Page 48 of The Lost Guard's Healer

Aldus comes over to me by the time I’ve finished the bowl of warming stew. He hands me a medium-sized backpack with water skins hanging from the sides.

“The map is rolled up inside,” Aldus says as he comes to me. “It will show you the best routes to take and where you can camp each night. I put it together myself.” A pickaxe and a knife are hanging from the back of the pack.

I thank Aldus for all his help. “Is everything okay in the village?” I ask, watching his reaction. “I thought I heard something about the elders making an announcement?”

His face hardens enough to make him appear like a different person. He eyes me firmly, his mouth a tight line.

“Not sure where you heard such a thing. I can assure you everything is well here. You can leave knowing we are in a good state. And we feast on boar meat thanks to you.”

Aldus notices me looking around. “I’m sure Galene will miss you, as well.” His countenance softens with a smile.

I raise my eyebrows. Does he know Galene and I have been getting closer lately? “She will be relieved once I’m gone, more than anything.”

“Women are the greatest mystery of the world,” Aldus says. I have to agree with that. “Galene is not here, anyway. She just left to spend time with Leila and the boys in the fields. She said something about wanting to clear her head. You wouldn’t know what that meant, would you?”

I shake my head. “The greatest mysteries, indeed.”

We shake hands firmly. Aldus wishes me well and I thank him once again for getting me back on my feet.

With no desire to drag out the goodbyes or find anyone else, I make my way out of the village without ceremony. I notice some people watching me go, but mostly, I can simply disappear from among them.

When I pass the last of the tents, I hear heavy footfalls coming from behind me. The young hunter, Freddick, is rushing up to me, his long hair flapping about him.

“You’re not leaving, are you?” he says, catching his breath.

“That’s the plan.”

His face is struck with horror. “Y-you can’t. We need you here. Now, more than ever.”

“What do you mean?”

Freddick hesitates, as if wondering if he should say something. But the moment passes quickly.

“There is talk of a great disturbance out there. Like a darkness devastating the land and tearing up crops. People are saying it’s some great evil. Like… like the magic in the world is breaking.”

“What are you talking about?” He sounds like a madman.

“I don’t know. There are just whisperings. We’re waiting for the elders to tell us what is happening. But I’ve heard its something to do with everyone’s magic. Like it isn’t working properly. Or… I don’t know. But it isn’t good. We’re getting a group of hunters to take a look at the western fields. We think we’re going to find something big there. Something dangerous. We could really use your help, Tarin.”

The false name he uses tells me what I already know—I don’t belong here. I never have. I place a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sure everything is going to be fine. This sounds like superstitious and unwarranted rumors.” I swallow. “Besides, I’m just some military soldier from Oathlands. There’s not a lot I can offer you guys.”

“You know that’s not true,” Freddick argues. “I’ve seen what you’ve done here. How you helped us with the Wildlands attack. We need you.”

I swallow thickly. “I can’t stay. This isn’t my home.”

He looks physically hurt.

Galene’s furious glare flashes in my mind. I sigh and add, “Look, Freddick. I have a home to go back to. I have my family waiting for me. They think me dead. If I go back with you, I’ll never go back home. There’s always going to be something keeping me here with you all. I have to go. I wish you a good life. You will be a formidable hunter one day. Feel free to visit the Oathlands whenever you like. You will always be a welcome guest among us.”

Freddick shakes his head and steps back. “I cannot believe this.”

I frown, seeing how much I’m disappointing him. He lost his father a few days ago and I can see my departure is hitting him hard. Much harder than I thought it would. He’s shaking his head and his eyes have reddened.

I want to tell him something encouraging, but he moves away from me.

“Just go,” he yells, shaking with fury. He turns and runs back into the village.

I stop myself from going after him. There is nothing for me back there. I need to look ahead and move forward.

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