Bound and Broken: An Isekai Adventure Dark Fantasy (Melas Book 1) V.A. Lewis (feel good books to read .TXT) 📖

"Hey," I said, and the Goblin paused midstep, but he did not respond. I hesitated, but managed to squeak. "Uh, what are you guys doing?"

The Goblin shuffled uncomfortably on his feet, glancing back and forth between me and his companions leaving him. He opened his mouth as if he were about to give a quick answer, but someone spoke over him.

"He’s busy working. Being productive and helping us move camp tomorrow, unlike you."

I spun around and saw Karna standing there with his arms folded. He gestured for the Goblin to go, and the Goblin listened, quickly hurrying after his friends as they went to dismantle a tent.

"Move… camp?" I asked dumbly. "Has it really already been two weeks?"

"Yes," he said. "Now don’t bother us while we work. And especially don’t disturb the Commander and the Dark Acolyte— they can’t baby you forever, girl."

I raised an eyebrow at that, but he was already off; my lips drew into a thin line as I watched him go, ordering about other Goblins to different areas of the camp. What a jerk, I thought, shaking my head.

Because of that unpleasant interaction, I lost all interest I had to speak with anyone; I was not being unproductive— I was studying. Sure I was currently wandering about the camp trying to distract people who were busy by talking to them, but…

I sighed. I’m so annoyed right now.

I went back to my tent, and resumed reading The Thauma until I finished it, before moving onto the next book. Sometime after that, darkness took over and I fell asleep.

Chapter 30: Feeding Hunger

"Melas," a deep voice said.

It boomed through the very world itself, creating a great tremor upon the ground at my feet. I felt myself free falling as the massive earthquake broke apart the land, the sea, and the sky, shattering—

"It’s time to wake up."

"Huh?"

I sat up, rubbing an eye as Gerritt slowly let go of me. I glanced up at the large Orc as he stared back down at me.

"When did you fall asleep?" he asked, a look of concern on his face. "You look tired. Did you not get enough rest last night?"

I was about to respond when I felt drool running down the side of my cheek; I quickly wiped it off and spoke.

"Uh, I don’t know?" I answered truthfully. I raised my shoulders in a shrug and made a guess. "Maybe two… three hours ago?"

"Hrmph, that’s not good," he said. "A child at your age should be getting a full night’s rest if you want to develop properly."

"I know," I said, sighing and rubbing my temples. "I was just… irritated."

"Why’s that?" he asked, frowning.

"It’s nothing." I shook my head and stood up. I glanced around the tent— at my unpacked belongings— before turning back to Gerritt. "We’re leaving soon right? I’ve got to pack up. Victor gave me a lot of books to read, and I’ll have to find some way to carry them all."

"Hrmph." He eyed the cluttered mess that was my room, and folded his arms. "Once you’re done gathering your things, meet me in the center of the camp. There is transportation arranged to carry our cargo, and I don’t believe an extra bag or two would weigh us down too much."

"Oh." I stared up at the Orc— at his kindness— still slightly unnerved at how helpful he was being towards me. Then I bowed my head slightly. "Thank you."

Gerritt returned the bow before turning and leaving me in my tent; I quickly packed up any and all valuables I had, pausing only once I had it all inside a bag. I looked through my belongings, and for just a moment, I felt a pang of something that was almost like guilt, but not exactly.

And that was because I did not own anything of my own: everything I had on me was something that I had been given recently. There were no objects in my bag of sentimental value— nothing that had been given to me by my mom. I remembered for just a moment a lighter— the simple mana tool my mom used to teach me how to work a mana crystal. I almost wished I did not destroy it, so I could at least have something to remember my mom by.

But I had none.

I shook those thoughts away, and quickly closed the bag. I headed out of my tent, and glanced about; Goblins were almost finished dismantling the camp, but we weren’t about to leave just yet. That was because it was probably still evening outside, before the sun had completely set and night had taken over.

Goblins had night vision, similar to Cat Beastkin, which meant it was advantageous for us to travel under the blanket of darkness, hence why we were traveling at night; I knew we were relocating to a strategic location, although the exact details of what was going on were not told to me. Modern means of transportation did not exist, so you actually had to walk if you did not have any beasts of burden to pull you along. It was tiresome, but I was used to it by now.

Eventually, I found Gerritt. He was directing some Goblins into loading a cart being pulled by… a horse? No, not just a horse, it was an undead horse. The Orc turned to me as I arrived.

"Hrmph, disgusting isn’t it?" he asked, looking at his reanimated Zombie.

"It’s… rotting," I helpfully put in.

"Frankly, I am not a fan of Zombies either, yet they are far more durable than mere Skeletons. Of course, both would serve their purpose with the job of simply pulling cargo. However, it would take too much unnecessary time to raise only the bones of a decomposing corpse."

"I see." I