Caught by a Hunter

Chapter 16

The forest was getting darker and darker as Hassian was following the road. Now he was getting more nervous the closer he got to Alderoth's house and while he wanted to see the man, he also kind of hoped he would never get to the house.

Yeah it was stupid, but that just told how incredibly nervous he was right now. He still had no clue what he should say when giving Alderoth the box. Should he explain what giving these chocolates meant before or after giving them to him?

Without even noticing it, Hassian touched the pocket where he kept the box. Just to make sure it was still there. There were so many things in his mind and he just didn't know what to do. Before he had enough time to sort out his thoughts, he already saw the old little house that was surrounded by a fence which would stop sernuks to get into the yard.

For a moment Hassian was thinking if he should just continue walking past the house, go to Bahari Bay. That might annoy Alderoth though if the man saw him... He had absolutely no other reason to be around here except if he was coming to see Alderoth. There was no one else living so deep in this part of the forest after all.

Finally he took a deep breath and opened the gate. He had to do this, everything would be just fine. If Alderoth would accept, that was great and if he rejected him, he could forget all of this ever happened and continue his life, only focusing on hunting.

Inside the house Alderoth was getting ready to start eating. Before leaving the store he had bought some rice and cream. He had found mountain morels while on his way home and he still had a few carrots left, so now he had made creamy mushroom sauce and rice and he didn't even need to lie, it was smelling really good.

Suddenly the door was knocked and Alderoth was surprised. He had not expected anyone to come and visit at this time anymore but he did take off his apron and went to open the door.

He was even more surprised when he saw that familiar, always so serious looking face. The piercing he had over his left eyebrow was glinting because of the light coming from inside.

"Um, evening", Hassian grunted. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No, I was just starting to eat", Alderoth said and he let the hunter in which Hassian did, thanking for the hospitality. "But I'm surprised to see you here. I thought you would be at the inn playing cards with Auni and then go home."

"Auni was busy", Hassian said and it annoyed him that Reth had been right. Everybody lied every now and then. He couldn't just blurt out he didn't want to stay and play with Auni because he wanted to come and see Alderoth.

Alderoth looked around confused.

"Where's Tau?" he asked, little bit disappointed when the plumehound wasn't here barking at him happily. He had really grown to like that little rascal. "He didn't want to come too?"

"Auni needed him", Hassian said. That was technically true.

"I see. Well, since you're here do you want some food?" Alderoth offered and he motioned towards the side table where he had brought the kettle of rice and a pan of sauce from outside. "I really have to ask Hodari to help me make a stove inside, I'm getting tired of always cooking outside."

"I think mom has one old metal stove somewhere in the back of her blacksmith shop", Hassian remembered. "It's not a big one but you can cook on it. I could ask if it's in a good enough condition to use."

"Really?" Alderoth asked surprised and he smiled. "That would help a ton! But why aren't you using it instead?"

"I don't need one. I'm fine with making food using a campfire."