The sun slowly dipped in the sky as he worked with the woodworkers. Mr. Barnes was so relieved to see Asim finally joining them. The large and muscular man had welcomed him with a firm pat in the back. Even though Mr. Barnes had a constantly irritated look on his face that could startle everyone that didn't know him, he was a very considerate and kind man. The workers were also happy to see him as they knew Asim was swift and efficient at everything he did. 

In fact, there weren't many things he wasn't good at, and people in Riverwind were glad that he was here to help them. Thanks to Asim, they would be able to achieve their quota before the Trade day. And as expected of him, he did the triple than what he was supposed to do.

Asim laid his ax near the freshly cut log with the books that Clara lent him on it. He yet again wiped the sweat from his face with his shirt that he had untucked since he did that quite a lot today. It was hot outside, but it was bearable. He suddenly sensed someone approaching behind him. He slowly turned before the person called out to him.

"Asim! How glad I am to have you here!" the happy Mr. Barnes exclaimed gratefully. "With your help, I don't have to worry at all about the Trade day! Those incompetents behind couldn't do their job fast enough even if their lives were in danger!" He laughed with a tease at Asim's coworkers as they all acted like they were offended, and some laughed back. 

But Asim didn't get it. How could Mr. Barnes possibly know how they would react if their lives were threatened? People laughed around him, but he didn't found this funny as they all did.

"… You could be surprised what someone can do if their life is on the line, Mr. Barnes." Asim simply said without thinking.

A short moment of silence and discomfort ensued. Asim had definitely said something he shouldn't have again. The villagers guessed that because Asim was a Kovari, he had known what war was before ending up here. They didn't know his past as he never spoke about it, but they understood that his life was probably not the best he had back then. 

"Well…" Mr. Barnes cleared his throat." It was a simple joke, boy. We sure don't know what we would do, indeed." He tried to reassure Asim and soften the atmosphere.

But Asim didn't need that reassurance. In fact, he thought that it was them that needed it. Probably because they felt terrible about his complicated past, even if they didn't know exactly what it was. He felt the need to say something back to apologize, but the large man didn't let him as he only patted yet again his back way too vigorously.

"Let's not dwell too much on this! Riverwind is too peaceful and beautiful for us to have to worry about dying!" he laughed heartily. 

The workers around him all started to chat and laugh again. Some came to Asim to ask him for help with the large and heavier logs. No matter how many times he had done it, people were always impressed whenever he would lift a large tronk by himself. He was stronger than any normal person, but for him, this was normal. In fact, he didn't understand how they managed to do all this heavy work without being as strong as he was.

The sun hadn't started to set yet, but Asim could guess it was near dinner time. Then came when everyone was heading back to the village, happy with their job of the day. Some wished Asim a good rest of the day as they went towards the path that led to the township. As for him, Asim took another route. He didn't need to go back to the village. His work for the day was done since he had worked all morning.

He climbed the track that led to his shack as he swiftly avoided the roots and rocks that were all over the ground. He had made this path himself some time ago. It was easier to get to where the woodworkers usually worked. And there always were medicinal herbs growing on that area.

As he went up, he thought back to what happened today. It was quite an uneventful day for the villagers, but for Asim, it had been challenging. First, he yelled at Mrs. Woodrowe for no reason, he then ate with Clara, and she now was probably expecting more from him, and finally, he had said something he shouldn't have again in front of the woodworkers and Mr. Barnes. Why was it so difficult to simply act normal? Why couldn't he just laugh and casually talk like everyone else? It didn't seem that hard. The villagers were doing it every day... But deep down, he knew. He knew that he wasn't normal, and he would probably never be.

As he was lost in his thoughts, the sound of running water got closer. The river was passing near his home, and Asim was eager to get back to his shack. He felt exhausted, and he simply wanted to rest. However, he doubted he would be able to rest at all, as usual. Asim didn't think he would eat either as he already did this noon with Clara. He didn't need as much food as everyone thought he should. But he was used to that and, he didn't feel hungry anyway. Maybe he could try to relax by reading the books Clara lent him. But first, he would hunt the two deer from this morning to bring one to the villagers tomorrow. 

As he thought of what he could do to pass the time for his yet another sleepless night to come, he suddenly heard a weird sound coming from the stream nearby. He couldn't see it yet, but it sounded like something big, bigger than a simple rock, was thrown in it as he heard a loud splashing noise. 

Who or what could be there? It couldn't be one of the villagers; it was too late for them to venture into the forest at this hour. Besides, they were all probably preparing dinner.

But something in his guts told him to hurry, and without realizing it, he walked faster. He finally reached the river. At first, he saw nothing, but then he suddenly sighted a silvery white-haired head immerging from the water, and he immediately noticed the pointy ears on his head. Why was there an Elf here? And what was he doing in the river?

He noticed the Elf was struggling against the strong current. Asim immediately ran towards the river bank to help the man. But by the time he reached it, the Elf had managed to get himself out of the water. He saw him crawling on the pebbles before his body would fell limp on the ground.

"H-hey!! Are you alright?!" Asim promptly asked. 

But the Elf was unconscious, and as Asim kneeled in front of him, he immediately saw how much in bad shape he was. He had cuts and bruises all over his face and probably his body, by the look of it. 

Then Asim saw a more significant stain of blood on the fabric on his left flank. He was deeply wounded here, and he needed immediate healing. 

Asim had to get him to his home as fast as possible. The Elf was completely soaked, and the water of the river was freezing despite the summer. Moreover, he was already severely injured; if he stayed in those clothes all night, he would get sick as well.

Asim lifted the Elf in his arms, making sure to be careful not to hurt him more. He was surprised for a moment by how lightweight the Elf was, even if he looked nearly the same height as him. He quickly carried him to his home. Asim had no time to worry about where he came from or who he was. His priority was to save the Elf's life.