Between Dreams and Reality.

Chapter 6: A New Connection

The sun was already high in the sky when Tomas looked at Lumien, who was still holding the piece of wood. His eyes, always cold and distant, now seemed to carry a curious sparkle. It wasn't much, but for Tomas, it was progress. He smiled at the young man. There was something about him that Tomas couldn't ignore. Maybe it was the surreal talent, or the innocence that contrasted with the powerful and mysterious aura. Maybe it was simply the curiosity to understand who or what Lumien really was.

"Are you hungry?" Tomas asked, breaking the silence. Lumien tilted his head slightly, as if trying to interpret the question. Then he responded with a simple nod, still without words.

"Great, let's go home. The girls must have prepared something special today." Tomas gestured for Lumien to follow him, and the two walked back to the house, the sound of their steps blending with the rustling of the leaves in the wind.

In the kitchen, the aroma of fresh food already filled the air. Mara and Emma were busy setting the table, while Marian, the eldest daughter, was finishing chopping vegetables. When they entered, Mara was the first to notice.

"Ah, there you are! We were wondering if you were going to show up," she said with a warm smile. Emma, always shy, cast a quick glance at Lumien before returning to what she was doing. Marian, on the other hand, looked directly at him.

"Hope you're hungry," Marian commented, as she placed the last dishes on the table. Her tone was casual, but there was a slight blush on her cheeks. Lumien, as always, didn't seem to notice any of this.

They sat down, and Tomas made sure to serve a generous portion of food for Lumien. "You'll need energy. After what I saw today, it's better to start preparing to train more. You have talent, boy."

Lumien looked at Tomas, not fully understanding the compliment, but he felt something warm in his chest. Another flame ignited within him: pride. He didn't know why, but he liked the feeling.

As they ate, the conversations flowed smoothly. Tomas talked about his past adventures as a mercenary, while Mara and Emma laughed at his exaggerated stories. Marian, however, seemed more interested in Lumien. From time to time, she asked direct questions.

"Where did you come from?" she asked, leaning slightly on the table.

Lumien hesitated. He looked at Tomas, as if seeking guidance, but the man just smiled, encouraging him to answer. Finally, he said, with a slow and hesitant voice, "Don't... know."

Marian frowned. "What do you mean, you don't know? Everyone comes from somewhere."

"Dream..." he replied after a moment. The word seemed to carry more meaning than he could explain.

"Dream?" Mara repeated, confused. "What do you mean by that?"

"I... see things. When... I sleep," Lumien explained, with difficulty. He looked at Tomas, seeking approval again. The mercenary nodded, encouraging him to continue. "Swords. People. I... learn."

Marian seemed intrigued. "So, you dreamed that you knew how to fight? And that's how you managed to do those perfect movements?"

Lumien nodded slowly. Marian exchanged a significant look with Tomas, who just shrugged, as if to say, "Who knows."

After the meal, Marian began to clear the plates. Before she could finish, Tomas raised his hand to stop her. "Wait, Marian. Why don't you take Lumien with you to the market today? I'm sure he can help with the shopping."

Marian blinked, surprised. "Me? With him?" Marian asked, hesitating slightly while glancing nervously at Lumien out of the corner of her eye.

Tomas smiled almost mischievously. "Of course. He needs to learn more about the world, and you're good at that. Besides, it's always good to have company."

Lumien, not understanding Tomas's intention behind the words, simply nodded, willing to follow. Marian, on the other hand, seemed hesitant.

"Alright," she said, finally. "But he'll need better clothes if he's going out."

Emma ran upstairs and came back with a simple tunic and lightweight trousers. Lumien accepted the clothes without protest, though he needed help putting them on properly. Mara adjusted the tunic while Marian waited near the door, trying to hide her nervousness.

"Ready," Mara said with a smile. "Now you look presentable."

Marian took Lumien to the village market, which was a few minutes' walk away. During the walk, she tried to make conversation, but his responses were short and often confusing. Still, she didn't give up.

"You really don't remember anything? Not even where you came from?"

"Don't... know," he replied, with the same hesitation as always. He looked at her, trying to understand why she seemed so interested in him. To him, all of this was still new and disconcerting.

When they arrived at the market, Marian began to negotiate with the vendors. Lumien watched everything attentively, as if trying to absorb every detail. The colors, the smells, the voices — everything seemed to fascinate him.

At one point, Marian picked up an apple from one of the stalls and handed it to him. "Here, try it. It's sweet."

Lumien held the fruit, looking at it as if it were something extraordinary. He took a bite and his eyes widened slightly, making his flame of satisfaction grow with each bite. He looked at Marian and nodded, as if wanting to thank her, though he said nothing.

"You're really strange," she said, laughing. "But I think I like that."

They spent more time at the market before returning home. During the walk back, Marian felt more comfortable beside him, talking about trivial things while Lumien listened in silence. For her, it was unusual, but not unpleasant. For him, it was just another part of the learning process.

Back at the house, Tomas greeted them with a broad smile. "So, how was it? Did you manage to get along?"

Marian shrugged. "He's still a mystery, but... I think it was fun."

Lumien looked at Tomas, confused. "Fun?" he asked, testing the word.

Tomas laughed. "Oh, boy, you still have a lot to learn."