116 Retiring with purpose
Orion couldn’t help but release a tired and exasperated groan when he realized he had overslept, failing to wake up as early as he had intended. However, as he glanced out of the window at the sky, which was on the brink of exploding with the first rays of the morning sun, he knew he still had a chance to reach the village chief’s compound on time if he hurried to the well and briskly walked back home.
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Without a moment to waste, he snatched up a clay pot used for fetching water and grabbed a plump Kalna fruit before quickly and quietly making his way towards the well. The wind rushed past his ears as he ran, determined to make it on time. Although he was exerting himself more than usual, the prospect of indulging in another intimate session with Fiona was more than enough motivation to keep him going.
Orion’s chest heaved as he drew near the well, causing him to slow down and catch his breath before resuming his walk forward. As he approached the well, he caught sight of Fiona’s feminine yet muscular physique seated nearby, likely waiting for the villagers to awaken and come pay her for the water she would fetch for them. As he drew closer, she spotted him and quickly rose to her feet, a look of recognition dawning on her face.
Fiona’s eyes widened with surprise as she gazed at Orion standing before her with his clay pot in hand. “You came early again?” she asked, noting his punctuality. As she looked him up and down, memories of their last encounter flashed through her mind. She couldn’t help but admit that he had left a big impression on her, particularly after he had asked to see her gift privately in action. The genuine expression of amazement and wonder that had rippled across his face during that encounter had stayed with her long after he had left.
Orion nodded and replied, “I have a busy day ahead of me, so I decided to come early.”
Fiona nodded and reached out to ask for the kalna, but her curiosity was piqued by Orion’s comment. She wondered what kind of busy day he had planned, especially since even those who she was sure had busier schedules than him were still asleep or just waking up.
As Fiona bent down to place the kalna fruit beside the well, Orion’s inquisitive nature got the best of him. “Can I ask how you manage to wake up early every day, especially when you’re the well-woman? I mean, you’re always here, from dawn till dusk, filling up the containers of every villager who comes for water,” he said, his curiosity evident in his tone.
Though Orion had never seen Fiona tire from using her gift, he couldn’t help but wonder how she managed to stay bright and healthy, given the late hours she kept.
Once again, Fiona was pleasantly surprised as Orion showed such a keen interest in her. No one had ever bothered to ask such a personal question before, so she couldn’t help but smile as she responded, “Well, you might not have known it, but I used to be a warrior. So, I don’t tire as easily as you might think. In fact, it also helps me with my gift.”
Orion’s mind was racing with possibilities as he eagerly awaited her answer, wondering how he could entice her into another round of swallowing his semen. But his thoughts were suddenly derailed by her unexpected revelation. “You were a warrior?” he repeated, his eyes widening in astonishment. Despite the fact that her tall, curvy, and muscular build suggested she could deliver a blow that would leave most men gasping for air, he had never imagined her as a warrior before. But as he looked at her now, he couldn’t help but wonder what other surprises she might have up her sleeve.
Fiona couldn’t contain her amusement as she watched Orion’s face light up with surprise and shock yet again. She had to admit, having him around was rather entertaining, but inside she was pleased that he found her intriguing. When he turned his attention back to her and asked if she was a warrior, she sobered up and nodded seriously. “I am. I’m one of the few who were entrusted with taking care of the Vylkr vines,” she replied, a touch of pride in her voice.
“Then, what are you doing here?” Orion couldn’t help but ask. After all, if she was a warrior, why was she here instead of doing what most village warriors were known for doing?
Fiona shook her head and released a sigh, “Because I want to be here. And besides with my gift, I can also help the village more by helping them fetch water out of this dry well.” she said,” And with my help, the village doesn’t to worry about the other well in the market square also drying up, as such, when the village chief asked me if I want use my gift and be this well’s well woman, I readily agreed.” A look of reminense appeared in her eyes as though she remembering the past.
Orion nodded in response, understanding the village’s limited resources – there were only two wells to provide water for everyone. He remembered his mother discussing the same thing with Reena, since his mother normally sold her clay pots at the market square. Initially, he hadn’t been surprised that the village relied on two wells, as it seemed more practical than having just one. Fiona’s decision to become a well woman, however, had caught him off guard. But Orion could understand because the former Orion had lost his life to a Vyklr vine, so he understood how dangerous a warrior’s work is. As such, when he realized that Fiona’s gift enabled her to gather a considerable amount of wealth every day, he also knew that he would have made the same choice as Fiona if he had her ability. After all, wasn’t his main goal to become a warrior just so that he could earn more than just a living and explore what was outside this village at the same time?