Shaynen looked around the trees on every side of the road he walked down. He’d happened across the road by accident after running into the woods in the middle of the night, not once looking back. Though now, two days later and completely lost, he was wondering if he’d made the right choice.

  Looking between the trees, Shaynen listened carefully for any hint or sign that he was going the right way. He stepped through a mess of bushes and found himself now on a road. A road that split four different ways. At the center of the crossroads there was a single signpost pointing in the different directions.

  Shaynen walked up to it and looked at the different locations. He had no idea which one he was supposed to go down. Or if he was doing the right thing at all.

  “This was stupid, I’ve made a huge mistake.” He said finally. He turned to go back the way he came. “I should just go back. If I apologize and say I got lost, then maybe-” Shaynen stopped at the bushes he’d come out of and heaved a heavy sigh.

  “Maybe I’ll have to admit that I don’t have a guide and that I ran away because I hoped the first voice I heard was the right one.” He mumbled. He leaned his back against a tree and slid to the ground. “Is it too much to ask for a sign?” He listened but there was nothing.

  “Any kind of hint of what I’m looking for? Listening for? Literally anything?” He called to the canopy. Only a small breeze answered him. He sighed and watched the trees. His eyes caught the sight of a bird. What kind was far beyond Shaynen but he was drawn to it solely for the twin white spots that looked like moons on its wings. It landed on the ground of the path and hopped about. Singing and looking him directly in the eye. Then it flew off and landed on a sign. Shaynen stared at it curiously, it looked at him. Then it tapped its beak against the sign and flew off. Shaynen watched the sign long after the bird had vanished. Suddenly a light went off.

  “Oh!” He got up and ran to the sign. “Maplevale?” He looked down the road the sign pointed down.

  “Thank you!” He called and started down the road for Maplevale. The road was quiet and uneventful which had him more confused and annoyed than ever. After such a spectacular call into the unknown he had hoped the adventure would be instant and fast paced. SO far. He’d gotten lost in the forest and saw a bird tap a sign. Thrilling.

  The trees faded away to give way to large overgrown fields. Farmlands clearly abandoned. The growl in Shaynen’s empty stomach made him look at the fields with scrutiny. Hoping to see something clearly edible but he saw nothing but thorny weeds and throttled vines.

  Finally, he came across a fence that was somewhat still standing. Maintained well enough with living animals grazing. A cow and a few scraggly looking chickens. A goat was yelling somewhere. It gave Shaynen some hope that someone kept watch over this property. He followed the road until he found a barn and a little farther, a house. Hope.

  Shaynen picked up the pace. Going up to the house and gently knocking on the door. After a few minutes, the door opened a small amount. Showing an older woman looking suspiciously at him.

  “Sorry to bother you ma’am,” Shaynen said, with the nicest smile he had. “But I was passing through and was hoping you might be able to give me directions?”

  “To where?” She snapped. Her eyes narrowing. “And I want you to know, son. I am armed.”

  “Oh.” Shaynen said, stunned silent for a moment. “I am not. I’m just lost and was wondering where the nearest town was and how far.”

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  “You ain’t armed?” She asked, eyeing him carefully. Shaynen shook his head.

  “I’m just lost.” He said, “honest.” Her scrutiny waived and the door opened a bit more. Showing more of her weathered face.

  “Maplevale is the closest town, a couple hours of travel still at least.” She said, lowering her guard a bit more. Showing she had a hand crossbow, loaded, in her hands.

  “I see.” Shaynen said. Looking down the road. “In that case, is there any work in exchange for a meal or water?”

  “In the house?” The woman asked, suspicion in her eye again as she raised her crossbow.

  “The house, the field, the animals.” Shaynen said, not backing up but raising his hands where she could see them. “I’m strong and capable. Handy with needle and thread. I know a thing or two about carpentry, gardening.” The woman’s narrowed eyes kept on him.

  “I have nothing for thieves or proselytizers.” She said.

  “I’m neither of those things?” Shaynen said, a little confused. “Do you get many people knocking on your door to share their faith?”

  “Enough to know I don’t like them.” She insisted. Shaynen nodded.

  “I can’t argue with that.” Shaynen couldn’t help but laugh. His good-natured laugh seemed to relax the woman’s shoulders a bit. “But if you say there’s no work then I’ll keep moving. Thank you for the directions.” Shaynen nodded at her and turned to leave.

  “Well, hold on now.” She said, “I didn’t say there was nothing for you.” Shaynen paused and looked at her curiously.

  “The roof leaks. If you can fix it, there’ll be supper for you. The stables need cleaning. You do that, there might be a bit of cider.” The woman said, “there’s some supplies in the barn you can use.” Shaynen looked at the single floored house’s roof.

  “Where is the leak?” Shaynen asked,

  “Kitchen. Near the chimney.” The woman said. “Also. If you manage to finish that. I have a few things that need mending. Do a good job and there’ll be a bed for the night.”

  “Thank you, ma’am!” Shaynen said. Once the door was shut, he got to work. Going into the barn and finding the tools. He spent a few hours working on the roof. Finding the leak and fixing it so it would last. When that was done, he got to work on the stables, which was an easier task. Some of the animals even came around to see what he was doing. When he finished that task, he also spent a little extra time giving some love to the goat and cows. Then took the time to feed them as well.

  When finished he was feeling sore and tired but in an accomplished way. He knocked on the woman’s door again. She opened it a minute later, this time without the crossbow.

  “You’re done?” She asked. Shaynen nodded.

  “Found the hole and patched it, then re-shingled and made a protective barrier. That should last a few years. Then I cleaned the stables and fed the animals while I was at it.” Shaynen reported. “And I can take a look at that mending if you’d like.”

  “I see, yes. I think I would.” The woman said and opened her door more for Shaynen to enter. He stepped over the threshold and shut the door behind him. He wiped his feet. But then he noticed how filthy he was and felt bad he might track in some dirt.

  “What’s the hold up?” The woman asked.

  “I just don’t want to track in any dirt.” Shaynen said. The woman looked at him and then shrugged.

  “It’s all right. You make a mess; I’ll make you clean it up.” She turned back to the hall and gestured for him to follow. Shaynen followed, jogging a bit to catch up. She led him into a small washroom where a basket of rags sat forgotten on the floor.

  “Here’s the mending.” She said, bringing out a pile of worn and torn clothes. “Sewing baskets in that cabinet. Dinner will be up in half an hour.”

  “Thank you miss,” Shaynen said, “May I use the rags?”

  “The what?” She looked at the basket and her face fell. “Oh, sure. If you like.”

  “Thank you,” Shaynen smiled and quickly got to work. The woman left him be in the room and he found the sewing basket and took the mending and started working through it.