David didn't resist when they guided him up. He just moved along in the middle of the group as they continued their journey. They tried to get more information out of David, but soon found out the pointlessness of their efforts. George hammered David with questions that often only led to more questions which inevitably ended when David said something that ended the conversation. Their exchanges often went along a line like this.

“Where are you from.”

“Born in Montgomery, lived in Springfield, died in Richmond.”

“You died?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Don't know.”

“How?”

“Cancer.”

“What's that?”

“A bad way to die.”

While George was the most curious of the four, everyone had a question for the stranger in their mist. Regardless of what they asked, David responded with the same dead tone. So it was to everyone's joy when the walls of the town eventually came in sight.

“Dai,” Bill gently tapped his partner to get his attention. “Dai, we're almost there.”

“Does it matter?” David countered. “Only thing that 's going to happen is they'll kick me out.”

“We won't do that.” George replied. “You still need to fix my hands.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

That caused some life to enter David's eyes. After the battle George's hands returned to their bloody state instead of the claws.

“You have a bottle?”

George actually smiled at that. “Yes, we have bottles that you can use.”

“Don't know why were doing this.” Griped Bells.

“Because if he can heal George he can heal the others.” Rognar answered. “He might be able to heal Jess.”

Whatever Bells might have said to that died in his throat as he plodded forward. The group was met halfway to town by an armed escort. The humans acknowledged each other before looking at the four newcomers.

“What do we have here?” Asked the one in front. From what David could tell, he was male and in front. David decided to call him Front Man.

“Found them on the road. This one,” Rognar pushed David a bit forward, “Said he could heal George's hands if he had a bottle. We also have information the Alderman needs to know.”

“And those three?” Front Man gestured towards the rest.

“We're with him.” Bill answered. At some point he took up his place on Princess. “Princess is my mount so I can keep up and Mist is his apprentice.” Mist jerked at that revelation while David continued on his plodding.

“You're goblins.”

“You have good eyes Front Man.” David answered. He found his path blocked by spears, and Front Man. David attempted to go around, but the guards kept him back. “Now can I heal George before I get kicked out of your town?”

Front Man frowned at that before looking behind him. He raised an eyebrow at George who seemed to deflate.

“We need to speak to the Alderman. Dai...he just needs a place to rest.”

“And a bottle.” David said. “I said I would fix your hands and I will fix your hands.”

Front Man attempted to stare David down but the intensity just washed off him. All the leader saw was a broken man, something common enough whenever new blood comes in. Cracks formed on the mask he wore before nodding.

“Alright,” Front Man said. He turned back towards the gates, gesturing for the group to follow. David just moved with the same pace he had been traveling since their encounter with the hooded being. David didn't pay attention to everything else as they moved. His focus remained just ahead of his feet as his mind did the best to wrestle with his day. He ate the food placed in front of him and didn't really taste it. He used the plants and the bottle to make an elixir for George, but didn't notice if George used it. The only real reaction anyone got out of him was when he was shown a place to sleep. A smile broke on David's face at the simple cot as he collapsed into blissful sleep.