Chương 14: Bamir

While the order in which the seven ascended is still a subject of debate, it is widely accepted that Kestrel was the first. Caring for our ancestors when they had nothing, he fed them, protected them, and nurtured them. Today, his Wardens hunt the monster threatening us, following their patron's example. Excerpt from Broad Strokes On Laikan Theology, by Enderic Aramor, Keeper of the Iron Ink.

Standing just outside Lanterne, between two patches of flowers, he rubbed his eyebrows as Ed explained for the second time how he'd gotten injured.

"You're telling me you've forgotten where you put your trap, and it snapped on you?" Bamir asked. Ed had the decency to avoid his gaze.

"Yes," he murmured.

"Good grief. What am I going to do with you?" It wasn't the first time the kid got himself hurt in such a stupid way. Bamir sighed, and knelt in front of his patient. His ankle was mangled, turned in a direction that shouldn't be possible. Broken bone, great. Taking a piece of cloth out of his satchel, he handed it to Ed.

"Bite down on that. It's going to be painful."

"I know," Ed answered, grabbing the cloth and stuffing it in his mouth. He mumbled something. Bamir didn't get it. Then, he pressed his hands firmly around the broken ankle, chanted a silent prayer to Fanon, and twisted. Ed grunted through the cloth. To his credit, he'd seen grown men react worse. Then again, despite his age, Bamir healed this boy more times than he could remember. A cast of Stitch Bones, then Mend Flesh, and finally Accelerate Recovery, and Ed was back on his feet. He ran off immediately.

"Thanks Bam, I'll see you around." Bamir rubbed his eyebrows again.

"Be more careful in the future." He knew he wouldn't. He packed his satchel and walked back into the village. A group had gathered near the well. Five of them, faces he knew — Mara, the two Vellin brothers, old Coster, and John. They went quiet as he approached.

"Bamir," John said, by way of greeting.

"John." He slowed but didn't stop.

"Everything alright?"

"Fine." John glanced at the others.

"We were just discussin' our guest."

"What about her?" Bamir asked. John shrugged.

"Just wonderin' when she's gon' leave us be." He'd been expecting this. The people of Lanterne weren't known for their warm attitude to strangers. While he himself hadn't been the victim of this, it had taken Therion and Lara years to integrate. Their latest stint was going to set them back a few. He smiled.

"I doubt she'll be around for long. A few weeks, months, maybe. You've heard how she lost her memory." John spat.

"Well I hope she remembers to fuck off soon. I hear she's not even payin'."

"All in due time, John. All in due time." He scanned the reaction of the other four. Old Coster kept his face neutral, but Bamir knew that he agreed. Mara was annoyed, -looking for a way to disengage from the conversation. As for the brothers… He sighed. They were probably the ones who riled John up. He wanted to put the conversation to rest, but someone else approached.

"What is this about?" It was Marick, the village's chief. A tall, muscular man, who also happened to be the highest level among them. The only Gold rank in Lanterne. John rolled his eyes.

"Y'know what." Marick nodded.

"I see. And what does our esteemed priest have to say about the topic?" The chief's eyes bore into him. Bamir closed his for a second. He was pushing the responsibility onto him. A move he approved. His position was untouchable here, Marick needed the trust of his people. In any case, he was going to do the same thing.

"Fanon teaches us compassion, and to assist those in need. We ought to keep her while she recovers."

"I thought you couldn't heal amnesia," Marick said. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Bamir nodded.

"That is true. But I can make sure she's in shape to journey to Esmera, where she will find more qualified help." The chief smiled, and turned to the others.

"You've heard the holy man. Disperse now." Bamir bit his inner lip. It wouldn't change their opinion, but it would buy some time. Marick put a hand on his shoulder, telling him to stay behind. Once they were alone, he spoke.

"I'm not as close minded as them. You know me. That's why I allowed Therion and Lara to settle here. But this woman… Alexandra, was it? She's weird."

"How so?" Bamir asked, a smile on his face.

"Drop the act. You've noticed it too. She's what, late twenties? Barely able to fight level one goblins? She should be at least level 10, even if she's lazy. And by the way, she doesn't look lazy, with how she keeps rushing off from the village." Bamir's eyebrow rose.

"She's gone again?"

"Heard from Therion she was going fifty kilometers away for some reason."

"Oh." If not for his respect for Fanon, Bamir would have cursed. Why couldn't she stay put? He didn't ask for much. Just today.

"Fifty?" He asked, just to make sure.

"Fifty." She wasn't going to make it. He'd known since the moment he laid his eyes on her. Alexandra had a divine class, and who were the only people to have divine classes? Summoned heroes. Even with her class, she couldn't have gotten far in just a few days. Level two, maybe. Three, if she spent more time lost in the wild than she'd told Therion and Lara. He looked at the sun. He didn't have time to get her before nightfall, and by then he'd have to make his weekly report. He rubbed his eyebrows.

"Problem?" Marick asked. Bamir shook his head.

"No." He paused.

"Well, maybe. I'll give you an answer tomorrow."

"If there's anything concerning Lanterne, you must tell me. We have enough on our plate with the increased floral activity this season. The verdant beasts are behaving abnormally." Hand raised, Bamir answered.

"I know. I'll tell you. Just wait a day. This is above me." Marick didn't push for more. He started his rounds at the east end of the village, as he always did. Fithi was in her yard, crouched between two hutches, filling a water trough. She was past seventy, though she'd never told him her exact age. She looked up as he opened the gate.

"Bamir. Right on time."

"Fithi." He crouched beside her.

"How's the hip?"

"Same as last week." She grabbed a rabbit by the neck. Looked it over and put it back in its cage.

"And the week before." There wasn't much Bamir could do to stop aging. He cast Soothe. A good spell for chronic pain.

"The white one had her litter," Fithi said, nodding toward the far hutch.

"Seven."

"Healthy?"

"Six." She stood, slowly.

"One didn't make it." Bamir nodded. He helped her up the last few inches without drawing attention to it.

"You seem distracted," she said. He smiled.

"Long day." She looked at him.

"Mm." He said goodbye and latched the gate behind him. He stood in the middle of the path for a moment, and turned back toward home. The rounds could wait until tomorrow. Normally, he would do his round in the village, asking around if anyone needed healing. Even without specific injuries, regular consultations could spot hidden conditions, and it was always better to spot them early. However, today, he was feeling restless. Members of the Hands living in small villages like Lanterne rarely had much to report.

He was no exception. He'd noted the uptick in floral activity, but his superior in Esmera was right there and she too had eyes. This was different. Perhaps— no, he was certain that it was the most important report he would ever make. He paced before the communication orb he'd been issued. He could only receive calls, the higher ups were not so generous to outfit a backwater like Lanterne with more. Made out of a dark blue, smooth stone, the orb was about the size of his fist.

The material mattered little, compared to the enchantment inscribed inside of it. He waited. It was too early. The call was scheduled for sunset, and light still streamed inside his room from the open binds. Part of him wondered if this counted as betraying Alexandra's trust. Not that he believed he had it. Still, he could have communicated his intent with her, told her that her act had been seen through. He didn't. The reason was simple. His loyalty lay with Fanon, and the Saint. It was better for her, anyway.

Saint Hakim would know what to do with a fellow summoned. He wasn't like the other heroes. He nodded to himself, half to bolster his conviction. Yes, secrecy was a must. These lands were backwater, even Esmera, but they technically were part of the Hunter's domain. He could never be too careful. After a long time, when the light had finally dimmed outside, the orb lit up. A bored voice sounded from it.

"Brother Bamir, anything to report?" Bamir took a deep breath, and answered.

"Yes. I have something that requires the branch head's attention. Complete confidentiality." The voice hesitated.

"Are you sure? If this is not warranted, the head will not be happy."

"I'm sure. Please transfer me. I'll take full responsibility." Another short pause.

"Very well. What's the level of urgency?" It was Bamir's time to pause. He never had to escalate a report, and didn't expect this question. He rubbed his eyebrows. With Alexandra still out in the plains…

"Maximal."

"For your sake, I hope you took measure of your words. Stay near the orb." It went dim. Bamir waited. Three seconds. It lit up again. A woman spoke.

"Arame, branch leader of Esmera. Speak."

"I've located a new divine class holder," he blurted out. Silence settled for an instant before Arame spoke again.

"Explain." Bamir closed his eyes, and laid out the situation.