Noral Village IV

She hadn't been close enough to see the faces of the bandits that attacked her village, but they all looked like cruel demons in her imagination. Hanson didn't confirm that the bandits were after her family, but considering that her parents seemed to have seen the attack coming, it was more or less a fact in her mind. No one around her had blamed her or her family for the disaster that struck her village, but as the faces of the villagers came to her mind, she blamed herself. For bringing the bandits, for the deaths of the innocent, and for the deaths of her parents.

Hanson could tell that Carolyn was feeling guilty, but as he struggled to figure out the right way to ease her guilt, the door to the study opened.

"I figured you two would be feeling parched so I brought some warm tea."

Rilis entered through the door with a tray holding two teacups and a teapot. Both Carolyn and Hanson were surprised by her entrance, but they quickly emptied out a space on Hanson's desk for Rilis to put the tray down. Once Rilis placed the tray on the desk, she looked at Carolyn while Hanson poured tea into the teacups, filling the room with a light herbal scent.

"I hope he hasn't been treating you too cold like. He feels really guilty for not being able to save your parents, but he's stubborn about not showing it."

"Rilis."

"He's always been a difficult man, but he's more thoughtful than anybody else. That's why I married him."

While holding back a grin at the sight of Hanson blushing, Carolyn nodded and responded to Rilis.

"Thank you, Miss Rilis."

"You can just use my name. Or even a nickname if you like."

"I'll consider it."

"Good, I'll leave you two to your talk now."

Almost as abruptly as she entered, Rilis left the room.

"Your wife, she's quite the woman."

"Yes, I have to agree."

Although her feelings of guilt hadn't disappeared, hearing that Hanson also felt guilty made Carolyn realise that she wasn't the only one who felt powerless. Just as there was no way Hanson could have saved them, she had no means of stopping the bandits from attacking the village. If there was something she could do for them now, it would be to pray for their departed souls and... appease the ones clinging to their murderers.

"Mr. Hanson, do you know who those bandits were?"

Hanson gave no response; he only quietly took a sip of tea.

"Is this also something I have to find out for myself?"

"I can give you a few details, but I believe it would be better to wait until after you've made your decision."

"What decision would that be?"

"Will you stay in this village? Or will you leave?"

Carolyn had nothing to say to that question, so she quietly finished her cup of tea and left Hanson's study. She was actually rather fond of the tea, but the question Hanson posed made it hard for her to appreciate it. As she returned to the first floor, Rilis caught sight of Carolyn.

"Oh, have you already finished talking to Hanny?"

"Uh, yes. I was just about to leave. Thank you for the tea; it was very calming."

"It's alright; I was just being a good host. Why don't you stay for lunch? It'll just be a few chicken sandwiches, but I guarantee you'll like it."

"That sounds nice, but I don't think I should impose on you like that."

"What are you talking about? This here is the house of the village chief. How could a village guest be imposing on us?"

Her simple words moved Carolyn in such a way that it was impossible for her to refuse.

"I guess I'll stay then."

Since she was staying for lunch, Carolyn helped make the sandwiches. Rilis had refused her at first, but Carolyn insisted. The ingredients had already been prepared, so all that was left was to put them together. As a veteran cooking assistant, thanks to helping her mother, Carolyn had no trouble making the sandwiches by following Rilis' example.

"Why thanks for the help, Carolyn. Go on and take the first bite and tell me what you think."

"Okay."

The sandwich was a collection of vegetables, chicken meat, and a mysterious sauce stuck between two slices of bread, so Carolyn didn't see any reason to hesitate. The different ingredients seemed to combine into a slightly sour taste, but soon it became sweet and savoury. After a sip of water from a wooden cup that Rilis gave her with perfect timing, Carolyn gave her thoughts.

"It's delicious."

Her mother was also a good cook, but she always tried to optimize the taste of their meals even with the same ingredients. This led to every dish having a different flavour, even if she wasn't eating it for the first time. On the other hand, Rilis' sandwich seemed to have reached its perfect form and couldn't be improved further.

"I'm glad to hear that. Imma bring up some sandwiches for Hanny now. I also put some in that basket for Teri, but you can add more if you like and carry it on home."

"Okay. Thank you."

"You're welcome, dear."

Carolyn stayed in position while Rilis carried away a plate of sandwiches. She finished the sandwich she had started and then ate another before feeling satisfied. As there were already some set aside for Teri in a straw basket, all she needed to do was bring them with her. Carolyn planned on heading back to Teri's house by herself, but she found Atla waiting on the other side of the door.

"Atla? Were you waiting for me?"

"Not for long. I had some time after lunch, so I wanted to bring you back to Doc's place. I would a given up if you took too long, though, since I have chores to take care of."

"I really can't thank you enough, Atla. But you didn't have to go out of your way."

"No, I told Doc that I would take care of you, so it's obvious for me to bring you back."

"Very well, then. Please escort me home, my cute guardian. Oh, and I know you already had lunch, but would you like a sandwich?"

"Wow! Is that one of big sis Rilis' sandwiches? Thanks!"

As Rilis' sandwiches were more famous than Carolyn expected, Atla took one with sparkling eyes. Carolyn felt a little bad since this meant that there was less for Teri, but once she saw Atla's bright smile, she figured it would be fine since Teri wouldn't know how much was in the basket.

With Atla at the lead, the two returned to Teri's house. Along the way, Carolyn was pleasantly surprised by the decreased suspicion and hostility that was being directed at her. Even the gossip-loving villagers couldn't confidently accuse her of being a harlot when she was welcomed into the village chief's house by his wife. This was especially the case since she came out with Rilis' famous sandwiches. And so, with neither Carolyn nor Atla knowing why Carolyn was being treated harshly in the first place, the issue was resolved.

"We're back, Doc!"

The two returned and found Teri sitting on a rocking chair facing his field with a leaf fan in one hand.

"Welcome back. Did you have a good time?"

"Yes, it was a nice change of pace. I brought back sandwiches from Miss Rilis," responded Carolyn.

"That's good. You can set them down on the table inside."

"Well, I gotta head back and do my chores, so I'll see yall tomorrow."

"Okay."

"See you then."

Atla waved at them as she left, and Carolyn returned her wave while watching her. Once Atla was out of sight, Carolyn lowered her hand and spoke to Teri without turning.

"Mr. Teri, would you be willing to teach me what you know about medicine?"

From what she had seen and heard while being Teri's patient, Carolyn was sure that he would be more than a match for any of the doctors she had met. Although he banned her from calling him 'Doctor', he was certainly fit for the title.

"Why do you want to learn?"

"That's... Probably for when I need it. I don't think it's right for me to stay here and forget everything that happened, but I still can't find the resolve to leave either. However, I'm sure that I'll have to leave one day. So for when that day comes, I want to learn as much as I can."

"I see. Fine then. You can be my assistant for a little while, but you have to obey my instructions. If you can't do that, then forget about it."

"Understood. Should I call you Doctor from now on?"

"Don't bother. Like I already said, I'm nothing that proper."