Chapter 194 Compliments
When Aleshia distributed water to everyone, she also offered to moisten the rags they used for cleaning. Everyone eagerly accepted her offer. After they had finished drinking, she dampened their cleaning cloths and refilled their cups. Once she had done that, she returned to the counter where she had gotten the cups. After thinking for a moment, she decided to wipe down the counter. Just as she finished cleaning, the dwarf—whose name Aleshia still did not know—entered the room with heavy steps, announcing his arrival.
"How's everyone doing?" After pausing in the entryway, the dwarf complimented everyone, saying, "This place looks much cleaner than the last time I saw it."
As the dwarf spoke, Aleshia glanced around and noticed a difference. She thought, 'Huh, he's right; there's a lot less dirt and grime, and fewer weeds poking up from the floor.'
The dwarf grew serious and asked, "Y'all didn't use any of my booze to clean the place, did you?" After he asked, he sniffed the air. "Hmm," he mumbled, "It seems no one used my booze, but it smells quite damp."
Sensing the tension in the room, Aleshia tried to intervene, but before she could, Rey said, "We dampened our rags to clean the place. That might be why it seems a bit wetter in here."
The dwarf considered this and questioned, "With what water? Surely not with mud puddles," he continued, glancing around the relatively spotless underground room.
"It's the new girl we have; she can make water for us," Rey said.
Aleshia noticed how Rey phrased her words, stating that she was under their protection. It implied to both the dwarf and her that the camp would ensure her safety and that she was also under Daniel's care.
"That so?" the dwarf said. "Alright then, I don't mind. Since she is new, why don't I introduce myself if you haven't already?" He then entered the room, examining everything in it as if searching for anything missing. He seemed to notice the cups filled with water, as his gaze lingered on them, trying to discern if any of his booze was in those cups.
Then his eyes landed on something unexpected, and he cautiously pointed at it. "What is that?" he asked.
Rey spoke but struggled to provide a clear explanation. "It's a companion that the new girl brought with her."
The dwarf appeared calm as he turned to Aleshia. "I see. Before you explain that, I would like to know your name. Mine is Stag."