The days slowly passed, with Summer approaching fast. Nick's health deteriorated at even greater pace, Rand noticed that of course, and came to me with a new job offer. "I don't think Nick has much left. We will need a new doctor in the village, and you are the next best person to fill in after him".
"What about the smithy?", I asked instead. "Purified steel is important, but as you imagine, we need a doctor more than steel. Don't worry, I'm just asking whether you are interested in the position. I'll be raising this issue with Henry, and if we find replacement, then of course nothing changes. You stay at the smithy, and a new doctor will take Nick's place. Of course provided we find one, hence my offer", he replied.
"I don't mind really. If you don't find anyone, hit me up, then we can talk the specifics", I replied. Rand seemed happy about that, and left the smithy shortly after. Whether he found another doctor or not, didn't really matter. What was about to happen to him, no doctor could be of any use.
After my work, I'd visit Nick with Shelly, just to keep him some company. "Practice is more important than visiting me. Go back to your own stuff", he said one time. "There's a whole life in front of me, I'll have time to practice. The same cannot be said about meeting you", I replied. He didn't argue from that point on. Each time me and Shelly came to his house, he'd change the visit to a story time or teaching time.
Nick had many stories to tell, after all he lived for much longer than me. One of the stories he told me was about a flying ship. Humans were able to use formations and created such masterpiece. Moreover, that thing was still in use, and riding it was the fastest method to travel between cities. That story sounded impossible, but Nick had no reason to lie. Albeit, that ignited my desire to visit a city even more. Nonetheless, my promise to Nick remained. I'd visit cities only when my skills would guarantee my survival.