The Lovers VI

Pilot

Mid-Summer, year XXXX

This morning Reyna came back from one of her expeditions. I paid her a visit, requesting to extend my hut, as my book collection was slowly getting out of hand. I barely could move in the mess I call my home. Prior, I used to living in larger cities, a library wasn't much of an option in a forest.
We briefly marked a few trees I can use to structure a new outline for the house. Though I wasn't allowed to remove the ancient trees which were located next to my hut. I confirmed the possible outlining of the trees by simply building around them and keeping them closed in my new home.
Right after the conversation, I left to search for a mine. As I need new Iron for an ax.

The mine was dusty and probably at its peak to collapse. I made a quick skim through the shaft, before stumbling upon a great discovery. A long passage, covered in different kinds of ores. I made a mental note to report my founding to Reyna as soon as possible. With fitting planks, I might have leftovers from my own project, we could reconstruct the mine and make great use out of it.

I came back with a heavy bundle of Iron ores. I started with dedusting the dirt and unnecessary stone. Switching on my iron stove before melting the goods into an ax. It took me all day to finish my ax. The night turned before I could glimpse outside the window.

As predicted, Reyna wasn't home, or asleep. I've decided to just call it a day at report to her next thing in the morning.
By the time my hut was in sight, a weird rustling appeared to my ears. My eyes moved to the source of the sound.
A bush. I pulled out my crossbow. My breath slowing, as I pull an arrow.
I wouldn't shoot an animal. Not from first sight. Every predator gets the chance to attack first. But the rustling never appeared again this night, as I soundlessly fell asleep in my bunk.

As promised, I paid Reyna another visit. She settled she would take a look first, before planning anything ahead. I didn't argue with her. I never did.
With my ax sharpened and the sun high, I followed the path Reyna told me to clear the trees. It took most of the day to just self-handed tip over the tree. I called as it did, luckily nothing, or no one got hurt. I took a brief break at the lake, to wash of the pearls of sweat from my face and take a breather for a moment.
After splashing my head into the water and pulling my hair back into a ponytail, something caught my eye. A knife flew inches past my face, cutting my ear tip. I didn't bring my crossbow. Fuck. The ax was stuck in the tree stump, 50 feet away. My eyes locked with theirs, just a yard away.
Probably male. Black hair, grey eyes. His face was dirty and his hands were covered in old blood.
He was first to flee. Running after the intruder wouldn't be the greatest idea. Especially unarmed. I got back to the ax and started running towards the mine, where supposed Reyna should be.
I haven't seen in which direction the stranger left. I was too distracted by the fact he could kill me without my defense up. I turned the corner to the mine, slipping on the gravel underneath my bare feet. And there he was again. At the entrance of the mine, his eyes calm, another knife drawn. I could see from the stance of his feet he was about to flee again. But I called.
"Wait," he didn't turn. I had no choice but to follow. Reyna was in there and everyone involved was at risk to be buried under gravel and stones. I didn't call again. An echo could be the cause of the collapse. So, I just followed light-footed.
He didn't seem to be from any special origin unless human. Meaning he wouldn't be able to see clearly in the cave. He was quick, as I only saw the cape flattering around the corner before disappearing.
To my surprise, I came across Reyna first. She looked startled at my sudden and slightly overwhelming appearance. I explained the situation to her. From what I've noticed last night and the encounter at the lake. She looked worried.
"We have to find him. As valuable as the ores might be, it's way too dangerous to stay here without any structural protections. Get out, I'll go find him"
For once, I didn't listen.
"I can't just leave. I'm no dwarf to dig you up after it-" stones started to crumble right over our heads.
"Leave," she commanded and I did as she said.
Above ground, I was waiting impatiently. The sun was slowly setting. My eyes started to get itchy from all the upstirring gravel. A loud sound inside the mine startled me. It started to break in. I didn't realize I was moving towards the entrance. My feet quick, my heart beating.
But before I could adjust my eyes to the darkness, I was already being pushed out by a great force. I don't remember if it was a stone that hit me. Nonetheless, Reyna was outside, to be more specific on top of me, coughing up dust and I believe blood. Without another sight of the stranger, I carried Reyna back to her hut, attending to her wounds.