The large man laughed, causing his belly to jiggle and he flashed Yori a grin, not realizing what the boy had gone through to obtain these corpses and why. Yori did not return the gesture. His spirit was crushed once again. These 10 jackalopes, which took him the better part of an entire day, would only earn him 10 copper pieces. That little money would only pay for food and his inn for the day, but nothing more. He certainly could not become an Adventurer on that much. It would take him nearly killing himself for 100 days, not including his living expenses, if he wanted to enter the Guild. So what now?
“That’s all?”
The question slipped out of his mouth quiet and exhausted. The burly man went quiet as he saw the devastation in Yori’s eyes. He raised his right hand to scratch the back of his head as he explained himself to Yori.
“I’m afraid so lad, not much to jackalopes. Unfortunately, breakin’ ‘em down costs nearly as much as they’re worth.”
Reaching under the counter, Garl pulled out a large copper coin, worth 10 regular copper coins. He held out his hand for Yori to take the money, and the other hand to receive the belt holding the kills. Accepting the coin, Yori handed the belt over to the short man, slumping his shoulders as he turned leave. Elina held the door for him as they left the establishment.
“Thank you, Miss Elina, for showing me this place and helping me again.”
“No worries, sir Yori. No trouble at all. However, there is one more thing I do want to bring to your attention. We should really get you to the Church of Light for some healing. I shall lead you there since I am sure you have never been.”
“I though about that, but it’s ok, I’ll be fine. I’ll just head back to the inn. Most of it will heal on its own eventua-.”
“No, absolutely not! I’m sorry, but I cannot in good conscience allow you to do that. I’ve been doing this a very long time, young sir. Don’t think I didn’t notice the dislocated shoulder and the extensive bruising on that arm, which looks like it stretches across your chest! If you do not get that healed properly, and soon, you could lose use of your arm, or even die from internal bleeding. Now, come with me.”
She had pointed to the dark purple bruises poking out from under his shirt around his neck and collar bone. Before Yori could utter another protest, Elina grabbed him by the ear, leading him away from the establishment like a child needing discipline. As the two of them went to leave, they heard Garl holler towards them. They turned to see him standing in the doorway.
“Hey, Elina! Stop back here when you’re done, would ya’?”
Picking up on the sadness in his voice, Yori glanced back at the man as the door closed behind them. The solemn tone was an odd contrast to his seemingly boisterous personality. He could not pause any longer as Elina still had a firm grip on Yori’s ear, ushering him to the Church of Light.
Must be official Guild business, and therefore none of mine.
Still, his curiosity was peaked but he resisted the urge to pry. After a few minutes Elina released Yori, expecting him to follow her on his own accord. The journey was slightly uphill, as the stone-covered city slanted up towards its center, where the Church of Light was located. Most people would have assumed the crystal protecting the city would be the centre, but it was positioned more towards one side to envelop the farms just outside of the city walls, including where Yori had briefly worked. The uphill trek did not help Yori’s level of exhaustion. He wanted nothing more than to sleep right now to escape the physical pain he was in, but he persisted. As their destination came into view the ground flattened. A large stone building loomed in front of them, casting a shadow over Yori with its high cylindrical peaks. He looked up at the stained-glass windows covering the front, a new one every few feet. They depicted images of sages wielding light-emitting scepters, healing allies and repelling demon-like creatures. There was nothing remotely like this impressive building in his small hometown.
It almost looks like a castle.
Yori continued to admire the artistry around him as Elina led him through the large wooden double doors. The doors were open and welcoming as many citizens filtered in and out freely. As they stepped into the main entrance, Elina immediately called out for a healer. A blue carpet led into the next room. Echoed voices mingled in the high ceilings of the main area of the Church. The smaller entrance room they currently stood in was well adorned with flowers and holy imagery. Elina noticed Yori looking at the offerings laid out neatly against the walls.
“This is the largest Church in Esaron, so many people bring offerings either in support of the Church or to hopefully receive blessings from the healers here.”
Yori nodded to acknowledge that he was listening to her. However, he had caught sight of a sign just inside the front door. It stated that healing services cost 5 copper coins.
Great, I’m going to lose half the day’s pay from this.
It then dawned on him that he had received healing when he first arrived in the city as well. He wondered who had paid for the service at that time. It was more debt, more favours, and more pity, but he wanted to know so he could properly return it some day.
Yori wallowed in his unfortunate dilemma for a moment while they waited for a healer to be sent. A familiar face emerged from the large main hall of the Church, rounding the corner towards them. A beacon of light in his otherwise miserable state. Lady Kana; possibly the last person he wanted to see him in this condition. Yori averted his eyes, embarrassed and ashamed that he once again needed help from the silver-haired girl. Kana’s initial bright smile quickly turned to shock as she took in Yori’s appearance. Her pure white robes rested gracefully on her small frame, billowing in haste as she approached them. Her white shoes traded poking out beneath the gold rim.
“Yori!? Oh my, is that you? What in the world happened?!”
Her serene presence and gentle posture was gone as she began checking Yori over to assess the damage. Kana grabbed Yori’s right arm and spun it in a vertical circle at the shoulder. She pulled back his sleeve to see some scrapes and bumps, but nothing major. She moved on to the other side, grabbing his right arm and attempting to do the same. Yori squinted and yelped in pain as she pulled his limp arm upwards. She gently lowered the arm back to his side at the signal of pain and pulled back his sleeve to assess the damage. Dark purple bruising covered his upper arm and stretched across his shoulder and chest. Blood pooled in his elbow as the internal bleeding became compacted.
Kana made a tisk noise at Yori and took a hold of his good arm, dragging him off to behind a white curtain on the right side of the room, beyond the entrance to the main area of the church. The room was small and seemed like a makeshift emergency room. Four beds were spread evenly across the small space. A small circular window shed light upon the two beds in the middle. As she pulled him aside Kana glanced at Elina and gave her a quick smile.
“Thank you for bringing him here Elina.”
“Wait, but – Miss Elina…”
Kana interrupted Yori’s protesting by pushing him to a seated position on the small bed behind him, the closest to the curtain. She seemed somehow gentle and forceful at the same time. Kana pulled the curtain closed to block the view of Yori from the crowd shuffling in and out of the building. Some of them had begun giving him odd looks, and the young girl took notice. Usually, people in that state were Adventurers, which meant they would be wearing much better gear and much nicer clothing. To see what looked like a farm boy in such a state was alarming and curious to the city folks.
Starting with setting the bones in Yori’s arm properly, Kana began the healing process. Attempting to seem tough, Yori closed his eyes and grimaced while doing his best to smother any noise from coming out of his mouth.
Lady Kana has seen me in such sorry states, always in need of help. I don’t want her to think I can’t take a bit of pain, too.
Yori’s good hand gripped the side of the bed tightly, his knuckles turning white with the effort. He quietly hoped he didn’t pass out from the pain.
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