Written in The Stars

The third scroll: Pete

Some time after Ingrid drove her companion away again in one of the most rude ways, Pete began to wander around in search of some kind of income. Fortunately, the store owner offered him a couple of silver coins for fishing. Being quite squeamish, and moreover not picky, the young man went fishing in the nearest pond. Walking through the shallow water, he managed to meet a couple of hunters, mocking how he stumbled and pecked his face into the water. Then he came across some kids who were walking around with their parents. Pete liked children, so he was happy to have a few words with them. When he saw children in loving families, it always pleased his orphan soul. The young man did not know what had happened to his parents. All he knew was that his mother had brought him to the orphanage when he was a couple of days old. She had never visited him, and he didn't even know what she looked like. The abbess told him that she was a very beautiful woman, and he certainly took after her. Pete didn't understand what she was trying to achieve with such revelations, because it never caused him to have a hint of admiration for his own mother.

Orphan life was harsh, but the boy grew up quite easily in this atmosphere, and as a teenager he met a boy who lived nearby – it was Eugene, who later introduced him to Marcel. Despite the fact that they were older than him, he managed to find a common language with them. They became much closer to him than the children from the orphanage. After the tragedy that happened to Eugene and Lydia's family, he went on a journey with them, as he was sure that his place was there. His friends gladly accepted him, and it was only with young Lydia that he could not establish a connection in any way.

Traveling to different lands gave the young man a lot of experience and a huge outlook. He continued to study and, thanks to Marcel's help, gained good knowledge. As he got older, he quickly realized how the female part of the population reacted to him, and began to use it with might and main. His friends didn't really approve of this lifestyle, but they couldn't influence him. His relationship with Lydia was completely ruined by this behavior.

Acquaintance with Nestor brought new colors to the young man's life. The elf was a very well-read and interesting conversationalist – Pete managed to get a lot of useful information from him. In addition, Nestor taught him to understand various plants. If Pete had been asked if he was happy, he would have answered with confidence that he was happy. The guys who became his family evoked exactly such feelings in his soul, even if he did not always get along with them.

"Well, this one is really dead!" the shopkeeper was indignant. "It will be too much for it even a bronze coin!"

"Keep this bronze coin for yourself," the young man snorted, taking the small fish. "I'll eat it myself. Pay for the rest"

The man reluctantly reached for his purse:

"I'll give you three silver pieces for these"

"Three silver pieces?!" Pete struck a pose. "That's not what we agreed on"

"Look at them," he pointed to the barely twitching carcasses.

"Fish like a fish! Look for another fool," the young man was ready to take his catch.

"Okay, okay!" The salesman grabbed his arm. "Wait"

He gave him five silver coins. With a grunt of satisfaction, Pete headed for a bench located near the street vendors. As he began to count his "riches", he heard a conversation between two young ladies, one of whom was selling fruits and vegetables:

"This season turned out to be completely unsuccessful! My husband and I are living from hand to mouth"

"I understand," the older woman groaned. "My grandmother also grew all sorts of things, but she did everything according to the lunar calendar"