Page 40 of The Lost Guard's Healer

He leads us across the field to where the grass thins and the ground becomes rockier and muddier.

Galene and I share a concerned look. The familiarity and comfort between us is clear now. At least, it feels that way to me. I no longer feel her hatred toward me, I believe.

Aldus shows us several large fissures that have spread through the ground. Like the earth has been cracked and split open. They are narrow fissures, but troubling nonetheless.

“We had a tremor last night,” Aldus tells us. “The ground was torn apart in places. One of our huts collapsed.” He shakes his head severely. “We are still repairing the damages from the Wildmen attack, and now this has happened. The world is not in our favor.”

Galene has her arms wrapped around herself. A gesture I’ve come to learn means she is disturbed and uncomfortable. “I should go see Leila and the boys. They will want to know I am back and unharmed. And, dear gods, I’ve never been in more need of a bath.”

Aldus nods. “Stay safe, my dear. It’s good to have you back.”

Galene flashes me a quick look before leaving. I wish I could read what that look meant. I don’t even know if it was a friendly look or a ‘stay away from me’ glare.

“I see you both are getting along better,” Aldus says, watching me closely.

“We haven’t killed each other yet,” I say.

The sounds of grunts and footfalls reach us on the wind. In the distance, up on a hill, I see the outlines of several hunters. They are practicing with spears, going through attack combinations. I’ve seen them do this once before, during my time in the village. It irks me how sloppy their forms are and how they are not being taught correct techniques.

“So, I have returned,” I tell Aldus. “That means I can fulfill my promise to you and will be on my way back home. And Galene’s Task is also complete. Correct?”

Aldus slowly nods, his expression tense and sorrowful. “Correct on both. It will be a shame to see you leave, outsider. You are a good man. Are you certain you can manage the journey back?”

It should take me over a week to reach the Oathlands on foot, if I don’t push myself too much. “Yes, my legs are stronger now and I am confident I can make the trip.”

“You will be missed, Tarin,” Aldus says. “But I understand you need to return to your home. I will prepare provisions for your journey. You will be well resourced.”

“Thanks. I have one request before I go,” I say. “I hope you don’t mind me saying that I’ve noticed how poorly trained your hunters are. They are in dire need of better training and discipline.”

Aldus’s thick eyebrows rise. “They are not soldiers, Tarin. Our hunters have proven more than capable for generations. We wouldn’t be alive and fed as well without them.”

I detect the defensiveness in his tone, so I tread lightly. “They can be better. They need to be better. The Shanti People pride themselves in working together and helping each other for the greater good, but reality is that they compete against each other and each wants to be the best to prove their worth. Helping each other is not their highest priority. They know little about working as a team, from what I’ve seen. Some are undisciplined and a danger to themselves and others.”

So much for treading lightly. Aldus is frowning deeply at me, as if weighing my words. But he doesn’t look happy.

I let out a weary sigh and add, “What happens when the Wildmen next attack? You take your losses and move on, as usual? Mourn your dead? Wait for the next time? Would you not prefer your hunters, or any of your people, to have some skill to better defend themselves?”

Aldus slowly nods, as if he’s decided. “Yovin is right. You were brought to this village for a purpose. I believe we’ve found that purpose. Very well. You may try to train our hunters before you leave. Hopefully, you can impart some wisdom to them. I will spread the word. Anyone else who would like some formal combat training may attend your session.”

“It would be my honor,” I say. But I know it won’t be easy. Some of their hunters have proven to be brutally stubborn and resilient. I will need to rise to the challenge.

I see Freddick rushing up to us from across the field with a jug of water in his hand.

A crow is up in a tree, and I realize it is watching us closely. Once I notice it, the crow abruptly looks away, as if pretending it hadn’t been staring at us. Strange reaction from a bird.

“For now, rest and regain your strength with some food and drink,” Aldus tells me. “I will let Bohan know of the training.”

“He won’t be happy about it,” I say.

“You leave him with me. I will get the approval of the elders, and then no one will be able to disagree with the decision.”

He nods a farewell and heads toward the tents across the field. There was something in Aldus’s eyes, and his tone, that gives me pause. I can’t help but feel like I’m missing something. Something right in front of me, hiding in plain sight. I can guess that this village holds many secrets, but it is not my business to know them all.

I eye the cracks in the ground and feel troubled by them. That feeling is coming back. That sense of heaviness in the atmosphere. The feeling of the world changing.

It’s like we’re waiting for a match to be struck and set the world on fire.

Chapter seventeen

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