THESE UPCOMING CHAPTERS WILL GET LESS ACTIONEY, BUT I DECIDED EVEN ADAR SHOULD HAVE A LITTLE VACATION TIME FROM BEING AN ARSONIST AND BATTLING !

"So she is gone."  Said Cane, staring into the sky above.

"I am truly sorry to be the bearer of bad news." replied Nathaniel."But know your brother is in safe hands."

Cane walked away from the three men and headed for the horses that were tied in a hidden location.

"How did you save Adar? " asked Seth.

Nathaniel smirked."If you can call it that. He was close to kicking the bucket. I just managed to shoot an arrow before the man dealt the killing blow to Adar. I shall explain it in better detail, but I need to retrieve my horse. I hid it as well."

*************

Laying in the pasture was relaxing for Adar. His hands were behind his head, his legs crossed. The wind blew gently, cooling him from the sun. He was behind the house, in the field.

It was a few hours off before noon.

***

Adar had gotten rid of the bandage that he had tore off the night before and made a new one for himself. It was not as well made as Melanie's, but it would suffice. The wound was already starting to show signs of new growing skin. How odd it would be for a normal person, but not Adar.

***

I can't believe I let Melanie see me like that, though Adar.

He was still replaying the look of fear that was imprinted on Melanie's face. Embarrassment and frustration arose in him every time he thought of how she had seen him, nearly insane.

Adar grimaced at the remembrance and sat up.

Why does it bother me so much... Why?

Adar saw Mrs. Willis (with a bucket ) heading to the small pigsty, which was relatively close to the house, only a few yards to the right. He ran to her with a question in thought. 

"Mrs. Willis? " said Adar as he approached.

She turned to see Adar standing a feet away.

"Oh my, Adar."  Said Mrs. Willis." How long have you been outside?"

"Half an hour or so."  replied Adar. He immediately noticed the beads of sweat on her forehead.

Adar pulled up his sleeves to his elbows.

"Mrs. Willis, allow me to feed the slop to the pigs."

"If you can handle it."  replied Mrs. Willis. "I do thank you. It should allow me to have enough time to make chicken soup." 

Adar nodded and took the bucket of slop from Mrs. Willis.

"By the way, Mrs. Willis. Where are John and Melanie? "

"Oh." Said Mrs. Willis, stopping mid-walk. She turned around and smiled. "They went into town this morning. John had an appointment with a few individuals and Melanie begged to go along with him." 

"Okay. Thank you for telling me."  Said Adar.

Melanie said she would wait until I was healed, thought Adar. A sense of disappointment fell over him, the cause unbeknown to him.

He walked into the pigsty and closed the door behind him. There had been large pair of black leather boots at the entrance of the sty. He had put them on before he had entered.

The small pigsty was made up of cobblestone walls, the roof regular. The middle area of the little house was muddy and smelled terrible to Adar. On opposites ends of the middle were fenced off areas where the pigs were. It was opened to the outside- which was fenced off as well.

The gates were to be opened only when the heat was to much for them to bear.

Adar made his way to right side and stopped at the fence, bending over to dump the bucket of slop into the trough.

***

Adar was relived to finish feeding the pigs. He had to make several runs to the buckets of slop Mrs. Willis had put outside of the door. The daily scraps and other unwanted food went to the pigs, on occasion a few good vegetables.

"To think pigs eat these left overs." said Adar to himself. He was standing outside of the sty, his shirt brown with stains. The boots had dried clumps of mud and manure reaching mid-boot when he finally finished.

He wiped his sweaty forehead with his forearm and hurried to ask Mrs. Willis for another chore.

Toby soon came around the corner of the house. He was the house dog, or rather sheep dog.

He was a medium sized dog, with long, black and white hair. He had a distinguishable scar above his right eye.

Mr. Willis had said the dog had received the scar when a cow dealt him a blow to his head. It could have killed him, but Toby wouldn't be gone so easy.

"Hey Toby."  Said Adar, kneeling to pat him on the head.

Toby wagged his tail and licked Adar's face.

Adar closed his eyes and moved his head to the side, avoiding the tongue of Toby.

"Toby!" yelled Mr. Willis's voice from behind the house, emanating from the field.

The dog immediately turned and zipped around the corner of the house, heading for Mr. Willis.

It must be time to round up a few of the sheep again, thought Adar standing up.

Making his way into the house, Adar could smell what he knew to be Chicken soup.

A pot was in the fire place, the origin of the chicken soup scent.

"Is that you, Adar?" asked Mrs. Willis.

"Yes!"Called our Adar, making his way towards the kitchen.

Mrs. Willis turned around and smiled. "The food is almost ready! My your shirt is dirty!"

Adar nodded and laughed, "Those pigs got a tad bit too excited."  He went to wash his hands in the kitchen bucket. 

"Adar?" asked Mrs. Willis looking for plates in the kitchen cabinet."Do you think you'll be able to travel with us to town in a week in a half?"

Adar wiped his hands with the cloth-that had been on the chair with the bucket- and placed it on the counter.

"What's happening in a week and a half?"

"We're having a thanksgiving feast in the town! Melanie is already excited and can't wait. I would like for you to join us, wouldn't want you to stay here all by yourself!"

Adar touched his chest, feeling his scar.

"I should be able to go." 

"How wonderful!" Exclaimed Mrs. Willis. She went to living room, towards the pot. She lifted the lid and smelled the fresh soup.  

"Could I bother you to call Mr. Willis in?"

"Not a problem."  Said Adar, heading out the door.

***

Adar walked to the back of the house, positive that Mr. Willis was still in the field.

"Mr. Willis!" Called out Adar, his hands cupped around his mouth.

Mr. Willis was cutting some grass. He stopped his working and looked over at Adar.

"Yes, Adar?"

"It's time for dinner!" replied Adar.

"Okay, Tell Martha I'm headed in!"

Adar nodded and went back around the house.

He saw a cart come into the front yard as he rounded the corner of the house.

It was John and Melanie, on horse. They had just arrived from the town.

Melanie wore a bright red dress and a smaller cap then the one she normally wore. She also had new flat shoes and she carried a basket with a cloth covering it.

John helped Melanie off the cart and led the horse to the stables.

Melanie smiled as she met Adar in the yard.

"Hello, Adar." said Melanie.

Adar gave a weak smile. "Afternoon, Melanie, how was your day?"

It feels strange talking to her, thought Adar, it was only yesterday that she saw me in that disturbing state...

"It was lovely! I met all sorts of people!  I got to meet a few other girls my age, one girl being Patricia!"

Adar nodded. Melanie seemed to be more than delighted.

"What's in the basket? If you don't mind me asking." Questioned Adar.

Melanie held the basket up. "Its a surprise for all of you! I'll show everyone once I go inside." 

***

Everybody, except Melanie, was seated in their usual spots. Martha and Edward sat together on the right side of the table, John and Adar on the left side. Melanie excitedly uncovered the basket. It was full of pastries.

"Thank you, Melanie. " Said Martha taking one." You shouldn't have. What a sweet girl." 

Adar saw Melanie blush.

It'll be a while before Melanie stops blushing from Mrs.Willis's compliments.

A muffin was suddenly a few inches away from Adar's face. Melanie was-from across the table- holding it out to him.

"I hope you can forgive me." said Melanie, sheepishly. "for not waiting for you, before going to the town." 

Adar smirked."Its okay. I could have cared less if you went without me." 

"I see." said Melanie, a somewhat disappointed expression on her face.

"But I'm quite sure you enjoyed yourself today." Said Adar taking the muffin from her.

"That reminds me!" Exclaimed Melanie. "A blacksmith named Martin was told of your hard work and ethic by John. He hopes to have you apprenticed to him in a month or two." 

"Yes. That's true." Grinned John. "I also asked Melanie to help me around the town,

her being an apothecary and all." 

"That's very good news!" Said Mr. Willis." Not even a week in this town and they both have jobs." 

"Speaking of the town," Said John. "Quite a crowd of boys were asking me about Melanie."

"T-They probably were just curious about the new person in town that's all." Said Melanie, attempting to conceal her flushed face.

"It's no surprise." Replied Mrs. Willis. "You are very pretty and you posses such a kindred spirit."

Adar took a bite of his muffin and felt a bit of uneasiness towards the direction of the conversation.

"Oh! You should meet Richard, if you haven't already." Grinned Mrs. Willis. "He is a handsome young man, quite tall for his age. He is the son of the town Cooper. He would most certainly take a fancy to you."

Adar felt crumbs fall on his lap. He looked at his hand and realized he had been crushing the muffin.

"I'm sure the other girls of the town have already won his heart." laughed Melanie, nervously.

John smiled. "We won't forget you either, Adar. There are girls that would also be very interested in you." 

Mrs. Willis gave a mischievous smile." I also agree. You have many qualities that those girls, soon to be women, are looking for."

Melanie nodded her head in approval."It won't be to long after Adar steps foot into town that he'll find a good girl." 

Adar sensed disappointment in himself as he heard Melanie say those words.

"I'm to young." Replied Adar.

***

Adar was behind the house, volunteering to retrieve the firewood.

He put a a dozen pieces of the wood in a small sack-cloth bag, then hoisted it over his shoulder. Normally he would carry much more, but he wished not to push his luck for fear of causing more damage to his healing wound.

Why do I feel uneasy? Thought Adar, Am I...

Melanie appeared around the corner. She had a burlap sack slung over her shoulder.

"What are you doing, Melanie? " asked Adar, puzzled.

"I'm going to help you bring some of the fire wood in." Smiled Melanie. "I don't want you carrying to much wood inside. It would be better if you didn't do any labor, whatsoever, big or small." 

"I don't really need help." Sighed Adar.

"I know, but I still wish to help." Replied Melanie, walking over to the stack of fire wood.

"Just don't carry too much." Said Adar behind him.

Adar quickly emptied the wood into wooden bin beside the fire place and returned outside.

He made his way around the corner and saw Melanie struggling to hoist the burlap sack, full of wood.

A grin formed on Adar's lips.

"You shouldn't over-exert yourself." Said Adar.

Melanie looked sideways at him and gave a sarcastic laugh. "Me?  Says the boy with a sword wound on his chest."

Adar shook his head and walked over to Melanie, grabbing the bag and hoisting it up onto his shoulder.

"Hey!" Exclaimed Melanie,"That was my load!"

Adar smiled and handed her his empty sack-cloth bag. "If you want to help, then here. This time don't take so much." 

After emptying the burlap sack of wood into the bin, Adar headed back once more. There was room in the bin for another load.

Surprisngly, Melanie was halfway to the front of the house. She had stuffed the bag to the top and had been dragging it, the wood making noise as it bumped up and down in the bag.

"I'm actually astounded." Said Adar.

He was standing a few feet in front of Melanie.

Melanie gave a satisfied, 'Hmph'

"We women have a way of our own." She said standing erect to look Adar in the eye.

Adar took a pace forward and grabbed one side of the sack, "How about we share carrying this load?  I don't doubt your strength, but I would feel guilty as a gentlmen to let you carry this on your own."

Melanie beamed. She immediately took hold of the other side and lifted.

Adar noticed noticed the bag was greatly lopsided as they carried it, his side more elevated.

Adar glanced at Melanie. She had a broad grin on her face, despite the clear struggle she was having in supporting the weight of the wood.

Melanie is something different, thought Adar, She must really want to help me, but why?

Adar remembered the dream he had the night before. The look of fear on Melanie's face still was the part of the dream that made it a nightmare.  A sense of bitterness and shame overwhelmed him on the inside. He hated himself even more.

***

Adar and Melanie dumped the rest of the load into the bin and headed for the kitchen.

The bowls of soup were placed on the spots were they normally sat, the wooden spoons along side them.

"Finally the time of the feast!" Said John.

Adar and Melanie both nodded and made their way to their chairs.

Mr. Willis said grace and they began to eat.

"John? " Asked Mrs. Willis. "Will Adar be able to accompany us to the feast next week?"

"By the rate that he is healing, I would say for sure he will." 

Melanie's face lit up."You're going Adar?"

Adar raised a brow, "Were you not expecting me to tag along?"

Melanie shook her head."No, I didn't think you would like to attend events as such." 

I never really have been to one like that have I? Thought Adar. I guess I am not civilized as the rest of the people here... that's right. I'm not...

"But nonetheless, I would like for you to go!" Said Melanie, pulling Adar out of his thoughts. She was grinning from ear to ear.

"I could introduce you to all the friends I have made!" She quickly added.

"You should introduce him to Richard." Grinned Mr. Willis.

"I don't know him that well." Replied Melanie, "But maybe I can after getting to know Richard a bit more."

Adar's heart filled with something completely alien to him as he heard Melanie speak those words.

Melanie noticed a change of look on Adar's face.

His eyes seemed to posses an emptiness, similar to the one he had in the cells.

"Is everything ok, Adar?" asked Melanie.

Adar nodded." Never the better."

But in truth, he wasn't okay. This new feeling in his heart was one that he dreaded. He was becoming attached to everyone, especially Melanie.

He would have to adjust to this new life full of love, rather than the hate-filled life he was accustomed to.

What is this new emotion that I am feeling right now? thought Adar, Could it be envy? 

Adar pushed all thoughts to the back of his head.

He looked at Melanie, smiling.

"I can't wait until the feast." Lied Adar.

                     End Of Chapter

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