Edith weakly opened his eyes. His room had been lit bright by the morning sunlight. He felt a tight grasp on his shirt though. He turned his head. And smiled to find Ren sound asleep next to him.
He guessed that she had woken up in the middle of the night and come next to him, afraid to be alone.
He darted his eyes around and looked at the walls made of mud and the hay ceiling that was supported by logs.
He took a quiet breath to reorganise everything he had to do today. But before that, he had to get the breakfast ready. If not for himself, then for Ren. He couldn't let her starve.
Getting up quietly, Edith left the room. He washed up his face and drank some water in the porch. He then scrounged for any food in his house only to find some barely enough for one person.
He strolled to the nearby houses and secured some more food, enough to fill the two of them for the day.
He laid everything onto the table and went to wake Ren up. There was a lot for him to do and he would not let Ren be clueless. She had to know.
Edith made a point to himself, though, that he wouldn't mention the events of yesterday.
Looking at the sleeping girl, her silver hair turned grey and her skin flawless and fair, just like the two's mother, Ediths gaze turned somber as he struggled to wake the girl.
Pushing his thoughts away he nudged his sister gently.
"Ren, wake up. Let's have breakfast."
Worried, Edith immediately muttered blood in his mind. He heard the pages turn in his head making him relieved immediately.
[Name: Irene Wane]
[The Second Marker of a succesful Ritual]
[Age: 11]
[Stage: 0 (Progress: 20%)]
[Complete the Ritual as the First Marker.]
Since the scroll gave him some information, he thought that Ren was still fine. The last line though, gave him chills. He wouldn't ever consider what it told him to do. Never.
He sprinkled some water on her face making her crease her brow.
"Wake up, little Ren. Let's eat."
He saw his sister open her eyes, stretching her arms and legs afterwards.
She covered her mouth to yawn as she said, "Brother, I woke up in the night. I was scared and came to you."
"I know, little Ren. Don't worry, I'm here. Nothing will hurt you, okay?"
"Mhm!"
Edith placed his hand on the girl to pat her, calming her down as a result.
"Go wash up now. We have to eat."
"Yes, brother!"
Her blue eyes sparkled as she got up and went to the porch.
Edith felt a deep guilt grip his heart. He could tell that his sister was intentionally not mentioning the events of the previous day. His vision became blurry as tears welled up in them.
Regaining his composure, he prepared himself to speak about what the two had to do.
Edith walked. Pulled a chair to the chair to sit down. He rested his head in his hands, waiting for his sister to come.
He heard his sister enter the house. Turning his head to take a look at the little angel that walked with innocent, carful steps.
He smiled at her and began to serve the meal.
"Eat well, little Ren!"
He said and began to gobble down his food, encouraging Ren to follow.
The two had no appetite really, given how filled to the brim with the blood and flesh of their kin they had been after all.
As the meal drew to a close, Edith finally talked about what had been weighing him since last night.
"Little Ren, the caravan would be arriving in a few days. Initially, some were meant to go to the city with it, but there's no one left now. We'll go with them instead and find a way to bring everyone back, okay?"
Ren did not say anything. She ate more slowly though, she tried to chew but the pace at which she swallowed was apparent to Edith.
With a heavy heart, he continued.
"We'll have to make some preparations in these days, okay? The caravan comes for the crop every year. We'll have to prepare the crop, okay?"
Ren stayed silent for a bit then said in a low voice, "Yes brother, I'll do what you say."
Edith patted the girl on the head, calming her down and said, "No need to do anything, Little Ren. Just help big brother, okay?"
"Mhm mhm!"
...
Over the next few days, Edith went around the village collecting sickles and sythes that had been collecting dirt in the storage rooms of the various houses.
He went from one end to the other, taking note of all the crop fields in his village. He made a plan to start with the smallest field and gradually move to the larger ones.
From early morning till late into the night he had finished reaping all the fields. Laying the crop in different stacks with Ren's help as well. He found himself still full of energy and wanted to continue. However, he was wary that his energy was just his mind playing games on him and decided to rest for the night.
Before sleep though, he made sure to check his "scroll" and found his Progress has increased to 3%.
Putting the matter to the back of his mind, he fell asleep.
Next day, he, along with Ren, threshed the crops they had collected. Collecting the grain and straw that remained, Edith prepared to dry them. He spread then entire harvest onto the ground, making every grain face the Sun the next day. Late in evening, with help from Ren he filled up the leafbags he found in the village academy with the grain. The straw that remained was tied by him into hay-stack.
He would sell both the things.
The next day, as Edith and Ren had been collecting various knives, swords, spears, bows etc from the village, they saw the caravan come.
Their mood lit up as Edith prepared to talk to the head. He was anxious about how he would explain his situation.
He had thought of a few excuses but wasn't sure if they would work. He planned on telling only half the truth today.