meant by it. I believe you may find that it makes sense why he asked you the question that he did. And when he gives you his answer, think before you speak.” At that, Aoro gave me a knowing look. “What you decide to do with the information what you will, but remember to think before you speak the first thing that comes to mind. Keep an open mind. You aren’t children anymore.” With that, I was with even more questions than answers. Apparently it showed, for Aoro smiled and left me with the patient mare I was brushing.

The information I’m given? But I’ve already asked him what he meant. Think before I speak? Don’t I always? My head started spinning with all these questions, and it only puzzled me more.

I finished with the old mare and gave her a carrot as a way of apologizing for nearly balding her. I spent the rest of the day tending to the rest of the horses, hoping it would take my mind off Aoro’s words, and it did until I finished. The next few days passed without any signs that the wild men were coming back for a second attack. After two days the gates were fully repaired. The builders then began a new project of inspecting for any other week points along the wall surrounding our village. Uncle even posted more watchmen and increased training. By the fifth day, many of us began to worry for none of the Rangers had returned.