Monster

Sweet Berries

So, a non-angst chapter for a change. Nothing much happens here lol. Just more of normal, everyday villager life that little Hero is growing up with.

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"Brother, they are there again." Rangil complained, having barely peeked outside the house. "I'm scared to go outside."

Seeing his brother's discouraged eyes, Beor huffed and gave his uncle's still sleeping foundling a disgruntled look.

"I cannot go out there and work. What if one of them explodes again?" Rangil nervously clenched his hands. Beor frowned, his lips pinching as he thought about all the things he would have to do alone if his brother couldn't help. Then, his eyes lit up.

"I know what might work." He declared.

A few minutes later, he was all ready to go. His outside work robe securely on his back, he finished putting on a robe on their uncle's little foundling. Placing the child back down on the floor, Beor critically checked to make sure that everything was in order. Rangil watched him with uncertain eyes.

"Are you sure it will be all right?" He asked doubtfully. They both exchanged a look. They both could very well remember how Beor's previous idea turned out to be. Then Beor stubbornly shook his head.

"It will be fine. I think it will draw them away so you can get a few chores done for once and don't have to worry." The bigger villager said firmly. He then glanced at their aged uncle, still asleep in his chair by the fireplace. Their uncle was snoring.

He must have come out to comfort his foundling, when he started having nightmares again. Lately, the child was having trouble sleeping and started waking up often at night, whimpering or crying out. They were not sure what caused it. Maybe something scary that happened to him when he was wandering out there in the woods? Yet, he still seemed eager to run off there every morning.

"Tell our uncle that I took him with me. We'll be back by noon at the latest." Beor assured.

Although still not appearing convinced, the younger villager nodded. Beor looked down at Grake's foundling, who was looking up at him from the floor where he was put. Sleepily, the child's eyelids drooped. Apparently deciding that the floor was as good a place as any, the toddler tried to lie down, his eyes drifting closed. Beor picked him up again.

Using a wrap, he with Rangil's help secured the nodding off toddler to his back.

"Atta? I want to come." A small voice spoke up. Turning back, Beor found Margol peeking out of his room, a pout on his face. Through half-open door, the villager saw his second child, Tnul, still snoozing in his bed, arms and legs sprawled all over.

Beor went over and smiled, patting the child on his head.

"When you are older, kari."

Margol pouted. "But he is smaller." He complained, looking at Hero with jealousy. Unaware of the attention, Grake's little foundling continued to sleep, his cheek pressed against Beor's back and mouth slightly open and slobbering.

"I'm just getting him out of the way, so the creepers leave. Your uncle Rangil needs to get some work done and I need a rest. I'm going to get some berries for us and then tonight we can all have a sweet-berry pie. Your favorite." Beor smiled.

The little villager's face brightened, only to get gloomy again. He stubbornly stuck out his lip.

"I want to come."

"All right. Maybe next time, then." Beor gave in. Satisfied, the little villager relaxed.

"Listen to your uncle Rangil and your grandpa. I'll be back by noon." Beor reminded. Margol nodded much more happily and ran back to his bed, plopping down and pulling his blanket up to his ears. Beor smiled at that a little, then nodded to his brother and stepped off outside.