Chapter 13 THE MAN WHO KNOCKS TWICE
Celestia's POV
"How can you be so calm about this leader?" Crane said to me his voice unlike others carried concern rather than criticism.
I chewed thoughtfully on a dry piece of bread bringing it between me and then tearing off a mouthful, it had a hint of moldingness trailing into its usual flavor.
That was to be expected, I hadn't gotten new supplies in almost 2 weeks.
But the supplies were just one of the things on my plate.
It's saddening how easily a crowd can be swayed, only a week ever since the rumor spread that I was trafficking rogues and people were looking at me funny five members of the camp had decided to migrate to either Dante's or Priscilla's and the others that remained seemed pensive and unsure of what to do I expected that our numbers would deplete more in the following days.
I took a swing from my flask, told myself I was finally letting go of this and before I knew it I was right back in again.
"Panicking won't solve anything, Crane, it would only add more fire to the flames of the rumors. People are bored, they will always look for something to talk about but I hope my reputation will hold up and everyone will find something else to discuss.
He sat down tilting his head towards me to speak.
"What if it doesn't?"
I took another swing.
"When I get to that bridge I'll cross it, but I'm done with getting people to believe me they can swallow whatever lies they choose to I shouldn't have to prove myself,"
In the end, it wasn't as if Priscilla and Dante had been able to provide the so-called evidence they had been proudly talking about that day, and yet so many people had chosen to believe them. If they trusted me, then I did not mind losing it at all.
"Leader, can I come in?"
I gave my permission and a few minutes later a member of the camp and her little sister entered my tent. The little sister was shy and hid behind her older sister's dress.
"Cassie, is something wrong?" I asked concern filtering into my voice and she had a troubled look on her face.
"There is nothing wrong leader Lily and I just wanted to give you something come on Lily don't be shy hand it over to the leader,"
Cassie said to her little sister while gently nudging her towards me I saw that Lily was carrying a small basket the child had grown quite a bit she was around Jason's age and that was part of the reason why I paid extra attention to her and her sister I couldn't help it that I became weak when it came to little children like this.
In Lily's hand was a handwoven basket carrying delicious-looking blueberries. She handed it to me and then also gave me a small smile before rushing back to the safety of her sister's skirt.
"Lily and I were worried that the rumors might be getting to your leader so we decided to go out and pick blueberries to cheer you up,"
"That was really thoughtful of you, but did a warrior come along with you?" I asked normally while scavenging for food a wolf with combat skills hard to follow those who were not as strong to protect them in case of an attack.
Cassie had joined the camp just 2 months ago but she did not fully integrate herself with the camp she was always worried about being a burden and overstepping I told her that the warriors would be more than happy to escort her if she just requested that somebody do so she would do that sometimes but I knew that some other times she went on her own.
"Leader you don't have to worry about that too much we are not heading out too far,"
"The leader knows what she's saying when she asks you to have a warrior escort you whenever you go out of camp. Wouldn't it be better to be safe than sorry?" I knew that Crane meant it in a caring way but the scars on his face, his roughly tended beard, everything made him look like he was scolding rather than advising and Cassie seemed near to tears.
I held up a hand to caution Crane and he went silent.
"Cassie Lily thank you for these blueberries if I'm being honest with you I wasn't in such a good mood this morning but this really lifted my spirits thank you again,"
I saw the corner of Lily's lips tugging up then when she saw that I was looking at her she ducked into her sister's skirt again. Cassie looked between me and her sister shaking her head in exasperated acceptance.
"Leader I'm so sorry my sister can be like this sometimes you know…"
"I understand, there's no problem,"
Cassie smiled, held her little sister's hand and they both went out of the tent.
I could see that my second in command was still pressed about what I told him earlier and I tapped his arm acknowledging his frustration.
"Crane, she is free to do what she wants and like she said she doesn't go far from camp this is not a pack. She also wants to protect her little sister more than anything else so she would never intentionally put her in harm's way they are also warriors constantly patrolling,"
"I just have a bad feeling," he said."It started ever since that weird man came, you've been acting differently too,"
"Different how?" I asked, crossing my hands and curiosity flashing through my eyes.
His gigantic shoulders slouched along with the rest of his body.
"I don't really know how to put my finger on it but something is different,"
I smelled ready to dismiss his worries once more when Cassie reentered my tent pointing outside.
"Leader, there's someone here to see you, it's that man from before!"