Chapter 122 — The First Hidden Food Drops
S.C. 1511 — Late February
Foosha Forest — Western Path
Ren moved quietly through the early morning mist, a cloth-wrapped bag held close to his chest.
Zemo padded beside him, steps silent, ears alert.
The same forest path where the refugees walked days ago…
The same path that still held faint footprints in the dirt…
Ren swallowed softly.
He wasn't strong enough to help them openly.
He wasn't ready to speak to them yet.
He had no army, no influence, no power—
Only a little food.
But sometimes, a little meant survival.
And survival meant hope.
---
The Bag Contents
Hidden inside the cloth bag:
• two small bundles of dried fish
• three apples
• a piece of simple flatbread
• a sealed flask of clean water
• a tiny herbal salve Ren made last year
Nothing expensive.
Nothing extravagant.
Just enough to last a day or two for a hungry person.
Something he could afford to lose.
Something the nobles wouldn't notice.
Something that might change a moment—maybe even a life.
Zemo sniffed the bag.
Ren whispered:
"It's not for us today."
---
Choosing the Drop Spot
Ren stopped near a thick root where two large trees twisted together.
The spot wasn't visible from far away and could only be seen by someone walking the path slowly.
Perfect.
"This should hide the parcel from random travelers," Ren murmured.
He slid the bag behind the roots, placing it gently.
But then he paused.
If he left it plainly, animals might get to it first.
If he hid it too well, humans might miss it.
Ren took out a small stone, flat and clean.
He placed it on top of the cloth—it wouldn't stop animals, but it signaled something human.
A sign only a searching person might understand.
Zemo scratched the dirt softly as if approving.
Ren whispered:
"One bag isn't enough."
He had prepared three today.
---
The Second Drop
Further down the road, near a fallen tree trunk, he placed another bag.
This time under a curved bark that formed a natural pocket.
The flask of water was hidden beneath the food, in case someone grabbed it too fast.
"What if they fight over it…?" Ren muttered.
Zemo nudged him gently.
Ren's jaw tightened.
"That's why we leave multiple drops."
Not for reward.
Not for recognition.
Not for gratitude.
Just for survival.
---
The Third Drop
The final bag was placed near the rocky bend before the path opened toward Foosha's western coast.
Here, Ren hesitated the longest.
This was the spot where a small pair of footprints had been deepest…
like a child who had been walking slower, or more tired than the rest.
Ren exhaled slowly.
He placed a little extra inside this one:
• four apples instead of three
• an additional dried fish strip
• and a second small piece of bread
Zemo let out a soft whine, sensing Ren's emotion.
Ren whispered:
"I know. I just… hope it reaches the right person."
He covered it with loose leaves—enough to keep it hidden but easy to uncover.
---
The Waiting
After placing all three food drops, Ren hid behind a cluster of bushes at a distance.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Just close enough to observe without being seen.
He wasn't here to reveal himself.
He was here to watch human behavior.
See if the desperate stole everything for themselves.
See if they shared.
See if they left anything behind.
Zemo crouched beside him, silent.
---
Footsteps Again
After half an hour—
Footsteps.
Two figures appeared.
Not the large crowd from earlier.
Just a pair:
A teenage boy, maybe fifteen.
A girl around ten, clinging to his sleeve.
They walked slowly, exhausted, scanning the ground carefully as if expecting danger.
The boy stopped suddenly.
The first food drop caught his eye.
He approached cautiously, checking for traps.
Then—
He gently handed the apples to the girl first.
Only after she ate a piece did he take a bite himself.
Zemo's tail thumped softly.
Ren wrote silently in his notebook:
Behavior: Shared food equally. Priority to the younger. Not greedy.
The siblings continued, unaware they were being watched.
---
The Second Drop — A Test
When they found the second bag, the boy froze.
He looked around suspiciously.
Then he carefully took only half the contents, leaving the rest behind—
as if hoping someone else in need might find it later.
Ren's eyes widened slightly.
Zemo let out a pleased rumble.
Ren noted quickly:
Honest type. Does not hoard. Leaves food for others. Candidate possibility.
---
The Third Drop
At the rocky bend, the younger girl nearly collapsed when she found the last bag.
The boy steadied her, checked the bag, and whispered something too soft to hear.
Then he looked up at the sky.
Not in fear.
Not in desperation.
But in… thanks.
Ren's throat tightened unexpectedly.
Zemo gently pressed his head against Ren's arm.
---
A Quiet Decision
Ren watched until the two siblings faded down the path.
Then he stood slowly, heart steady and mind sharper than ever before.
He whispered:
"…There are good people out here."
Good people who were hungry.
Good people who were tired.
Good people who had lost everything.
But still acted with kindness.
He closed his notebook.
"This is worth helping."
Zemo barked softly—agreement, confirmation, and encouragement all in one sound.
---
Ren's Plan Evolves
On the walk back to the village, Ren wrote:
---
Recruitment Test #1 — Food Drop Observation
• two siblings
• honest
• shared fairly
• left food for others
• cautious but not violent
• potential trust candidates
Conclusion:
Create more drops. Observe more individuals.
Do not approach yet.
Identify consistent honest behavior.
---
Ren smiled faintly.
The future workers he dreamed of were no longer theoretical.
They were real.
And they were walking the same paths he walked.
---
End of Chapter 122