In spite of the darkness, you continue on the path, keeping a hand on your sword in case you're attacked. You light your lantern so that you can see more clearly, and march onwards. Eventually, you spot an old wooden cabin near a lake, not too far off the path. It looks abandoned, but hopefully if anyone still resides within you can convince them to let you take shelter.


You make your way to the front door, where you attempt to open it, only to find that it's locked. Damn, the place isn't abandoned. Instead, you raise your fist and pound upon the door. "Hello," you call out, "I seek shelter for the night." It takes a moment, but soon you hear footsteps descending stairs within, then the sound of a lantern being lit, followed by faint light creeping through under the door. Finally, you hear the sound of a bolt being unlocked.


The door cracks open slightly, and you can see a wrinkled eye poking out. "I didn't think anyone still wandered these old roads," he says, his voice old and creaky. "What brings you 'round here, stranger?"


"I'm nothing but a simple wanderer," you reply. "I just seek shelter for the night."


He looks as though he's contemplating it. He seems wary, though that isn't unreasonable; if you were in his shoes, being woken in the dead of night by a large man with a large sword, you'd be wary as well. Finally, he opens the door wider, croaking out "Come in." You oblige.


Before you stands an older man, perhaps in his 60s, dressed in a faded blue woolen shirt and ragged breeches. "Welcome. My name is Oscar. What's yours, wanderer?"


"My name is Kit." You look around. The interior of the cabin is quaint, decorated with paintings and old wooden furniture. A hearth sits on the back wall, cooking utensils hanging above it, near stairs ascending to the second floor. "A nice home you have here."


"Thank you." Oscar gestures to the floor. "You're welcome to make yourself comfortable. Please, do not head to the second floor. My wife is attempting to sleep. She's been sick."


You nod. "I understand. Thank you, sir."


Oscar ascends the stairs, leaving you on the first floor. You lay down, and fall asleep.


In the morning, you wake to Oscar descending from the stairs. "Morning, sir. You're welcome to stay for breakfast if you want, I'm going to get wood for the hearth. And again, please do not disturb my wife. She's still dreadfully sick." With that, he heads to the door and leaves.


He's rather insistent that you not bother his wife. Is she really that sick? Maybe you can check for yourself. Or, you can wait for him to come back and then eat breakfast with him and be on your way.

You no, you won't invade their privacy. You'll stay for breakfast then leave.

You stay put. Oscar comes back not long after with an armful of wood logs and grass, which he places into the hearth. You offer him your tinderbox, which he takes with a hum of thanks, before lighting the hearth. He begins to cook porridge, and hands you a bowl not long after. It's good.


After you finish up your breakfast, you gather your things and take your leave. He was quite a kind old man. You wonder if he and his wife will do alright all alone out here. Perhaps such a life... Would suit you. Perhaps.


A few days, maybe even weeks later, you find a worn-down cabin on the edge of a forest that is actually abandoned this time. You decide to give that life a shot, and find that it does suit you. It is there that you finally settle down, hunting and gathering for food.


Occasionally, travelers pass through on their own journeys, but they never stay long. Once or twice bandits have attempted to rob you, but once you retrieved your old sword and showed how well you can handle it, they quietly backed away... Most of them, anyhow. The fools that didn't? Well, you're lucky the stains came off easily with a bit of elbow grease.


Finally, you are at peace.


THE END