Asim finished his work after an hour. He laid his ax on the side of the cut log and wiped the sweat on his face with his beige cotton shirt. He had rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, but the heat of summer began to make itself felt as the sun was now higher in the cloudless blue sky. As he was tucking back his shirt in his pants, he heard the click of Mrs. Woodrowe's backdoor opening. She was bringing a plate with what seemed like tea in a pitcher along with two glasses. Asim made an interrogative expression as he saw that there was ice in it. 

Mrs. Woodrowe noticed his silent question. "Oh! You remember the adventurer that came by the other day, the elemental Mage?" she asked him.

Asim did saw one yesterday, but he didn't really give any interest. He was more focused on his work, and he didn't care either. He didn't understand why the villagers were always excited whenever one would come. So he simply nodded slightly and let her continue.

"I had the opportunity of talking to him before he left and asked him for some ice." she continued happily. "It's quite hot at this time of the summer. My old bones appreciate a little refreshment once in a while. And I'm pretty sure you would like one too, dear." 

"I see." Asim simply answered. However, he was intrigued by it as the beverage had an unusual color. And the thought of having something cold in that heat tempted him. 

Mrs. Woodrowe put the tray down on a small wooden table placed in her backyard. She then proceeded to pour the drink into the glasses. Asim watched as the dark golden fluid filled the cups. The ice glittered with the bright sunlight, making him eager to taste the beverage. 

The old lady handed him a glass as pearls of water were already forming on it. "Here. It's a kind of tea I tried." She gleefully explained.

He took a sip of it and, as the refreshing liquid touched his lips, his eyes widened in surprise. He didn't expect it to taste so sweet for a tea. Usually, the teas Mrs. Woodrowe gave him were bitterer and served in hot water. Those teas were supposed to help him relax and allow him to sleep, but it never really worked.  Mrs. Woodrowe noticed his reaction and giggled a bit.

"I added some berries and sugar to give the tea his sweetness, my dear. A recipe the Mage shared with me as well." She proudly said. "Do you like it?" 

"I actually do! Thank you, Mrs. Woodrowe. It tastes delicious." Asim answered, a hint of enthusiasm in his expression that disappeared as fast as it came as he realized what he was doing. She had noticed that he hid his spirit, but she didn't give it too much attention.

"I'm glad you like the taste! I wasn't sure at first, but the Mage said it was a popular drink back in Estia. Oh! How I wish to visit that city one day!" she chattered. "Have you went to Estia?" she curiously asked as she sipped her cold tea.

"...No." Asim simply replied.

"Oh, well, I think you should go too, one day! I'm sure you would like it."

"I'm not sure it's a good idea." Asim calmly answered as he knew people would probably recognize what he was if he showed his face in a big city like Estia. It was not only dangerous for him, not that he couldn't defend himself with ease, but also unsafe for the innocent people that would cross his path.

"What makes you say that my dear?" she asked. Mrs. Woodrowe was always trying to make him talk, although she never insisted when she saw that he didn't want to speak.

Asim stayed silent for a moment. "… It would be too dangerous…" he simply said as he stared at his half-empty glass.

"Dangerous? Dear Gods, Asim. You are the strongest, most intelligent, and resourceful young man I've ever met! How could this be dangerous for you?" she asked playfully.

"… Not for me. For the others." He said as he lifted his gaze to the old lady. But then, he looked like he was hesitating to talk more, and Mrs. Woodrowe saw an opportunity to ask more.

"Why is that, my dear? I know that when you first came here wasn't... easy for anyone. But you are such a sweet boy, Asim. You are the kindest."

"I'm not a kind person!" he cut her as his sudden burst of anger startled the old lady. Asim realized that and immediately went back to staring at his cup. "I-I… Sorry… I didn't mean to frighten you…" he murmured.

"It's alright, my dear. I ask too many questions anyway." She gave him a gentle smile. 

He felt terrible. It wasn't the first time he reacted that way in front of her. But she never seemed to hold grudges against him, no matter how rude or cold he was.

"I see you're already done with your work here. Can you put some of that wood inside after you finish your tea, please?" she asked as she stood with difficulty from her chair.

"Sure…" Asim answered, still feeling bad because of his reaction. "I'm... I'm sorry I reacted that way. I just..."

"Oh! Don't overthink about it, my sweet boy. I am the one that can't see when to stop. I shouldn't force you to talk." Mrs. Woodrowe put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Someday, I'm sure you'll find someone to talk to about everything. Nobody can stay alone forever, Asim. You need someone to talk to, someone you can trust. You need a friend." She gave him a comforting smile as always. She then headed back inside her house, holding the tray she had brought earlier.  

Asim stared for some time at his cup, thinking. He didn't need a friend. He didn't deserve one to begin with. Being alone was all that he deserved. His past, his memories, his nightmares... They were his torture to remind him of everything he had done. He would never allow anyone to see that part of him. How could he ever share that part of him with anyone? This was his burden. Nobody could understand what he had endured. Nobody could comprehend how much the weight on his shoulders was immense. All that pain, all that suffering, all those lives… He couldn't share that with a friend as it would surely scare them away or devastate them.

Asim then gulped what was left of the sweet golden beverage from his cup and put it on the small table. Afterward, he went back to his work as he picked up a large pile of cut logs and brought it inside Mrs. Woodrowe's house.

Asim did work after work and even had managed to do more than he was supposed to do. He chopped wood, cleaned gardens, fed the farm animals, repaired fences and furniture, and did errands for the villagers. Some of the villagers he came to help were surprised to see him this early as they didn't expect him before late that day.

But Asim needed to occupy his mind. The memories crawled in even more after he had that conversation with Mrs. Woodrowe. He knew the old lady only wanted him to be happy, but she couldn't understand even if he allowed himself to talk to her. Would she still be this kind to him after she knew? Probably not. Who would? Asim flexed his jaw as he walked towards his next job, still annoyed by his reaction from earlier. He was mad that he had let a simple word affect him so much. He didn't want to startle Mrs. Woodrowe.

As he went on the bridge that led to the other half of the village, he sighted Clara. She was leaning on the ramp, a large basket at her feet. She then lifted her head as she noticed him.

"Asim! You came!" Clara happily called to him.

Asim realized that he had forgotten entirely that he somewhat agreed to eat with her for lunch. He froze for a moment. He didn't want to be alone with her. He was always uncomfortable and awkward. Why would she even want to be alone with him, to begin with? He was far from being good company...

Clara had picked up her basket, probably full of food she had made herself, and started heading towards him. He thought for a moment to simply turn around and walk in the opposite direction. But she had seen him already, and it was too late to escape. Besides, she probably prepared this picnic all morning. It would be rude at this point to refuse. 

"Damn it…" Asim whispered to himself, cursing that he had forgotten and the fact that he could have simply avoided her instead if he had remembered.

Clara had gotten closer to him. "What did you say?" she happily asked.

"Nothing!" Asim promptly answered as he didn't want to offend her.

"Oh! I thought you said something. Sorry." She giggled. "By the way, Asim! I was starting to believe you wouldn't come!" Clara pouted. 

She was holding the basket with both hands. It looked heavy for her... Without thinking, Asim simply grabbed the basket from her trembling arms. 

Clara started at his gesture for a moment. "Oh, thank you." She flustered.

"It looked heavy, so…" Asim explained quietly.

"Hehehe!" she giggled again. "Now, shall we go? I thought we could go eat on the small hill with that big tree!" she said as they started heading towards it. 

They arrived at the large tree in the middle of the hill that was not far from the main village as the river ran at its end. The sun shone brightly in the sky, and Clara took out a blue and white blanket from the basket. She laid it on the grassy ground as she made sure it was in the shade of the tree's large branches and vibrant green leaves. Asim didn't really mind being in the sun; he was used to extreme heat. But Clara clearly had paler skin and would get sunburns quickly. 

Clara then sat on the blanket, tucking her yellow dress under her knees. Asim was still standing as he watched her place delicately all she had prepared for lunch. There was freshly cooked bread with its golden-brown crust from this morning's batch, cut pieces of orange cheese, slices of smoked ham, and finally, she took out freshly picked leafy lettuces and bright red tomatoes. She then pulled out a jar with what seemed to be berries jam in it and a small sealed bowl with cookies in it.

She proceeded to cut the bread into slices and put lettuce, cheese, and ham in it. She lifted her blue gaze towards Asim as she noticed that he was still standing.

"Come sit!" Clara happily invited Asim, patting on the blanket near her.

He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should tell her that he was not hungry and simply leave. But he couldn't say that now that he had seen all she had prepared. Asim wondered why she still kept on inviting him and talking to him even though he declined her offers many times before. 

However, he noticed that she hadn't brought that much food. Why did her basket be so heavy then? He finally sat after what seemed like long awkward seconds on the far corner of the blanket. He stared at the basket, perplexed. Clara saw that he was glaring at it and only giggled again.

"I know you don't eat that much, so I brought just enough for both of us. Oh! And don't feel the need to eat it all if you're not hungry!" she said as she gave him a gleeful smile. 

Asim was slightly surprised that she thought of that, but it didn't answer his silent question. He was just too curious. He had to ask what was in her basket. When she held it earlier, it looked like she had put rocks in that. And yet, he still wavered between doing so, and as he was still intently looking at the mysterious basket, Clara smirked.

"Hehehe! You want to know what's in it, don't you?" she observed, proud to have made him curious. "You see, I managed to get a hand of some rare books from the last trade." She started explaining as she pulled out two large books from the basket. "Well, I don't exactly know what you like to read, but I figured you could enjoy them as well as I did! It's the tome one and two from the same author, and it's about a wonderful adventure between a King and his knight friend! It's a beautiful story filled with action, romance, and drama!" she continued.

Clara kept speaking about how good the books were while they ate. She kept on talking about different other books Asim might like to read. He didn't, or rarely, say a thing as he only listened to her. She looked enthusiastic at the idea that she could be able to lend him her precious stories. Honestly, Asim was relieved that she spoke the whole time. He wasn't sure if she did that because she knew he didn't talk much or because she just was very passionate about books and fantastical stories.

He liked reading, but it was more to occupy his mind when he couldn't find sleep at night. Some books were good, but nothing too exciting as he didn't have any preferred genre. But reading helped him in a way understand the world, a world he hardly knew.

As expected, he barely ate, but he made sure to at least taste a bit of everything. Clara probably worked hard on preparing that meal, and doing this would surely make her feel happy. The time finally came for him to go back to work. Mr. Barnes was waiting for him to help the woodworkers in the forest.

"What? Already?" Clara complained as he got up. But she immediately smiled back at him. "I hope we can do this again soon!" she happily said as she started packing back. Asim helped her folding the blanket they sat on. "Well, that's if you want to, of course." She added, mumbling as she glanced at his eyes and back at the ground. 

"… Maybe." He simply said, but he knew that he probably wouldn't. Still, his simple answer made her smile even more significant than it already was as she murmured a soft happy song.

Truthfully, he wasn't very comfortable with the idea of doing it again. He wasn't very keen to be alone with someone as he didn't know how to interact appropriately. In the end, Asim preferred doing his own thing all by himself. It was less troublesome, and he didn't have to worry if he said or did something that could hurt someone. 

Besides, he knew he couldn't give her what she expected from him. He can't be her friend. He can't be anyone's friend. His burdens were something he had to carry alone. He didn't need to share that kind of pain with anyone as nobody deserved it except him.

They finished packing all the goods inside the basket, and Clara handed him the two books she had brought for him. He took them and started heading towards the forest.