The small village of Rustfield bustled quietly around Noah as he slowly adjusted to life in his new home. He'd only been here a few days, but already, the unfamiliar sights, sounds, and scents of the village had started to feel less frightening and more comforting. Rustfield was nestled on the edge of the forest, surrounded by fields and rolling hills. Most of its people were simple folk, miners and farmers, and the warmth of the community began to reach Noah, soothing the ache of his recent losses.

The restaurant where he'd found refuge was modest, with sturdy wooden tables and chairs arranged around a small hearth. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a gentle glow across the room as evening drew near. Despite its humble appearance, the place was lively, often filled with chatter and laughter from the villagers who came to share meals and stories.

Today, Noah was finally going to learn more about his new friend.

Noah's POV

The girl crossed her arms, giving me a steady look. "Well, if you're going to stay here, we might as well know each other's names, right?"

I nodded, a little nervous but also grateful. Her bluntness wasn't unkind; it just felt honest. She'd helped me, and I wanted to trust her.

"I'm Noah. Noah Rosweld. I'm 4 years old, almost 5."

She nodded thoughtfully. "I'm Mira. Mira Lannett. Just turned 5. My mom and I run this place," she added, her tone proud but also a bit sad. "Ever since... well, my dad was a miner, but he passed away last year. It's just me and her now."

I looked down, not sure what to say. I'd lost my family too, and that familiar pang of loneliness echoed in my chest. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Mira shrugged, trying to sound tough, though I could tell it still hurt her. "We get by just fine, and now that you're here, maybe you can help us, yeah?"

I nodded eagerly. The thought of having somewhere to belong, of helping, made me feel lighter.

"Come on," Mira said, nudging me. "We've got some things to do before you start working here properly. First, clothes."

She pulled a small coin pouch from her pocket, grinning. "Mom gave me this so we can get you something that actually fits."

Third-Person POV

Mira led Noah through the cobbled streets of Rustfield, weaving past vendors selling produce and small wares. The general store was at the heart of the village, its shelves filled with goods that ranged from sacks of flour to rough-spun shirts and trousers.

Inside, Mira handed the pouch to the shopkeeper, a stocky older woman with a kind smile and calloused hands. She picked out a sturdy tunic and trousers for Noah, along with a pair of boots that were only slightly worn. It was a modest outfit, but to Noah, it felt like a treasure. He slipped into the new clothes, and Mira stepped back, giving him an approving nod.

"See? You look like you actually belong here now," she said, smiling.

Noah's face warmed with gratitude. For the first time in what felt like ages, he didn't feel like a stray.

Mira's POV

After getting Noah his clothes, I took him down to the riverbank that ran behind the village, nestled between the trees. It was a quiet spot where the villagers went to wash clothes or just enjoy a moment of peace.

"This is where we clean up," I told him, sitting down on a rock as he hesitated by the water's edge.

Noah dipped his fingers in the water, staring at his own reflection. His face was still gaunt from the days he'd spent wandering, but he looked better. Stronger. I watched as he splashed his face, scrubbing away the grime.

Once he was done, he looked at me, curiosity plain on his face.

"So... you can use magic, right?"

I grinned, proud to show off. "Of course! Watch."

I held out my hand, closing my eyes to focus. A small flicker of flame appeared in my palm, warm and steady. Noah's eyes widened, and his expression was something between awe and yearning. He reached a hand toward the flame, then stopped, almost as if he were afraid of breaking the moment.

"Can... anyone learn magic?" he asked softly, his voice filled with a kind of wonder I hadn't seen before.

"Depends. Magic is everywhere, but not everyone can use it," I explained, letting the flame dance between my fingers before snuffing it out. "But if you want it bad enough, maybe you can find a way."

He looked out over the river, determination flickering in his eyes. I didn't press him further. Instead, I just smiled, happy to have someone to share this little corner of the world with.

Third-Person POV

The days passed in a steady rhythm as Noah adjusted to life in Rustfield. Mira and her mother, Annalise, made sure he had a place to sleep, and in return, Noah helped around the restaurant. He swept the floors, scrubbed the tables, and did anything else that needed doing.

There was one other worker at the restaurant, a burly man named Lyle, who handled the cooking and sometimes acted as a bouncer when the patrons got too rowdy. Lyle had a booming laugh and a fierce loyalty to Annalise, who he saw as family. Though he could be gruff, he quickly took to Noah, showing him the ropes in the kitchen.

"Careful with those dishes, kid," Lyle grunted one evening as Noah carefully balanced a stack of plates. "Drop 'em, and you're cleaning up the mess."

Noah nodded quickly, the tips of his ears turning red. Despite Lyle's grumbling, there was a warmth in the man's tone, as if he were glad to have an extra set of hands around.

The days passed like this, and soon Noah found himself fitting into the rhythm of Rustfield. The village, the people, even the little restaurant—all of it began to feel like home.

Noah's POV

I'd been here for a while now, and every day felt a little better. Mira and her mom treated me like family, and even Lyle wasn't so bad once you got used to his bark.

One evening, just as we were finishing up for the night, a group of adventurers came through the door. They looked different from the regular villagers—clad in leather armor, with swords strapped to their backs and strange trinkets hanging from their belts. Their clothes shimmered with faint traces of magic, and they carried themselves with the confidence of people who had seen things beyond Rustfield.

I couldn't help but stare. These were real adventurers, the kind I'd only ever heard about in stories. They ordered food, their laughter filling the room, and I felt a strange tug in my chest. Someday, I wanted to be like them—to be strong, brave, and unafraid of whatever lay beyond the forest.

Mira caught me staring and nudged me. "They're just people, Noah."

"Yeah, but... they're different," I murmured, still watching them in awe.

She chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Maybe you'll get to see the world someday. But for now, focus on clearing these tables."

I laughed, shaking my head, but deep down, the spark of adventure had been lit.