They left the lone brigand lying in the dirt of their former campsite. Delvin gave the man his final rites, urging his soul to go to its god - if it had one. They hadn't had the means to bury him. Even if they had, Taryn couldn't bring herself to look at the man she had killed. A few hours ago he had been trying to survive. He had placed his own survival above theirs, but such acts of self-preservation weren't uncommon in the world. Everyone was just trying to get by, after all.
Packing down the campsite and departing shortly after first light, the pair were well on their way to Weckerton, eager to leave the struggle of the night before behind them. Taryn still ached, and likely would for some time to come.
The remainder of the journey to Weckerton was quiet. Had they not been attacked last night, the whole trip from Redhaven would have been quite pleasant. Morning chill still hung in the air when the first of Weckerton's fields came into sight.
As they approached the town, the pair couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and the prospect of returning to the relative comfort and safety of civilization.
"My family's home is just up ahead." Delvin yawned as his horse trotted down the compacted dirt road. "I'm sure they won't mind us staying."
"Good, I've got some sleep to catch up on." The pair shared a bitter chuckle.
As the houses drew near, the road began to curve, cresting its way through the town in a gentle arc. Quaint houses lined the road on either side, made of mud, straw, and thatched roofs. Weckerton was home to just over 200 people, barely a fraction of the bustling crowds of Redhaven. What it lacked in liveliness, it made up for in charm, and a sense of tight-knit community. Despite its small size, the town was bustling with signs of life as people went about their daily tasks, tending to fields, animals, and shops. The air was filled with the sounds of children playing, chickens clucking, and the distant lowing of cattle. Rolling hills and fields surrounded the town, dotted with crops and livestock. Weckerton was a simple and humble place, but it was home to its residents, who loved and cherished it for all its imperfections.
Taryn and Delvin arrived at a small cottage on the southern edge of the town, dismounting and tethering their horses to a nearby post. Delvin stood before the door to the home, lips pursed - his fists clenching at the side of his robes. He exhaled deeply, and knocked on the door. For a brief moment there was a deafening silence as Delvin ever so subtly swayed from side to side.
The door creaked open, and a woman stepped into the light. She had a sturdy frame, and looked to be in her mid-forties. Her hands were rough and calloused; her skin, sun-kissed. She wore her tangle of dark brown hair in a rough braid that cascaded down her back. When she saw Delvin, her eyes went wide, and she lurched forward to hug him.
"Delvin! What are you doing here?" She held him tightly.
"Hello Mother. It's been a while..."
"A while? Delvin, we haven't seen you for at least a year!"
"I know, I'm sorry. My duties in Redhaven have kept me rather busy."
"Too busy to visit your only family?"
"Well, I'm here now, aren't I?"
"You are." she squeezed again, before releasing him. "And I see you've brought a friend..."
"Ah yes!" Delvin whirled and proceeded to make introductions. "Mother, this is Taryn, a Cleric of the Order. Taryn, this is my mother, Brigid."
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"It is a pleasure to meet you, ma'am..." Taryn said, offering a slight bow of respect.
"My oh my... Such busy times for Weckerton." Brigid mused. "When it rains it pours, I suppose."
Delvin raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you're here, aren't you? Nary a day after another traveler passed through from the city. Not to mention old William, the blacksmith."
"What about him?"
"Why, he left for Redhaven a few days ago. Heading to the city to buy a horse for the village. Our old mare is on her last legs, and without a replacement... well, it wouldn't be good."
"William... when did you say he left?"
"Would have been about two days ago? Though, he was on foot. Wouldn't have needed to go at all if we had a steed to spare. You might have even passed him on your way in." She chuckled.
Delvin shot Taryn a wary look. Her eyes were trained on the ground, her lips pursed.
"Well, not to worry, once he finds us a reliable beast in the city, the return trip should be quicker, not to mention safer." Brigid stepped back, clearing the entryway to her humble home. "But please, come in! I imagine you'll be needing somewhere to stay while in town, yes?"
"If you can spare the room, it would be much appreciated." Delvin said
"If I can spare the room? For my own son, and his..." she gestured to Taryn.
"Colleague." Delvin finished her sentence. While he wasn't wrong, Taryn found the use of the word something of a blow. In the time they'd spent together, she would have called him a friend, at the very least.
"Yes. Your colleague." Her gaze drifted discerningly between Delvin and Taryn, before she turned away. Unsettled by the scrutinizing gaze, Delvin turned to Taryn with a puzzled look. All she could do was roll her eyes, and urge him forward, into the house.
"How long will the two of you be staying?"
"Oh... just a couple of days. We've some Order business to tend to nearby, but we'd also like to offer our services to the town while we are here. Any healing you might need, and whatnot."
"Ah well it's good to know the Order hasn't forgotten little old Weckerton, but that won't be necessary, son."
"What do you mean? No ailments in the town? No injuries?"
"Oh no, we have our fair share of ailments, but they get tended to."
"By whom?" Delvin asked, surprised.
"Kindly old man, comes through town once a week or so for supplies. He tends to our sick and injured, and we give him food, and whatever else he and his need."
"He and his? He is from another settlement?"
"Oh no, I think he's one of them druids. You know the type. Lives in the trees, prays to The Mother, tends to the land, and all that. Looks the part, anyhow."
"Curious... I wasn't aware of any Druid Circles on this side of Harper's Hill..."
"Oh, I'd imagine it's just him and his family, considering the meager food he takes back with him. Not a whole Circle like in the stories." Brigid speculated. "But enough about all that, you two must be starving. Can I get you anything to eat?"
"Yes, please." Delvin accepted graciously. As Brigid turned to prepare something, Taryn leaned in.
"Order's not going to like this..."
"What, the Druid?"
Taryn nodded. "They'll think he's trying to convert Weckerton."
"Oh, I'm sure they won't mind. They haven't had a presence in Weckerton... Well, ever. And the Order is very accepting of Almek's worshippers."
"Almek isn't the only nature god, Delvin..."
"What, you mean..." Delvin lowered his voice to a hushed whisper. "Crild, and the like? The Dark ones?"
Taryn nodded.
"Absurd. What interest would worshippers of Crild have in a place like Weckerton? Dark God worshippers aren't known for their acts of philanthropy."
"What interest would Velrand's worshippers have in sharing knowledge of diseases with you?"
Delvin was caught off guard by the logical retort, as if he had not seriously considered the question until these two thoughts coalesced. "I... I'm sure they respect scholarly diligence. And besides, perhaps they would be interested in an exchange of knowledge."
"What are you going to teach the children of the architect of all diseases?"
"I know many things!" Delvin sputtered, uncertainty seeded in his mind. "And my knowledge extends beyond diseases."
"Is everything okay over there?" Brigid enquired, attention drawn by the increasing volume of the hushed argument.
"Yes, mother. Everything is fine. We are just debating some of the finer philosophical aspects of Aleria's teachings."
Delvin and Taryn ate, and slept in the humble home, despite the sun having only just peaked in the sky. The restless night they had endured left them sapped of energy, and they would need all of their strength to face the trials ahead.