Chala led them through the wilderness. They made a beeline toward the first village he saw her in. The first houses were in sight when he stopped and looked at her. He nodded, “You walked through the pain without complaint.” Then he stepped toward the settlement. Jessica snorted, “I guess that’s a compliment.” She shook her head and followed.

  They sat at a table in a dark corner of the inn. Jessica was eating ravenously. Chala looked in silence. When the last piece of food had been shredded, he spoke, “You’re not going any further in this state. You stay here. I’ll be back in a few days with a carriage.” The recruit looked at her mentor, a confused expression on her face. The man locked eyes with her and added, “I’m coming back for you.” She hated herself for it, but she felt relief at those words.

  He was about to get up but froze. “There’s a good healer in this village. Go see her tomorrow,” he said, not meeting her eyes. He walked toward the counter and slid a purse toward the owner. “She stays a few days, only the best food. If anything happens to her, I’m holding you personally responsible.” The man paled and slowly nodded. He took the purse. Chala walked out without glancing back. Jessica's gaze lingered dreamily on the door. So you’re a caring human wearing a cold mask. I think I prefer it this way around.

  After a while, Jessica decided to see the healer immediately. She asked the bartender for directions and walked off. The healer's house was a small crumbling building in the middle of a wild garden, seemingly unkept but flourishing with hundreds of plants she had seen only in books before. The scholar stopped to admire it, searching her memory for their names. She finally shrugged and knocked on the door. A small old lady, all wrinkles and smiling opened. “Yes, my dear? How can I help you?” The young female looked down at her legs self-consciously. The fabric was soaked in dry blood. The exposed wound was a sinister smile, oozing a yellow liquid in silence. The healer gaped, then ushered Jessica inside. “Come, my child, I’ll take care of you.”

  Jessica sat in a chair while the old lady cleaned her wound. Strips of bloody clothes lay in a corner. She recognized the white liquid and braced for pain. But she only felt a mild tingling. The old lady noticed and commented, “This is a healer’s quarter. We’re not in the field.” She delicately continued to inspect the wounds, removing any foreign pieces stuck inside. “You’re a hunter?” Jessica was slightly surprised. She didn’t know what to answer, so she replied, “Not yet.” The healer nodded in understanding. “Baptism by fire, hu? I’ve always said the recruiting methods of those fanatics were crazy.” The young female let out a small crystalline laugh. She met the healer's gaze. The wise eyes were sparkling with mischief and motherly love.

  Then she pinched the flesh next to the wound. Jessica's eyes grew wide. She saw the motion but didn’t feel anything. The healer nodded and took a needle and gut string. The scholar looked fascinated as the sides of the gaping wound were being sewn together. There was no pain. It was like looking at someone else's body being repaired. She shook her head in amazement. Then she wriggled her toes. Just to be sure.

  The healer left the room and came back with a small plate. “I made apple pie, have a bite.” Jessica took a small bite. It tasted like compassion and safety. It tasted like home. She slowly let the taste fill her. A single tear streaked her cheek. She felt the lady's warm hand on her shoulder. “It’s alright, love, you can let them out.”

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  A cozy silence echoed in the little house. The healer moved around the house, giving Jessica some rest. The old lady took some pots from the shelf and put different plants in a big mortar. She added a greasy substance and quietly ground them all together. She glanced at Jessica from time to time. When she saw she was ready, she said, “I respect the hunters, they saved our village twice already. And seeing how you came to me, that makes it thrice, doesn’t it?” Jessica took a deep breath, exhaled, and nodded. “Who is your mentor? Is he in town?” Jessica simply answered, “It’s Chala. He went to get a carriage.” She frowned at her legs. The old lady's eyes grew wide, “THE Chala? My, oh my, you must be quite the promising student.” Jessica tried not to smile, then burst into laughter, “Yes, I get that a lot.”

  The healer smiled, then she approached Jessica, applied the unguent on the wounds, and wrapped them in bandages. “Come back tomorrow,” then she locked eyes with Jessica and added, the mischievous glint dancing wildly, “And no monster hunting until then.” The young lady's body shook with suppressed laughter, “Understood…” Then she grew serious again, “And thank you.” This was met with a warm smile. Then the grandma gently shooed her away.

  The next day, Jessica walked toward the cozy house with a spring in her steps. The door opened before she could even knock. The dancing eyes and the smile welcomed her in. Taken by the moment, she gave a quick hug to the old lady. The grandma let out a little surprised gasp before returning the embrace.

  The bandages were changed, and the two women sat at the table, enjoying a slice of chocolate cake and drinking tea. Jessica prodded, “The village was saved by hunters before?” The old lady lay her spoon down, her gaze glazed in the distance as she remembered. “The first time I was in my twenties. Monsters appeared and started wreaking havoc and causing death in the village. We hid for three days before a hunter came. A young one, so handsome. He fought with just a shadowy dagger. He killed all of the monsters. The villagers brought him to me afterward. He was badly hurt, I had to use all my supplies and guts to patch him up.” She then smiled wickedly at Jessica, “I had a huge crush on him.” Jessica giggled. Then the healer added, “A bit like you with your mentor.” Jessica was about to protest, then she decided that snorting and rolling her eyes were all it was worth.

  It was the third day after Chala's departure. The healer gently prodded the wrinkled skin around the wound. “It’s healing up nicely, there won’t be complications.” Jessica's eyes widened as she took in the damage to her beautiful legs. Then she shook her head in disapproval at herself. Still alive, don’t complain. The cake and tea ritual was proceeding in quiet coziness. A loud knock on the door interrupted the sacred moment. The door opened before the old lady had time to get up. Chala stood in the doorway, a dark figure surrounded by light.

  The hunter stepped forward. “Good morning, Jessica.” He then bowed respectfully to the healer, “Thank you for taking care of my apprentice.” The old lady whispered in Jessica's ear, “He’s so handsome.” The young woman gave her a dark glance that was met with dancing amusement. The healer got up and walked toward Chala. “I did my duty as you did yours. Everyone has a place in the world.” The hunter gravely nodded and took a purse out of his pocket. The old lady stopped him with a firm gesture. “No, we are in your debt. There was no death and grief. I remember.” She held her hand out, a single coin shone on her palm.

  Chala contemplated the coin. His gaze wandered around the room, taking in the crumbling state of the house. Then he met the woman’s gaze, nodded, respectfully took the coin, and pocketed it. But Jessica saw the sleight of hand, how her mentor pretended to store the purse while stealthily laying it on a piece of furniture beside him. She smiled and remained silent. Then she got up and hugged the old woman, “Thank you, Grandma, farewell…” The grandmother returned the embrace with all her love. She whispered again, “Go get him.” Then, as they stood apart, she gave one last mischievous gaze and mouthed, “... or I will.” For the last time, the crystalline laugh of the young woman echoed in the little house.

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