They spent a few hours thinking about what to do with their future, but the most immediate and logical goal would be to sort themselves out first.
"I guess we should look for a job first, sister. We can't do anything on an empty stomach," said Ren.
"But what are we even good at? I don't have a single clue about anything other than farmwork," Brina replied.
"That... I don't know either. I could hunt, but I don't have any equipment."
They had reached a dead end. Then a few moments later, the riders they saw last night arrived back at the town. There were definitely more injured people among them, but they had successfully killed the Grizzled Wolverine as they dragged its body like a trophy.
The soldiers had gloomy faces. They were exhausted, weary and morale was low from the battle and they had a lot more casualties than they would have wanted, meaning that the beast was more formidable than one could think. If even professionals like these had struggled to bring it down, then what chance do they have against such a mighty beast in the first place?
This was the major downside of being a regular human in this world full of powerful beings.
The captain from earlier, who spoke to the two of them, was named Gareth. He spotted the two sitting on a corner underneath a shaded area. Although they looked less gloomy than when he first met them, he was glad. Hopefully their efforts to kill this beast could somewhat bring these two some comfort, and for all of those who had lost someone last night.
But he didn't stop for them and continued to their own quarters. They needed to heal their wounds and rest.
Indeed Brina and Ren felt their hearts move. They felt their anger for the source of their misery to have been eased by this. Although they didn't celebrate outwardly, because the beast who killed their parents wasn't this one but those Lywolves. But it was indeed true that this Grizzled Wolverine was the one that caused it all in the first place.
Now they have other things to worry about other than celebrate something they didn't personally achieve. They got up from where they rested and went around the place. They could feel their hunger already rising through their stomachs. Their lips too had been parched of water for too long. They were most definitely running on their bodily reserves right now.
It led them to various places, streets, dirt roads and alleyways of Helwind Valley, then they heard the hustling sounds of vendors and merchants shouting to attract customers to their stalls and shops.
Then the smell of the market stalls selling food entered their nostrils, and it sent a wave of hunger to their brains and to their stomachs who could no longer hide it. The rumbling sounded so loud that even the people around them could hear it.
But they were left in a moral dilemma. Without money how could they purchase anything? Should they instead beg or steal the food that was in front of them? But there was always another choice, Brina thought, she then suggested it to her brother, if they could somehow manage some sort of deal with one of the stall owners.
"How about we ask the vendor first before we jump to other conclusions, eh brother?"
Although even she couldn't hide her own hunger as you could see her mouth watering just from looking at the food.
"I agree."
They approached one of the nearest stalls. The first one they came to was selling grilled kebabs, it was made from an assortment of beast meat, and fresh vegetable produce.
They slowly inched forward and braced themselves as they approached. But when the stall owner saw them, he had a frown on his face. Before they could even speak, he aggressively asked them, "What do you want?!?"
Brina was about to speak when….
"For your information, I'm selling this and I'm not giving it for free, you got it!"
"Mister! Can I speak now?!"
The vendor was taken aback by this very feisty woman in front of him. So instead he nodded and gave them a chance to speak.
"Look here, mister! We didn't come here to beg. We came here to eat, and yes I do admit we don't have anything to our name! So if you could listen to our proposal, we would work for you for today, and we will take food or money as payment for our labor. We would very much appreciate it. If not, then tell us now so we could go elsewhere!"
Brina almost shouted at this vendor till his ears would bleed. She did so hoping that the other stall vendors could get an idea that they aren't begging and that they're willing to work for what they would eat.
Now the kebab vendor felt embarrassed for acting all high and mighty before.
Before he could give them a chance, the other stalls already started calling out to them, especially those who were lacking some much needed working hands.
"Dearies, come over here! That old coot is too inflexible… (said and older woman) Hey you two, come to my stall! I'll let you eat and I'll even pay you! (said another vendor)" These were just among the many who tried to get them to work at their stalls and have offered to pay them food and even mownies (currency name).
Brina and Ren's eyes grew excited. Finally they could eat. As they were about to leave the kebab vendor's stall, he called them.
"Hey! Ummmm, here. I'm sorry, take this with you."
He gave them two pieces each. It was his way of apologizing for his earlier behavior.
Brina and Ren looked at each other and reluctantly took it from the vendor's hand.
"Thank you. We will pay for it. Just call us when you need us! We will have to eat for now. We can't run on empty stomachs any longer."
They left the stall and went to the other vendors. The kebabs in their hands were still warm, and the smell made their mouths water even more. They found a spot near a corner where they wouldn't be in anyone's way and sat down.
Brina took a bite of the kebab and almost cried. Not from sadness this time, but from relief. The meat was tender and seasoned well, and it was the first thing she'd eaten since yesterday afternoon. She didn't realize just how hungry she was until the food touched her tongue.
Ren ate slower, savoring each bite. He looked tired still, but at least the food seemed to bring some color back to his face.
"We should pick one of those stalls to work at," he said between bites. "The woman with the vegetable stall seemed nice."
"The one who called that kebab vendor an old coot?" Brina asked with a small smile. It was the first time she'd smiled since last night.
"Yeah, that one. She seemed like she could use the help. And she said she'd pay us too."
Brina nodded. Having some mownies would be good. They'd need it for a place to sleep tonight, and for more food later. They couldn't rely on charity forever.
They finished their kebabs and stood up, brushing off their clothes. They still looked rough, covered in dried mud and with their hair a mess, but at least they had some food in their bellies now.
They made their way back to the market area where the woman with the vegetable stall was still calling out to customers. She was a middle-aged woman with a round face and a friendly smile. When she saw them approaching, her eyes lit up.
"Ah! You two decided to come to my stall after all! Good choice, good choice! I'm Marta, and I could really use some extra hands today. Market day is always busy."
"I'm Brina, and this is my brother Ren," Brina said. "We're willing to work hard. We just need food and maybe some coins (mownies) if you can spare it."
Marta waved her hand dismissively. "Of course, of course! I'll feed you well and pay you fair. Now come, come! I need you to help me arrange these vegetables. Make them look pretty so customers will want to buy them."
She showed them how to stack the vegetables in an appealing way, putting the freshest ones on top and arranging them by color. It was simple work, but it kept their hands busy and their minds off of last night.
As they worked, customers came and went. Some looked at them with pity, probably recognizing them as survivors from Wynstead. Others didn't seem to notice or care. They just wanted their vegetables and moved on.
Marta was kind though. She didn't ask them about what happened, didn't pry into their business. She just kept them busy with work and made sure they had water to drink when they got thirsty.
Around midday, she brought out some bread and cheese for them to eat. "Here, take a break. You've both been working hard."
Brina and Ren sat down gratefully and ate the food she offered. It wasn't fancy, just simple bread and cheese, but it tasted good and filled their stomachs.
"You two are good workers," Marta said, sitting down next to them. "If you need regular work, I could use you. Market days are three times a week, and I always need help on those days."
Brina and Ren exchanged glances. Regular work meant regular food and regular pay. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
"We'd appreciate that," Ren said. "Thank you."
Marta smiled. "Good! Now eat up and then we'll get back to it. Afternoon is when most people would come to the market."
As they ate, Brina looked around at the busy market. People going about their lives, buying and selling, talking and laughing. It felt strange that the world could just continue on like nothing had happened. Like their parents hadn't died last night. Like Wynstead hadn't been destroyed.
But maybe that was how it had to be. Life went on, whether you wanted it to or not. And maybe, just maybe, they could find a way for them to move on too.
For now, they had work, they had food, and they had each other. It wasn't much, but it was something. It was the start of a new chance at life..