CHAPTER 7
Temeria, 1209
There's no fear in me as I took another step down; coming up on the halfway mark. Surely enough it'd taken a few tries, but eventually I made good on my promise to overcome the stairway obstacle. Things are going rather well and in all honesty, I feel much better than before. After getting out of bed and gaining back my mobility, my confidence had also started to return.
Taking another step down, I held on to the railing for support while Roldan followed closely from behind. No matter what, he always insisted that he be there; just encase. But I'd never once fallen and I always took things slow to begin with; focusing on placing one foot in front of the other. Reaching the very last step, I took the final stride and looked over my shoulder to smile in victory.
Roldan gave a nod of his head "That went rather well"
"Now you won't have to keep following me around"
"You don't enjoy my company?" he jested before adding "I'm only here to make sure you're safe, but yes. If that's what you want, I won't follow you anymore. Besides, it's not hard to tell you doing much better"
"It's nice" I admitted with a sigh "Being able to move freely again. A week in bed seems like such an eternity. I almost thought it possible to forget how to walk"
"And now here you are" he said proudly "In all honesty, I'm surprised to see you this way in such a short time. Not given the injuries you sustained"
"But none of this would've been without you" I replied sincerely "You've done so much for me these past few days, and I thank you for it – always"
Looking toward the living room, I found it to be just as humble and cozzie as the rest of the house. Two thick chairs stood facing the fire place, with a brown fur rug underneath. A wooden dining table centred the room; meant for four people, while the vacant spaces are filled with knickknacks, draws and cupboards. Once you take a good look around it's not hard to tell a family once lived here; it's decorated in such a homely manner.
However, my attention soon turned to that of the front door as it stood not far in front of the staircase. In an instant, flashbacks of my arrival began to reel in the back of my mind. I remembered stumbling through the woods, burnt and afraid, before coming upon this oasis; seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
Roldan caught on and gestured with his hand "Did you want to go outside?"
"Yes" I answered simply.
Making my way toward the front door, my fingers clutched the handle before opening. A brush of fresh air scented like grass and wet dirt blew across my face as I stepped out onto the front porch. Looking out toward the green paddock, the cows chewed on the pasture with not a single worry, while the sun shifted into the afternoon.
Sitting down on a wooden rocking chair, I continued to watch the glowing beacon in the sky whilst taking in the different sounds and smells. Closing my eyes in peace and tranquillity, I'm finally able to take in the freedom of the outdoors without any fear or pain. A moment passed before I looked over to see Roldan standing by the railing. Watching him from the short distance, my eyes couldn't help but wander until they found a light dirt track leading away from the farm.
My curiosity peaked "How far away is town?"
Roldan turned too looked at me "A ten minute horse ride at best. Not far at all" he answered "Why do you ask?"
"The healer who came to fix my wounds. I can't help but wonder if he's told any others of my arrival. Well, the people might not be so excepting as you've been"
"I wouldn't worry yourself" he said with confidence "We have passer-by's and travellers all the time. Strangers aren't so uncommon"
I could only nod my head in reply. I don't want to raise any suspicion by pressing my concerns any further. For now I'll just have to trust what he says, however, I'm still anxious about the situation. There's no telling what people will do and say, I know that now. But this is out of my hands. All I can do is stay out of the way and hope I go unnoticed.
Fixing the topic onto something more enjoyable, I gestured to the sun which sat brightly between the clouds "It's beautiful"
"There's no doubt about it. There isn't a single day I don't watch it go down past the horizon" replied Roldan before pointing out towards the hills "There's a cabin up in the woods. My grandfather built it as a shelter for when he'd go to hunt. Sometime's I'd go up there to spend the night and get a better look"
"That sounds breathtaking"
Roldan turned to me "If you like, I can take you to see it"
"That would be wonderful"
He nodded before adding "I need to check on a few things before it gets too dark. I'll be back in a short while" brushing his fingers through his blonde hair, Roldan gave me a gentle smile before making his way down the front steps of the porch. Disappearing toward the paddock, I watched him from my chair as he inspected the posts and fence that kept the cattle safe.
Anyone can tell that Roldan's a good and hardworking man. He cares about all people and all things living; including the animals under his care. Watching him pat the neck of a cow, I had to ask myself - how could a man be so loving? After all the suffering he's had endure, you would think he'd be distant and cold, but instead he's the very opposite.
It's such a contrast compared to myself.
There was a time I had everything and then it was taken from me. I felt resentment, anger and hatred towards the people who caused it and the ones who did nothing to stop it. It was only because I was brought here, to this place of all, that I was able to be pulled from the whirl pool that I'd been casted into. I wonder, if I hadn't have been taken here would I still be filled with hatred instead of peace?
Sitting in the chair, I watched and waited for as long as I could until it turned too dark to see. Getting up, I made my way inside the house. Fumbling toward a chest of draws, I sifted through until I found a box of matches. Pulling one out, I felt the little wooden sticks between my fingers and was hesitant to strike the match.
Fear.
I didn't heard the front door open or the footsteps that followed. It wasn't until a hand reached out to gently take the matches from me that I'd realised Roldan had come back. Moving away to strike a flame, I watched as he lit the candles around the house along with the fire pit. Adding another log to the growing flames, I turned away from the uncomfortable site and headed toward the kitchen.
The room is decent with plenty of cupboards and utensils, while jars and strings of things are scattered everywhere else. It smells all too much like garlic and rosemary; not unpleasant. Centred in the middle is an island bench, which looked fairly loved and worn. Fumbling on what to do, I didn't know where to start. I only knew that I wanted to be useful – as I said I would be.
Roldan came through the open doorway "What are you looking for?"
"I wanted to cook dinner for us. I'm just not sure where to find anything"
"Well, I'm afraid there isn't much in terms of ingredients, but the pantry is through there" he pointed "As for the pots and things, there scattered around. I'm sorry to say this area really isn't in my expertise, but I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for"
We both gave a light chuckle and I nodded with a smile "I'm sure I will"
Heading toward a narrow door way, I peeked inside to see a decent walk in pantry. As Roldan had just informed me, the food items are limited; most of which are non-perishables, but there's potential. Grabbing a few things here and there, I took them to the island counter and started preparing dinner. However, I soon stopped when I realised Roldan still stood by the doorway.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked, to which he shook his head.
"No, not at all. It's just been a long time since I've had anyone else in here – cooking"
"Well, I hope not to disappoint".
"I doubt you ever would" he said with a faint smile before gesturing toward the living room "I'll leave you be then"
Roldan left and I turned toward the ingredients I had laid out and focused back onto the task at hand. What I had in mind isn't anything special, just a simple stew with vegetables and left over dried beef. However, the smell of it bubbling away on the wood fire stove made my stomach grumble and my heart warm. The stew smelt so familiar and for a brief moment I felt as if I'd been taken back to the cottage in Redania.
Stirring the large pot, I waited for it to thicken and cook through. Calling out to Roldan who'd already set the dinner table, I carried the pot carefully over and sat it down in the middle of the table. Roldan tucked himself in with the chair while I scooped into our bowels.
"It smells delicious"
"Thank you" I replied while sitting down opposite of him "My mother taught me how to make it, although it's not quite exact. I'm sure it'll be just as nice"
Sitting back in our seats, the gleaming flicker of the candelabra gave a calming tone as we ate. There was almost complete silence apart from the clink of our spoons and the slurping of the stew. It wasn't long after when Roldan sat back with a satisfied look on his face. He enjoyed the meal and I felt a sense of achievement at the fact.
"It's been too long since I've eaten this well" he smiled with a low laugh "Thank you Hannah"
Taking in his complement, I'd almost forgotten whose name he'd spoken; until I realised it was just another one of my lies. Pushing through the unsettling thought, I gave a gentle smile in return "You're welcome"
Getting up from my seat, I grabbed our bowels and proceeded to take the dishes into the kitchen to be cleaned. Sitting on a bench by the wall are two shallow buckets which have been filled with water for the day. Washing the bowels and utensils, I found myself yet again accepting a helping hand as it reached out to take the bowel from my hand.
Roldan once again stood by me with those kind blue eyes and that ever present smile. No words were spoken between us as none needed to be said. Continuing on with the chore, I washed while Roldan dried and it went on until everything was clean. It became quick work between the both of us and I felt that number fitting ever more perfectly.
Just the two of us.