Chapter 1683: First Encounter II
Chapter 1683: First Encounter Il "I don't feel well, I'm uncomfortable. Go findsmedicine!" The young man instantly snapped out of his daze and reached to touch the forehead of the small person in his arms, feeling a sinking feeling in his heart.
This little bundle of fragility had a fever! He gently placed them on the ground and spoke with a heavy voice, "Wait here for me." The little one clung to his arm and refused to let go, rubbing against him while trying hard to appear fierce. But no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't hide their milky scent. "I won't wait, takewith you." After hesitating for a few seconds, the young man ultimately picked up "them". Having already scouted out the area yesterday, he knew where he could find various medicines at this place where mercenaries stored their supplies amidst desolate surroundings in freezing weather conditions.
In such circumstances two children were not worth much attention from those guarding it so he quickly made his way into one of the tents with "them" held tightly against him before placing them on the ground as he searched through boxes for medicine which he then concealed within his sleeve.
Unexpectedly however luck was not on their side as they were discovered within minutes by someone who lifted open the tent flap just as "they" ran over and clung onto him shouting urgently,"The bad guys are coming! Run!" Without hesitation or fear but rather determination fueled by love for this small being behind him, the young man stood firm between danger and what mattered most until that smoment when everything changed...
The hired mercenary on patrol saw two children and cursed, picking up his whip and lashing out at them. The boy shielded the person behind him and stoically endured the beating.
After venting his anger, the man returned them to their tent before quickly leaving. The little one seemed frightened as she looked at the bloodstains on the boy's body. She opened her mouth wide before huffing, "When my mom and dad come, I'll make them help you beat those bad guys!" The boy looked at her big eyes that wanted to cry but held back tears. He didn't know why he felt like laughing.
He pinched her dark face with a hint of coldness in his voice as he took out smedicine. "Take this." The little one sniffled before swallowing it down without complaint, making a face due to its bitterness.
After taking the medicine, she soon grew drowsy again and snuggled back into his arms with closed eyes before falling asleep once more.
The boy checked her temperature while his mind wandered elsewhere.
With such terrible weather conditions here, getting sick was too easy for anyone - especially this little one who spoke weakly due to exhaustion from being so frail-looking.
What if these medicines don't work...
In the distance ccrude cursing from within their tent by those mercenaries which made him look down at the small person in his arms with cool eyes that turned slightly darker for a moment.
Perhaps because of taking medication earlier in combination with being so tired already; she slept through most of that day until waking up twice during it all - calling out for her brother or mother each tbut then burying herself back under blankets after seeing no harm would cto herself or others around them anymore.
He fed her two more doses of medicine throughout that day but by nightfall there were still no signs of any fever breaking; instead it only seemed to worsen over time...
The young man looked down at the small, feverish bundle in his arms. Without proper medical care, if those mercenaries found out that this little thing had a high fever and no longer had any use to them, her fate would be sealed...
The howling wind from the tundra battered against the tent like vengeful spirits crying out in the night. Nearby, it seemed as though the mercenaries were holding skind of celebration within their own tent - cruel laughter from men mixed with cries of women.
In the dead of night, sharp screams of agony pierced through both inside and outside of their tent.
This sudden noise startled the little one who was already burning up with fever. She trembled and woke up from her slumber in a panic, calling out "Brother! Brother..." The young man covered her ears gently and looked into those big eyes filled with fear. She was still so young; she didn't understand what was happening outside.
After a few seconds of silence, he raised his hand to pat her softly on the head and said "You were just dreaming.
It's okay now; go back to sleep." The little one stared at him for a while longer before snuggling back into his embrace obediently and murmuring something unintelligible before falling asleep again.
He held onto her like that for a long tas he listened to all those sounds full of sin and pain echoing through the night sky.
Finally when dawn broke over them did everything fall silent once more - even after an entire night spent battling against raging snowstorms.
Gently placing down this burning hot bundle on ground beside him, he stepped outside into what remained of darkness before daybreak.
The night and snow intertwined, painting the world a frosty white for miles around. The young man's black clothes and hair were the only color in the snowy landscape. He gazed at the largest tent where a group of drunken people lay on blankets, snoring loudly. Four mercenaries stood boredly around them, smoking and playing cards under the light above their heads.
Standing in the shadows cast by light and darkness, he turned his head to look back at a small tent behind him.
Just then, a gust of wind lifted its curtain to reveal a little person rubbing their eyes as they sat up.
If this little one was left here any longer, "he" might die...
The thought clearly entered his mind.
Through the snowflakes, he raised his cold white fingers and made a "shh" gesture towards the little one who couldn't see him clearly from afar. But she vaguely felt that something was about to change forever on this bitterly cold morning.
She watched as he stood there in the snow before making her way over to him with an urge to call out his nbut stopped when she saw his hand gesture.
Seeing this gesture made her freeze momentarily until she noticed that he smiled at her obedience before turning away from her towards what lay ahead.
As he walked further away from her view into distance leaving behind only memories of himself for those who stayed behind in tents; she heard herself call out softly - "Brother..." A red bloodline splattered on the snowy ground. The fallen person's eyes widened, their face filled with panic and disbelief. They stared at the person in front of them as if they were looking at a monster that should not exist in the world. Then, no matter how shocked they were, it couldn't stop the blood gushing out from their severed throat.
The man's visage turned ferocious, and he silently collapsed to the ground.