Cultural Differences OR I just want my merchant's license.

Chapter 12: The Trial

The town didn't look much better in the light than it had at night, but at least the buildings weren't on fire anymore. The farmers who'd usually be out in the fields were already at work chopping wood and doing repairs. The sound of hammers hitting wood could be heard throughout the town. Here and there, Reginald could see kids running around with tools of all shapes and sizes, some helping and others "helping". Rari smiled as she saw them go by. Amora looked like she was about to grab a hammer and join them.

The temple was busy–and not in a good way. Guards ran in and out of the small temple with buckets of water, clothes, dirty bandages, and other things. Before stepping inside, Rarai took a deep breath and rolled up her sleeves.

Reginald could hear Conrad's voice as he ordered about the guards–and scattered volunteers–now under his command. "I'm already out of spells, so please no one else ask me about that. You. Yes, you. Go get that cloth and start whipping things down. We need things clean."

The temple had been transformed into a small hospital, with cloth beds all over the place; some on the bench seats, others on the side walkways, there were even some at the head of the temple by the altar. In the middle of everything was Conrad–dark circles under his eyes–looking about the temple to make sure all of his inexperienced volunteers were doing something productive.

"Hey," Rari said, walking up to him, "I've got some spells to spare. Who needs them?"

Conrad turned to Rari and breathed out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness," he said, "Those folks to the side. They got some nasty burns from the fires so-"

Rari looked sternly at Conrad, set her hands on her hips, and said, "No healing magic on the burns unless it's an emergency. Healing magic can heal the burn wounds wrong. Here." Rari took the salve out of her pouch, giving it to Amora. "You remember what we did yesterday, right?"

"Yes ma'am," Amora said, giving Rari her best salute.

"Good," Rari pulled out a few patches as well and handed them to her, "Just do the same thing with them. And be very gentle. If it makes them feel better, they'll talk less shit about it later."

"Okay," Amora said, and she hurried off towards where Conrad had pointed.

Rari turned back towards Conrad and said, "What else you got?"

Quickly Rari took over the temple, directing Conrad and the guards on how to treat the various patients there. After a little while, the rest of the party decided to join in and help her efforts. Zoe stepped up first–first besides Amora–saying that not helping would be disrespectful to the warriors of the town. After that, Kalin walked up and asked how she could help. Then Reginald offered to help to avoid boredom. Eventually, Lucas shrugged and rolled up his sleeves to join as well.

Once the sun was near setting, Hugolina and Berton stepped into the temple and greeted them.

"Pardon our interruption," Hugolina said, "But the law-master wants y'all down at the courthouse. I think we're about to get this trial all sorted out."

Reginald felt hope start to rise in his chest. The thoughts of freedom, the thoughts of leaving the closest thing he's had to arrest, the possibility of pursuing his goals–it was all there.

"Alrighty," Rari said, turning to wash her hands, "We'll be right with you. Conrad, I'll be leaving you my medicine pouch so try not to waste anything in there, alright?"

"Yes ma'am," Conrad said. He watched politely as she stepped away, then set the satchel over his shoulder and hurried off to help the next patient.

With that, the group gathered together and headed once more towards the courthouse.