We walked through the now changed forest. "The Realm will find a new name for this place. "The elixir I gave you did not work, because you could not believe such beauty could be that deadly. Learn from this trial Rune, in your journey alone the enemy does not always look like an enemy. Remember this." Comforter explained thoroughly. We headed down the cliff, there were no souls to save. There was only silence as we moved through the calm river.
I looked back at The Nim placing wreathes over the graves. Were there other places such as these that I would not be able to save, and just see lines and lines of wreathes that held the dead that were never mourned? This thought haunted me to my core. I could still feel her finger through my armour.
I wondered if I was injured but the plating remained thick but my heart deeply hurt. "Comforter, will it always hurt like this?" I asked with a low tone meeting his gaze.
"No, pride only hurts for a moment. Pride and Vanity became a chimera pride is who pierced you, vanity is the one you slashed. Pride will leave for a time until it finds another demon to pair with. We should venture to a chemist henceforth, Rune. I will take no chances of Pride hurting you. We have several more trials before you are deemed a warrior of The Realm. It was good of you to speak up. Too many of our pilgrims ignore pain, we Nim, can't help them properly." Comforter said, shaking his head with a grave expression. As if he remembered those who were silenced in their pain and what it cost them.
I reflected on my journey so far, but understood that I was not unbreakable as it were or immune to the tricks of Deception. His Darkness was not something, I could simply ever be immune to, and this small injury proved it.
We both sat in silence and ended up turning to the left that led us to a decent size village but there was nowhere to get a proper meal nor was there any place to actually get a place to sleep.
"Do not fret so Rune, this entire village serves the Author of Life, and we will get proper food and proper rest, but let us tarry and get you to Pestle and Hogs." Comforter said, leading the way.
" Pestle and what?" I asked, trying to keep up.
"Pestle is owned by Gunther and his wife Gertude her family were hog farmers. Well, the matter of it is when her father agreed to the marriage he wanted his daughter to take over the business. Pestle already existed and so Hogs were added to make his in-laws happy. The things people do for love I suppose." Comforter explained, showing me the way to main street.
The place had this magical charm and one had this feeling of peace and happiness, a drastic change from our last location. Houses and stores lined the roads and you could hear children running around waiting for their dinner. Family was so important, and then I got to thinking about The Nim none of them had family. I longed for the family I left behind, I longed for the family I wish to have, and I saw family looking at Comforter. I wonder what he saw looking at the children, so I dared to approach the subject.
"Are Nims allowed to fall in love?" I asked very carefully. We really did not discuss things in this manner.
Comforter was also watching the children around the skirts of their mothers as they tried to wrangle their husbands from the fields, there was something about this he was enjoying.
"Well, we have all of Nod to love all creatures the Author of Life created, and for me it is good enough. We do not need love in a carnal way, for our love for citizens is far more reaching." Comforter said happily and we tarried quickly in case the duo had closed up shop.
"Gunther helped in the great war, the Great War that created The Realm. He has a remedy of old that has helped many with the poisonous lingering of Pride's poison. I am more than sure you are okay, just a little lingering effect of a battle, but I am sure that Gunther will get you right as rain, no worry there, Rune." Comforter explained, smiling at me as we walked in tandem.
The Pestle and Hog was on the corner next to the baker's and a furlong from the blacksmith. The baker was closing as we approached putting more spring into our step, to get in before that little dinging of a bell said that they were closed for the whole night. "C'mon Rune no lingering around those windows." Comforter, said and I am sure his mouth watered for something other than stale bread and dates. It was not also the food I was taking in but distant memories that seemed like a lifetime ago. I would often watch Pip when his father and mine were travelling and I would often grab his little hand and we would head into the baker's at our town and I would grab him apple mead and brown sugar turnovers. The smell of home made the prick of Pride hurt a little more.
I missed his laugh. Tess would give us heck, she would with all of the brown sugar staining his white tunics. Never knew how she did it but she always got the stains out. Him and I were the same. We both found brotherhood without mothers. He was my brother. I was there when his mom died bringing the lad into light. He was kin as closer than anyone else could be. I seemed to be alone on this journey and how I ached for my young brother to be here sharing in this moment. He would have loved the architecture. I was taking it in as if I was looking through the village through the eyes of Pip.
The baker's shop had gold lettering engraved in the window. A round door that was big enough for deliveries, and even a little pick up window for those in a hurry. A massive cart for Last Week Market Day, and even had a little stoop for those that wanted a rest and a wee bit. I passed it and oh how it reminded me of home.
The Hog and Pestel was well interesting to the eye. The medicinal area was done in a circular design with windows all around, A large brick hall kept the hogs to one side including the smell, from the outside you could not smell the hogs at all. The other side was the butcher's market and the hogs were kept in stables far from both, along with chickens, and of course cows. The building was a V shape and far from the road, you could see both equally in all of the amazing details. Not one overshadowed the importance of the other's business.
"Equalness in all its glory." Comforter chuckled looking at me admiring the balance of each location. It was the first time I really heard him laugh, and in spite of everything I laughed.
"Well, hurry up, Rune, before the main clock chimes closing hour." Comforter chided leading the way for me.
Gunther was tall and lean, wearing spectacles, a purple robe—the uniform of all those who practiced medicine in Nod—and a bracelet etched with the Tree of Life. The tree was beautifully hammered into the metal, its leaves decorated with gems, symbolizing his allegiance to the Author of Life.
Gertude was the opposite of her husband, but had a huge smile that went from ear to ear. "A pilgrim of light, what a privilege, do you want any meat or anything?" She asked with generosity.
"After dear, let's see what they have come for. Shall we?" He asked his wife gently and she nodded letting her husband work without any more interruptions.
"Comforter, I see you have brought one from the trials again." Gunther said, looking at me with a wide grin.
"So, it seems Gunther, Rune let him have a look at you." Comforter explained as he helped me take off my armour. Gunther looked at the wound thoroughly with little different lenses and touched the bruise carefully. He moved about silently and his silence made me a little concerned, until after a moment he spoke up.
"Ah ya lad, nothing more here, than a bruise, you will be fine and dandy, here drink this at your leisure, tis only a tiny bruise. Pride always hurts those cloaked in the love of The Author of Life. I am working on the flavour, let me know what ye think, eh?" He asked me as he went to hand him a tiny bottle. I took the tiny flask in hand and drank it.
It tasted like mulled pine nut liquor and it was quite nice. I was a little in awe. "It is quite nice actually, Gunther, great work!" I said with an astonished tone.
He nodded, and the pain Pride inflicted on me was lifted. I sighed in relief.
"What is the cost?, Comforter asked, pulling a coin purse from his robe lining.
"Your Shields are useless here, friend. However, well, I am not sure if it will be possible, however.- he began but was rudely interrupted by his wife Gertrude.
Gertrude shot him a look and she could tell her husband wanted to continue and she put a stop to his words before his words could even leave his lips. She insisted as well that no payment was necessary as she sort of bustled around in haste to the outsider the movement would look rude, but it was almost closing time
"Do not under any circumstances discuss this in front of a pupil!" She yelled from the back where the vials were stored. The tone was stern but there was a kindness about them as well.
"I do apologize for my rude outburst, but I know the Monastery has rules. The rules are there for a reason." She explained in this moment of brief silence she rushed to her side of the building and then left with a whole side of ham, a few plucked and clean chickens, and wheels of cheese, I helped her with her parcels as we waited for Gunther to close up the shop.
There was this friendship that lingered in the air, but something in this conversation felt heavy.
"Is everything okay?" I piped in while carrying the packages on the cobblestone road.
"Let's have dinner first, then maybe discuss the matter thoroughly." Gunther said, looking at myself and Comforter with a look of desperation. He smiled weakly and showed us the way to his house.