Returning to the Village

After discussing it with Teri, Carolyn set the date for her trip back to her old village to a few days later. She hadn't thought about it beforehand, but due to the distance between the two locations, she would have to spend a night camping. Her father had taken her camping before, so she wasn't against the idea, but it emphasised the need for guards on this journey. Partly due to her own insistence, Hanson refrained from showing her favouritism in the village, but this was a matter that he refused to back down on. To find an agreeable compromise, Teri joined Carolyn and Hanson in his office to discuss the matter.

The village chief's office was the same size as Hanson's study, but there was only one bookcase and more places to sit since this was where he would meet villagers to discuss matters that required his attention. There were two seating areas inside the room, one at the back of the room with a well-decorated desk, which was where Hanson usually discussed official matters. The other area was at the center of the room, and the seats were on the left and right of a wooden table. Hanson sat on the left by himself, facing Teri and Carolyn across from him.

"I understand that considering the purpose of the trip, you would prefer to be alone, but it's simply too dangerous. While we haven't spotted any signs of someone lurking around the area, that doesn't mean such a person couldn't exist. Furthermore, humans aren't the only dangerous creatures in the forest. Frankly speaking, you were lucky to make it here without encountering anything."

"I understand that it's dangerous, Mr. Hanson, and I'd be glad to have a guide to show me the way, but the number of guards you're suggesting is simply too much."

"How is ten guards too much? If it wasn't because of the roughness of the terrain and the need to be discreet, I would send at least twice as much."

"How do you come up with these numbers? If we're not expecting to be attacked by a large number of enemies, then I don't see the point in having so many guards. And if that was the case, then even I would stay in the village rather than put those people in harm's way."

"Well, I certainly wouldn't allow you to go if it would be that dangerous, but you have to understand, Ms. Carolyn. There's no such thing as a perfect plan, so it's only natural to prepare adequately for any possible situation."

"I do understand, but your preparations are simply too excessive."

"Okay, you two, settle down."

Seeing that they were talking in parallels, Teri decided to intervene.

"You both have good points, so let me find the common ground. Missie, are you completely against the idea of having guards?"

"Hmm, I'd prefer none, but I can tolerate having a few."

"Okay. Now, overprotective city boy, how about limiting it to two guards?"

"Just two?! That's not even enough to cover the cardinal directions."

"Don't yah have anyone skilled enough to cover the gap? Certainly you weren't planning on sending people to serve as human shields."

"Of course not. I do have some stationed in the village that can make up for the lacking number, but,"

"Then do it. Have you even thought about how the missie would feel if you suddenly threw her into a big group of guards? Or do you believe anything goes as long as she's safe?"

Hanson grimaced as Teri's critique seemed to hit his sore spot. He then released a resigned sigh and made a new proposal.

"How about five, but the other three will stay out of sight?"

Hanson and Teri looked at Carolyn for confirmation.

"I guess I can accept that much."

"Alright. I'll select and introduce them to you the day before the trip so you can check them for yourself."

"Very well. By the way, you always bring up these hidden people you have working for; do they live in the village?"

At Carolyn's question, Hanson and Tari looked at each other with difficult expressions.

"If it's a secret, then you can pretend I didn't ask."

"No, since they'll be guarding you, you deserve to know the basics at least. Let's start with their origin. You know that I wasn't born in the village, right?"

"Well, Mr. Teri does always call you 'city boy', so yes."

"Right. The people that work for me are kind of like my shadow. They follow me but stay out of sight as much as possible. I brought them with me when I originally came to the village, and after settling down, I let a few of them teach the young men in the village how to hunt and protect themselves. If they find someone with talent, then depending on their circumstances, I might welcome them into the group. Now, as for where they live, there's a building near the edge of the village that serves as their headquarters, but usually you won't see them nearby. I hope that answers your question."

Carolyn understood most of Hanson's explanation, but there was a question that remained.

'Is there a reason why they don't appear near the village?'

She was curious, but she had a feeling that Hanson was purposefully skirting around the answer, so she didn't bother prodding.

"I think I get it."

"Good. You'll have a better idea about what I mean when you meet them. Do you have any other concerns related to the trip?"

"Yes. I forgot to ask previously, but how are we going to cross the river?"

"The ones that attacked your village fixed the bridge you severed, but it might be a trap, so I had some of my people build a new bridge that we can tear down once we're finished."

"Okay, that's all I wanted to ask about this trip. As for the funeral, did you find a place to put my parents' cenotaph?"

Carolyn planned on having her parents' funeral within a week after returning from the trip, so she had asked Hanson about a quiet place to place the cenotaph.

"Considering that it should be near the village but not frequently visited, I checked the areas in the vicinity of the forest and found a clearing behind Teri's house. There's a big boulder there; do you know it, Sir Teri?"

While Hanson usually called Teri with the title 'Doctor', he used 'Sir' when the circumstances didn't involve his opinion as a doctor. Teri still didn't like the title, but he ignored it with a frown. Although the two weren't born in the village, they had entered at different times, so Carolyn figured that they knew each other from outside the village, but she hadn't asked about their relationship.

"Oh, that place. I don't frequent it, but I've passed by it a few times. It sounds like a good idea, but have you checked if any big critters stroll by the area?"

"That shouldn't be a problem. I have ways to ensure that animals won't disturb their peace."

"In that case, what do you think, Missie?"

"I want to see it for myself, but if both of you like it, there shouldn't be a problem."

"I see. Could you show it to her, Sir Teri? I would do it myself, but I have to stay home for some other business."

"Sure. Let's go."

As Teri stood up, Carolyn followed him after saying goodbye to Hanson. Left alone in the room, Hanson leaned back on his chair and looked at the ceiling.

"...It won't be much longer now."

Almost an hour later, Teri brought Carolyn to the clearing that Hanson talked about. There was a faintly beaten path leading to the clearing, so it was easy to find once they neared the forest.

"So this is where he meant."

"That's right. What you think?"

The clearing was wide enough for three men to stand side by side with their arms spread apart. A boulder nearly twice Carolyn's height stood at the center of the clearing. The boulder drew her attention, so she approached it without thinking and laid a hand on its surface. The boulder's surface was cool and smooth, and combined with the shade provided by its shadow, this seemed like a good place to take a nap.

"You two were right. This would be the perfect place for them to rest."