Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: Cold Body

I woke up when the sun still hasn't shine, the burning fire is gone while only a few burnt charcoal that still release some heat are the only ones that's left. Shivering I stood up and took another firewood and lit it up letting the light from the fire help me prepare for journey to the forest.

An old rusty but still sharp knife that is a memento of my father, a cloth that is a little better than rags to keep me a little warm,. It's from my older brothers few belonging that I've manage to keep and a small bag that my mother always carries that belongs to my father in her stories. I've always treasured those things as every time I carry them I still feel the warm of my family. We may not be the riches but we have a bond that other family doesn't have because of the influence of hard life.

I took a large breath before slowly going out of the house, only leaving behind the fire that is now gone as I have put only a little bit of wood earlier. Enough for me to prepare and not leave behind some traces of the place being occupied so no one can find me, after all this is a dangerous way to live being young and alone where I could be captured and be a slave.

As I near the city gate the patrol only took a look at me and let me out as it is normal for a commoner's child to gather firewood or winter fruit at the forest.
I slowly went to the northern part of the forest which is a lot safer than the southern part; it is because the north is where the royals and nobles hunt, so really dangerous beast are taken care off by the knights here but that also means it's a forbidden place for commoners. Nobles don't usually hunt at this time of year so I deemed it fine.

It is still too early for nobles to go out and as it's the second day of winter, most people are too lazy to go out in this freezing weather.

"Winter is cold, and dangerous, but it's also beautiful." I said to no one as I catch a falling snowflake into my cloth covered hand. "Oh goddesses of winter, guide me as I go deep into the forest. Help me survive the season of rebirth you bestowed upon us like how you helped me in the past."

I passed by one of my trap and I saw a corpse of a wolf with an arrow buried on its body lying near. It is near frozen but still can be cut and considered a raw kill.

"Huh?!" I said to myself. Is someone hunting at this time? Who could it be?
My heart started beating fast and loud to my ears as I sense possible danger. "I could be executed for being here." I whispered and proceed to hide my small body on the trees trying to hear any noises or footsteps near but it seems too silent.
I slowly walk around the place and I heard a pained noise at one of the trees. I slowly silently approached peeking behind and saw a knight, a female knight laying down on the snow and seems unconscious bleeding on her left shoulder and waist from what it seems like from a sword wound.

I'm conflicted between leaving her alone and taking the meat or helping her but risking putting my life just to do so. Her blood might be smelled by some beast in the next few hours and she will be in danger adding the fact that it is winter and she also has the possibility to freeze to death.

Looking around I can't find marks of other people around that can help. "I hope I don't regret this." I said gritting my teeth and went to her.

"I can't move you with this weak body I have, so I can only try to patch you up. I just hope you don't kill me after." I said while taking off her armors and cutting some of her cape to be used as a bandage.
After I finished, white mist blow from my breath as I pant a little after I clumsily patched her up. It's already the middle of the day and I still can't leave her alone. I then decided to get the wolf meat and build a fire near her to lessen the cold.

"What am I doing? Risking my life for someone when I already know it's dangerous. After all, not all people here are good." I said gripping the twig I'm holding. I heard a flinch and I watched her slowly opened her eyes after that. I hold my knife from nervousness already preparing for the worst 'I can escape if she tries to catch me, after all she is injured'

"You, Who are you?!" she said looking at me followed by a pained groan "A kid? Why are you here? And did you do this?!" she said while looking at her bandaged wound.
"I----I just passed by and saw you by accident." I lowly said

"That's impossible! With this weather no one should have been in this part of the forest. Given with your clothing you are also not a noble!" she squinted her eyes at me and I flinched at that she noticed it and after a few seconds her eyes soften.
"haa, never mind, you have saved me so I still must thank you." she continued "How long has it been?" she asked

"…A day" I slowly replied with my head down
"a day.. Those bastards will pay for it" she gritted her teeth looking angry, probably talking about the one who did this to her.

After a few minutes of silence "Your name?" she asked
"I am Aizel" I replied. Commoners usually don't have last name.
"Then you can call me Leona, I am a knight of the duke… I would like to repay you…By taking you in and training you. What do you think?" I looked at her shocked by the sudden invitation
"Ho---How could you take --- take me in when you don't even know my origin?!" I exclaimed

"How could i? Based on what I see you probably live alone considering you stayed here till now and didn't go back. An orphan but not a slave, I also saw few handmade traps before I passed out and I am assuming it is yours base on how you skinned and cooked the wolf meat and the reason you are here" she said pointing at the meat in front of her that I have prepared.

I stayed silent that confirmed her thoughts and avoided her sharp gaze that pierce through me using only the little clues she noticed.

"Hmm, I'm right then" she smiled "don't worry, I won't kill or punished you for entering here after all you have saved me and that is also why I'm offering you to come with me." She said

Pondering a little while feeling complicated I said "I—I want to…I'm willing to follow you!" I slowly said with determination. She smiled.