Nite woke up the next morning with a raging migraine and a scratchy throat. She had slept terribly all night and could feel the exhaustion throughout her entire body. It was a struggle to open her eyes. When she finally did, she found that the cabin was filled with sunlight.

"Great," she muttered angrily to herself. As a general rule, she always tried to wake up before the sun.

A gruff voice came from across the room. "I see that you are finally up."

She turned her head to the side and squinted at Bickum. She did her best to smile. "Good morning." Her voice was raspy. "What time is it?" She reached up and pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index finger, trying to make her migraine subside.

"It is well into morning."

Nite moaned and rolled over, burying her face in the pillow. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier? We have errands to run."

"Now, Stump, why would I do that? You always go to bed so late and wake up so early that I am sure you are exhausted all the time. I figured it would not kill you to sleep in, especially considering the night you had yesterday."

The events of last night came rushing back to Nite. The fear that she had felt crashed over her once again. She bolted upright, ignoring her protesting muscles. "Has anything bad happened yet?"

Bickum, pouring berries into a bowl for her, shook his head. "Do you not think I would tell you if something catastrophic happened?"

"Are there storm clouds?"

"Do you see the sun streaming in through the windows?"

"Has the ground shaken at all?"

"Did you feel anything while you were sleeping?"

Despite herself, Nite let out a soft chuckle. "You're so unhelpful, Bick," she groaned.

"I know." He slowly lowered himself onto her bed, perching on the edge. He handed her a bowl of fresh blueberries. "Eat up. I picked these fresh for you this morning."

She scooped a handful into her mouth. "I'm sorry you had to pick them," she said, her cheeks stuffed with the delicious fruit. Normally it was Nite who did the berry picking during the summer.

Bickum waved a hand as if he were trying to brush away her comment. "An old man like me occasionally needs to get exercise, believe it or not."

"I don't believe it," Nite snorted.

"You are a very peculiar child." He wagged a finger at her. "I do not think I raised you very well."

"So," Nite mused, thinking back to the previous day, "yesterday I was lazy and today I'm peculiar. I wonder what I'll be tomorrow."

"Homeless, if you keep it up." He chuckled at his own joke. Standing up, he said to himself, "I am very funny. Very funny indeed."

Nite finished off her breakfast as she watched him walk through the hut. He seemed to be doing better today. His movements were surer and steadier, and she couldn't hear his joints popping as much.

When she was done, she set aside the bowl and got out of bed. Her muscles were unbearably sore and screamed with every step. She tried to stretch, but the pain was so great that all she could do was grunt. Mild dizziness caused her to see spots.

"You are turning into me," Bickum commented as he watched her try to loosen her muscles. "You are becoming an old man."

"That's a terrifying thought. Now, are you ready to head into town?" She grabbed her cloak off the nightstand, where it had been folded and placed sometime after she had fallen asleep.

"Yes, yes, child." He shuffled over the front door. "Do not rush an old man like me."

Nite joined him at the door and together they stepped outside. The day was nice, with only a few clouds in the light blue sky. The sun was already shining at its brightest and, in the distance, heatwaves could be seen rolling across the landscape. A few brave birds were daring to fly, their bodies mere dark blobs as they flitted through the sky. There was a northern wind and it brought with it a slight reprieve from the oppressive heat of the sun. There was not a single storm cloud in the sky, not even in the far distance along the hazy horizon.

Nite, a hand shielding her eyes, took Bickum by the arm and began helping him walk down the winding path to the village. "Did you bring the money?"

He grunted and pulled a small coin bag from his pocket. When he shook it, Nite could hear the sound of coins rattling inside. He slipped it back inside his pocket.

"A simple yes or no would have sufficed," she said.

He looked at her and grinned. "I may be old, but my memory is not terrible. I can remember to bring a bag of coins."

She didn't respond to his sassy comment, mainly because she couldn't think of a good retort. So instead she remained quiet.

They made their way to the village slowly. Bickum had difficulty going up the various hills that littered the trail. Nite didn't mind it in the least; she found it peaceful to watch the river. Normally a dark, murky green, today it seemed a few shades lighter. The sunbeams bounced of it, making the water sparkle. The occasional fish would leap out of the surface and send ripples flowing around it. She smiled as the sun warmed her face.

After a while of watching the river, she sighed, "Today would have been a good day to sail to Cantan. The water is calm and the wind is crisp."

Bickum's eyes remained focused on the ground, trying to avoid tripping or falling, as he responded. "The weather will still be nice in a couple of days, Stump. Have no fear."

"I know. It's just..."

He finally looked up at her. "What is it, Stump?"

"I'm ready to leave town." Now it was her turn to stare intently at the ground, but for reasons different than Bickum's.

"Are you still worried that something bad will happen?"

She looked at him. "I know something bad will happen, Bick. It's just like last time." She balled her hands into fist as she tried to block her mind off from the thoughts that threatened to take over.

"You do not have to convince me. I believe you. But there is little we can do. We may just have to deal with whatever comes our way. The gods have it all planned out. Dillinar will protect us and our boat."

Nite sighed and kicked at the ground. A cloud of dust flew up. "I'm just so scared. And I have absolutely no trust in the gods."

Bickum patted her arm tenderly. "Forgive her, Susapina, mother goddess, for this child knows not what she says." He finished off his prayer by whacking his daughter on the arm.

"Hey!" she protested, rubbing the spot. "I didn't know Susapina was also the goddess of child abuse."

"She has twenty godly children. I am sure at one point she had to discipline them."

They continued on to the village, finally arriving after nearly thirty minutes. It was already busy and people hustled about. Filthy children ran down the streets, weaving between bustling adults and carts loaded with goods. Men discussed business and women discussed their families. Vendors shouted wares from street corners and people bickered about various things. Heat from the blazing sun was already beating down on the backs of everyone. The arrival of merchants and vendors in the village signified the beginning of summer; within a few weeks, they would all be gone.

"Where are we going first?" Nite asked. She wiped a few stray beads of sweat from her forehead and stepped over a steaming pile of dog feces.

"The store," he mumbled.

"Rope, right?"

"And some more hay for the horses."

"Of course."

They slowly walked down the street. The heat was not treating Bickum well; for as long as Nite could remember, her father always got much slower in hot weather. Why he ever decided to live in the hottest region of the kingdom, she had no idea.

Finally, they made it to the dilapidated store. The village, no matter how populated it got, never attempted to fix or renew any of the buildings.

"Hello, Janelle." Bickum nodded at a middle-aged woman leaving the store as they approached.

She nodded back, coldness and stiffness in her movements. "Good morning, Bickum. I'm surprised ta' see ya' up and walkin' today." Her words were polite enough, but her tone was the opposite.

Bickum wasted no time in delivering an equally sarcastic response. "I am glad to see you wearing another marriage necklace. That is your fourth one, correct?"

Janelle straightened her back and gritted her teeth. Her hand went to the simple engagement necklace. "Have a good day, Bickum." She shoved past them, huffing ever so slightly.

It was Nite's turn to hit Bickum on the shoulder once she was out of earshot. "Quit acting like that."

"I do not know what you are talking about." Bickum held his head up, a smug smile on his lips. "I was not being rude."

Nite rolled her eyes, trying to contain her laughter, and opened the door for them. They stepped into the shop. Rotted floorboards creaked under their weight and a musty scent assaulted their senses. The old man behind the counter perked up when they walked in.

"Bickum!" he exclaimed, coming around the counter. "It's so good ta' see ya' today!" The deep wrinkles on his aged face crinkled as he smiled.

Bickum smiled back at him and patted Nite on the arm to let her know that he could walk on his own. She let him go so he could talk and she went to find the rope they needed.

Bickum waddled over and held out his arms. "Xander, my friend! I am surprised to see you working today! Where is Slan?"

Xander gave him a hug, but pursed his lips in the process. "He an' 'is wife went to the Cap to visit her family. Somethin' 'bout a weddin'."

"It must be nice to have them away for a while." Bickum winked.

"It woulda been better had they taken ma' wife with 'em!"

Nite heard the old men begin to laugh. She understood why: Xander's wife was a wretched woman. The fact that she was stronger than most men- even in her old age- had nothing to do with it; it was the fact that she was meaner than most that made her despised by the village. It was a wonder why such a kind and gentle man like Xander would marry and have children with such a rude woman as herself.

The men continued to talk about their lives, catching up, while Nite browsed the store. The ropes were all in one corner and there was a wide variety. She was looking for ones that would be strong enough to tether the horses to the turnstile on the river boat. Their old ropes had finally worn down after years of use.

Once she had found what she needed, she made her way back to Xander and Bickum who were still busy chatting. She stood a few steps away from them, not wanting to interrupt.

After a couple of awkward minutes for Nite, Xander finally noticed her.

"Nite!" he exclaimed, walking towards her. "How ya' doin', doll?" He gave her a friendly hug.

She pulled back after a moment and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm doing well."

"You sure have gotten tall since the last time I saw ya'."

"That was only a month ago, Xander."

"Then ya' must really be eating ya' veggies!" He laughed at his own joke and waved his hand in the air. "I's joking. But ya' are such a tall girl for ya' age. Ya've gotten so much bigger than when you were just a tiny, wee babe."

She smiled authentically at him. "That's kind of how aging works," she said.

Xander turned to Bickum. "Ya' have yourself a very witty child! Better reign her in or else she gon' sass all the boys in town and none'll wanna marry 'er!"

Nite blushed and Bickum scoffed. "She is already too good for any boy in town! She is my child after all."

She cringed. "Let's stop talking about me," she suggested, not wanting the subject to go any farther. In truth, she didn't plan to get married for a long time, and, whenever she did, it would not be to one of the boys in the village. Since none of them suited her taste- most of them stunk and had greasy hair- she had decided long ago that she would go north to find a husband. Of course, that would have to wait until Bickum had passed away, because he would always be the most important man in her life.

Thankfully, they did change subjects. "What are ya' folks here for today?" Xander asked. He stepped back behind the counter.

Nite held up the heavy length of rope. "Just this and some hay, I believe." She looked to Bickum for confirmation.

He nodded.

"Is the river boat headin' out this week?" Xander inquired.

"Sure is." Bickum extracted the coin pouch from his cloak. "How much will it be today for both items?"

Xander briefly looked at the rope on the counter. His fingers tapped against the wooden desk and he pursed his lips. "Twenty dronas," he finally declared.

Bickum made to give him the money, but Nite stopped him. "That's way too cheap. The hay alone should be twenty."

Xander winked at them. "I don't know what ya' talkin' bout, doll."

Nite sighed, feeling guilty that he was trying to give them a discount. Nonetheless, she let Bickum give him the money anyways.

With the transaction complete, Xander said, "You guys know where the hay is. Clyde's there and will help ya' load it into the cart and bring it to ya' house."

Bickum nodded to him. "You are too good to us, Xander. I hope you have a wonderfully delightful day!"

"I will if ma' wife don't kill me first!"

Nite and Bickum laughed as they left the store arm in arm. Outside, they made their way to the back of the building. The weather had been so dry recently that small clouds of dust flew up with every step they took.

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The beautiful Aesthetic Board at the top was made by the wonderful DeliaMaguire6