The Forest Deep
Part 7
Yavan nodded and exhaled slowly as he turned back to his pupil once more. The teenager seemed very peaceful like that, quiet and unmoving. He observed Joren’s chest rising and falling for a long moment then drew himself up and turned away. That’s when he noticed how the girl had begun staring again and Yavan’s annoyment morphed to include at least a modicum of amusement. With a slight smile that was barely forced, he moved towards the door, surprising her once again.
“I’ll not be a bother to you any longer. I’ll be sitting outside for a bit. Thank you for watching over him.”
The girl blushed and smiled shyly as Yavan exited the healer’s home. Conveniently or, considering how clever Medah seemed, perhaps by design, a pair of seats had been set out next to the hut’s wall. Fiddling with a waterproofed leather pouch at his waist as he sat down, the Vigil extricated a pipe, a tobacco pouch and other smoking necessities. Settling down, he leaned back and waited for Menzo to arrive. Meanwhile, the sun climbed slowly farther and farther above the village in the sky.
He had only time to smoke one thorough pipeful while observing children play before he noticed and recognized the archer’s demeanor and darker skin. The man stood with his back mostly to him, transferring what seemed like firewood from a leatherbound bunch into a house. Barter, Yavan concluded, as the woman who lived there handed him a wrapped package which he rapidly pocketed before taking his leave. Then, the man turned and, noticing the Vigil, rose one arm in salutation. He did not smile, however, and Yavan noted that his face showed deep signs of weariness. Without a word, he observed Menzo let himself fall on the seat with a heavy sigh.