The Red Lands

Ming hovered around fifteen, with Chu and Lucy aging around twelve. In the past few days, they recouperated from malnourished-looking kids to a healthy countenance. Poor nutrition or not, their life depended on the hard labor of transporting firewood.

But in front of this solid mass of flesh and bones, it compared to asking a child to carry a car. The twisted expressions on them all, including Chu, looked priceless.

In Chu's novice mind, these beasts weighed a couple of tons between them. Even with a makeshift sled, they could not bear the load across the forest to the roads used by the woodsmen to transport lumber.

Without a cart equipped with large wheels to navigate over the bumps and tree ruts, this task attested to the impossible.

"Chu, even if you whip us, I don't think we can carry that load. Look at the deer, we would need long branches to even flip him over. And I am not sure the three of us can do it."

"Ming is right, Chu. That deer is bigger than the normal grassland ones. Only a Great Horned deer would have antlers so big. I saw one at the Trading Post with my mom a long time ago."

Crap!

Chu felt like pulling his hair and screaming.

This was like finding gold embedded in a cave without a pickaxe.

What should he do?

He had never paid attention to how they butchered the animals. He couldn't walk with that size of meat into the slums. If he got caught with that, it would be suicide.

Should he take the chance and butcher it here?

With that bloody action, the scent alone would attract nearly all the predators in the forest. All they could be by then would be sitting ducks.

Light a fire and attract the other hunters?

Which idiot in their right mind would share wealth with kids from the slums?

Greed is a bad thing among those struggling to survive every day.

In silence, Chu considered his alternatives for a few minutes.

"Ming, it is time for you to prove yourself."

Chu looked at him and continued,

"I need you to remain here. Not to guard but to see if anything happens to our catch. Climb up and stay hidden in the tree until I come back. Take the spear and machete with you for protection."

"Leave it to me. I will do what you say."

To Chu's surprise, Ming didn't hesitate at all. With a determined face, he got up and, taking what he needed, climbed up a nearby tree. What Chu didn't realize was how important he had already become to his companions. For those struggling in harsh environments, Chu had already become a blood brother.

For a bond like this, risking their life was a normal event.

Chu never led them to their deaths. He never told them to take their own lives. Since they joined him, the risk they accepted, they confronted it together. Everything they did, they did it to survive and for a chance at a better life. For that same reason, Lucy overcame her fear and risked her life. She wasn't overconfident in their trap, but seeing Chu in trouble caused her to act.

Chu, who had just arrived in this world and hadn't fully soaked in the slum experience, remained ignorant of this type of bond.

"Lucy, come with me, I may need your help in case something happens on the way."

It was not long since the bear announced its arrival with a loud commotion and roaring. Chu felt convinced its roars would keep inquisitive predators away for part of the night. It would take roughly two hours to return to the village. He would not be mad as to try and run in a beast-packed forest, who knows what he could meet up.

"Keep your eye out, Lucy, hide as much in the shadows. When we reach the grasslands, we can run. With the number of last-minute hunters around, the lone wolves will be intelligent to keep away until it quiets down."

Lucy replied with a soft mumble.

She was the quickest, so if they were attacked, Chu would try and use his spear to fend off the beast while giving Lucy a chance to run. He didn't know Lucy was thinking the same.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

They reached the edge of the forest and dashed out on the road towards the village. This way, they made it to the village a little faster. Only then did they breathe a sigh of relief.

Chu didn't go to the Slums for assistance. His circle of friends limited himself to his five companions. He didn't have anyone of note he trusted. Instead, he rushed directly to the Trading Post. Since arriving in this world, the interactions there have made him feel comfortable.

The Trading Post opened until half the night to accommodate hunters coming in late with their catch. It was even more so given that many would be leaving soon, along with the merchant caravans.

Some hunters busied themselves in filling the quota by their hired merchant before leaving. Others wrapped up their work in the village to leave for the nearest town or home until next season. Even the hunters and adventurers willing to stay in the village began winding down their activities. None wanted to be unfortunate in the forest to encounter wolf packs or other hidden dangers.

Chu rushed to the Trading Post, but seeing a new person at the collection bay, he paused. Holding Lucy by the hand, he carried her to the well. Removing his scarf and hood, he cleaned up his face and had Lucy do the same. Replacing her hood, he held her hand and casually walked into the collection area.

Even though she was shocked, Lucy didn't pull her hands away from him. Chu, on the other hand, was completely clueless about his actions. His mind focused on other things at the moment.

Chu timed it so there was no one except them as they entered the bay. The surroundings around the Trading Post appeared deserted.

"Hello, good night, sir."

Chu greeted with just this sentence.

He was waiting to gauge the type of reply and the expressions of the clerk. Only then could he know what kind of approach to use for striking up a conversation.

"Beat it, kid, there is no free firewood here for you. We don't run a charity here."

If Griz had this attitude, Chu would have found it doubly hard to have progressed.

He gauged this individual at around twenty years of age, possessing some form of basic education. He definitely would not be some rich brat because which young master worked the graveyard shift?

Chu summed the man up from his first response.

'A conniving young, partially educated brat.'

Settling on his approach, Chu stuttered,

"S.so..sorr...sorry young master. Pl...please take no offence."

"Hmph!! Darn right, least you have some common sense. Begone before I lose patience."

Chu rolled his eyes in his head.

'Damn this guy has a swell head'

He thought as the clerk leaked out a prideful aura. A little compliment, and this guy was ready to launch for the moon.

Chu continued his play.

"So...sorry for wasting your time lord, but Mr Griz..Mr Griz request that I meet him at this time."

Calling the clerk 'lord' while calling the head of the Trading Post 'Mr.'

The clerk's head was inflated until it nearly popped with pride.

"What are you saying? Why should Griz meet with the likes of you at this time of night?"

Of course, the clerk had to follow suit.

'Mr Griz' simply became Griz in his eyes. Any more buttering up by this kid, and he would be the owner of the Trading Post Company.

"Sir..your lordship sir... Mr Griz says that I was to meet him here with my sister, sir."

"WHAT?!"

Seeing the clerk nearly falling over, Chu continued.

"Your excellency, I am not lying. He said to bring my sister here tonight. He will be waiting, or he will be informed on my arrival."

The clerk looked at the young boy who spoke teary-eyed, like he was a child telling the truth, but being doubted.

What the heck he thought, that big ass man was into young girls? Hmph! Tsk!nTsk! coasting a fair reputation while being a demon inside. And to think he was warning me at the start about playing around!!

"Hey, kid, you sure?"

"Ye,s your lord. Look, I even have the coppers he paid me today."

Chu produced the pouch of remaining coppers and handed it over as if showing off his simple-minded honesty.

The clerk on the other hand saw the simpleton standing before him and immediately turned into a wolf.

"Hmmmm.....Yes, yes, that's true, kid. But you have to know, I don't know if Griz may want her again. He may even take back your money. Tsk! Tsk! I'll tell you what...."

Looking at the expected reaction of tears welling up in the kid's eyes and his face clouded with fear, the clerk continued.

"I'll help you, but you have to keep it a secret, or if Griz finds out, it would be the last time he would deal with you. He HATES rumors."

'Oh god, look at this sucker being played.'

Of course, there were two people thinking the very same thoughts at the time.

"Yes, yes, please help us, I will do anything you say, my lord!"

The clerk turned up his head, gave a sigh, shook his head, and continued. He was like a man going out of his way to do a favor.

"I will carry her now and make sure that Griz always calls on her. But for this service, I need to get something in return. Since I will make sure you have a steady income for all winter, how about you give me half of your fees now? Then, during winter, bring her to me for a few days. I will guarantee she is fed."

"Thank you...Thank you, lord....please take what you need, I cannot count so if your lordship may.."

The clerk hurriedly took three quarters of the money and threw back the near empty pouch. Seeing the kid pocket it without hesitation reinforced his character as a bumpkin.

With the transaction complete, the clerk hurried off with Lucy in tow towards the village. Griz would naturally have his sleeping quarters in the Trading Post lodge within the village. The huge building served as a storeroom and resting places for merchants and their guards.

Seeing off the girl at the lodge, he returned in high spirits. Tonight was a very profitable night for him. This winter was shaping up to be wonderful. He had secured a good job, had enough food, and now had the added bonus of free entertainment.

This move from the town to this backward village was shaping up to be one of his best decisions. EVER!

When the clerk returned, Chu was still waiting in the collection area.

"What are you still doing here, brat? I dropped her off with one of the guards to carry her to Griz's rooms. Don't hang around here! You want me to get a guard to chase you away?"

Chu looked at him with an awkward expression. To avoid trouble, he simply moved away from the clerk's sight. It should be noted that all that conversation didn't take fifteen minutes to resolve, with Lucy being delivered within that time frame. Given his situation, this was the quickest way to achieve his goal.

Their futures were all dependent on the outcome of this meeting. Hopefully, he didn't read the merchant wrong.