lirvothethird

  Nodding his head, we shook on a deal.

  "I'll help you a little."

  Standing up with a heave, he sauntered over to the crowd milling around talking. After a few seconds of talking, a small group of farmers and housewives start heading my way.

  After dealing with one, it felt easier to deal with the others.

  "Are you going to leave right away?"

  "Yeah."

  "I heard that theres a few Noxii ships heading back towards the capital passing by here. You sure?"

  "Yeah."

  Nodding, I hoist my cauldron, now loaded with items I bartered for. It felt heavier than when it was filled with pottery.

  "Woah there, did you really carry this filled with bowls spoons stuff all made of rock?"

  "Rocks are lighter than food."

  Speechless silence followed as I stumbled another step forwards.

  "Haaaaah. How about you a small trolley from us? Dragging things around are easier than lifting."

  He crossed his arms with a nod. My face grimaced, hard earned money. Setting down the cauldron, I sat with my back against it, pulling out a leftover bowl.

  "So?"

  "These bowls sure look like circles. Just need to poke some holes in it... like this!"

  Estimating the center, I poked one hole in two bowls, before smushing another into a log shape after rubbing my hands together.

  "How convenient. I'll leave you to it, good luck. And farewell."

  He left, as the sky started to darken, pink and orange clouds far across the ocean. As golden beams of the setting sun blinded my eyes, I finally finished attaching the wheels. No much can be done now.

  Expertly, I dig a small pit, sealing the cauldron before pcing it in and covering it again. Nestling it within my grasp, I sleep in the dark.

  Crack! Sak! Smack!

  "What's making all that noise?"

  "Well... the source is here so let's keep digging!"

  "Wait. I think the sound stopped."

  "Oh no... what if we woken up something we shouldn't have?"

  A brief pause stilled the air.

  "What happened?"

  I reply from behind them, wiping away eye boogers from my face.

  "The ground kept rumbling, like avanche and earthquakes."

  "Yeah, and the vilge couldn't even sleep!"

  A shouting contest occurred as they compined about how the ck of sleep affected everything. I had an inkling of who was doing it. I covered up my face with one hand in dismay, heat climbing up my face.

  "But why are you still here? I thought you left yesterday."

  "I took a nap."

  I gestured around the forest, hoping to divert the attention from myself. He gazed upon me with suspicion before turning away. Continuing, he said.

  "It's good it stopped, but we have to find it to prevent it from happening tomorrow."

  "But what if it continues? Is our vilge haunted?"

  "Shuddap! If it doesn't end we can always move to another vilge."

  A harsh rebuke silenced the other farmers. Something in my heart didn't feel right. The right thing would be to tell them the truth, but embarrassment burned.

  It will stop anyways with me leaving. Comforting myself with that fact, I remind myself that I just need to pick up my stuff before leaving. But how so? They are standing right above it.

  Maybe I should leave and retrieve it from the side (underground of course). A pn.

  "Well, I'm going back to my stuff, see ya."

  "Bye."

  Leaving behind the squabbling farmers as they dug, I ducked past some bushes before going underground and heading back.

  "Ughghh. Why, why did I say it like that."

  Once I got close enough to feel the spades digging, I start searching for rge objects. Large roots pointing straight down as well as weird shapes were all blurry.

  A frown appeared as there wasn't enough noise to know where I left my stuff. The amount of noise they were producing should cover it up whatever I make.

  Cpping my hands once in front of me sent some light trembles in front, where they bounced back onto a round shaped thing that rippled slightly in some parts.

  Moving straight to it, a hurried rhythm of feet left the area.

  "Why are they running? What are they running from? Oh."

  I am scary when I make noise.

  Now the area is clear, I can just dig a hole from the top.

  After quickly leaving the scene with my belongings, I head east.

  Blood tinged the air. To check or not to check?

  Gncing inside at the small knapsack filled with items I traded in the previous two vilges, I grit my teeth. Living without food like in the past is something I never want to do again. And according to the locals, the vilge to the east was over the mountains, filled with treacherous paths.

  Anything that would go over the mountains must've had good things inside. BUT! Something that can eliminate everyone guarding the precious cargo must be strong.

  "Ok. I promise to myself. Run if danger."