As she was walking back home, Lia wondered what she was doing. She could not just leave an injured person like that, could she? Was she pitying the beggar? Was this feeling of gratefulness? Or was she just being an utter idiot?

Lia reached the house, thankful that Tamara was out in her little garden so she sneaked back inside and grabbed the bandages and some ointments. She made her way to their kitchen and fetched some water and food. There was a bowl of leftover soup from breakfast. She hesitated for a while before deciding to bring it as well. As quiet as she could, she went back to the beggar.

When she returned, she still found him slumped on the boulder and seemed to be asleep. But with the sound of her footsteps, he stirred.

Lia didn’t waste any time and proceeded to work. “I’ll just clean your wounds and then leave you alone.”

He gave no response and watched her in silence as she worked. He seemed weaker than he was earlier. She wanted to ask what caused these injuries, but she knew better than to say her thoughts aloud so she worked in silence.

After a while, he spoke, “You brought food.”

Lia jolted and stared at the beggar, who jerked his chin towards the basket. She shrugged and placed the basket closer to him. “You seem like you could use some.” Then after a while, she added with a loud gasp, “You can taste it now while I’m still here if you are thinking about the poiso--”

He cut her words, “What do you want?”

“What?”

“I’m asking what you want. Why are you helping me?”

Lia sighed, but her hands never stopped, “That’s a nice question. Maybe I want to be a good person for once.”

“I could kill you here.”

She could feel him glower so she fixed her eyes on her work, not wanting to be distracted. “Well, I could tell you the same. And you are weaker than me at the moment.”

Her words were calm, but she was rummaging through her memories if there was a character like this in the novel. A wandering rogue? Did Lia ever meet someone like that? Would this affect the plot?

“I don’t have anything to pay you,” the beggar said.

“And I don’t want you to.” When she was satisfied with the bandage, she gave it a light pat, quite proud of her handiwork, “Done. You can eat now.”

“These are vegetables,” he said with disdain as he eyed the vegetable salad she brought.

The corners of Lia’s mouth twitched. “Beggars can’t be choosers.” She stilled and quickly added, “Don’t be picky. You’re not a kid.

He choked on his food, “You take me as a beggar?! Fine, I guess that’s fair enough.”

Lia raised her brows, pushed the water, and remained silent. “Besides, it’s hard to get the meat up here.”

“Don’t you hunt?”

“No.” Lia grimaced. “I can’t do it. Or my mother, I think.”

“Do you ever go down the village?”

“...no. I imagine we’re not welcome.”

The beggar tilted his head as if in deep thought. “Because of what those men said? What was it? A witch?”

Lia was silent and picked at the rocks around her feet. “What, are you afraid that I might have hexed you?”

The beggar seemed to consider that and settled with a shake of his head. “No. Though I don’t know if you’re brave or stupid.” He took big gulps of the food. “Or both.”

Lia glared at the guy. “Probably both.” She tried to snatch the bowl but was deftly avoided.

“Don’t take this the wrong way. I’m grateful for this,” he lifted the food container, “but there’s a much better company than me. Maybe a friend?”

When Lia did not answer, he continued with the same silly look he had when he was distracting the bad guys, “Or I can be your friend!”

Lia’s brows shot up and burst into laughter. “Yes, I’ll be your friend too.” This was all too weird for her already, adding another one would not hurt. The beggar joined her. They then settled in a comfortable silence as he continued to eat.

“As friends, should we know each other’s name?” Lia asked.

“Do you want that?”

“I didn’t want to continue calling you a beggar though.”

He smirked while he helped arrange the containers to the basket. “Alright. Ed. And you?”

Lia thought for a while. She was pretty sure he just lied about his name and guessed that was what they had to do. “Lin.”

“Miss Lin, I’m very thankful for cleaning my wounds and for the meal, but I’m starting to feel drowsy…”

Lia took it as her cue to leave. “You should take this cloth,” she gave him the cloth she used to cover the basket. “It’s not a good replacement for a blanket, but I hope that it will suffice.”