The next morning came late and the sky was low with dark clouds. The wind had been blowing all night, and Androl felt that he had not had a good rest. The damp cold penetrated the fabric and sucked the heat from the fire. Weather like this does sometimes come to the Isle of Glorious in the winter, but rarely, which is another reason why it's better to live there than here.
The boys remained buried under increasingly thick blankets, shivering from head to toe as he dug them out for water and breakfast, until he got them back under the covers. He could almost hear their knees and teeth clicking together.
He found several new bear tracks in the dirt, just steps away from his head. He knew what was going to happen and shuddered involuntarily. But not only did the bear not wake him, it didn't disturb any of the food in the car. He didn't know what to think, although it did make him believe the soldier's warning.
He had spent the morning getting the cart ready for the trip, and he suspected that Pepper would be leaving soon whether she was ready or not. He also made himself a soldier's shelter out of a bandit's shield, basically turning the shield into a wide hat and strapping it under the armpits to keep out the rain. A ball of cloth was sandwiched between his head and the wooden shield to make it more comfortable. It may seem ridiculous, but it's better than getting caught in the rain.
The boys didn't want to come out from under their blankets and were still playing with their slingshots, using them to shovel together piles of dirt and pebbles. Androx had to laugh. It must be so painful for them, having a new toy that they can't use properly.
The rain he had feared came near noon; dark clouds made it difficult to distinguish. It started out as a drizzle with no wind. They kept wagging their ears and shaking off raindrops, looking annoyed, and Androx decided that, at some point, he really had to make hoods for them. But not today. Today, the gear is on a cart under an oiled canvas tarp as Androcks leaves camp.
After a morning of deliberation, Androcks decided it would be best to get in his carriage and head north to the next town. He could keep the rain off the children, and he could keep the rain off the carriage, but not both at the same time, unless the children were in the carriage. If kids are going to sit in the car, it might as well be moving. Besides, the gods only know how long the rain will last. What if it rains for a month and then snows again? He needs to get them into a suitable home as soon as possible.
If he couldn't, they'd calm down, and that's it - he'd keep digging a shallow grave, going on unimpeded. It would make his journey faster, but it would also be a waste after he had already put so much effort into their recovery. Might as well make sure they're not dead.
Because, gods be damned, he knew he was growing fond of them. Maybe he just felt lonely, having been away from the military for too long, without family or friends. Hopefully he can get the kids away before the pain.
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Okles frowned and put on his soldier uniform, much to the amusement of the kits. They said he looked like a mushroom. Then the three of them worked together to build a small den under the bench, using pillows and travel blankets so the goats could lie comfortably while Androk hauled the several-hundred-pound cart through the mud. . cute.
With the canvas tied and everything in readiness, he grasped the drawbar, cursed the gods and weather spirits sincerely, and began to pull the car onto the road.
The rain soon came down hard, and so did Androx's robes, which were soaked by the rain. He watched the steam rising from his arms and wondered why his teeth were chattering. He felt that the wet cloth was sucking the heat from him, and that it would be better without the wet cloth, so he took off his clothes, put on only his loincloth, and walked on. It doesn't get much warmer, but it does weigh less, which helps.
The dirt road quickly turned to mud, and Androll discovered that if he stayed close to the edge of the road, he could gain his footing on the grass and the carriage would not get stuck in the ruts so often. Of course, they wouldn't have a good stone road in the north. of course not. There was no road that he had to pull the car through. It's enough to make one seriously think about why anyone would trade here.
The rain came and went for the rest of the day, but it was the wind that really made the journey miserable. Before long, his hands and feet were as bumpy as raisins, and every joint in his body was frozen and stiff. Ankerix wished aloud, perhaps a hundred times throughout the afternoon, that he had an oiled cloak to protect him from the wind and rain.
He also wished that Athanasius was still alive and could teach him some new rude words. The man's skill in cursing the gods was more skillful than the poet's skill in praising the gods. This is exactly what is needed in today's era.
He has no concept of time and rests when he wants to. The first time he stopped, he could almost hear Pack's belly rumbling against the rain, so he gave Pack cookies and water to soak in before eating so they had something to do. . Androcks later discovered that the two of them seemed to have eaten dozens each.
However, maybe it's a good idea to let them do nothing but rest and eat. He could hear them chatting from time to time, but couldn't make out what they were saying, so he ignored it. Frankly, he was starting to worry that Pepper hadn't made the dirt yet. Androcks believes that if this doesn't happen soon, the most likely scenario is that the boy dies suddenly and horrifically because the food he couldn't pass bursts. Hopefully the bread he eats will squeeze out the rest.
Night came earlier than he expected, but later than he would have liked, due to dark clouds. When he finally realized he was allowed to stop, the effects of the day's cold rain had fully manifested themselves, and he felt a deep weariness. He dried himself off as best he could, which wasn't great because it was still raining, and he climbed in with the kids. Although they squirmed and giggled every time his cold, wet skin brushed against them. Pepper gasps and coughs when she accidentally puts her hand in the middle of the back of the rig, but they come up with a passable body arrangement that keeps Pepper from freezing to death. The makeshift beds were uncomfortable, small and cramped, but at least they were warm.
* * *
The next morning, Andros was in so much pain that he could barely move. After pulling for a long time, his legs and arms were cramped and his back was stiff. But it had no choice but to get up from the bed and move because the car wouldn't pull itself.
At least it wasn't raining. The clouds were still heavy and low, threatening rain later in the day, but now Angelus had time to build a fire and eat a hot breakfast, and wanted to do it. The wet cold of the morning was biting and his fingers and toes were numb again, but he found enough dry tinder to light a fire while the young goats carefully climbed out of the trees in search of water.
Andrews found them stopped in a small valley dotted with sparse bushes and nestled between hills. The pleasant scenery improved his mood somewhat. As morning comes, the rain evaporates into wisps of fog that hang low on the ground, winding up and down the mountains and drifting gently here and there. The rain-soaked green and yellow leaves looked brighter and more vibrant than usual, and dozens of birds called to each other in the humid autumn air, complaining in unison about the night rain.
The boys, wearing only loincloths, came shivering to the fire. Androx could almost hear their knees rattling. He asked: "Don't you want to wear clothes?" It was cold outside. I'm sure you noticed. "
Pepper replied, "I don't want mud on my cloak."
Hua added, "It's not on the robe either. Besides, you don't have one, so we thought it might be warmer here."
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Okles grinned.
"No. It's as cold outside as the egg sacks in Raphael's paintings, even by the fire. I'll get you some blankets. Sit by the fire. Here you go," Androx said. The children huddled together, trying to get as close to the small fire as possible to avoid falling into it. Once they're thrown on a blanket, they're less likely to freeze to death. A
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Okles also put one on his shoulders, wondering why he didn't do it sooner.
"Oh, Pepper, by the way, have you dug out the soil? Or is it just water?" Androx asked, trying not to sound too worried.
"Just water, Master Androx. I think it's been a long time since I made soil, but I haven't thought about it yet. Why?" replied the black-haired parrot.
"No reason. Just wondering. Let me know if you want to." He considered letting the boy try and see what he could squeeze out, but decided that might be worse. If Pepper puts unnatural pressure on organs that aren't ready to move, it could cause them to rip open internally. Pepper was in a good mood, and Anjie didn't want to ruin his mood because of worry. He could only wait and worry about it.
At breakfast, A
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Okles cooked some of the softer vegetables on the cart and divided some dry meat for them to eat slowly. No cookies—we were running out of cookies, and Androx didn't want to make a flatbread. While they ate, Androchus examined Pepper's and his own bandages to see if the weather had made their wounds suppurate. But no, they healed just fine. He tied them up with new cloth, for what he hoped would be the last time.
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Okles was afraid of getting back into the cart before he had to, so he spent some time practicing. The familiar movement warmed his blood and made his limbs less stiff, making him glad he'd taken the time. The players watched him perform standard moves: stretches, jumps, slashes. Stretch, squat, punch. Stretch, push-ups, kicks. Over and over until he's done.
As Androcks resumed packing his shopping cart, the boys asked if they could sit on the bench. As long as it didn't rain, Anchorex figured, it wouldn't be a big deal. They climbed up and sat down, looking very pleased with themselves. A
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okles threw a few travel blankets over them and gave them a few pillows to lean on. Flower sat upright, and Pepper rested her body on the armrest. He probably fell asleep again soon.
Ankerix grabbed the railing and was about to pull up the cart again, when he stopped, turned around and said, "Listen, kids. I don't know how far the next town is, so I'm telling you now You. If anyone asks, say you are slaves and belong to Dikaia's A
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Okles. If someone tries to steal you, scream as loud as you can. Got it? Bite them if you have to. "
Both boys nodded solemnly and said, "Yes, Master Androx."
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Okles nodded. As he started to turn around, Hana asked calmly, "Are we slaves? It's okay if we're together, but I just want to know."
Andrew thought for a moment. The children looked everywhere but not at him, their faces a little pale. He said: "Let me put it this way. You were both exposed, Flower was found by his family and Pepper was found by the men's captors. Which means they left you for dead. So if anyone decides Save you, you're a slave, if they say you are. But I have important things to do, and I can't keep you and drag you halfway around the world. So my plan is, I'm going to send you where I can The first safe, warm place you can find where I know you will be fed and cared for. If it means you are to be slaves to a gentle master, then you are a slave. If it means you are free to a wealthy family Servants, then you are free servants. If that means you are the adopted sons of a good farmer, then you are adopted sons. Whatever it is, now, you are my property and I will take good care of you. I may tell some people You are my sons, and you may tell others that you are my slaves. Just do as I say. Do you understand?" A
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Okles explained.
The boys nodded.
He pressed them: "If someone asked you who you were, what would you say?"
“We are Dikaia’s A
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Slave of okles," Peppe
explain. There was a hint of excitement in his voice, but Angelus couldn't place what it was.
"That's right. If anyone asks, you can tell them your names, tell them I'm an ex-soldier. Tell them I'm jealous of my money, which is true, by the way. You can tell them what I look like. Well, since I'm tall, these scars are easy to find. But that's it. Don't talk to them and don't follow them. The people who want you to follow want to steal you. So if we get separated, get rid of those Anyone who wants you to follow, keep looking for me. I'm taller than almost everyone else, so I'm easy to find, or I'll find you," he said, finishing his instructions with a stern look.
"Yes, Master Androx," they answered in unison.
"Good boy. Okay, before we get started, is there anything else to do?" A
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okles asked.
Pepper hesitated and said, "My stomach feels weird."
A wave of panic ran through him, and Androx frowned in worry. He said: "Why is it strange?"
"It feels like...I don't know. "It's just...I think I have to make dirt," the boy replied in surprise.
Androx hoped that by strange he meant "unusual" rather than "I'm going to die screaming." He dug his camping shovel out from under the tarp and handed it to me.
Then he asked, "Do you need help? Or can you do it yourself?"
"I think I can do it on my own," Pepper said, crawling out from under the blanket and hurriedly jumping out of the car. His legs were still weak and he landed face down in the wet dirt, but he got back up and dashed into the bushes. Thank Dio
thodo
path - Fortunately the ground in that area wasn't too muddy, otherwise he would have had to find a way to give him a bath and then get him under the blanket. Assuming he survives.
Flower climbed down more carefully and explained that now that he had thought of it, he was going too. A
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Okles waited nervously and impatiently until the boys returned. Seeing that Pepper was walking a little straighter and in a better mood, he breathed a sigh of relief, dispelling the worries that he hadn't fully realized before. "Is soil a liquid?" he asked.
The boy didn't answer immediately, but after thinking about it he decided: "No, that's normal."
"It is. I saw it," Flower added, looking slightly embarrassed.
The Android smiled sincerely and said, "It's good to hear that. It means you're not going to die. At least not like this." The boys seemed unsure whether they should feel reassured by this.
Both boys shuddered, their teeth chattering. At this point, Angelus tucked them into the blanket and placed them on the bench. Then he wrapped his cloak tightly around his shoulders, hoping it wouldn't start raining again soon. His shoulders ached from wearing his uniform all day yesterday, so he decided not to wear it today. With any luck, he won't need to. He grabbed the railing in front of the carriage and they set off.
The morning passed quietly, with Androl maintaining a steady pace and the little penguins calmly admiring the scenery. He couldn't push the heavy wagon very quickly, especially uphill, but at least the rain stopped falling. The wind was light, thanks to the spirits that carried it so far north, and the clouds seemed to want to stay there for the time being.
About noon, or his best guess was noon, he dug himself out some almonds, fresh chickpeas, and figs, gave each boy a soft fig to eat with the biscuits, and gave them instructions Eat slowly and chew carefully. They were so pleased with the taste that Anchorex suspected he could see them in the light even in the dark. When Androcles resumed pulling the cart, the two boys lay down and soon fell asleep, and slept like that for several hours.
Late in the afternoon, the children munched on cookies and chatted, sounding like chirping birds, laughing at each other's jokes. A
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okles found that he enjoyed listening to them, even though they were just children. It wasn't raining and he could understand what they were saying, maybe he was just in a better mood.
It occurred to him that their conversation was not that different from that of young men in the army. They talk about the deeds of gods and heroes, and comic exaggerations of past exploits. Pepper insists he once jumped up and kicked a melon off his father's head, and Flower isn't sure he believes it. Flower himself had no exploits to brag about, but he talked about things he'd seen other Black Panthers do, such as, apparently, knocking a tree to the ground. Pepper sounded impressed and listed a list of interesting things it might encounter and made gestures, which sent both boys into convulsions. Even A
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Okles also giggled from time to time. Not because the boys' jokes were funny, but because the boys thought the jokes were funny.
His thoughts, however, often returned to Della. He imagined finally catching her, thinking carefully about what to say. But beyond that, he wondered if she would like the boys, or if she would sell them along with other things and disappear. He could almost picture her sitting in the carriage among the little boxes, a smile on her face, the wind blowing through her disheveled hair, her green eyes sparkling like jewels. Weave flowers in boys' hair like a champ and hit them when their jokes get rude. The cubs were skinny and small, and there was a large empty space on the bench that belonged to her. It’s hard not to think about it. It made his eyes water and he was glad no one was around to notice.
Towards the end of the day, they camped on top of a small overpass that led down to the next valley. This is farmland, but there is no village in sight. Tomorrow is another long day.
At first, the children were excited to be back on the ground, but soon had to accept that the day had left them exhausted. He fed them and helped them nest again under a tarpaulin to sleep. Then he spread a traveling rug in front of the carriage, betting it wouldn't rain more. He almost fell asleep the moment he climbed in.
