Calytrix's Journey

Chapter X: A Friendly Village

Three days had passed since our departure from Lumi. We walked peacefully as though we didn't have worries. Luckily, we didn't have any dangerous encounters along the way. The snowy landscapes switched to dark green grass as far as the eye could see. Small, colorful flowers along the path cheered me up. The weather became warmer, and I stopped wearing Akios's cloak.

Traveling with someone felt odd, yet pleasant. Leo was being helpful in every way he could. Being independent was my usual state, thus having help felt new and strangely comforting. Sharing tasks, even simple ones like picking things up, felt good.

TI had a fine journey, but I couldn't tell how Leo felt about it. His body wasn't as it should have been. Until I find a zombie cure, his missing fingers stay in his bag for reattachment. His stomach wound remained only hidden by my magic. Leo said that nothing bothered him, but I cared. Being in charge, I aimed to provide the best possible life. Leo didn't show signs of wanting to be completely independent of me, and sometimes I felt like I was taking care of a child or a pet.

"Mistress, I am hungry," Leo said.

"Leo, we've been through this. You can't feel hungry. It's physically impossible," I said.

"Just a bit of flesh- I mean meat." 

He didn't give up.

"I would like to eat too, but we're out of money," I said.

"I could hunt something," Leo said as he looked around.

"There's no need. According to the map, we should be near a village soon. I'll look for a right away and we should get enough money for food."

"I hope they have lots of fresh meat there," Leo said, deep in thought.

"Why are you so fascinated with meat lately?" I asked.

"Because meat is simply the best," he answered.

"Hold you hunger a little longer," I demanded.

Leo just nodded, and we walked in silence. I noticed his hunger intensifying over time; however, we always ate. We ate simply yesterday, but ran out of money and food today. Maybe Leo's human eating habits are the reason for his current issues, despite his current state.... no hunger... no pain. Although he wasn't overweight, I've heard that men generally consume more food than women. That might explain why he appeared to eat more than I do.

"Look, there's Gill-Over-the-Ground!" I was the first one to break the silence with a shout.

"There's nobody on the ground, mistress." Leo looked at me strangely, as if I were seeing ghosts.

"No! You don't get it! It's Gill-Over-the-Ground," I repeated myself.

"There is nobody called Gill or a person by any other name over the ground. There's just grass and weed." Leo said.

"No! Gill-Over-the-Ground isn't a person, it's a salad," I finally conveyed what I was trying to say.

"People can't live from grass. We need fresh red meat," Leo said sadly.

"Beggars can't be choosers," I said as I picked it up. "You can bite on this until we get to the village."

It was a miniature plant with small blue flowers shaped like lilies and semicircular leaves. I couldn't possibly have mistaken it for anything else.

Leo refused my offer, and I was the only one eating the nature's gifts. I rembered the time I fainted at Art Town, so I finished all of it.

"Judging from the look on your face, it tastes terrible."

"Haven't you heard the saying: the worse something tastes, the healthier it is," I said.

"Never, but look over there, mistress. I think I can already see thatch-roofs of houses."