Returning to the Village III

Once Hanson left with the six who would be accompanying Carolyn on her trip back to her village, she returned to the house to see Teri.

"Have they left?" Teri asked upon hearing Carolyn enter the house with a cup of tea in his hand.

"Yes, they just did."

"What do you think of the fellows he brought along?"

"Hmm, they don't seem that strange, but at the same time, I don't think I've ever met anyone like them before. Still, I think we can manage to get along."

"That's good."

"Have you met them before, Mr. Teri?"

"From time to time. There's some people who know basic medicine working for the city boy, but he tends to call me if anything serious happens. I don't like getting involved in his work, but they help protect the village, so it's hard for me to say no."

"Hmm."

"What?"

"It's nothing. I was just thinking that you and Mr. Hanson are actually rather close."

"Hah? What gave you that idea?"

"Well, even though you complain the entire time, you always give him a hand when he needs it."

"That's not..."

Teri tried to refute, but as he reviewed his memories, it did seem like he was always helping Hanson when he was in trouble.

"Ehem, anyway, you should get your stuff together before dinner. You'll have to be up early tomorrow, so it's best you go to bed early too."

"Okay."

Carolyn then went into her room. She had already packed the essentials in the bag that she brought into the village and left anything extraneous in her mother's bag. Her father had brought her camping before, so she had a good idea of what she was doing, and when she asked Hanson for advice, he didn't have any particular issue with her plan.

Nonetheless, as she thought about her destination for tomorrow, unease set inside her stomach. While she didn't have any intention of changing her mind, fear and anxiety still plagued her. To somewhat settle these feelings, Carolyn took a deep breath and then grabbed the silver necklace from beneath her blouse. She had only discovered it after reaching the village, but the necklace was still a precious connection to her mother.

"I hope I'm not bothering you, but,"

Carolyn gently laid her lips on the sceptre and shield centerpiece.

"Please."

With the centerpiece enclosed by her right hand, Carolyn closed her eyes and raised her hands to her forehead as if praying. She didn't want to make the same mistake of relying on someone else to save her, but just for this last time she told herself, she would ask her parents to watch over her.

That night, Carolyn went to bed earlier than usual and was luckily able to wake up without a nightmare. With such a great start for the day, Carolyn got herself ready optimistically. Considering the route they would be taking, Carolyn used her shiny rock hair tie to fit her hair into a ponytail. She also wore an outfit similar but more suitable than her training outfit: a mud brown pair of pants with a dagger sheathed at the waist, a long sleeved jacket of similar colour, and a black shirt under the jacket.

She planned on making and having a light breakfast before leaving, but when she went to the kitchen, she found a warm dish already prepared. Common sense told her that Teri was the one responsible, but she didn't see him around, and he would likely act ignorant even if she asked him. After gratefully finishing the meal, Carolyn left a thank you note and exited the house with her bag, bow, and quiver of arrows.

This was the first time Carolyn had walked through the village fully geared up like this, so she naturally attracted the gazes of the early risers who were out in the field despite the sun merely peeking over the horizon.

"Morning, Carolyn. Where you going all dressed up like that?"

"Morning, Mr. Robert. I'm going camping upstream with some friends."

"Oh, alright. Stay safe."

"I will. Thanks."

Carolyn knew that by answering one person, the rest of the village would soon hear the news so she was honest while concealing the whole truth. Besides Hanson and Teri, she had only told Atla about this trip because of her strong trust in her. Those who remembered that she escaped from up the river to arrive at the village might be able to draw closer to the truth, but as long as she didn't confirm such guesses, it wouldn't be a big deal. One could argue that there was no need to hide her destination, but Carolyn didn't want to make the villagers worry about her.

The meeting place was at the edge of the village, near the river where Atla and Alan had found Carolyn. To get there, she had to pass the village square and then continue on the path going west. The closer she got, the fewer villagers she found nearby, until eventually she spotted a small group at the end of her path.

"Ah, Ms. Carolyn. Good morning."

"Good morning, Mr. Hanson, everyone."

It was the same group of seven that she met the previous day, except this time everyone other than Hanson wore outfits similar to Carolyn except for varying amounts of leather armour and chainmail vests. Perhaps as they would be the two closest to her on this journey, Harold and Kathy were the most heavily equipped, but only Adam wore a helmet despite seeming to be the least equipped with only a chestplate. As for luggage, Carolyn was by far the one with the most, so she became slightly worried.

"Mr. Hanson, do you think that I brought too much?"

"Did you stick to what you told me?"

"Yes."

"And it's no heavier than what you brought when you fled here?"

"Yes. It's much lighter, actually."

"Then I think it's fine. Adam?"

"There shouldn't be a problem with her bag, but, that bow, can she really use it?"

"Adam," Hanson stressed.

"It's okay; he has a reasonable question. I'm a little rusty, but I don't mind giving a demonstration."

Since recovering, Carolyn worked full-time as Teri's assistant, but she hadn't forgotten to resume the training her father put her through. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to find the time to hunt, so she lacked practice against moving targets.

Although he found Adam's behaviour rude, Hanson was also curious about Carolyn's archery skills, so he asked her to aim at a tree 10 paces away, which was around the length of 50 adult men's feet. The arrows Carolyn had lacked metal heads, but she had done similar training before, so she was confident that the wooden tips could still pierce the tree trunk as long as she performed as usual.

After the others gave her space, Carolyn put down her bag and adjusted her stance. She held the bow, which was about half her height, in her left hand and matched it with an arrow in her right hand. After a deep breath, Carolyn raised her bow and arrow, took aim at the designated tree, and pulled the bowstring until it became taut. At this time, even Hanson could tell that the air around her had changed significantly. Like a wolf stalking its prey, she locked on to the tree trunk, and just as a leaf fluttered down into her sight, she released the arrow.

With the sound of a whistle, the arrow pinned the leaf to the tree trunk.

"Splendid!"

Sounds of applause followed Hanson's compliment. When Carolyn relaxed her stance and looked in his direction, she saw that all seven of them were clapping. She wasn't sure if she had impressed them that much, but they appeared satisfied at the very least.

"Thank you."

"I trust there's no problem now, Adam?" Hanson asked.

"None at all."

Adam showed no reaction, but there was sincerity in his tone. After Carolyn retrieved her arrow and picked up her luggage, they went through the itinerary for the trip and then said farewell to Hanson.

"I trust that you all will ensure that she comes back safely."

"Yes, Sir!"

The six members of Hanson's organisation responded in unison, with their postures straight. Hanson nodded at their display and then turned to Carolyn.

"I will eagerly await your return."

"We'll only be gone for a day, Mr. Hanson."

"Indeed, but I believe that your growth will surprise when that day is over."

"I'll try my best."

Carolyn then faced the guide and guards that would be accompanying her.

"I'm ready."

With her confirmation, they took their positions around her, and Adam led the way.