‘Wow, this cleaning thing is a general feature it seems’. Steve was cleaning the curtains along a river to the east of windrow. Madilyn was quick at assigning non-stop work with the assumption that he was experienced and adequately classed for this type of work. Steve on the other hand was extremely tired for it being just after noon. The roof had been a challenge until he received his only class.
Washing was done, the wet curtain in the bucket, Steve started his 15-minute walk on an earthen path back towards windrow. ‘damn, I could use some more of that soup’. Surprisingly, Steve encountered no wildlife on this two-way travel to the river. He had expected some feral animal or a small monster and he had also planned to run as fast as possible if that happened. But, those never appeared. Just a strong sun and mild wind on his face, also an unexpected need to bathe.
When Steve returned to food-stop, he saw an extremely muscular, well-built man, maybe Steve’s age standing in front of the building. White satin-like torso with heavy plate-mail armor, broad shoulders, and a serious expression on his face as if to protect the place from smiles and happy thoughts. ‘damn, Madilyn knows how to select a bouncer’.
“Hello, you must be Steve, I am Glen Sabertooth and I am here to ask some questions regarding your kidnapping from tantrax”. Glen said with a much softer expression on this face. Madilyn just stepped out of the front door, “Let’s sit inside and talk then”. They all moved to a table inside.
“Mr. Steve, Madilyn has vouched for your work and identity but I would like to hear your story in full”. Glen said with a stern look on his face. Steve was intimidated by the dude and it was visible on his face. “Relax Steve, Glen is a childhood friend and he is a paladin at the order of Sera. He is basically above local security in matters concerning security, combat, law, and order, justice delivery, general administration and any relations with tantrax in general and specific too”.Madilyn’s chuckles got louder as the list of Glen jurisdiction in windrow got longer. “So, everything in windrow?” Steve enquired in a nervous tone. “Don’t worry he is the good guy and a big softie”. Madilyn responded by pulling on Glen’s non-existent cheek for which she got a death glare from Glen. She picked up the curtains and moved out of the room, maybe to hang the curtains outside, Steve guessed.
The one on one investigation was as follows:
“Mr. Steve, please state your full name and address for the investigation report.”
“Steve Grant, food-stop, windrow.”
“Please provide your old address in tantrax.”
“I was on my way moving to windrow when I got kidnapped.”
“ok, food stop it is. When did you get kidnapped, start from the beginning.”
“I was in my wagon moving to windrow with all my belongings, alone on the road, when I lost consciousness and woke up in the rain, on a farm.”
“Did you see your kidnappers?”
“Nope.”
“Hmmm... what belongings did you have on yourself when you were kidnapped?”
“Nothing precious, just clothes and a few silver.”
“Your reason to move to windrow?”
“Just wanted to get some money”
“Ahh... you're a plumber, Madilyn mentioned that.”
“yes, I can do plumbing.”
“Mr. Steve, I don’t wish to be rude or intrusive but are you above level 50 in any of your classes. Just asking to see if you are a potential threat to Ms. Madilyn and the village.”
“No, not even close.”
“What are your plans here in windrow.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“I am employed for the week here at food-stop, then I might have to find some jobs.”
“I think we are done here.”
From the answers, Glen had made a complete set in his mind. ‘The perpetrators left him in Madilyn’s farm south of windrow, by now they can be on their way back to tantrax to the north or to the dravian bay to the south. Very different modus operandi than what I have seen earlier, why leave the victim in a faraway place? why not just kill him?’ Glen’s thoughts were broken by Madilyn’s general chatter. “The shop is opening tomorrow Glen, bring Astria with you for the opening, there is no place for you guys to visit since you were transferred here. Bring the guys from the station too, I’ll think of a discount”. “Yes and yes, also I am on an official visit here Ms. Madilyn, so if you will excuse me”. So saying the paladin left the building.
“Who is Astria?” Steve was overwhelmed by the chatter in general but was catching up. “Astria is his wife and a mage in the order of Sera. Both of them are my dearest friends from childhood, also the government got a sweet deal on housing with transferring both of them here.” Madilyn said. “Your work for the day is done, I’ll just wash up and get ready for supper.” Madilyn continued. “If you want to take a bath, you’ll have to go to the river again. I got you some spare clothes too.”
“Thank you, I’ll do that. Please deduct that from my salary,” Steve requested as he opened the main door. “Already did,” Madilyn replied as she moved back to cooking.
‘Got to have a good bath after all that lying.’ Steve moved back to the river with his bucket and a bar of soap. Bathing in the river was a whole new experience, a whole new definition of the word running water. The sun was setting by the time Steve returned to food-stop. Madilyn had made sandwiches and Steve attacked those like wildlife, wildlife that he had not encountered all day.
No artificial lighting, so both Madilyn and Steve went to bed early. It was going to be a big day tomorrow.
--------------------
A sleeping Steve was startled by the knock on his room door. “Steve, there has been a skeleton attack on the village. Glen’s team is a bit injured. Deliver some bandages to them at the station.” A panic-stricken Madilyn was shouting on the other side of the door.
“SKELETONS? Is this a prank?” Steve asked wiping drool off his face.
“Move Steve, NOW!!”
A backpack filled with 20 bandages and a bottle of alcohol was ready for Steve when he got out of the room. He quickly put the bag on his shoulders and leaped for the door, stopping suddenly he asked, “Where is the station again?”
“Just run along the damn road, you’ll get there!!” Madilyn replied in a hurry.
Steve ran north towards the station. At the station, he saw an injured Glen and his injured four-member team, yet to be attended for their wounds. Steve promptly got to work. He planned to clean the flesh wounds with alcohol and apply the bandages to all of them. He started with Glen’s foot injury. Then it was Astria’s shoulder wound. The other 3 team members had minor flesh wounds which Steve fixed with much fewer resources. No major or permanent injuries were the highlight of the group.
“Skeletons you say,” Steve hit a conversation starter in the serious silence. “Yeah around 20 of them, showed up at the southern gate during the night patrol,” Glen explained.
“And you five got injured while fighting them, the rest of the team must be back at the southern gate,” Steve guessed.
“We are the team, we returned after the 20 skeletons were taken care of, but I must say Astria this is starting to get a bit heavy even for us, I mean every other day,” Glen said.
“We have to fight Glen, the village does not have any other fighting force. They have no chance of survival without us,” replied a grim-looking Astria. “You must be the kidnapped guy Glen interviewed today,” Astria said, pointing towards Steve. “Yes, that is me,” Steve replied.
Soon Madilyn arrived at the station with a backpack full of sandwiches for the station. “Hey, did Steve apply the bandages? Seems pretty good to me,” Madilyn exclaimed. Astria gave her a smile and a thumbs up. They all ended up having the sandwiches as a late-night snack. Steve ate one while the team discussed their strategy for the night.
‘Damn this is serious business, these guys saved the whole damn village today and according to Glen, this happens every other day! I hope I could help them in some way.’
A general feeling of helplessness was creeping into Steve’s mind as the adrenaline of the run and urgency was fading away. Steve stood there, in the station, head held low, nibbling on the sandwich, deep in thought, when it happened again.
[ Requirements met for class: Healer ]
[ Healer level 1 ]
[ Class feature obtained: Bandage of Service ]
[ Bandage of service: Bandages applied by you will heal 10 times faster than the bandage’s speed ]
[Do you accept ?]
A confident yes from Steve startled the room. Astria was the first one to pick up the sign, “Ah, you got bandage of service it seems. That is what happens when you apply a bandage on a paladin of the order of Sera with a feeling of selflessness. The goddess of service, courage, and sacrifice has blessed you.”
“Awwww, I should have done it then,” Madilyn looked up from her sandwich.
“You know him too well for this to be selfless,” Astria said.
Steve looked at his hands, “If it's 10 times faster, let me apply another bandage”. Steve went ahead with the reapplication of the bandages. Soon, Madilyn and Steve were on their way back to food-stop. After they left, Astria asked Glen, “We even have a healer amongst us now, you think it’s still heavy?”
In his reply, Glen gave a smile that his team had rarely seen on him.