Page 39 of The Lost Guard's Healer

Some time passes with us walking in comfortable silence. But as we draw nearer to the village, I tell Rourk about the surrounding lands and the names of places, and share a story or two about each place we pass.

The village finally becomes clear in the distance when we exit a small forest and head down an inclining path. We’ll be there within the hour.

“Are you looking forward to your Task finally being complete?” he asks me.

I shrug. The answer is more complicated now than it was yesterday. Yes, and no. It’s not so simple. “It’s a lot of pressure. It will be a relief. You will leave once we return?”

“Aye. I made a promise to your father.”

I don’t know why I’m so disappointed by his answer. His knuckles brush against mine, and I know it’s not an accident. I can see it in his gaze. It feels like an apology—an apology, and something else. Something I’m unwilling to even try to identify. My mouth tightens as I look away, falling silent. The idea of him leaving hits me hard. I know he has to go. I know that a friendship with me would never be enough to hold him here, especially with a daughter in the Oathlands.

But I also know that I will think of Rourk for years to come and ask myself—what if?

Chapter sixteen

Rourk

We reach the village to see people stopping to look at us, happiness and relief coloring their faces. It feels like we are lost heroes returned from the war.

Leaving the treeline, we head across the primary field to the tents and huts. Many are busy at work with the reconstruction of a few huts and cabins. The villagers have carved blocky shapes into the ends of the wooden beams to allow them to connect the beams together, like pieces of a puzzle. I’m impressed at how they can chisel the wood into the joints needed, and how they can firmly join the wood together with no need for screws or any bindings. They’ve made significant progress in a matter of days.

Aldus hurries over to us, his red and black robe-like coat swishing about him. The ground looks soft and muddy in places, telling me the heavy rain made its way to the village.

“Thank god,” Aldus says with a relieved sigh. He takes Galene in his arms and studies her for any injuries before finally relaxing. He hugs Galene and shakes my hand firmly. “I was furious with Bohan when he told us how he’d left you both behind.”

“Did they return with the boar?” I ask.

“They did. Thankfully. We will feast well for some time with the size of that thing.” Aldus turns to Galene. “I’m so relieved to see you well, my dear.”

“Thanks to Tarin,” she says. “Where is Bohan? I have a few words for him.”

Aldus frowns deeply. “The hunters were very sorry to return without you. Their priorities were with the entire village.”

Galene’s face remains impassively resolute. “I understand,” she says, though her tone speaks of anger and frustration.

Freddick runs up to us with an excited bounce and a bright grin. He pulls us each into a tight embrace.

“I knew you two would be okay,” Freddick says. “I’m so sorry we left you. I wanted to look for you, but Bohan was adamant about taking the boar back.”

“It’s alright,” I say. “No harm was done.”

“It wasn’t easy dragging that thing back,” Freddick says. “That spear that you stuck in it, Tarin, slowed it down and eventually weakened it enough to allow us to finish it off. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I’m happy everything worked out,” I say.

Freddick perks up, his eyes widening. “You both must be exhausted and hungry. I’ll get you some water and something to eat. Hold on.”

He gives us an encouraging nod and rushes off.

“He’s a good lad,” Aldus says, and turns to us. “We sent some people out to find you both. You didn’t see them?”

“No, we didn’t see anyone on our way back.”

Aldus frowns. “We were about to send a second team out to search for you both. But some disturbing matters have distracted us.”

The severity of his tone and expression gives me pause. “What disturbing matters?” I ask.

“It’s better if I show you,” Aldus says.

---