Vaehandre: Where The Stars Fall [Under Revision]

Chapter 38: A Little Bird Told A Lie

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Four days since the arrival of the healers. the numbers of the sick had dwindled while the three healers grew restless. Aiden had accompanied them every day, ever watchful, constantly scouting the area. He saw no more of the Ursaignis he had spotted in the pub, but that did not stop other spies from emerging.

The day started with a drizzle of rain. The clouds were gray as if they mourned with the grieving. The only ones who didn't seem to look forlorn were the children. Some played in the mud puddles or filled empty bottles with rainwater. Henry noticed that one had been taking longer to fill a single bottle. He approached the boy.

He seemed frightened and took two steps backward. His dark hair covered his eyes even more as he cowered into a corner.

Henry came into a halt and took off his helm. "Are you alright there, boy?"

"Yes, sir. No problem here, sir."

The Knight Protector glanced at the other children, who were all staring at him. He nodded and placed his helmet back on. Twisting backwards, he heard through his enhanced hearing, "Stupid Elite." Henry continued to walk away. "You better run, coward."

Nearing the infirmary, he pulled Finnian aside. "If I'm not here by dusk, you're in charge of the escorts."

"Wait, where are you going, Sir Henry?" Finnian blurted out.

"I'm off to follow a little bird."

Finnian lowered his head, "Alright, but Henry, spies are the least of our worries."

"Oh, I dare not underestimate them. Keep the new knight busy."

"The new knight? Why?"

"Just keep him busy. I won't be long."

Henry went to the side of the infirmary and took off his helm and the top of his armor, dawning a hooded cloak. He followed the boy's scent and passed by two rows of houses. The sent led him to a small pub. he watched from a distance as the boy approached men clothed in red. More than half of them occupied the small pub.

Waiting for several minutes, Henry watched the boy run out of the pub. He followed him again.

The boy reached a single-story house. A woman was waiting at the door.

"Where were you off to, young Alardson?" asked a neighbor. "You shouldn't be loitering about. You could catch the illness and infect us all."

"I was only out to get some bread, Mister Jenn!"

The man was beside the boy. "Stay with your mother, Reeve. She worries a lot these days. Does she know where you've been?"

"Yes, Mister Jenn."

The woman at the doorway hugged the boy as he neared the house.

Henry made his way back to the infirmary. "Where's the new knight?" he asked Finnian.

"At the back, we've just moved several dead bodies." Finnian glanced to the side. "There he is now."

"Aiden."

"Aiden? The new knight is Lord Aiden?" Finnian said in a whisper. "I admire the effort, but I can't ignore the risk. Why didn't you tell me, Henry?"

"I didn't think I'd need to."

Finnian shook his head.

"What did you find?" Aiden put in.

"Alard's boy is spying on us and probably others as well—"

"Say no more." Aiden looked around. "Let's discuss this on the way back to the castle. Do the mages wish to stay here again for the night?"

"You know they do, and they won't leave each other," Henry replied.

Aiden glanced at his men. "Who else hasn't spent the night here?"

"I'll stay," said Finnian. "Ralph, Walt, with me!" he and the other knights made their way to the front of the infirmary.

Looking back at Henry, Aiden asked, "You're sure you've tried to convince them to let at least one of them come and rest?"

"You could give it a try."

Lord Aiden sighed. "Alright."

As the Lord of Rathorn made his way towards the entrance of the infirmary, he passed by two newly recovered patients.

"You've had more recoveries today, my lady," he said to Ingrid.

"How insightful of you, good sir, but that doesn't mean we haven't had losses today." She gestured towards a girl being covered in white cloth.

"You seem overworked."

Ingrid scoffed. "I am a healer. We are here to save lives, not rest. Did my brother send you here? Is he too much of a coward to tell me that himself? Or is he tired of being told off?"

"He—"

"What makes him think that sending in the new knight will change my mind?"

The Lord of Rathorn lifted his visor.

Ingrid furrowed her brows. She glanced at the people around her. "You shouldn't be here."

"You're brother tells me that a lot too."

"What if you get sick?"

"None of us from the castle have gotten sick."

The healer let her gaze move astray.

"Will one of you, at least come and take rest."

Ingrid returned her gaze to Aiden. "I'll check on Gytha."

Watching them move from the second level, Aiden made sure to stay out of the way of the other healers.

"Go on get to the carriage. I'll see you tomorrow," Ingrid said to Gytha.

"You're sure that you and Distira will be alright?"

"We can manage."

Gytha walked past Aiden, bowing at him as she went.

"She's the least experienced of us all when it comes to working in the field."

"I'll bet so."

"We'll be leaving soon. You're sure you have everything you need? Food? Water?" Aiden asked.

"We're all good, milord."

Aiden tilted his head to the side. "I'm not used to hearing that from you."

A horse neighing as it stepped on puddles caught Aiden's attention. He bowed to Ingrid one last time and joined the convoy outside.  

● ● ●

At the study room that night Aiden and Henry sat by the fire.

"So, what did you find?" Aiden asked.

"Remember Alard's son?"

"The boy with hair as dark as a raven." The Lord of Rsthorn noted.

Henry nodded. "He's a spy for the Ursaignis."

"How sure of you of this?"

Leaning in closer, Henry answered, "I followed the boy and saw him meeting in a small pub owned by a member of Ursaignis."

"What was the boy's name?"

"Reeve. Reeve Alardson."