The sun was shining down and Kano was busy dressing himself. Bill had left him a new mask, and he had a new overcoat that signified his position as plague doctor and gravekeeper. He glanced at himself in the nearby creek and nodded in satisfaction. His hat was flat and not too wide, his coat went all the way down to his ankles. Underneath, his black tunic and breeches seemed to disappear in darkness under the coat. He tugged at his gloves and then stamped his boots before beginning the wagon ride to Academy Village. The most difficult part about this trip would be rule number 2. Do not speak to the villagers while in the Village. Let them do all of the talking. Simple nods or shakes will suffice. 'Ugh.' He wondered why they were allowed to talk while at the cottage, but not in the village. Bill had said something about Hesphalia doctrine and how the villagers thought that openly speaking with a person whom dealt with the dead would bring about a curse.
Soon, he found himself in the village and headed into the tavern, he took his seat in the customary place and waited. He was not allowed to order nor speak with anyone. He was not allowed to remove his mask nor gloves. No this, no that... grrr. These doctrine were too ridiculous. Either way, he had a task and he promised he would do it to his best. Even if it was done in a stupid way. After an hour of waiting he decided enough was enough and stood up to head to the market. He needed a few staples for the cottage and since he was here, he would get them. The elder of the village had a rule that the graveskeeper did not need money, and as long as he took only a few bits of food then he was fine.
As he stepped out onto the muddy road that ran about the village, he hear someone shouting. "Doctor, Doctor! Please! Here!" Turning about he saw a rather large looking beast of a man running his way. Kano held his hands up and strode quickly towards the man. "Yes, yes, its my son! There was an accident at my forge! Come quickly!"
The man seemed adamant and Kano was eager to oblige from his insistence. Soon the two ran into the Blacksmith's home. It was a modest looking dwelling, just a little bigger than he was expecting, but then again, he was the only blacksmith around so maybe he was doing alright in the money department. "Here sir, my son is in here!" the blacksmith cried out as he led him into an adjoining room. Uthgerd Dettman, that was his name. Kano recalled something of a sad story about the man as he had prepared his wife's body only a week prior. She had drowned herself nearby. Elizabetta Dettman was her name, she was a beauty too. It was saddening to have to prepare her and even Bill had taught him some unique spells that day. Well, less spells and more preparations for the deceased as the possibility of her coming back was increased due to her being a suicide. He wondered what would cause her to do such a thing. Then Bill had pointed out the numerous healed bruises and contusions. All in all, it had left a bad taste in his mouth about this blacksmith.
Still, the man's son was not to be blamed for that and should not take his punishment for him. He quickly looked the boy over and wondered just what kind of accident would smash his leg like this. Uthgerd must have sensed his query as he hastily said that some iron had fallen on him. 'Odd, Ingots are not that heavy, only a hammer would have this kind of force to snap a bone like this. I believe that this child is a victim as well.' Still, he had a job to do, and it was not his place to do anything, Bill had warned him of that. Natural Death. Allow life to continue on. It was at a time like this that he hated his teachers rules.
"Sia-toothan, Formere, Rasa, Sia-toothan, Formere, Rasa, Formere, Rasa, Rasa, Rasa." He whispered as he held his hands upon the injured area. Kano glanced at the poor boy and noticed that his pain seemed to be subsiding. Soon, he finished the incantations to cast the healing spell and quickly set the bone as the magic took hold. They watched as the flesh started to mend together before their eyes. 'This never grows old. Magic is just too cool.' As the magic faded he slowly stood and checked the boy's temperature. Everything seemed to be fine. He breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed before stepping back and away. He waited as the blacksmith rushed to his son's side and cradled him and petted him.
"Alice, dear take the doctor aside and give him some payment." Uthgerd called out and Kano noticed a woman appear from another room. She was breathtaking and he recognized her from a few days prior. He had seen her in the village square purchasing some sundries. Her auburn hair burned in the dim light of the home and Kano felt his breath catch. Then he made a connection, she looked very similar to Elizabetta... were they sisters? How did this brute get both of them? Or did he get this one after the other passed just a week ago? Alice, what a lovely name. How sad she had to be defiled by this monster.
"This way, master doctor." Her voice was delightful to the ears, like the tinkling of bells. Kano nodded and followed after her. She led him around a corner and into what appeared to be a bedroom. Kano stopped by the door and wondered why she moved to shut it behind him. 'Odd.'
He watched, still enchanted by her as she walked to the bed and sat down. 'Maybe they keep a few coins hidden there.' Then she began to slide her dress off of her shoulder. Perhaps the movement confused Kano, for he sat there until her ample bosom was almost revealed before he realized what she was doing and he leaped forward to stop her by grasping her hand. Alice was stunned and a fleeting look of terror crossed her eyes. "No, please. I must do this." she whispered as she tried to release her hand from his. Anger welled up within Kano's chest as it dawned upon him what the blacksmith was doing.
'Damn the rules.' He thought as he pulled his mask off and looked into the poor woman's eyes with his own. "Let me handle this." His voice came out low and menacing, full of the hatred he felt for the wretched excuse for a man in the other room.
"No, master doctor, he is still my husband. I must obey." she pleaded and Kano felt his heart wrench at her pitiable state. She was a young woman, the blacksmith had probably thrown money towards her family to buy himself a wife and when she took her own life, he bought her sister. Kano had heard these tales in history books, but never imagined he would live amongst them. Her eyes had widened as she recognized him from their previous meeting and a hint of a blush touched upon her cheeks. At her continued insistence he acquiesced and placed a finger to his lips. Then he placed a foot out and began to press upon the bed so that it rapped against the wall rhythmically. Alice watched him and he witnessed a strange sense of gratitude fill her eyes, and it might have been a bit of his own ego, but he was certain a flash of disappointment as well. With a wave of his hands, he tried to imitate noises coming from his throat to which she thankfully understood and she began to let out low sultry sounding moans and gasps. He could not suppress his grin as he helped Alice trick the stupid wretch. She tried to match his rhythm that started to increase in speed and strength, even bouncing upon the bed in an effort to help. Finally, they synced up and both let out moans of final delight. Silence pervaded the air, both a hint of awkwardness and accomplishment filling up between them.
Alice began to straighten up her dress and fix her hair before standing up, only to trip over the hem of her dress and fall against Kano's chest. He quickly caught her in a warm embrace and perhaps it was the suddenness of her fall or the somewhat ambiguous nature of their previous efforts, but his lips found hers and held her tightly. Her surprise was evident, but the heat of the moment and the strength of this handsome young man had somewhat captured her heart for this instant and she soon found herself answering him with a small passionate moan. Her fingers clutched at his tunic and her body pressed against his own.
Time ceased to be for the two young people as they merged as one for what felt an eternity, yet would never be enough. She indeed had recognized his face from seeing him at the market before and was shocked to discover he was the one whom had treated her husband's child. In truth she had managed to barely avoid such a predicament before due to the nature of the village men. They treated her as if she were shameful now and avoided her directly. They were not even talking with Uthgerd anymore. His deceitful ways were starting to harm everyone involved with him. In truth, she had been twice lucky so far in that their marriage had not been consummated either. The wretched Uthgerd had taken to the drink so hard that he would end up passed out in the floor, never actually making it to their bed. She was dreading the day when he did make it to her. It was a certainty that such a deed would not be as pleasant as it was supposed to be between a man and his wife. Alice was certain that he had pushed her sister to suicide and was also certain she would suffer the same fate. But now, she had a reprieve, her life held a rather bittersweet moment as she was held lovingly, wantingly by a man that seemed to feel she deserved more. "Can you leave him?" She heard whispered in her ear, but she shook her head. If she did the terrible creature would only threaten her family and bring her back here anyway. Anguish filled her very being, but she resolved herself to her fate and gently pushed him away. "Go, you must not worry about me. He is still my husband. The choice is no longer mine."
Kano replaced his mask and strode out of the room, not daring to look back at the young and beautiful woman whom had torn a hole in his heart with her need for a hero. He had always held a soft spot for playing hero and this time it was the strongest pull he had ever felt. While he had no idea how he would save her, he would figure out a way. As he passed by, he noticed that the blacksmith was still sitting by his son, but even at this distance, he could tell the man was quite angry. 'What? Prick, did you not realize what you were asking?' And he stepped out into the afternoon sun with a purpose to his stride as he headed to a rather prominent and tall building in the center of the village.