Chapter 25: A Helping Hand
Every time her master ventured out to purchase supplies, she would seize the opportunity to slip away and embark on her own adventures in the depths of Ourea’s jungle. On one of her explorations, she discovered a village nestled at the base of Ourea, just a few kilometers from the river.
She also learned about the sad flight of the citizens of Northem. The war has unexpectedly dragged on affecting the economy of the country, resulting to the common people getting hungry.
The bandits and rebels took advantage of the situation and raided some towns and villages along the borders where there were fewer security forces because most of the soldiers and guards were deployed to Hainai.
Lara moved briskly along the rugged trail, her boots crunching on the loose stones scattered across the western slopes of Mount Ourea. Ahead, she had spotted a hill slightly detached from the mountain’s main ridge, its slopes blanketed with clusters of yarrows swaying in the wind. Their abundance had caught her eye, and a plan formed in her mind: she could gather these medicinal herbs and send them to the soldiers of Northem. Yarrows were invaluable—able to stop bleeding and accelerate healing.
She was nearing the base of the slope, her gaze locked on the distant hill, when sharp, desperate cries for help echoed through the forest.
Her heart jolted.
Lara’s stride faltered, and then, with a frown, she spun around, retracing her steps. The cries grew louder as she reached a small clearing near a stream. The scene she stumbled upon made her breath catch:
A young boy, no older than eight, lay sprawled on the ground, his arms streaked with blood, wounded by what looked like the vicious bite of an animal.
A teenager, perhaps fourteen or fifteen, stood protectively in front of him, a large knife clutched tightly in one hand and a stick in the other. His stance was defensive, though his knees wobbled with fear. Two more boys flanked him, clutching makeshift weapons—mere sticks that seemed pitiful against the threat looming before them.