A Brief Respite

Reason sat in a simple old wooden bed, in a small room with a single old desk. Simply staring out his room’s window looking outside. Not focusing on anything, just looking, and thinking to himself. A bowl of food slowly going cold on his side.

After Reason had been able to carry Markus back to the village, they had been given lodgings and the village herbalist was tending to Markus’s wounds. From what he was told, Markus would survive, though he would be losing usage of his left arm and likely to need a cane to help him walk. Permanently.

I’ve failed. He thought. While it was true that the commission given from the village was indeed completed. The wolves have been dealt with. Two of his party members were dead and a third would never be an adventurer again.

I couldn’t do anything. I could only watch. He lamented. He hated himself for being so incapable. For acting so slow. For not being more careful and more prepared for this. For not voicing his concerns more.

Perhaps if he had voiced his concerns more than perhaps, they could have avoided the ambush. They might have made it all out fine. They-

The door opened and his thoughts were interrupted. Not looking over he continued to stare out of the window. A voice could be heard, the village chief.

“The herbalist said that your friend will survive. He might need to stay here for a few days. Don’t worry he can stay as long as he needs.”

“Thanks.” Reason uttered; head still not turned.

The room was silent for a few seconds before the village chief spoke once more, “Thank you. Thank you for saving us.”

Reason blinked in surprise before turning towards the village chief and looked at him in wonder, “Huh?”

“Uh, I wanted to thank you for helping our village. If it wasn’t for you… those wolves would have eventually destroyed the village. Thank you, for stopping that. We’re safe because of you.” The village chief bowed his head.

“Uh, no, no. It’s nothing.” Reason stammered out.

“No, your friends died to save us. I’m sorry.” The village chief said, head still bowed.

“I… thank you. It’s fine, it was our job. Besides it’s my fault that they died.” Reason said with a painful sigh.

“How could it be? From what you said there was no way to be prepared for that kind of monster. Yet you still fought it and won. You saved us. Thank you.” The village chief bowed once more before leaving the room and closed the door.

Reason stared as the man left the room. He thought of what the man had said. He appreciated that the village chief was trying to make him feel better. But he still couldn’t shake of the guilt that he felt for his team.

Sure, he saved the village. But he could have saved his teammates. Never again. He swore to himself. I’ll never make the same mistake again.