“How long have you been following me?”


    “Since you killed colourful fire man.”


    “Makes sense...Stupid question now that I think about it.” Apple sighed and kicked the dirt from under his boots.


    It had been six days since the incident at Pier. Six days of none stop walking across roads of cobblestone, sand,and now dirt. Apple wasn’t quite sure how he had managed to escape that accused city, it had all been one melancholy blur. He mostly remembered walking. Walking and walking along the city’s shore. Relatively peaceful he remembered the journey being, except for those four guards. Each showing up alone at different times,each onetryingto apprehend him in the name of justice. All they gotfor their sense of dutywas the gift to look down upon their families in the ethereal plane of their deity. Of course, only if said deity was willing to forgive them for their newfound fondness of an edge-less shape.


    After about a day out of the city and his moodiness had subsided, Apple instead felt rage. Rage at himself, in his juvenile angst, he had forgotten to retrieve the magician’s wand. He had no intention of using it as a replacement for his large hand-crafted babybut thinking about all the materials he could have stripped from it made Apple weep.


    “Hey! Are you ignoringMula?” The tanned child huffed.


    Apple broke free from his thoughts. Once again, he lost himself in the riches he could have so easily acquired. “Sorry Mula. Just thinking about some things.” He explained to the girl; still wearing his stained shirt. “How did you find me anyway?”


    “Neverlost you. Mula waited for goodtime to stab fire man, but you killed himbefore I could.” It appearedto Apple that she was upset about not slaying the man herself. “You looked likeyouin bad mood, so Mula waited until you not.Mula super sneaky, you never see Mula. Almost said hitwo days again, but you suddenly kept yellingabout a wand-thingy. So Mula waited until you better again.”


    Apple felt awful. A lump formed in his throat. He had abandoned the girl so easily, and now here she was in front him. Even worse she was always with him, in the shadows,waitingfor him to stop histantrum; hisunpleasant moodhadforced her to hide from him. “I’m sorry, Mula. Sorry for leaving you.” He replied softly to her.


    She grinned. “It ‘Kay.It happens.”


    “That, that doesn’t make me feel any better.”He frowned.


    “Stop being so moody.” Sheordered, with a jab of her finger.


    Apple could nothelp but let out a small laugh at her behaviour. “Alright, Mula. Are you sure you want to travel with me though? It’ll be very dangerous and we only just met.”


    She simply shrugged. “Mula have no idea where Mula is. You helped Mula andcan-domagic. You good choice, for now.”


    Apple could notargue with that logic,“fair enough. Welcome to the Apple party. Oh, the name’s Apple, by the way.”


    “That’s astupid name.” She so flatly informedhim.


    “I agree, very stupid.” Apple grinned. Hegrinned wider than he had done in a long time. “But it’smy name.”


    “Kay. So, where yougoin’, Apple?”She asked.


    “Where arewegoing.” He corrected her. “I believe our first order of business is toget some supplies. You, little lady, are in some desperate needof some clothes.”


    Shenodded. “Mula agrees. Mula tired of being cold.”


    “Then let us be off. We’re sure to reach some kind of settlement if we keepfollowing this pathway – probably.” He added.


    So, with nothing left to say for now, the twocontinuedto stride boldly down thedirtroadside by side. Hoping thata gathering of humans would be aneventuality.


    ***********


    “Well, that was quick.” Apple exclaimed, as he looked upon the sporadic weave ofquaint littlebuildings.


    A sparse, yet dense formation of habitatsalmost hidden is dense trees of birch and oak. The structures camouflaged even further as they too were made of the wood that surrounded them.Wasit not for the convenient dirt path, Apple doubted he would have found theplace?


    “Seems like a particularlymundanesettlement. Hope the locals aren’t a bunch of savages.” Apple mused to himself.


    “Stop using words Mula doesn’t know.” She ordered of Apple, as if he was mocking herfor lack of vocabulary.


    “No. You either learn the words, or pretend you know them.” Apple scoffed in response. Not bothering tocontinue the conversation, hepressed forward towards the unknown hamlet.


    It did nottake long for him to encounter one of its inhabitants. A young woman, about the same age as Apple, was in the midst of pulling a bucket from a well.


    Apple approached quietly, cleared his throat and spoke: “Hail, woman.”


    The woman jumped in response and turned her head towards the pair. As soon as eyes caught the sight of the two, they bulged and she ran towards the hamlet. Her bucket forgotten on the grass, itsliquidcontents feeding it.


    “Hey wait!” He cried with an outreached arm.Unfortunately forhim, his words fell on frightened ears. “Well, thatdidn’t go very well.”


    After some quick pondering, Apple concluded that perhaps being a complete strange man, at night, covered in dirt, exposing his bare chest through the gap of giant leather coat, probably was a bit unnerving for such acommonyoung lady. Also having a half-naked child companion withbright yellow eyes andcanines so large they protrude past her lips, most likely didnothelp either.


    “Not a great start Mula, I’ll admit. We’ll have to go in nice and slow. Hide that knife ofyoursand try to look cute.” Apple told her, as he began to head into the settlement once more.


    “Mula already cute.” She informed him as she followed.


    Apple turned and glanced at her while he walked. High protruding cheekbones that lookedsharpenough toscratch glass. Chestnut coloured hair so knotted, it looked like an oversized bird’s nest. Piecing yellow eyes that reminded Apple of a wolf. Teeth that reminded him of a cat. Long arms contrastedherstout legs. Skin the colour of wet sand,a shade just not enoughtoquite hide her unusually hairy forearms. Apple didnotknow much about the varieties of humans but it looked as if Mulapossessed a lot of them in her blood. Apple was also willing to bet she possessed some traces of not-so-human heritage as well.


    “Sure, why not.” He eventually respondedwith a small shrug.


    It did nottake long for the pair to reach what could be considered the village centre. There waiting for them were eight gruff-looking men, all wielding some of the more menacing farming toolsused to toil fields.


    ‘Definitelynot a great start.’Apple thought.


    “What youdoin’ ‘ere in ourlil’ol’ village?” Asked a hairy fellow at the centre of the line, in his grip was a large billhook slasher. Applepromptlydetermined him to be the leader of the group.


    “My companion and I are but simple travellers.We were lost andarein desperate need of supplies. We walked a random dirt road in the hopes of finding sanctuary and here we are.”Apple answered honestly.


    “Companion, aye?” He looked directly at Mula. “Whatkindaman keeps a child as a companion? Especially a girl.” He added, his uninviting face turned even more sour.


    “She’s my niece.” Apple quickly lied. “Her parents are dead and I am her only kin left. As you can see, I’m not quite equipped to be taking care of a child, but I’m all she has.” Apple laced his words with sorrow to addpower to his tall tale.


    Mula looked at him with wide eyes, but she did notsay anything.


    “Shedon’tlookanythin’ likeya– she don’t.” Another man protested.


    “True. Her motherand Ilooked a fair bit differentto begin with, her foreign fatherwidened the gap.”


    The man grunted in response,although heappeared more appeased than he did a moment ago.


    “Why were youscarin’ me daughter,Gale?” The leader once again chimed in.


    “I’m assuming Gale is the girl who was at the well. I’m sorry about that. AllIdid was saygreet here, althoughImust admit ourcurrentappearance must be a tadfrightening to gaze upon all of a sudden.” He replied, once again telling the truth.


    The leader nodded,“aye you two look and smell like cow shit,yado.”


    Apple laughed to help lighten the mood. “We sure do. Been on theroad for a while now. Bandits stoleour clothes, weapons, and coin. All I wish is for me and my niece tobathe, rest and hopefully do some trading here.”


    “What kind of trading?” A short hostile-lookingmanasked.


    “Well, like I said, bandits took most of our belongings, but I’m more than willing totrade in deeds. Got anything you need help with?”


    The group of men all began to look at each other, communicatingentirely withtheir eyes and facial expressions.


    “Alright.” The leader finally said. “It’s late now. You two can sleep in my barn for night. We’ll discuss trading in the morning.” He told them. Apple could see that some faces in the group did notapprove of their leader’s proposal, Apple took a mental picture ofeach oftheir faces.


    The group eventually dispersed and their leader indicated for him and Mula to follow. All except one of the men hadleft, theremaining individualwasaburly fairly young fellow that looked a lot like their leader.“Must be his son.”


    The gang shortly arrived ata study looking wooden house, with a smallbarn standingbeside it.


    “Stay here. Need to let the misses know about you two.” He ordered, just before he went inside his house. The son stayed with them, most likely tokeep an eye on the pair.Apple tried to make pleasantries but the manrefused toreturn the favour.


    After abouttwenty of silence with brief periods of small talk with Mula, the house owner appeared.In his thick meaty arms was a large wash bucket filled to the brim.“Follow me to the barn.”His gruff voice said.


    Apple gave Mula a reassuring nod and followedbehind.


    “Ere.” He dropped the bucket on the barn floorwith a wet thud. “Giveyaself a wash. I’ll be back soon with someol’ clothes forya. Nothavin’ you twofilthin’ up me home.”


    “Of course. Thank you so much...” Apple stopped.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    “NamesGer.”


    “Ger. Thanks. The name’s Apple.” Apple replied.


    Ger’s chappedlips finally allowed themselves a smallsmirk. “Sure,it is, lad.”


    Ger left the barn before Apple could convince the man it was indeed hisname.“Mulayou go first.” He told her.


    “Kay.”She immediately took off her shirt and dove into the cold water.


    Apple turned the other way. While she was only a child, he wished to respect her privacy. Only turning back every so often to make sure she was cleaningherselfproperly. He was tempted to use his magic to warm the water, but feared someone was watching them.


    After about twenty minutes of grooming, Apple and Mula finished and draped themselves in the clothing Ger left them. Apple wore wool trousers and a soft grey wool tunic, both slightly too big for hisleanframe. Mula was covered by a pale one-piece dress that was a little too long for her legs.


    The two walked to their saviour’s house and knocked on the heavy door. After several moments Ger opened it and greeted them. “That’s better. Come in.”Gernodded.


    Apple said a quick thank you and venturedinside after the man.


    It was awell-maintained interior. Lacking in any kind ofdécor but clean and sturdy looking. The slightest whiff of cooking and recreational smoke filled the air.


    Ger took them to a room with asmallwooden table placed in the centre. On top of itsdustyphysiquewas a large pot of a nutty pottage and besides the pottage was a row or tough-looking rye bread.


    “This is my wife, Kat.” Ger gestured towards a stern looking woman, about half way through her life, sitting at the table.


    “Lovely to meet you.” Apple smiled, though the smileclearlyfailed to warm her face.“And this is my son, Gill. You two have already briefly met.” He them motioned to the angry looking fellow at the end of the table.


    “Nice tomeet you, Gill.” Again, Apple’sgreeting failed toetch away thedisapproval of his existence.


    “My daughter won’t be joiningus her supper tonight.Even without youscarin’ ‘er, I wouldn’t want astrange man around ‘er, no sir.”


    “I understand. I’m a guest under your roof and won’tdo anything to cause the slightest bit of trouble.” Apple replied truthfully.


    Ger grunted. “Good man. Now let’s eat.”


    Apple sat down and Mula plopped down on the chair next to him. The exchange of nutrition began and Apple partook readily. Apple dipped his stale bread into his watery pottage with a grace to rival the mostancientof surfs, “if only my family could see me now.”He smirked to himself.


    “So,what deed do you need us for?” Apple asked, right after swallowing a torn lumpof seed bread.


    “Didn’t I say itcould wait until tomorrow?” Ger replied, with food still in his mouth.


    Apple nodded, his mouth still full of food.Hegently ripped out thestarchyinnards of his bread and playfully rolled it into a ball with his hand. “You did.” He admitted. “But I see no reason to not say it now. Unless of coursethe task itself issealed with a privacy I didn’t foresee.”


    “You talk like a right queer.” Ger’s son chimed in on the conversation.Applepretended he did not hear that


    “No, it’s not all hush-hush– it isn’t. Suppose there’s no reason insayin’ it now.” Admitted Ger, seemingly ignoring his son’scontribution to their talk.He took a breath. “You ever heard of goblins?”


    Apple’s lefteyebrows cocked slightly. “Goblins, aye. I’ve had my fair share of encounters with rambunctious little curs. Why,you got an infestation?”


    Ger nodded,“’bout three moons ago a mate of mine came across one the green bastards on a hunt. Then people startedseein’them in bushes,watchin’us. Little time goes by ‘n’ we startnoticin’ a fewpiglets‘n’ a lotta the localsquirrels‘n’hedgehogshadgonemissin’. Then alambor two. Now, now a man must hide his women from their tiny hands.” His words became slower and more pronounced as his story went on.


    Apple remained silentfor a moment, allowing the tension in the room to dilute a little.“I see.Forgive me if this is a rude question, but have you made any attempt toberid them yourselves?”


    “Of course,we ‘aveyapillark. We’ve beengoi-“


    “Hush Gill.” Ger interrupted. “Sorry about my lad, he and a bunch of us ‘avebinhuntin’ thelil’ shits since we lost a sheep. They’re as strong as a child and half as smart, but there’s so many of thebleedin’ bastards.Yakill one, three more appearand anyone ‘ere that has any fighting experience is either too old, like me self, or dead. Oh, my boy is strong alright, stronger than his da but he was never forced to fight in wars like us old ‘uns, our Lord is old and no longer cares about such affairs. We’ve also got no armour or weapons round ‘ere, apart from some axes meant to chop wood and a couple bows.”


    Apple absorbed the information, wondering what to do with it. He was already in too deep to tell the man that he had never evenactuallyseen a goblin before.He thought he might have heard a few in a forest several months back but was too scared toinvestigate.All of his experience with the stunted humanoids came from his times back home., every couple of years men would report to his fatheraboutgoblins attacking one of his mines. He had heard descriptions of their appearances andheard tales oftheirdeeds andthat was it. Although, from what he didknow, Apple believed he should be able to handlethis new foe.


    “Say no more, my good man. Just tell me where they live and I’ll snuff them out. I may not look like much, but I’ve had my fairshare of scuffles with their kind, and much worse.” Apple ever so confidently told them.


    “Terrific.” Ger smiled. “I’ll haveNick, the village hunter, takeyatheretomorrow.”


    “That’s fine with me. I’ll repay your kindness two-fold. Though, I must ask that my niece have something to cover her feet with and perhaps a cloak of some kindtowardawaythe chill.”


    Kat, who had remainedcompletely, spoke with bulging eyes. “Surely you’re not taking your niece with you?” She stammered.


    “Of course. She’s my little apprentice and this will be valuable experience for her.” Apple calmlyinformedher.


    “But she’s only a child, and a girl! Do you have any idea what goblins do to women?” She pressed.


    “I do.” He did not. “Don’t worry, she’ll be in my shadow the entire time. I don’t plan on making her fight as an equal. More like an observer.” He explained.


    “But, but...”


    “Leave it, Kat. It’s the man’s decision. Let’s not tell him how to do our job for us.”Ger interjected.


    “What about the girl?” She complained, unrelenting to her husband’s statement. She turned andlooked warmly at Mula. “Poppet. Are you okay with going with your uncle to fight goblins?Be honest withme, please Poppet.”


    Mula looked down. Her shoulders shimmied side to side in silence. Unable to bear the brunt of the table’s gaze. After a few breathsshe eventuallyspoke:“Mulais fine with goblin killing. Mula help...Uncle.” She said with aslightcrack in her pitch.


    “Yasee Kat. The girl’s fine with it.” Gerreassured her.


    The tension returned to the table. Apple waggled his eyes around the room, examining the faces within. Kat was clearly unsatisfied with the verdict of Mula’s participation. Ger looked stern, unwavering as a rock. His son, wielded the samehostileexpression he had when Apple first met him.


    “Well.” Apple said. “Thank you so much for supper. I believeit''stime for me and Mula to hit the hay. Got a long day ahead of us.”


    “Sounds good. My daughter should ‘aveput some blankets out in the barn while we ate. I think we’llget some shut eye as well.” Ger replied.


    With another quick farewell, Apple and his little companion headed outside to their beds. He pretended to not hear the panicked scuttling of Ger’s daughter just before they left the dining room. Apple had sensed her presence behind the wall the past half an houror so.


    At the barn they found the blankets Ger had promised them. With a discussionusing nothing buttheireyes, the two searched for the softest pile of hay and hunkered down.


    “Rest well, Mula.Got avery big day ahead of us.” Apple whispered to the girl beside him.


    “Kay. Mula sleepy anyway. Mula excited for fightinggobbly-thingies tomorrow. She grinned, or at least Applebelievedshe did.


    “Me too, Mula. Me too.” He lied. “Goodnight.”


    “Night-night.”


    And with that, the gently sound of snoring hiccupped from the girl. Shortly after, the heavy breaths ofatired man joined her in a duet.


    **********


    The big day had arrived. Apple and Mula had awoke at dusk and completed their morning stretchesthat Apple insisted they do.


    Apple sat upon a large upside-down bucket they had used to washyesterday evening,whilst hewas going through his trusty traveling sack. Sat on the grass beside him was his new party member, Mula, looking at Apple’sbagof goodieswith a mix of boredom and mild envy. In the sack, Apple found his jute rope, someoldjerky, bandages, a torch, a rock that he couldnotremember why hecarried it around, four strips ofdeerleather, and several pieces of bound parchment.


    He stared at his contents over and over again, for there was little to do right now. Gill had left earlier to fetch the village hunter, so Apple was forced to wait here for him. Not that he minded, however. He was still waiting for Ger to givethemsome supplies and hopefully some breakfast.


    As if she had read his mind, a not-so familiar girl appeared. “H-hungry?” Apple heard a small squeak from behind him asked. He knew who it was immediately but thought itwould be wiser to act as if she was a complete stranger.


    “I’m famished.” Apple repliedcheerfully, after he turned his head deliberately slow to face the voice. Stood nervously before him was the reason for him being almost gutted by a mob ofdisgruntledpeasants. A short, moderately plumb woman, with medium brown hair anda large collection offreckles.


    “B-b-breakfast.” She statedwith her arms outreached, holding a bowl in each hand.


    “Thank you, luv.”Apple replied, adding a common colloquialism in the hopes it made him seemfriendlier. Her cheeks flushed red in response and flushed brighter when Apple took the bowls from her hands.


    A block of cheeseandmore ryebread, simple but effective.Alongside the food were two wooden cups full of a watery ale.Apple gaveMulaher share of cheese and breadand dug in, withouta singleutensilto be found.Appleinhaled his cheeseimmediately andfeastedupon the soft innards of hisbreak,breaking so many etiquette rules he haddrilled into his as a youth.


    While he and Mula ate, the girl left and swiftly returned. In her hands was now a small cloak and wrapped leather shoes, both brandishing theuglyshade of brown.


    “Ah, these must be theattire asked for. Thank you very much, luv.” Apple beamed.


    “It’snothing.” She gulped. “Ma asked me to get these for your niece.”Shestared at Mula,trembling somewhat when shenoticedherunusuallylarge fangs.


    Apple noticed that Mula was aware of the woman’s fear of herand her seemingto beenjoying it. She took the items the trembling woman with a smile, a largeexaggeratedsmile that showed an unnecessary number of teeth. Apple wondered whetherhe shouldscaldMula for teasing such a timid creature.


    “Your ma, aye.” Apple said. “That explains why you’re the one giving us theseitems. Your father made it clear that he didn’twant us near each other.”


    “Neither does my ma. She says you’re a wild man, risking the life of a girl for nogoodreason.” Apple was surprised by her honesty.


    He released a boyish smirk. “Can’t say she’s wrong. I’m in need of a shave and carry around a giant stick as some kind of fashion accessory. You also rantoo, once you saw my barbaric mug.”


    Once again, her face turned red, rivalling the ripest of tomatoes. “Well...Erm, you startled me. It was dark and you’re a man. Dad doesn’t let me around men.” She stuttered.


    “Hah! Don’t worry, I understand. Likeyour ma said, I am a wild looking fellow.” He laughed.


    “No, no. That’s not what I wassayin’. You look...You look good.” She gulped.


    Apple could feel his eyebrow rise that that remark.Good shesaidhelooked. “Did he?”He wondered. He had lost a lot of weight and acquired a few scars on his travels. He had heardin the pastthat women like scars. While he was average length for a noble, he was a couple inches taller than the average peasant,even an inch or two largethan father and brother,althoughcertainty not as muscularas the pair. Perhaps it was just due to her lack of male contact. It didnothelp her standardswhenthe majority of this hamlet’s population seemed to be grumpy old men. A dark wave of confidence washed over him.


    “Good you say?” A smug grin asked.


    A response of unintelligiblewords came from a red-faced source.


    Before Apple could continue his teasing, the man of the hour had arrived.


    Gill had returned and beside him was a lankyman with a bow strapped around his back.


    “Hail masters.” Apple cried in greeting.


    The hunter replied with a nodandGillseemedignored the wild man’s existence.


    His moody face slumped angrilywhen he saw his sister behind the detestable bucket-sitter. “Gale! What are you doing outside with the stranger?” He yelled.


    “I wasgivin’them food and clothes for their quest, like ma asked me.” She replied meekly.


    “Well you’ve given them the stuff so getgoing. Da doesn’t even like you nearmen he’s known since they were suckling on their ma’s teat.How’dyathink he’d react if he found out you’ve bintalkin’ to aqueer savage?”


    Apple wondered that if he did nothave his catalystcausallyresting on his shoulder right now would he fear this brute?He wasmildlyannoyedright now but not nearly enough to risk the consequences of a confrontation with thelout. Though he supposed he should at least try to resolve the situation.


    “Please calm down. It was I who engaged your sister inconversation. She was just too polite toignore me. Please don’t blame her.”


    “Shut up, savage! Don’t you have some goblins to bekillin’?” He scolded.


    “A hairysurf, living in the middle of nowherewith not even his Lord’s location knownis calling me a savage...The world sure is an interesting place.” Applemused. “You’re right. We best be off. Farewell Gale and son of Ger.” Apple bellowed, as he pounced off the bucket and walked towards his guide.


    “Wait, before you go. . . Mysister! Please find my sister,Gwen.” She suddenly stammeredwith enclosed hands.


    “Gale!” Gill spat. “I thought we told you to give up onher. She was taken over amonth ago.”


    “But what’s the harm in asking? Da is tooproudto mention her, so I will. Please, good Sir, find my sister Gwen. She looks a lot like me expect a little older and has a large birthmark on her left shoulder.”


    “Gale!”He scolded again.


    “Alright, Gale. I make no promises, but I’ll do my best. Farewell.” Apple walked away to the sounds of weeping and gratitude. He wondered if this is what it was like to be a hero, like in his childhood story booksif itwas,he was a bitdisappointed.


    “Wait!” Galesuddenlycried, as the trio had walked almost completely away from the Ger household. “How will you fight goblins without a weapon?”


    “A weapon?” He brandished his staffin the air. “I have aweapon right here.”


    “That stick? You surely can’tbegoin’ to fight an entire nest of goblinswith that?” She asked incredulously.


    “Worry not, luv.” He smiled. “It’s a really good stick.”