“Say, how long have you been here in the woods?”

The two were sitting inside the cave near the entrance; Ambroz with his legs crossed and opened wide and Theon with his bent knees. The sun thoroughly arise, the wind breeze started to freshen up, verdant colour leaves seen and was rustling.

Even after all the discomfort, Ambroz has felt when he met Theon. He decided to let him do what he wants. The man was not leaving anytime soon. They were both stuck together like the tree roots are stuck with the ground.

No utterances, currently preparing their feed with the fish Ambroz hunted a while ago. A fire was produced by Ambroz with the use of tiny tree branches, the single noise that is being heard of.

Theon however, stared at the man working in sweats. He didn't want to interfere, for the short period they were together, Ambroz was at the pick of his temper, Theon clearly does not understand such a man with fury behaviour.

Just like how he is right at this very moment.

“How long do you plan to ask me unnecessary questions? I don't see how you have the need to know about me.” He uttered with emphasis.

Theon gulped. He was just thinking of lessening the tension surrounding them yet, it languished just like that.

"What a very reserved man." He scoffed.

"Did you say something?" Ambroz asked.

"Nothing." He shrugged his shoulders.

Ambroz just shook his head off and went back to the fish.

Now Theon understands how this man has been all alone and been kept in this woods. Above everything, he chooses to keep a barrier to the world and to himself. He shuts himself down and ignores people who try to close the distance between them. The first time he met him, abstract, was what he thought Ambroz was like. A man so reserved, you can hardly even know what he thinks. He wondered, why is this man interesting for him? He wanted to know more about him, thinking- Ambroz is also beneficial. This man will grant him the way out of this forest.

“How about you? Don't you want to know more about me?” He scooted close to the man.

He could not let silence engulf the atmosphere. Time is running hastily and squandering will bring trouble upon his journey to set course in search of his people. The people, it was entrusted to him. And he would not forgive himself if a mere life was taken because of his inadequacy to be aware of his surroundings.

Ambroz stared at him in the eye and lucky enough, he managed to surpass that stare he once chose to ignore.

“I have known enough. You're a failed warrior.” He responded in a straight face. Then, without delay he gazed back at the fish he was rolling around the fire.

"I am not a failed warrior. That's why I'm searching for my people." He answered back.

"The fact that those people were entrusted to you and you lost them is enough reason to title you as a failed warrior." Ambroz exclaimed.

“Do you enjoy mocking my failure so much?” Theon blurted out with pungent in his eyes.

“I do not. But, it's the only way to silence you.” Ambroz then replied without looking at him.

“How would you easily say that I'm a failed warrior? You look like you're one, too!” He stood up and pointed at him.

It was his first time yelling at someone. And it surprises him more than it was with a man he barely knows. Theon has always been respectful towards people who is older than him. But, talking about something that's still apparent in his memory angers him. How could someone utter something so insensitive?

Ambroz placed the fish in a clean leaf and stood up. "You nuisance, stop testing my patience. You never learn, do you? You should already be thankful that I'm keeping you here and alive. Or else you'll be crawling your way out of nowhere while seeing some mysterious hideous creature." His voice became coarse and deep as he shouts.

"So, you do admit that there is such creature?"

"There will only be a hideous creature when you're out of your mind and believe it! If it was a winged creature how come you have only seen it now? You fool!"

Theon was in shock that he has almost forgotten to breathe. His eyes widened as he stared at Ambroz catching up to his breathing. What caught his attention was his eyes, which emerged with even consistent colour like it was in flames.

‘His eyes appeared to be burning.’

‘What did he really meant by hideous creature?’

‘Why should I thank him? For not feasting over me yet?’

Was filled in Theon's subconscious as they were still staring at the eyes of each other.

Ambroz soon gave up and sat down after he pretended to fix his cloth, the fabric that's been covering his entire body.

On the other hand, Ambroz was also shaken by the way he behaved. Throughout the years he's been in a cave, conversing with people was below his chronicle.

He looked at Theon and his conscience grasped him. It's his first, seeing a man so sensitive to deaths. The people he knew not long after was numb and dull with the bloody war in front of them, instead of emotional confrontation, they chose survival.

‘How foolish.’ He thought.

Remembering the old times, such an absurd mannerism. Ambroz promised to himself that he will let go of all the past and yet he reenact it all over again.

Unintentionally, Theon is making him remind of such things. And he is annoyed and pestered by it.

They were both back in silence until Theon opens up again.

“I apologize, Sir.”

Ambroz chortled slightly. It was not minded by Theon because his eyes were too pressed close while bowing down to Ambroz.

“Raise your head and sit. You should eat.” Ambroz conveyed to him his thoughts. He extends his arms to pass one of his cooked fish.

Theon hesitated, thinking he does not deserve food from him. He showed Ambroz just then a behaviour he resented to repeat. Theon knew any other man he sees in the forest could bring an end to his life. Despite being a stranger, Ambroz considered him and let him stay. Now, he regrets seeing him as a material to leave the forest.

Ambroz sought through his complexion. He shook his head.

“Your lips are dry and chapped, don't be stubborn. Eat and I won't ask you for anything.” He uttered with an emphasis like he always does.

Theon had no choice but to accept it. As he reached for the stick, he sat down right after.

“Thank you, Sir.” He said.

“And stop it with the 'Sir',” Ambroz asked of him.

“Yes. Sorry, sir.” Theon apologized.

Ambroz fainted groan. “Are you playing with me?”

“No, sir. Sorry, sir.” Theon said again but it was purely unintentional.

Ambroz shook his head and ignored it. He'll go insane with this young man.

Theon however, was rather confused again. He was about to take a bite with the fish cooked flesh when he was disturbed by Ambroz huge bite. He saw through his canine teeth; auxiliary sharp and pointy for some reason. He almost choked in his saliva.

He widened his eyes and thought, '‘Twas such a mistake to brawled over this guy, he could have eaten me alive.'