My time in the bath soon became an impromptu medical clinic. The discussion with the very pregnant Inga and her mother opened the floodgates for others to approach. Now, Madam Yrsa, the village's herbologist, was no slouch in medical knowledge, but there were things I could see that she could not. The only thing I asked for was a towel to cover myself.

I spoke to a little under a dozen women of all ages, from a mother with two young children, with whom I did a quick health check to three post-menopausal women who wanted to discuss their issues. None were in dire straits, but life had taken a toll on many of them. It soon became apparent that it had been some time since a healer spent time in the village.

Nothing life-threatening, but even the most minor ailment could impact one's quality of life. So, I did a little healing and doled out medical knowledge. Small things like fixing Inga's mother's arthritis in her knees, discussing the best herbs to help with insomnia, to healing a light case of eczema. Small to me, perhaps, but to the village's women, life-changing. And to my embarrassment, every jack one of them seemed to have a gynecological question.

Throughout all of this, I found myself channeling my mother. Now, I love my dad, but he shows little emotion if it's not taxes, his wife, or baseball—the preverbal emotional range of a radish. My mom, on the other hand, extrudes warmth. You couldn't help but feel comfortable being near her. I have always thought I was more like my father but here and now. I was wondering what else had changed that I was unaware of.

"That was very kind of you," Revna said as the three of us departed the bathhouse.

"I would feel bad for not sharing the gift I was given. Plus, my mother would be disappointed if I hadn't," I explained and started to say goodbye thinking the girls would head off to work.

Revna instead slipped her arm into mine. "We were told to walk you to the Garthom Company. Mom's working in the kitchen with dad for lunch, so we have off till this evening."

"OK, not that I mind, but you two know I am more than capable of walking there alone."

"Of course, just like you can dress yourself?"

I stopped and gave Revna a look, which she ignored. "I know how to dress."

"And know how to fix your hair." Frida grinned.

I found myself pouting. "Fine, whatever."

Someone must have asked the villagers not to bother me too much, most likely Waymond. I didn't mind them talking to me as I wandered around, usually in ones or twos. The girls were also helpful, somehow knowing when I began to feel overwhelmed.

Although I think someone had enough after another impromptu clinic in the bathhouse. Eira, who was feeling better, had been giving me a tour of the company store when one of the servants announced that the mayor wanted to speak with me.

With head bowed, he said, "Lady Alexandria, let me apologize. Although I appreciate your willingness to help, I am displeased that our wives haven't allowed you to bathe peacefully."

"Really, there is nothing to apologize for."

Waymond frowned. “I disagree.”

Eira turned to her husband, who had joined us a moment before. "Gomes, let us speak about this in the downstairs parlor."

So, the four of us took seats in the second-largest room in the house. Servants scurried about, setting down some drinks before stepping back to allow us to talk.

"Now, Alex, I know you don't mind, but Waymond here is correct. They should allow you some peace inside the bathhouse," Gomes said.

I couldn't help but sigh. It really wasn't that much of an imposition; however, they were probably right.

"Still, I don't mind helping," I insisted.

Eira reached over and squeezed my hand. "My husband and I spoke a little about this recently. We would love to take you under contract if you are willing. At least until you decide what you wish to do going forward."

Waymond looked startled at that announcement and then sighed. “Unfortunately, I’m sure you’re aware most of the villagers cannot afford the services of a healer.”

I was about to say something about not having to be paid when Eira gave me a smile. “I know what you’re thinking, but tell me, weren’t you well compensated at home.”

I opened my mouth a couple of times, then just nodded, unable to explain that I was making video games, not healing.

“Don’t worry, Waymond, the Garthom Company's willing to front most of the cost. I know my grandfather will be happy that we’re on good terms with a healer.” Gomes then turned to me and said, “Would that be acceptable, my lady?”

Later I couldn’t decide if he was amused or impressed that I had dealt with employment contracts before. But, as things went, it was straightforward, and I became more of a consultant than an employee. All I needed to do was be available to heal, which I would have done anyway. If I needed a place to stay or if I wanted to travel, then a spot on one of their caravans would be made for me.

Thankfully, besides checking on Inga, who gave birth three days later, there was little use for my services in the village of Erith. On occasion, I would shadow Madam Yrsa. More often, the two of us, often with Eira or one of the girls, would sit around drinking fruit wine and discussing the benefits of medicinal herbs. However, as we walked among the villagers, I did end up dealing with the more chronic issues. By then, I realized I had been in this world for over two weeks.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

I still had questions and needed answers, though. Why me? The son of an accountant and a doctor. I made video games for a living—nothing world-changing. I was nobody special. Yet here I was, transported to a new world; however, I have been fortunate. Especially so when Gomes invited me into his home. They could have simply treated everything as a business transaction but instead were warm and welcoming. This has allowed me to decompress. Everything slowed down; the village went back to its everyday day-to-day life.

My peaceful life, however, was about to come to an end.

“Girl, where’s your master?” A booming male voice called out to me, almost making me drop a bottle of soap.

“Ricard,” another voice called out. “She obviously doesn’t work here.”

“Gods, must we always be so loud,” a third person joined in.

I looked up as five people entered the company store. The three males and two females all were armed and armored differently. Two of the men wore steel cuirasses and mail hauberks, the rest wore heavy leathers, but then a sixth person, a young woman in blue robes, followed the group into the store.

“Lady Alexandria,” a familiar voice called out from behind me. “The Mistress was looking for you.”

“Oh, Sabina.” I gave the servant a smile. “Please tell her I’ll be right there; Conrad mentioned that they just received a shipment of soap she recommended, and I wanted to find a bottle.”

“Lady Alexandria.” I heard one of them whisper.

“Shit,” whispered another.

And speaking of the Devil. I lifted up the dark blue bottle and asked, “Conrad, was this the soap Eira mentioned?"

The store company’s manager, who had just walked through the door from the back, set down a small box and nodded. “Indeed, my lady.”

“Excellent,” I said, then pointed to the group by the other door. “I believe they are looking for you.”

Eira gave me a small smile as we soaked in the hot pool in the bathhouse sometime later. It had become a bit of an afternoon ritual for us. Since the talk with Waymond, I usually spent it in peace; however, the young woman sitting in front of me was obviously in pain.

“Turn your wrist over, Diana; how does that feel?” I inquired after healing a pretty serious sprained wrist. Not sure how she managed to do that milking cows, but it looked like it hurt.

“Thank you ever so much, my lady,” she said with a bright smile, then after a quick discussion on some good wrist stretches, she scampered back to her giggling friends.

“So, you were explaining to me how the Adventures Guild works. The group I met this morning was Bronze ranked, I think. So, they don’t go through apprentice, journeymen, and master?”

“Oh, they do but let me explain more,” Eira said. “Guild laws as written by the kingdom do have the traditional three. However, the adventurers added a few of their own. Apprentices start as Tin and then advance to Copper. Journeymen begin at Bronze and then advance to Silver, while the Master adventurers start as Gold and then advance to Orichalcum.”

So very different from gaming in Avalon Online. Part of me wanted to join, but the dangers were all too real. I also didn’t want to become too invested in this world, already knowing I would miss the friends I had made. And as much as I loved this little village, I wanted to go home.

Information around here didn't appear to be forthcoming, so Gomes had written a letter to his grandfather to see the Company could get in touch with their contacts in the kingdom. It was sent by barge so that any return message would still take a few more weeks.

“Are there a lot of Orichalcum adventuring parties?”

“No, it’s quite uncommon. Although my husband would know more, I believe the average rank is Bronze. They handle most of the jobs within our kingdom. For example, Ricard and his group usually come later in the year to help Yrsa with her herb gathering. The rest of the time, they contract with the company as caravan guards. Although, they added a mage to their group, so perhaps that has changed.”

The mage, much like myself, looked different from those in the village. About my height, graceful with smallish-sized breasts and gentle curves, with long, black hair draped over her shoulder in a rope braid. Obviously, she made an impression, so sue me.

Actually, I half expected after the attack of the Redcaps for a request to be sent to the guild; however, that didn’t seem to be the case. Traveling through this part of the kingdom was just hazardous and getting attacked by monsters was just something one needed to deal with.

Suddenly, there was some commotion at the other end of the bathhouse. With some amusement, we watched Frida enter the bathhouse, toss her clothes to Myra, then make a beeline to the hot pool.

“Do you mind if I join the two of you, Alex?” She stopped herself right before jumping into the pool, which wasn’t something you did.

“Are you going to wash yourself off first?” I asked with a grin.

“Oh,” she exclaimed, tottered off, then reappeared a few minutes later.

Slipping into the water next to me, she said, “So are you joining them?”

“Joining who, dear?” Eira asked.

“Wandering Wolves. I heard from Maude, who overheard them talking when she was at Madam Yrsa’s shop,” she explained excitedly.

The confusion must have been on my face. Eira explained that it was the adventuring group name that I met this morning.

“Interesting name, now for what, and why ask me? I am not a member of the guild.”

“Adventures would love to have a healer in their party, especially if they want to raise their rank,” Eira explained.

Upon returning, Sabina approached and said that Gomes wanted us to join him in the downstairs parlor. Looking inside the room, I could see that Frida’s rumor might be correct, but at least my bath time hadn’t been interrupted.

It might also be a little more formal than the group was used to by how uncomfortable some looked. Well, for me as well, I guess, doesn’t every adventure supposed to start in a tavern?

Eira just sat back as Gomes introduced the group. “Lady Alexandria, may I introduce you to the Wandering Wolves.”

“Ricard, my lady.” He gave me an embarrassed smile and then sat back down.

A redheaded man who had also been wearing a steel cuirass earlier introduced himself with a deep voice. “Names, Arne.”

One of the women gave a little finger wave. “Names Bernice and this is my cousin Zelda, but her real name is Griselda, but she doesn’t like to be called that.”

Zelda just mumbled something but nodded and then nudged the guy next to her.

“Odel.”

“And I am Haxa Petra of House Skarin,” the blue-robed girl stood up and gave a small curtsey and smile before taking a seat.

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you a little more formally,” I said.

That at least got a small laugh.

“My lady, if you’re not aware, we are the adventuring group that has escorted Madam Yrsa out to the Blue Fields for the last few years,” Ricard began. “We had other plans, but Haxa Petr believes that with your help, we can clear the Torsten Ruins.”

That got my interest.

“So, your group wishes to advance to Silver?” Eira asked.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“But Torsten has been cleared before. I think the last time was in my father’s time, but it doesn’t seem to take,” Gomes commented.

“I believe that the ruins can be purified between the two of us,” Petr spoke up.

Odel shook his head and looked at me, “No disrespect, my lady, but you appear to be one who’s more comfortable in a Viborg salon than a dungeon.”

Funny enough, I wasn’t insulted, however. “Perhaps that’s true, but I am not against trying.”

“Alex,” Eira sounded concerned.

“I really didn’t like that place,” I insisted. I really didn’t.

“Still not sold on this, but she will need to wear something that offers better protection than that dress,” Odel remarked dryly.

Gomes, who, like his wife, didn’t look particularly happy, offered, “I believe we can manage to find something.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Petr announced, giving me a pointed look. “That outfit Lady Alexandria wears offers more protection than Ricard’s armor.”

Everyone else looked at me in surprise.

Right, mage.

“I knew she should have worn the red and gold dress today,” I heard Eira murmur.