He was Almost Absorbed by the System

Chapter One Hundred And Forty Two - Names, Identities And Spouses

As had been the first thought to enter his mind for more than ten years upon awakening, Five roused from sleep thinking that he must protect Seven. His environment had changed. The ideal had not. He slipped out of the furs upon the small cot and adorned the black clothing he was used to. The furs, he had been told, were from domesticated, soft footed goats. These animals were the natural enemies of plants, being able to stomach anything, but their meat was tough so it was supplimentary to diets as was their sour milk. Mostly, these people ate vegetables grown in the protection of the fog, just as the Kingdom fared from similar crops grown in the dark.

Warriors would sometimes hone their skills in the nearby mountains, hunting other strong, survivor beasts for meat, bone, fur and leather. Five had been invited to join them on the upcoming trip, but he had declined. One had not. He would also be taking Six with him, who could not remain still and would cause much disruption when not supervised. Five glanced over at the others still sleeping in their beds. The hall had become their makeshift dormitory, all of them, except Herebert, who had been adopted temporarily by the Record Keeper and Seven, who stayed with Leif. The girls were the first to move out and into a small dwelling that had been in the process of being built for one of the Chief's sons.

Five left the hall and followed the familiar trail to Leif's home where he knocked on the door. He used to just enter, but Leif had chastised him and had decided to take him under his wing to teach him manners not taking no for an answer. It had made the large man actually wary of the other, for he, for some reason, felt unable to fight him on this... on anything.

Leif opened the door and gave him a wide smile that made his heart beat loudly in his chest. Had he fallen sick? He wondered as he stared down at the smaller man. "Ah, you are here!" Leif greeted, clearly unaware of Five's discomfort and dragged him in. Five had to duck or bang his head against the upper segment of the door frame. "I suppose you are wanting to see Seven. He is with Elyas at the table. You are welcome to join us." A humble breakfast was spread out upon the surface of the crude table. Seven had practically crawled into Elyas' lap at some point during the meal and was nestled against his chest, the older boy feeding him sliced apple piece by piece.

Five sat down opposite them, Leif close by to his left and ate the bowl of creamed vegetables in front of him. It was quite delicious, not too strong either. None of the assassins could stomach much beyond this so used to plain flavours as they had become. His stomach purred contentedly and Leif smiled at him, knowingly. He felt shy under this scrutiny and looked down at the table. He could not direct his eyes in front of him, either, as the two boys were, as usual, being very affectionate towards the other.

Five had questioned this, for he did not know how this was possible. Seven had been evasive, simply saying that the moment that he had seen Elyas upon the volcano's surface, he knew that the apprentice was his. "I think Nine also felt this way, which is why she could not stay away from that boy she liked," he had added softly. Five could not deny that between Elyas and Leif, the boy had come out of his protective shell, somewhat and they protected him just as much as he had over the past ten years when the scars became too deep and he retreated into his mind once more. So there and then, during breakfast, Five decided to extend his personal mission to cover Elyas and Leif as well. If the Witch knew of this resolve, he would have become very happy.

*****

Elyas and Seven left the cottage after breakfast, deciding to take a walk as had become part of their routine of late.  Five usually shadowed them from a distance, but today Leif had decided to venture outside of the village to collect some ingredients.  He had requested that Five accompany him, pouting slightly when the young man looked torn between doing as he asked and protecting Seven.  Leif eventually won him over, reminding him that it is generally safe within the village.