The Jobless Existence

I started up in the middle of the night, shaking, barely catching my breath, partially still stuck in the nightmare. My hands covered in blood, one blink of an eye, another one red disappearing, before I got back to reality with a blow of cold wind. The bonfire was still smoldering and I would prefer to get back to sleep before it would go out, however I knew that it wouldn’t be possible, so I put more wood on the fire. The fear of having the nightmare again was too overwhelming, along with loneliness I sentenced myself to, just in case something went wrong like in the village a few months ago.

Since then the past started to hunt me again, as the blocked memories were flooding my mind over and over. Yeah, I made a mistake. I was thinking from time to time, if that idiot is still alive. I couldn’t admit to myself that I was actually moved by his attitude and will to defend me. After all this year, at least one person… I sighed heavily. How many years has already passed? Over one hundred for sure. It could be nice to talk to someone and share all my worries, instead of going into circles within my mind. I tucked myself with a blanket, wondering if I could buy a new one soon, as the current one got pretty thin with time, and the winter was coming.

While being on the top of the world I didn’t have to care about meeting the fundamental needs like, food, bath and a warm place to sleep. Wherever I went, people would do anything just to host me the best they could. Later I wouldn’t mind settling somewhere cozy and living modestly, but I will never have a chance. However being bucked off from there was painful and dramatic. From hero to … Who am I now?

Oh yes, I am the king slayer. The problem was I have never killed any king, but no one would ever believe me, as the imposture was so perfect and amazingly executed, including the trickster pretending to be my friend for years. Still I kick myself for being so blind, but like they said, keep your friend closer, but enemies even closer. Who would think that a hero, who was known not only for his strength and kind heart but also for quite a bright mind would be so easy to fool? I didn’t want to go any further in my contemplation, so I tried to focus on watching a fire, just to survive till the sunrise and set off for another day.

I planned for that day to head to a bigger village and try to earn some food and in the best scenario some money for the blanket and to save for the worst time. All I did my whole life was killing monsters, executing orders and helping people, and that’s what I was offering in my infinite journey. Very often I didn’t even accept the reward, if I knew the person would need, whatever he was willing to thank me with, more. I just couldn’t. Even though I was hungry, cold or in pain I was thinking that maybe I did something in my life to deserve this kind of pathetic fate.

At first I checked if there was something interesting on the notice board, but nothing seemed like a job for me. Next step, the market, it was the perfect place to gather all kinds of information needed. There I found out that near the village is an apple orchard managed by the family of three, but the son decided to look for the great destiny in the big city and left his old, weak parents right before the harvesting. This place was locally known for having tasty fruits and the best cider and that followed the big orders from local government, and the king himself. The vendors suggest that if I don’t mind getting paid in food and with a warm place to sleep, they would be happy to have someone to help them, at least with the hardest part. For me, a perfect solution. I got there with their directions and saw people already tired with the hard-working lives they were having.

“Good morning Mrs. and Mr. I heard at the village that in the orchard there is some work to do,” I greeted them and put on my most charming, friendly smile.

“Not some, but a lot of,” corrected the old man. “Go and don’t disturb us.”

“Forgive him for being a bit grumpy. He is like that after our only son left, and we really hoped he would love to inherit all of this, but he dreamed about something else,” the mother was a bit more forgiving and understanding. “What brings you here?”

“I have no place to go and nothing to do now, so I would like to help you.”

“But we have no way to pay you.”

“Something to eat and a place to sleep will be enough.”

The old lady’s face brightened up with a smile I could watch for the next few weeks, when I praised all the dishes she made. I didn’t mind the labour, actually that was all I needed, too tired to think I had fallen asleep as soon as I laid down my head. The married couple was also hard-working and their joshing entwined with small gestures of love and caring just melted my heart. My favourite part of the day was sitting with them at the table in the evening after the long day. The old man wasn’t talking much, but I knew he was grateful for my help. His wife, more open, liked to ask me questions, or more like interviewing me. Not because she doesn’t trust me but started to be fond of me. As I realized that, I knew it was the time to leave, I had a feeling that their son will be back soon. Also there was no way for me to stay somewhere for good.

Goodbyes became a part of my life already, so the next one wasn’t a big deal, but the old lady cried giving me food stores and her husband just shook my hand for a long moment. I was happy I could help them with the hardest part and leave with a calm heart, that they will be fine, until the child’s return.

I thought that my life returned to the right track and for a while my existence will be a bit more peaceful than usual. As always, the wrong assumption, because I didn’t get far from the orchard when I saw someone being attacked by a monster. My body moved on its own. The blade felt the sun for the first time in years and was craving blood and flesh.