Song: https://youtu.be/UGpXht0sKng

A couple of days passed without much activity. My dreams were unrelated to Astra, or none existent, as if they'd turned themselves off for a while. It wasn't much of a big deal for me, but Barrett was thoroughly frustrated by the seeming defiant independence of my subconscious.

His foot was healing according to the doctor, but he was confined to bed rest for a few weeks. Barrett's reaction to the news was annoyance, as if he would rather be doing anything else. I tried not to bring up the fact that I really had tried to warn him about the traps, seeing as he was already irritated. Thankfully, after a while of no dreams, and nothing else really happening, he started to count my lack of visions as a blessing. Since it meant that nothing bad was going to happen soon.

I was currently out helping the doctor's wife gather water from the well in a simple green gown she'd gifted to me. The gesture was very appreciated as my original clothes were rather dirty by this point, and being able to change into fresh clothes was a welcome change, even a dress.

While helping her, I silently wondered about how I could earn money in this land, without turning to thievery like Barrett had. I didn't know much about the economy of Astra, or if women were allowed to have more creative jobs.

The other problem with trying for a job was that Barrett probably wouldn't stay around very long if I got one. My only chance was now, while he was technically bedridden. If I could help out around the village and earn some money, then when we headed out again, we wouldn't have to steal for as long as the money lasted.

"Is there any work here I could help with?" I asked the woman whose name I'd learned was Edna.

She tilted her head before smiling a little. "Well, you're probably paying for your friend's treatment with this work. But if you're looking for pay, well. I suppose I could ask around town."

I grabbed the rope as she attached the bucket, lowering it into the well. "I would be very grateful." I told her as she then leaned her arms on the edge, watching me as I worked at the rope.

"My husband makes it a point to treat whoever, and not ask too many questions. But because of this, he doesn't get paid very often when strangers happen through." She told me as I looked into the dark of the well. The rope went slack for a while, and I left it for a minute to let the bucket gather water before starting to pull it back up.

"I'm rather low on coins." I mumbled, but she waved a dismissive hand at me.

"I doubt he would accept any payment anyhow, seeing as you're a friend of Barrett." She said before smiling. "You just worry about getting enough money to last for you."

"..Thank you."

My arm was burning harshly by the time I got the bucket back up, but she took hold of it, letting my arm rest as we headed back to the house. I helped her cook up some dinner and brought a bowl to Barrett in his room.

He was going through his supplies when I came in, humming that song I'd heard him sing in the forest. When he noticed me, he stopped, setting some shirts he'd been going through off to the side. "What's that?"

"Stew. Edna showed me how to make it." I told him, handing it over. He looked at it before starting to eat. "Didn't you get some?" He asked, but I shook my head.

"I'll head back and grab some for me in a minute. How are you doing?" I asked, looking over at his foot. It was hidden in blankets, but I knew it was heavily bandaged.

"I'm fine. Just bored. Have you had any dreams?" He turned the conversation back to me, like he had been doing for a while. Being stuck in bed made him want to know more about me, though I think that was mostly due to him not having anything else of interest around him.

"No." I shook my head, looking down at my hands. I'd been a bit hesitant to dream anymore about Astra. Every time I did, it seemed we were in danger of some kind, like my dreams just created the moments of peril. But I knew I couldn't avoid it forever. If I wanted to gain better control, there was no other way to do so than with practice.

"Just as well, we can't move even if we wanted to at the moment." He said with a heavy sigh. He hurried and finished his stew before going back to his belongings, sorting through them.

I watched him for a minute before taking his bowl and getting up. I thought about telling him about my desire to work, but I didn't know how he would react. Would he not want me to? There wasn't really anything he could do to stop me right now. Besides, the money would help us, rather than hinder us. At least, that was my hope.

"Would you like more stew?" I asked, holding up his bowl, but he shook his head. I silently debated with myself for a moment before simply standing with the bowl. "Alright. I'll check on you again in a little while." I said before leaving him to his own devices. As I headed out the door, I heard him start to hum that tune again, and I wondered what the song was about. Was it the only song he knew? Or did it hold special meaning? If only I could muster up the gumption to ask.

Heading into the kitchen, I mindlessly washed his bowl while stuck up in my head. Why couldn't I just tell him things? He either didn't believe me, or I was too unsure to say anything. In my dreams, I always felt like I could tell him anything. But I suppose, when I'd never heard him speak, I just assumed he was more understanding. It wasn't like he wasn't trying, I could see he was attempting to work with me. Even so, I couldn't help but hesitate.

"Monica."

I jumped at the sound of my name before turning to Edna, who was standing next to me. I hadn't even heard her approach.

"Yes?"

"Go ahead and get yourself something to eat. I'll handle the dishes, alright?"

I set the bowl down in the sink before nodding quietly. "Right, of course." I replied before heading over to the pot of stew she had made. She handed me a bowl before walking back to take care of the dishes.

After getting myself some, I grabbed a spoon and sat at the table with a small sigh. Stirring my food slowly, I wondered about what exactly my relation was to Barrett. For all he knew, I was a stranger who was getting in the way. How long would it be before he left me behind? I had to make myself useful somehow, but how could I? I didn't want to help him steal. If anything, I wanted to get him away from that style of living.

Then there was Lord Dominic.. Would he actually leave Barrett alone if he stopped stealing? I doubted it. He might even be part of the reason Barrett had continued to live in such a way.

The issue was, I didn't know what to do. Perhaps I never would, but then what was the point of me being here? Was I doomed to simply exist in a way that didn't matter?

"Are you alright?" Edna asked, scrubbing at the bowl I'd set down. I looked over at her before sheepishly scooping some stew into my mouth. It was warm, and seemed to melt in my mouth.

"Mhm. Fine. I was just...thinking." I admitted, stirring my food a little more.

"Don't overdo it. You can worry until the heavens fall, but it won't fix your problems." She told me, refocusing on her own task. I watched her for a moment before nodding. She was right.

I ate in silence, listening to the slosh of the sink as Edna finished the dishes. When I finished, I washed my own bowl so that she wouldn't have to. Then, I brushed off my skirt and got up. I wouldn't find work sitting around like a lump on a log. So I headed out, walking around and asking if there was any work to be done.

"Sorry, there's nothing for a little lass like you." The man huffed, driving a nail into the fence he'd been working on. I tightened my smile, trying not to show my disappointment.

"Do you know of anywhere else I could go?" I asked, but he shook his head, waving me away. It was going to be getting late soon, and at this point I had been almost all over town. Finally, I clenched my fists and turned back to him.

"I could work in the field." I offered, which made him stop and look at me.

"That's man's work. Besides, The harvest isn't for months."

"Let me try, at least. If I don't do a good job, you can turn me away. I won't bother you anymore." The man stared at me for a moment before looking behind him at the large plot of land. His expression was contemplative for a moment before he turned towards me again.

"What's your name?"

"Monica." I gave my best attempt to curtsy, which wasn't half bad. It made him chuckle.

"Alright. Come by at sunrise tomorrow. If you're late, don't bother coming." His words made it clear. I wouldn't get any special privileges simply because I was a woman. But I merely smiled and thanked him fervently before running back towards the inn.

If I hurried, I'd have just enough time to help Edna with the dishes before bed. Just because I had a potential job now, didn't mean I'd forget about the doctor and his wife. I wanted to do enough to thank them properly for Barrett's care also. On my way back to the inn, I bumped into someone.

"Sorry." I apologized quickly to the red head before turning and continuing on my way. I hoped that I hadn't hurt him, but I was in quite a hurry. By the time I made it back to the doctor's house, Edna was already cleaning up dinner. But when she saw me, she gestured over to the fire.

"There's still some food out. Grab some quickly." She said as I bent at the waist, catching my breath. "Where have you been?"

"Job hunting." I managed to say as I headed over to grab some food. It was more stew and some bread from the bakery. I grabbed plenty and sat down to eat. I'd need it for tomorrow. "I'll be starting in the morning."

"You found something?" She asked in surprise, and I smiled over at her before nodding.

"It's not exactly conventional, but I don't mind." I said before starting to eat. She shook her head at me before turning back to the sink.

"Best to be careful, Monica. Don't bite off more than you can chew."

I simply nodded as I chewed. I'd do my best at the field work. But if I really couldn't do it, there was nothing I could do to change that. I didn't have much experience when it came to large fields, but my mother had taught me a thing or two about gardening. Of course, I knew it wasn't the same thing, but it did have the same principles. I decided to keep my expectations low and just roll with the punches.

This was my chance to make some honest money after all, I didn't want to mess it up. Not only for myself, but for Barrett also. I wanted to help him.

Hey, Hey guys. There aren't many reading this book right now. But I still hope you like it.

I apologize, I haven't been very vocal in these chapters. That's due to me working on this book somewhere else and then pasting it on here. I just wanted to keep the chapter lengths consistent.

Anyways! Continue your reading. And enjoy!

G'Night Stars.