Pulchra Arcanum

Part II - Leopold

Leo, his arms straining, finally convinced the cow to move the last few meters toward the healer's agreed meeting point. The healer hadn't insisted on Leo going all the way to town, but she was so busy she wished him to meet her halfway. "How long has she been like this?" the healer asked when they met up.

"Only a day."

Leo studied the healer as she worked. She was young, probably late teens,but she was the most trusted animal healer in the council. Her hair was brownish red like his own. She kept it loose and long, though. Even though it kept falling in her face. She'd push it back and continue to move her hands over the cow's hide. She had a pretty face. The words of Leo's older brother came back to him, "You should probably start looking for a girl, you know." But Leo didn't see the need. He was still young and he was still learning so much. Why settle down and force himself into a career? He would lose his position next to Adina.

He shook his head and continued to just watch the healer's hands. Within minutes the cow was standing again and pulling as if wanting to go home. "What was wrong with her?" Leo asked, straining against the cow.

The girl looked troubled. "Poison. And it wasn't a poison I recognized, so not a natural thing. I have to alert the council. Has she been near anything out of the ordinary recently?"

Leo shrugged, smiling apologetically. "I'm only filling in, I was with her yesterday and today. I only brought her to you today because she was getting worse. What should I give you?" She was already backing away though.

"Nothing. I just have to alert the council." Then she was running away.

Leopold allowed the cow to lead him back to its field. He enjoyed helping out with the village farms, this was why he had agreed in the first place, though it meant leaving training for the day. He didnt mind, he figured Adina would teach him what she learned anyway. She did every night, regardless of him joining in on the lesson or not.

As he walked Leopold waved to several neighbors. He loved his home of Domum. It was always such an easy going village and everyone was generally in a happy mood. He observed the fields, most coming near to harvest time. He was excited for the harvest festival Domum threw every year; an evening of music and loud speaking and sharing of food. It always took place before the harvest began, to give everyone excitement to gather the harvest quickly. It often worked, especially for the children harvesting for the first time.

Leo allowed the cow to enter the field and thwacked her hide with her lead as she entered in. He leaned against the fence and continued to watch the animals welcoming her back with flicks of their ears. She rushed to her calf and began grazing next to it.

Leopold!

He looked over his shoulder and saw one of the older women with her daughter near his age. He waved in greeting and they wandered over to him. He left the corral and wandered toward them. Hello, Sarah. How is your family today?

Sarah smiled warmly. Were doing fine, thank you. Leopold smiled at Sarahs daughter. He couldnt remember her name, but he knew she worked in the fields beside the councils meetinghouse. Sarah continued to speak of something Leopold had little interest in. He nodded and feigned excitement for her, however. After several minutes Sarahs daughter reminded her mother they had errands to run. She smiled apologetically at Leopold. Did she know I wasnt paying attention? Leopold felt bad at first but then shrugged it off after waving goodbye to the women and returning to the cows. He loved his home, but sometimes the people were too content with their status. All Leopold wanted was to progress in his training, be of use and service to Adina, and live without any regrets.

Later that night Leopold left the field and made his way to his mother's home where he'd stay one more night before returning to Adina. He walked through the door and his younger sister greeted him from the table. She was cutting carrots for the night's dinner and talking a mile a minute to their mother Anora. Anora smiled at Leopold as he took off his jacket and hung it up. Emaline, Leopold's sister, was the youngest of the family, though she was no longer a child. If anyone needs to be looking for love and creating a life, it's Emaline. Leopold thought. Though he knew their mother was always content to care for them, he knew she wished for more family.