After eating and drinking his fill, Rhett patted his stomach and stood up. "Old man, I'm going to check on that wrecked ship of mine. It's been with me this whole journey. I'll be using it to sail again."
The chief led him and the girl to the beach outside the village. The stolen Piruka ship was half-buried in the sand, its hull damaged and scratched. It was beyond the tribe's repair skills.
An old shipwright circled it a few times and shook his head. "This metal thing is too delicate. We can't fix it. But..." He pointed at some sturdy wood. "If you're not in a hurry, we could build you a new wooden ship! Strong and durable. It wouldn't be much slower than this metal thing."
Rhett didn't argue. He knew the tribe hadn't been attacked. He needed to warn them about the gap in power.
He looked at the wreck and then at the tired faces of the tribe. Building a ship, even a fishing boat, would cost time and resources they could barely spare. It would be a burden.
Rhett might be selfish, but he wouldn't take advantage of them like that. He never expected to be worrying about a ship again at his age. He missed Tesoro.
"A wooden ship is good. I like wood. It has character." Rhett grinned. "But let's not worry about repairs or building just yet. Old man, I'm going to take a walk in the woods. Stretch my legs!"
Before the chief could answer, Rhett's blood mist flared. He disappeared into the forest.
The chief and the shipwright looked at each other, confused. They told the tribe to go about their business. They noticed the girl had moved to the shade of the ship, sitting quietly in a corner.
She curled up, hugging her knees, her chin resting on them. Her empty eyes stared at the ground, separate from the rough life of the tribe.
Some women saw her and stopped. They exchanged looks of concern.
"Oh, look at her. So thin..."
"Her skin is so pale. She's suffered."
"That boy may be odd, but he treats her well. Going hunting alone is dangerous."
They tried to be quiet, but their voices carried. Their concern was genuine. One wanted to bring her more food, but another held her back.
"Don't," an older woman said quietly, nodding toward the girl. "See how empty her eyes are? Don't scare her. Let her be. She'll know she's safe here."
So no one bothered her. They watched from afar, their eyes full of worry. Curious children were gently pulled away.
"Oh, look at those dark marks..."
"Oh, that stripe is long and thin."
"Ooh ooh ooh"
"Mom!"
"WAAAH!"
The chief watched the girl sitting in the shade. He frowned.
This was nothing like his own daughter. He knew the girl couldn't stay like this.
He walked over slowly with his cane, stopping a few steps away. He spoke gently. "Child, the sea wind is cold and damp. Stay here too long and you'll get sick. That can be dangerous."
The girl stayed curled up, unresponsive.
The chief paused, thinking of the strange but powerful young man. He added softly, "If you get sick, that young man will worry."
At the word "worry," her arms seemed to tighten slightly.
Worry...
It was a word both familiar and strange. It seemed like, long ago, before the "demonic power" had chosen her, before she ate that fruit, someone had worried about her.
It was a distant, blurry warmth.
She nodded. The movement was small, but the chief saw it. He smiled and waved to the women watching.
"Alright, enough staring. Get her inside. Get her something warm to drink."
The kids: Clowns!!!!
But soon —
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The ground shook. Something massive was moving through the forest. The tribe grabbed their weapons and watched nervously.
The trees at the forest's edge were pushed aside.
Rhett appeared first. Behind him, dragged by his blood mist, were ten giant boars. Each was as big as a small ship, with tusks like swords. They were the kings of the forest. Now they were dead, dragged along the ground, leaving deep furrows.
Rhett dragged the mountain of meat to the center of the village. He grinned at the stunned chief and tribe.
"Here. Should be enough to pay for the ship, the food, and the next few days' worth of meals, right?"
The tribe was speechless. The biggest boar alone would feed them for half a month.
The chief looked at the ten mountains of meat, then at Rhett, who acted like it was nothing. He slapped his thigh, his voice shaking with excitement.
"Enough! More than enough! You... you're just..."
He couldn't find the words.
Rhett just smiled.
Now the shipbuilding wouldn't be a burden. It would be a celebration.