She turned carefully. A tall figure stood between the trees. Half-man, half-beast, with sleek black fur and glowing silver eyes. He watched her without hostility.
Then, he did something unexpected—he placed a gourd of water on the ground and stepped back.Charlisa hesitated.
The stranger crouched and tapped the gourd twice, then pointed at her, then at the water.
She took a cautious step forward. "You're... offering this to me?"
The beastman said nothing, but didn't move. His silver gaze held steady.
She knelt, picked up the gourd, and sniffed it. Fresh spring water. Cool and clean.
"Thank you," she said softly, uncertain if he understood.
His ears twitched, and he gave a short nod.
Gathering her courage, she tried again. "Where... am I?" she asked, slowly enunciating.
He tilted his head, then reached to the dirt with a claw and drew a circle, adding small marks around its edge.
"A village?" she guessed.
He looked up. Then stood and gestured for her to follow.
Charlisa hesitated—but the forest was unfamiliar, and this stranger had offered water, not harm.
"Alright," she said. "Lead the way."
He waited until she stood beside him, then began to walk, slow and deliberate.
And though neither understood each other fully, something unspoken passed between them.
Trust.