Irina sat in bed, resting against the headboard with her knees pulled close to her chest, considering her options. She had been doing this for hours before the sun rose over the valley in the east, and even now she had no clear concept as to what to do about her arrangement with Heisenberg.
He swore he'd find her if she tried to run. The thought never occurred to her though; she was much too afraid to hide from him. Besides, the village wasn't big enough to disappear in. The four lords controlled each of the territories bordering the village with the only entrance being to the south, up a snowy mountain trail, to which she considered hiking. But she was too ill-equipped and short of time to do so.
If she could not run or hide from him, her only option was to honor her agreement. In her heart, she knew there was no other way. Besides, Irina saw no harm in bringing him resources; she only wished to know what he needed them for.
Then, there was the matter of what he planned to do with her once he had all he required. Was he going to kill her? Perhaps he would. But not at this time, she imagined. The fact he asked her to get the resources for him implied to Irina that he seldom left the factory.
Giving him a little at a time might be an option she could exploit. But it was too soon to tell.
She sighed. Sitting on this wasn't making her feel any better. Leaving her warm bed, she gathered some fresh clothes and took a short bath, redressing before she went outside. The sun was high above the clouds, but the weather was frigid. She tightened her torn coat around her body and took the note from her pocket, looking it over again.
Where would she even find some of these items?
Irina hummed. Perhaps the workshop. Leonardo Lupu might be able to help her. She ambled towards the maiden statue and went through the large blue gate in front of his house, knocking on his door.
His daughter Elena answered.
"Irina!? This is a pleasant surprise," she greeted with a smile.
Looking over Irina's unkempt appearance, her smile faded.
"What happened to your coat? It looks as though it has been through a grinder."
She had no idea.
Irina faked a laugh. "I tore it on the washboard; the ridges are worn."
"And the blood? Where you hurt?"
She had almost forgotten. Raising her arm, she pointed at her other wrist, covered by the sleeve of her blouse.
"Nicked myself on the ridges," she lied.
Not certain if she believed her or not, Irina cleared her throat.
"Sorry to hear that," Elena mentioned. "Ours is worn too. Father plans to make a new one."
Irina hummed. "Where is Mr. Leonardo? I wanted to ask him a question."
"He's out, I'm afraid. A tractor broke down on the road ahead and he went to see if he could fix it," she explained.
I suppose I could look elsewhere, Irina thought, pouting. But where will I find spare chainsaw blades?
Elena puckered her brow. "What did you want to ask him?"
Should I?
Irina saw no harm in telling her.
"I was hoping to ask him about taking some spare scrap from his workshop," she retorted.
Elena snorted. "By all means, take as much as you like. I've been asking him to get rid of it all for some time now."
