He'd told Freya many of the tribe's children at the mission had no memories of their parents at all, and no real reason to try and run away, so they just assimilated. The missionaries had tried to force him to go by Nathan, which he had never accepted. Freya understood that particular sore spot better than most. When she and Frey started going to school, the teacher and other children tried to make them go by Franny and Frank. The teacher said it was sacrilegious for them to be 'named after false idols'.

"I suppose I should thank you again for your help with the barrier. Your family's advice on what stones to use for our runes is probably the only reason the barrier even works," Freya said, toying with the end of one of her braids.

"Your runes likely protect you from your monsters, and our stones protect you from our monsters," Nantan reflected, tapping a calloused finger against his smooth cheek.

Freya stared at his finger against his face, and felt her own cheeks warming. She slapped her hands against either side of her face and let out a loud sigh. Nantan jumped and gave her an odd look. She smiled wryly at him.

"It's been a long day," she said with a dismissive wave. "I'm trying to keep myself awake long enough to do the evening chores and feed myself."

"Actually, that's why I'm here," Nantan said, pulling a bound oiled cloth out of his belt bag. Freya approached him and took it, avoiding skin to skin contact so she didn't embarrass herself blushing again. She unwrapped the cloth to reveal a generous portion of venison jerky and a bundle of assorted dried herbs. They smelled wonderful.

"Oh, thank you!" she said, somehow surprised and also not surprised at the same time. She hadn't really been expecting him to bring her food, but she wasn't surprised to see what he'd given her. "I think I can make a decent soup with this tonight and still have some jerky for lunch tomorrow."

Nantan's frown returned.
"You will be going out on the trail again tomorrow?" he asked sourly.

"Well, yes, I need to find it," she said vaguely, looking away with a frown of her own.

"You mean your brother's pocket watch?" Nantan asked, reaching out to brush the lock of her curtain bangs behind her ear.

Freya flinched at the unexpected touch and blushed. She brought her hand to her cheek and turned to stare at Nantan, wide-eyed.
"Y-yes. Our father told us there was a power of some kind stored in the watch and that we shouldn't let any vaesen get ahold of it," she repeated the explanation to her friend, definitely her friend and not her crush, for what was at least the sixth time.

"But you don't have to search for it alone!" Nantan protested.

"Well, yes, actually, I do," Freya disagreed firmly. "I can't wait for Frey, he won't be back until August. And you can't help because you have other things to do. Right now, the heifers are staying in protected pastures, the nisse is helping keep them and the chickens safe, the weather is nice, and my chores are pretty minimal. I can handle it!"