Life in the Village

### Chapter 11: Life in the Village ###

The outcast village, once a place of despair and hunger, began to change with Paul's arrival.

His towering frame, tan skin and golden eyes were a constant reminder of his hybrid race, but his actions quickly spoke louder than his appearance. 

Within days, Paul had become a ray of sunshine in the lives of the villagers, his energy and determination lifting their spirits and easing their burdens.

Paul's days began before dawn, with Thorn drilling him in the art of combat. 

The training grounds, a patch of dirt surrounded by makeshift wooden dummies, became their sanctuary. 

Thorn, though worn and tired, still moved with the precision of a seasoned warrior, his blue eyes sharp as he corrected Paul's stance or adjusted his grip on the greatsword.

"Again," Thorn barked, his voice firm but not unkind. "Your swing is too wide. You're leaving yourself open."

Paul grunted, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'm trying, Father. This sword is heavier than it looks."

Thorn chuckled, a rare sound that warmed Paul's heart. "You'll get used to it. Just like I did."

As the sun rose, the two would take a break, sitting on a fallen log and sharing stories of Mira.Thorn's eyes would soften as he spoke of her, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

"She was fearless," he said one morning, a faint smile on his lips. "I once saw her take down a rabid beast with nothing but a dagger and her bare hands."

Paul laughed, the sound deep and genuine. "That sounds like her. She once made me run laps around the village until I could outpace the fastest hunter."

Thorn raised an eyebrow. "And did you?"

Paul smirked. "Eventually."

---

Paul's presence also brought a sense of camaraderie to the village, especially among the younger warriors-in-training. 

Zera, a fierce Lionkin with golden fur and piercing amber eyes, was the first to approach him. At seven years old, she was a year younger than Paul, though small in size, but she already had the confidence of a seasoned fighter.

"So, you're the one everyone's talking about," she said, her tail swishing behind her. "You don't look so tough."

Paul grinned, crossing his arms over his chest. "Want to test that theory?"

Overall their sparring match ended with Zera getting pinned to the ground, but she was grinning from ear to ear .

"Okay, maybe you're a little tough," she admitted, earning a laugh from Paul.

Maxim, a burly young barbarian with a mop of unruly red hair and a penchant for mischief, was next. He and Paul bonded over their shared love of hunting, often venturing into the wilderness together.

Priya, a beautiful orc with emerald-green skin and a voice as smooth as silk, was the most reserved of the group.

She often watched Paul from a distance, her dark eyes filled with curiosity. It wasn't until Paul helped her repair a leaky roof that she finally opened up to him.

"You're not like the others," she said, her voice soft. "You don't look down on us. Why?"

Paul shrugged, handing her a bundle of thatch. "Because I know what it's like to be an outcast. And besides, you're not so bad yourself."

Priya blushed, a faint green tint spreading across her cheeks, which Zera caught and teased her mercilessly for days.

His impact on the village was undeniable.

He spent hours repairing the crumbling walls and huts, his strength and determination inspiring others to pitch in.

Even the shaman, Malik, couldn't help but be impressed. "You've done more in a week than we've managed in months," 

Malik admitted one evening as they worked on reinforcing the palisade.

Paul smiled, wiping dirt from his hands. "It's not much, but it's a start."

Malik's gaze shifted to Alfred, who was busy cooking a stew over a fire. "And what of the goblin?" he asked, his tone cautious. "Some in the village are… uneasy about his presence."

Paul's expression hardened. "Alfred is under my protection," he said firmly. "He's my servant, my cook, Anyone who has a problem with him can take it up with me."

Malik raised his hands in surrender. "Fair enough. But you might want to keep an eye on him. Not everyone here is as forgiving as you."

Paul nodded, his golden eyes flicking to a nearby Tigerkin who had been glaring at Alfred all day. "I'll handle it."

---

Most importantly his reputation as a protector grew with each passing day. 

When a pack of rabid beasts attacked the village, Paul was the first to meet them, his greatsword cutting through the air with deadly precision.

The villagers watched in awe as he single-handedly took down five of the creatures at once, his movements a blur of strength and skill. With his input the villagers no longer felt scared enough to hide in their homes because of an invasion.

"He's a natural," Thorn said proudly, watching from the sidelines. "Just like his mother."

The villagers sang Paul's praises, their gratitude evident in their smiles and words. "He's a blessing," one of the elders said. "A true warrior."

As the days turned into Months,Thorn couldn't help but brag about his son to his fellow warriors. "Did you see him today?" he asked one evening, a grin on his face. "Took down three rabid beasts without breaking a sweat. That's my boy."

The warriors chuckled, shaking their heads. "You're lucky, Thorn," one of them an old Orc warrior said. "Not many of us get a second chance like this."

Thorn's smile faded slightly, and he glanced at Paul, who was laughing with Zera, Maxim, and Priya. "I know," he said quietly. "And I'm not going to waste it."

---

As night fell, Paul sat by the fire with his friends, the sound of their laughter filling the air. Alfred served them bowls of stew, his small frame bustling with energy. "Eat up," he said, his voice cheerful. "You'll need your strength for tomorrow."

Paul grinned, rubbing Alfred's head. "Thanks, Alfred. You're the best."

The goblin beamed, his chest puffing out with pride. "Anything for you, master."

As the fire crackled and the stars filled the sky, Paul felt a sense of belonging he had never known before. He had found a home, a family, and a purpose. And for the first time in his life, he felt truly happy. 

Even if he didn't know the cause of his reincarnation at the least he could enjoy this little slice of peace and tranquility, which was far better than his mother's tribe.