Kai stopped near the village well.
Children ran past him laughing.
One nearly crashed into his leg.
The girl stopped abruptly.
She couldn't have been older than ten.
Brown hair.
Bright eyes.
A basket hung from her shoulder.
She looked up at him.
Then frowned.
"You're weird."
Kai blinked.
That was certainly an introduction.
The girl pointed at his clothes.
"Why do you dress like that?"
Kai looked down.
Fair point.
"I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"I woke up like this."
The girl stared.
Then burst out laughing.
"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
A boy around her age appeared behind her.
"Mom says you're the stranger."
Kai nodded.
"I guess."
The boy tilted his head.
"Are you a knight?"
"No."
"A mercenary?"
"No."
"A criminal?"
Kai paused.
"Hopefully not."
The girl laughed again.
"You're definitely weird."
Kai sighed.
The children seemed determined to make that observation.
The boy stepped closer.
"I'm Ethan."
The girl puffed out her chest proudly.
"And I'm Lily."
Kai nodded.
"Kai."
The children exchanged glances.
"Just Kai?"
Kai groaned.
"Please don't start."
They laughed.