Warren was walking away from his watch at the oak, back to his home deep in the woods. He was carrying the boy's sword. Walking through the woods at night was quite the sight, though many have forgotten the pleasures of walking in such directions.
The canopies were illuminated and the leaves glowed with fervor. Thick shrubbery lined the ground and aside from some worn paths the forests were covered with lush grass that rose up to the knees. Every once in a while Warren found snakes in the grass, though none could cause any real danger. The bark on the trees seemed solemn, as if they stood watch and kept the darkness out. Vines climbed such trees and hung from thick branches.
Looking over his shoulder he found the child was busily at work, eating an apple he foraged from his backpack. The boy wasn't aware of his surroundings but he didn't seem to care, he looked content with the apple.
A few feet in front of Warren was a fallen oak. He scaled the tree easily but when the boy started to climb and slid down, Warren picked him up and helped him over. They continued walking. Shortly after that Warren heard a thud nearby, followed by the sound of something rolling in the brush. He quickly looked to his side and found nothing but grass and trees. He looked back at Zeke. Zeke's arm was recoiling from throwing the eaten apple.
"Finished already?" Warren smiled looking at the content child.
"Where are we?" Zeke was now looking around and he was putting on his stern face.
"We will reach my house in about an hour. It's deep in the woods so no one can find me."
"I don't want to rest in the woods!"
Warren had previously thought about entering the town and looking for the boy's parents but it didn't seem wise as the sun was setting and he was too tired to strain himself.
"Don't worry Zeke, the Forest of Tier is a quiet place. These woods aren't scary. Besides, we have our swords right?"
Zeke looked up at Warren and nodded hesitantly. Warren knew Zeke didn't know how to use the sword but that was irregardless of the fact it made Zeke feel safer.
When they reached the house Warren looked down at the child as he held the wooden door for the child to go inside. It was more of a cabin then an actual house. It had four windows and was composed of one giant room. Outside of his house were some logs, a burnt out fire with a kettle over it, a bucket by the side of his house, and some farming equipment. To the side of his house was a garden composed of vegetables. The sun faded and it was too dark to see past the house into the trees around the clearing.
Zeke walked in and looked around. There was an unmade bed and a desk with a feather pen and paper resting on it. Warren entered and placed the boy's sword by the door quietly so as not to distract the boy. After looking around Zeke went to the window and looked outside. He was quiet.
"So Zeke, tell me why you needed my money." Warren placed his backpack, coin pouch, and sword by the side of his desk and sat down, leaning back on the chair. He rested his eyes as he spoke.
"My parents told me money is used to buy things."
"What did you need the money for?"
The cabin got quiet and after a few moments Warren opened his eyes and looked over at Zeke. The boy was sitting on the bed now and looking down at the ground.
"Well?"
"I needed the money for food, mister."
"Why didn't your parents give you money for food?"
"Yesterday my daddy told my mommy he didn't know when he would be back and that he loved her very much. She was crying a lot. And this morning she was gone and she didn't come back for the whole day."
Warren was curious what had happened and suspected foul play. It wasn't uncommon for a villager to turn up missing or dead since all the thievery began in Creole and the other small-shot towns..
"We will look for them bright and early."