Nene opened her eyes very carefully.

She saw the foliage of the dense forest. A pleasant twilight enveloped everything, a familiar warmth permeated her body.

Nila's face filled her field of vision. The woman laughed

«Are you okay?»

Nene gathered her thoughts: she had fallen, but she wasn’t hurt. She looked around, still unsure of what the situation was. She had panicked and lost track of time. Her last moments were confusing in her memories. She felt embarrassed when she realised she was between Nila's arms. The herbalist had caught her mid-air and they had tumbled to the ground together. Nene was curled up and almost shivering, like a baby, while Nila was laughing as if nothing had happened.

«I'm sorry…», she whispered.

«No, my fault. Maybe I w-went to fast. You didn't get hurt, did you?»

«I think not»

Nila smiled at her again. She seemed to be enjoying herself and Nene couldn't figure out why. She took a deep breath and tried to stand up. A stinging pain arose. Her left ankle was hurting. She moaned and stiffened.

«Oh, stay put», Nila ordered her. «Let me have a look»

She pointed to her sore foot. She felt like an idiot: she had sprained her ankle playing like a child. She was supposed to be an Inquisitor, a bulwark against the Evil One, and instead there she was, getting hurt in the woods and being cradled by a woman too kind to scold her.

«I have to take off your boot to get a better look. I-It might hurt you a little»

She nodded. Nila slipped off her shoe as gently as possible. Nene grimaced, since at the slightest touch, she felt a strong pain, and the herbalist was quick to notice.

«Oh my! I-I'm sorry, I…»

«It's nothing, I’m fine» she replied.

“Nothing compared to the cilice,” she thought to herself.

«Oh… You are really swollen. Poor thing»

Nene sighed. The whole circumstance was ridiculous. There were procedures for a purge. That case was certainly out of the ordinary, but she had already unnecessarily broken a thousand rules, not only for lack of preparation, but also because she had gotten a little carried away. As a result, she was stuck in a gorge with a sprained ankle.

«What am I doing?»

«Don't worry, I'm here»

Nila grabbed her hand, and smiled at her. She couldn't hold her gaze.

«I’ll try to get up»

«No, don't. The ankle will probably swell a lot, let's not make things worse»

That warning, firm but loving at the same time, left her helpless. She felt like a child in front of her wetnurse, and kept looking down.

«What do we do, then?»

«Uhm… I d-don't have the proper tools to treat you in the bag. You will have to rest f-for a while. I'll take you back to the village»

«But... we just arrived! What about the moss for your master? Also… how do you think of…»

«Nene…»

The herbalist grabbed her other hand. Nene wished to disappear, such was her discomfort, or maybe to stay like that for a while longer.

«I can come back for m-moss tomorrow. Trust me»

«You're right. I'm sorry, it's just that…. I’m relying on you for everything and…. I kind of feel guilty»

Nila stood up and scrutinised her for a few moments, thoughtful. Their height difference was enough in itself to intimidate Nene, the fact that she was pinned to the ground didn't help her feel any better.

«I'll carry you by shoulder. Spread your legs»

«Excuse me?»

«W-well I have to… well, l-let me handle this, okay?»

Only then did she notice that the herbalist looked as uncomfortable as she was. Nene had turned to a dead weight, cooperating without making a fuss was the bare minimum. She obeyed. Nila sat in front of her. She finally understood what her plan was: she would have to cling to her back for a piggy ride. She hesitated.

«Hop on»

«Are you sure you can do it?»

«I-I hope so», the herbalist admitted. «Luckily you're tiny»

Nene usually couldn’t stand remarks about her constitution, but Nila's tone was more that of a loving sister… or a master’s towards their pet. She chased away those useless thoughts, tried not to come up with new ones, and grabbed Nila by the shoulders.

«G-good. I’m getting up now»

Carefully and with unexpected ease, Nene was lifted off the ground. A few light jolts made her ankle hurt, but she was soon at ease. Maybe even too much. She found herself cheek-to-cheek with the young woman. Alas, she forgot to breathe.

«S-see? I-I can do it. Are you all right?»

«I think so»

Despite the uncomfortable situation, Nene relaxed. She felt safe, like when Nila had hugged her after the purification ritual.

«We'll have to take the longer way, I can't climb up from where we came down. If you’re h-hurting, tell me right away, understood?»

«Understood… Thanks, Nila»

Nila spun around and almost headbutted her full in the face.

«N-no, you know… it's my fault. I s-shouldn't have made you take the short route… Oh no, m-master Ezio will be f-furious…»

Nila pressed on, ignoring the mess of unfamiliar emotions she had aroused in Nene, with that very close face-to-face. Nene, for her part, tried to distract herself by looking around. Unfortunately, with each step Nila took, her ankle suffered a little, but she had no intention of complaining about it, or she would have slowed them down even further. Luckily they weren’t far away from the village.

The "longer way" Nila had talked about consisted of climbing up a slight slope, on the opposite side from which they had come down. Then, they went around the entire chasm back to their track. It wasn't a big deal per se, but Nila was carrying her along, as well as her bag. Why hadn't they followed that path from the beginning? She refrained from asking, or Nila would have felt even more guilty.

«I'd be in trouble, without you», she told.

The herbalist did not answer for several moments. Was she angry? She was hoping to improve her mood by chatting.

«I shouldn't have b-brought you here. You wouldn't got h-hurt in the first place»

«It was an accident. You said you have everything you need to heal me, back in town, right? If it works as well as last time, I'll be back on my feet in a few hours."

«B-but… that’s…»

«You have done nothing wrong»

She rested her head gently against Nila's shoulder. A moment later she stared at her in disbelief: what was she doing? What was the point of that? She didn't know what to do, so she did the worst thing possible and stood still. The herbalist kept walking, but stiffened noticeably.

«I… I'll have to make it up to you», Nene said.

«N-no. No… there is no need…»

«I insist. Even though I have no clue how to…», she admitted. «Is there… something you want?»

Hoping she wouldn't ask her to hunt the bear, Nene bit her lips. She was a complete mess at that kind of stuff. After all, she had been raised in an isolated and loveless place.

«I think… that after today's emotions, I would gladly have a b-beer at the inn»

She was surprised by that unexpected response, both because of its modesty and because, for some reason, she couldn't imagine Nila drinking booze.

«Okay. You will be my guest»

«Really?!»

Nila's tone, for some reason, became unusually high-pitched. That overreaction made Nene all the more curious. She craned her neck in an attempt to look at her face.

«Sure. Why not?»

She smiled at her, and she reciprocated. After a few moments, Nila finally made up her mind.

«I-I… never… went out for drinks with f-friends»

«I can't believe it! Argor told me that everyone in the village loves you. Did he lie to me?», Nene jested.

«N-no, I don't think so, but….»

Nila's breathing was starting to get heavy and ragged. Nene recognised their surroundings, a sign that they were on the right path. The sunlight was still intense, it was at least a couple of hours before sunset.

«You should take a break», she suggested. «Put me down and rest a bit»

«Yes, you're right…»

Nila walked towards a large boulder covered in moss. She gently dropped Nene on top of it, who let go of her. Finally, she sat next to her. Her face was red and wet with sweat, yet she seemed more worried about her than herself.

«Are you hurting?»

«No», Nene lied. «We're in no hurry, it's still early», she added, pointing to the sky.

The herbalist rummaged in the bag. She took out a shiny steel flask, an object that looked very expensive, which, like Nila's clothes, didn’t seem from the remote place that was the village of Dena.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

«Are you thirsty?», she asked.

«You should drink first. You're the one who's… Who's carrying me…», she replied, with a touch of embarrassment.

Nila took a quick sip, then handed her the flask. She took one too. The water was surprisingly cool. Yet she hadn't seen her fill it in a nearby stream or anything like that.

«This…is that water from the well? Does it come from the village?»

«Yes»

«And it's… still fresh? We've been away for a few hours now»

Nila sighed. She turned the flask over in her hands, then drank again.

«It b-belonged to my father. It has a coating o-on the inside… in short, it is an invention that keeps the water fresher for longer»

Nene realised she had hit a sore spot, and regretted her naivety.

«Forgive me. I was just curious…»

«Argor t-told you that everyone in the village l-loves me?»

They exchanged a glance. Nila's eyes were swollen. Nene stood there, feeling like an idiot, not knowing how to comfort her.

«Yes, something like that…»

«Well… m-maybe he meant… that e-everyone pities me…»

She took her hand. Nila had often done it to her. She hoped she would appreciate it, as she had.

«S-since… my father died… e-e-everyone treats me… with kid gloves…»

It was clear then why Nila had been surprised by a simple invitation for a beer. Ironically, the good intentions of Argor and the other villagers had made Nila an outcast. She finally knew what to do to pay her back.

«Nila, I'm so sorry…. All the more, be my guest tonight»

She wished she had chosen her words better, but her silly mind, overwhelmed with emotion, must have inadvertently quoted some goofy novel she had read in her spare time from training. The atmosphere, from gloomy, became embarrassing. Until Nila laughed. A faint laugh, still bearing tears in her eyes, but a laugh nonetheless.

«I will gladly oblige, mydame», she scoffed.

«Oh… um… Mine pleasure…»

They exchanged an embarrassed smile. Nila composed herself a little and put the flask back in her purse. After a few minutes spent in silence, they resumed their slow march towards the village.

They reached Dena when it was getting dark. Nila was out of breath again. Nene insisted on being put down, but Nila seemed determined to get her back to the inn as soon as possible. It was at that moment that they heard a familiar voice behind them.

«Hey! What happened to you?», Argor called.

The colossal innkeeper ran towards them. He was coming from the square, and he was holding a basket of wildflowers in one hand. He was back from some shopping, however a basket of flowers was not exactly what Nene would have expected to see him buy at the market.

«I-I took her into the woods and… She s-sprained her ankle»

«Tsk… City brat…»

«Excuse me?!»

«Argor, no», Nila interjected. «I-it's my fault. Please… d-don't tell my master»

The big man sighed and nodded. He stroked his chin for a moment, then glanced at Nene.

«Are you carrying her back to her room? Let me do it»

«Really? Thanks. In the m-meantime I'll go get something t-to treat you, Nene»

She reluctantly agreed. Nila bent down to dismount her. Nene put her healthy foot on the ground, leaning on the herbalist's shoulder. Argor wrapped her with one arm and lifted her as if she were a sack of flour.

«Hey!», she exclaimed in surprise.

«What?», he said.

«Argor, p-please be gentle», pleaded Nila. «You could h-hurt her»

The man grunted. Nene felt the urge to kick and punch him, such was the frustration of being lifted like that. He was so rough. The pressure on her stomach made her feel nauseous.

«I'll take care of the brat, don't worry»

«O-okay. Put her to bed, please»

«To bed?», Nene protested. «But…»

«You heard what the doctor said, child! Let's get going»

Nila, albeit not convinced, hurried away. Argor went straight for the inn, carrying Nene as if she were weightless.

«I told you not to cause trouble for Nila»

«I didn't do it on purpose!», she replied.

«Tch. I have better things to do than look after you, you know? I have yet to start decorating the inn for the solstice»

«Do you celebrate the autumn solstice around here?»

«Yeah. So what? Does the Church forbid it?»

«No, I didn't mean…»

The Church did not prohibit or promote any type of festivity, by principle, although in the past there had been cases, in the borderlands, of rituals of external origin. The Knights of the Church had forbidden their celebration as a precautionary measure. Being from the outside, they could not know if they were harmless festivities or propitiatory rites for the Evil One. At the Citadel, cadets never celebrated anything except their promotion to Inquisitors. Although calling it "celebrating" would have been an overstatement. Once they received the Archangel's blessing, they were simply given their first assignment.

«When will it be?», she asked.

«The solstice? In a week»

A silly thought, the kind that had crowded her mind since she had met Nila, took hold of her. She began to fantasise about staying in the village, seeing the unknown festivity with her own eyes. Perhaps, had she solved the emergency, she could have afforded to.

«Tell me more»

Argor kicked open the door of the inn and went for the stairs. The place was empty at that time of the day, and dark, for the hearth was out.

«Another time. Do you listen when I speak? I'm busy»

They arrived in her room. Nene, enraged by the innkeeper's manners, looked at the basket of flowers he was holding in his other hand.

«Flowers will wither in a week from now, you thick head!»

«Oh, shut up!»

Argor threw her on the bed in anger. Nene stiffened, her ankle aching, and moaned. She glared at that gigantic, uncivilised idiot.

«Sorry I ain’t reading you your bedtime story», he scoffed. «Be a good girl until Nila comes back»

The door slammed loudly. Nene clutched at her leg in pain. He had thrown her! Unbelievable! She slowly pulled off her boot and felt a little relief. She had been advised not to move. Was she supposed to sit there during a purge?

«I haven’t done much else today», she scolded herself.

She made herself comfortable as best she could, and waited.

----------------------------------------

«Nene? Nene, w-wake up»

She opened her eyes. Nila was sitting on her bed, patting her shoulder. She had dozed off.

«Oh… Did I sleep for long?»

«I don't think so… I just went to my master’s to get some things. It hasn't been long since I l-left you with Argor»

The innkeeper's name made her frown. She felt the urge to complain to Nila, vilify him throughout the whole village, but risking losing her accommodation seemed like a much worse fate.

«Does it hurt?»

«Yes», she admitted. «Do I really have to rest? How long? You know, I should be…»

«I'll do my best t-to get you back on your feet, but you have t-to listen to me. Please»

She nodded. Nila had previously proven her skills, getting in her way would have forced Nene to rest even longer or face a damned while limping. The herbalist reached for her bag. She took a cloth and her flask. She doused it with cold water and wrapped it around Nene's ankle, which stiffened.

«Did I h-hurt you?»

«No… No»

The cold reminded her of the cilice ritual. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

«What about those?»

She pointed to some wooden sticks that were left on her bed. Nila smiled.

«I brought these in c-case you misbehaved. If you don't stay in bed willingly, I'll have to s-splint your ankle»

Nila's false expression of reproach wasn't convincing at all, which made her laugh. There was no use worrying about something she couldn't fix. She would have continued her investigation as soon as she had recovered. There was no other solution.

«I got it»

«Good. You know, the elderly often overlook these things, that’s why many of them are c-crippled. My master told me»

«I understand, don't worry, I won’t»

Nila nodded. She was visibly nervous. She was most of the time actually, but she turned incredibly serious and focused while working. Did she still feel guilty about what happened that day? The cold bandage relieved Nene, although, even if she would have expected a more elaborate treatment, Nila collected her things instead.

«That’s it?», she asked.

«Yes… S-sorry, the best cure for these things…. is to rest»

«You think I’ll be able to walk, tomorrow?»

«Oh… I-I don't know. I'll come and visit you in the morning, ok?»

«Fine by me»

In her heart, Nene decided that the next day she would investigate again, regardless of her condition. She was wasting too much time. She had to find the damned. She could have followed Nila, taking advantage of her familiarity with people and her profession as an excuse to check houses one by one. It was a very straightforward plan, and it might have aroused suspicion, but she had all night to think better about it.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Whoever it was had a heavy hand. Nila jumped up and ran to open it. Argor came from the dark corridor, holding a huge pint of foaming beer in each hand.

«I-I thought…», Nila muttered. «You said that…»

«Of course», she smiled.

She had promised to treat Nila that evening, after all. What she forgot to mention was that she didn't mean to drink with her. The Church did not explicitly forbid alcohol, however its scholars believed that it was somehow connected to the onset of some illness. Furthermore, drunkards had a greater tendency to fall into the clutches of the Evil One.

The innkeeper left the pints on the table in her room, without saying a word, and left instantly. Nene breathed a sigh of relief. The less time she spent next to that grumpy man, the better. Also, though she would never have admitted it aloud, his size terrified her. Nila handed her a pint, and she hesitated.

«Is something wrong?» the woman asked.

«No… Maybe? I've never had beer»

«Oh, I see…. D-don't worry, I know… there are lots of rumours about it but… it's just a pint»

She finally accepted. Curiosity and gluttony prevailed over caution. After all, she had no intention at all to keep drinking, she just wanted to give it a try for once. It couldn't be such a lethal poison, since many people drank it regularly, yet they weren't all sick or damned…

«I have the Archangel's protection, don't I?», she whispered.

«W-what?», the herbalist asked.

«Nothing… Cheers?»

She chuckled. Nila grabbed her pint and took a sip.

«Cheers», she replied.

Nene finally drank. Foam tickled her nostrils, a bitter taste made her grimace. After a few moments, an unfamiliar sensation spread through her body, a slight warmth.

«Everything okay?», Nila asked.

«Maybe… I was aware it’s bitter, but… Do you really like this?»

«Well… Y-yes. Come on, you'll get used to it»

Nila's insistence made her feel like a little kid. She wasn't the type to admit her weaknesses. She drank again, and it was a little less traumatic than the first sip. After a few minutes and a few sips, Nene felt a little lightheaded, and more talkative than usual. Suddenly talking to Nila seemed so easy.

«What does an Inq… A-a person like you do in her spare time?», the woman asked.

«I don't know», she answered. «This is my first assignment…»

«R-really?»

She nodded. It was her second, still she was a complete rookie. Nila smiled and tried to hide her face behind the pint.

«What is it?»

«Oh, n-nothing… I-I was thinking… We're lucky they sent you. B-because you know… Well…»

She bowed her head. Nila was talking nonsense and had behaved weird all evening.

«You know, there are r-rumours about the Church… About t-the Knights, mostly…»

«Oh, I see… Yes, Knights are often on the drastic side. My Order and theirs do not agree on many things»

«Y-yes. Exactly! What I mean is… I'm glad they sent y-you»

Nila turned red. Nene, in return, was stunned. She had no idea how to act in that scenario. In the novels she had read during training, that was the moment when the protagonist took the opportunity to start talking about their feelings... But could she really call them that? She was slightly keen with a kind and attractive country woman, was it the case? She took a breath, drank a little beer, and calmed down. She would have had plenty of time to worry about such things once the assignment was complete. Nonetheless, there was no arm in flirting a little in the meantime.

«Nila?»

«Yes?»

«I thought…maybe I could…stay here for a while, when I'm done with the job»

The herbalist's eyes widened, and from red she became pale. Had she made her uncomfortable?

«Well... I promised you I'd help with that bear hunt, didn't I?»

«Oh, sure… T-thanks. But… can you?»

«Maybe…», she answered shyly.

Her mind began to race, an infinity of doubts and questions took possession of her. She wasn't sure whether or not she had done something wrong, what Nila had meant… She felt like a complete living failure. She wanted to hide under the covers and scream. It wasn't the first time something of the sort had happened, but usually Nila would have saved the day, saying something kind. Instead, she stood there, as if paralysed, sipping beer.

She was about to scream for real when she heard heavy footsteps outside the room. They both turned to the noise. The door was flung wide open. Nila gasped.

«Inquisitor!», Cosco shouted.

«Father! What's wrong with you? You didn't even knock!»

The priest looked around for an instant. He and Nila exchanged a long look, but neither of them said a word. Finally, the priest, out of breath, clinging to the door handle, composed himself.

«Forgive my manners. I didn't know you had company. Are you injured?», he asked, pointing to her bandage.

«It’s no big deal… What’s going on?»

Argor's heavy footsteps came from the corridor. Cosco's eyes widened, he paused for a long time and then said:

«Someone stole the holy water from the church!»