Walking over he inspected the fallen carriage. A short, tubby man was sitting on the ground sweating profusely as his leg was slowly turning a deep purple. Most likely he had broken it and was very unlikely to move by himself.
"Evening stranger" Leon called out to the man. The short man looked over before weakly passing out and lying against his broken carriage. Watching for a moment Leon observed the man was still breathing but he was unconscious.
"Hey Rin, is there anything you can do help this guy?" Leon asked as he eyed the horse that was still tied to the carriage.
"Why should we help him. You know its hard to carry an injured so far out" Rin said. Her words were not matching her actions as she swung her pack off her shoulders and rummaged inside of it. Leon untied the horse as it move around as if to say it would be stretching it legs. Rin was already squatting next to the injured man as she pulled out a smelly plant. Even Leon had to cover his noise at the stench. The man woke up with a start as his face paled from the smell and pain in his leg. Rin put away her fragrant plant and the smell disappeared again.
"It looks like you've hurt your leg badly. It'll need to be set and have a splint set" Rin said without missing a beat. The man nodded as Rin took a small powder packet from her bag.
"Eat this, it will reduce the pain" Rin said as she fed the man the powder. Passing her waterskin over to him, the man drank greedily from it. Handing it back to Rin, she set to treating his injury. Rin strapped the man's leg, but not before rubbing an ointment on the injury as held a broken piece of the carriage and tied it to the man's leg as a splint.
"Thank you two travellers. Unfortunately I can't get up but if you can take me back to the enarby town I will give you a reward for your work" the man said.
"That's excellent, we were planning on making our way to the town ourselves so it won't change it too much" Leon said in a jovial tone, looking over the carriage it was as badly damaged as was first thought as the majority was still together despite being overturned. Only the top of the carriage had been broken.
"Rin give me a hand lifting the guy" Leon said as he figured out a plan. Rin nodded albeit annoyed she was beginning to be order around by Leon.
"My name is Ernesto, I make a living as a merchant and unfortunately the recent rockfall tipped my carriage" Ernesto said as although the pain was numbed it sent a sharp shock to him everytime he was moved. After setting Ernesto down Leon went back to the carriage and caught the recently freed horse. Tying it back to the side of the carriage with some rope he found he gave the horse a hit on its rump. The horse neighed slightly and rushed forward, tipping the carriage over and setting it back on its wheels. Giving the horse a reassuring pat he went about setting the horse up on its original holder and tied the reins onto it. After searching he found some oats he could geed the horse as it hungrily dove into the food. Rin was outside the carriage looking it over, in a slightly confused fashion.
"Its ok, even country bumpkins would be surprised to see a carriage" Leon said teasingly at Rin. Rin shot a scowl at Leon and climbed on board. While Leon was fixing up the horse Rin had already brought Ernesto into the carriage as he rested up.
"Truly it was my fortune to have you traveller come around. I don't think even in my previous life I would have this much luck" Ernesto said as laid on the carriage floor. There was a small seat set up in the back for one person which Rin had already taken. Leon took away the horses food, letting out a huff as it wanted to eat more. Leon gave a snap with the reins and the horse set off, tugging the carriage along. Rin was startled by the movement and gripped the edge of the carriage tightly, her fingers were slowly turning white from the force she was using.
"Little Lady, it surprises me this would be your first time on a carriage" Ernesto said, the sedation was severly affecting the way he could see the world and drifted in and out of wakeness.
"Woman are allowed to have secrets, if we revealed them all what is the point in being mysterious" Rin replied in an annoyed tone. Ernesto grinned and let out a soft laugh.
"Truly little lady you are correct. You remind me of my daughter, so its refreshing to see a stern girl this far out" Ernesto said with a happy tone. Rin and Ernesto conversed over the course of the carriage moving, Leon give an occasional glance back to check on them as he drove the carriage down the trail. Thankflly the fall on the carriage hadn't affected the axels otherwise they truly would have been stuck helping out the merchant along the rode.
Night fell quickly as Leon led them off the trail and took the horse off to drink its fill from a nearby pond. He had already checked and there would be enough horse fodder till they could make it to the town. It was a fortunate surprise at they made significantly faster process once the carriage became involved. Even Rin was beginning to relax in her seat as she drifted off every so often while they travelled. The stopping of the carriage woke Rin up from her slumber as she slept upright the whole trip. Stretching and letting out a soft groan from being contained on the carriage for too long she hopped out and walked around the vicinity. Leon watched as she seemed to be better than when they had found the carriage originally.
"Seems like I can see again" Rin said in a confused tone. Wandering around, if it was Leon before he could have easily mistaken it as her randomly and spontaneously checking the ground and trees like a child would seeing the outside for the first time. But after all the strange occurences it made Leon look at Rin having purpose with all of her strange actions. Some noise was made in the back of the carriage which caught Leon's attention. The merchant had woken up and the medicine that was given had already worn off causing the man to deal with the agony of his injury. Rin noticing Leon was already tending to the merchant headed over to the two sitting in the carriage. Rin inspected the leg as the swelling had gone down tremendously but it was still quite an ugly colour. Rin felt the leg with her hand causing Ernesto to let out a stifled groan from the pain.
"Looks like its quite serious it would seem that you have broken your leg" Rin informed the man. Ernesto paled a little at that.
"I guess I'm truly not long for this world" Ernesto said in an exasperated expression. The reaction caused Rin to give a confused glance towards Leon, hoping for an explanation. Leon sighed as he tried to explain.
"A broken arm could still be worked around, but a broken leg means the death of a man and his family" Leon said solemenly. Rin took in the information and started to chuckle. Leon and Ernesto looked on in confusion at Rin's state as if she was told a hilarious joke.
"You'll be fine, I'll plaster your leg. After two week you will walk again no worries" Rin informed the man, unbeknownst to the other two she could make it significantly shorter but Leon's warning to blend in came to mind.
Ernesto's eyes begun to mist up as he struggled to lift himself up and clasp his hands with Rin's.
"Thank you young miss. Truly I have been blessed more than can be ever expected" Ernesto said in a trembling tone. Rin shook of the man's hands and smirked.
"If I couldn't look after you than I would have to pack my bags as a medicine lady" Rin said giving Leon a wink. The situation almost made Leon break into a huge smile, this girl was learning and at such a fast rate as well.
"We'll be at the town in a few days, so this will certainly mean you could heal up faster" Leon said as he eyed Rin pulling out some strange powder, rolls of linen and a bowl. Ernesto wasn't paying attention to what Rin was doing, entirely focused on Leon as they talked. Rin wrapped the bandages around Ernesto's leg as he was talking to Leon, both of them looked at Rin strangely as she begun to apply the strange mixture.
"Young miss, what is this strange thing you are putting on me?" Ernesto said more curious than anything else when coming to Rin. He had met many medicine people but none had seem stranger than this girl in front of him.
"The mixture hardens after a while, making it hard to move your leg but also protecting it. I only found it by accident one day" Rin stated flatly, to everyone else it seemed that Rin had done this numerous times.
"My master is truly worthy of her title." Leon commented. Although internally everything was a constant surprise when it came to this woman he still had to pretend he knew what she was doing in front of others. Rin finished applying the wet mixture and wiped her hands with a cloth she had also pulled out of her pack.
"Let it dry in the sun and the application should harden up" Rin said as she wandered off from the caravan again. Ernesto smiled at the care he had received. Surely even people from a noble's family could not expect this kind of treatment.
"Young master" Ernesto asked.
"Yes?" Leon said as he turned his attention away from the girl wandering away from the caravan.
"Truly what is the background of your young miss I have never heard of such things before, even wealthy family's would be red in the face at me having this treatment done" Ernesto claimed.
"Truly my master's origin is something she wishes to be kept secret. If she had truly had wanted to succed it would not be difficult for her at all" Leon said, to him though his teeth were beginning to ache from all the lies he had to start making when it came to this girl. Given enough time he could probably make a whole saga from all the false words he had. Leon was just thankful that Rin's talent could back up his words.
"Truly give my best wishes to the young miss. When we get back to town I will treat you as my own when you come to visit" Erensto said with a grin. Leon did feel bad but he could not refuse a sincere offer.
"We will keep in mind to visit. Make sure to keep the ale close at hand" Leon said with a laugh. Climbing out of the carriage he left Ernesto by himself as he walked over to Rin who had stopped near a tree, leaning against while crouched Rin was snoozing with her eyes closed. As Leon came close the crunching of leaves underfoot made Rin open her milky white eyes at the sound.
"Honestly I wish you could tell me these things beforehand. Otherwise the stories I have to come up for you are going to be more complex" Leon said, a light complaint was mixed in with the praise he offered.
"Just follow this young miss and who knows how well we will do" Rin said with a grin. Rin's smile irritated Leon to his core as he scowled at the girl. Rin breaking into laughter after his reponse made the dark lines grow deeper. After chatting for a bit the two prepped the dinner. Ernesto was carried out of the carriage as Leon had found some let over linen and two tree branches to make a human sized sling that would be easier for the both of them to carry the fat merchant. Sharing dinner together the three of them spoke until the stars had fully come out. As the morning rose the group packed and made off on their trip again. Even the horse seemed to fell more chipper than usual. The days quickly passed by as the sight of the town came into view. At this point Ernesto was out of the sling and was sitting with the strange wrapping around his leg that felt like a stone was attached to it. He had already given the thing a good couple knocks with his knuckles and it was definitely solid.
"Truly, if this was attached to my hand I could make short work of some ruffians" Ernesto said with a jolly laugh. Rin looked over, only a small curve in her lips betrayed her inner feelings.
"I wouldn't recommend it. After you hit them I'm sure they would be ready to cut you to pieces" Rin replied snarkly giving Ernesto her reponse. Ernesto let out a laugh again.
"Young master, surely you can let your young miss work under me. I do pay well" Ernesto said towards Leon. Leon shook his head in reponse.
"I'm afraid that my master is not for sale. There are plenty of other medicine people you can search for"
"Haha, truly but none are as great a find as this young one" Ernesto said, although he wouldn't press the issue now he wouldn't give up. Medicine people were truly valuable for keeping around. The gates came into view as a small line of people shuffled in. The guards were checking everyone coming through to weed out the bad elements. The carriage slowly moved around the crowd and a couple guards walked up to Leon.
"Pass please sir" the guard instructed his hand already instinctively up in the air to be given the item.
"Truly have I been away so long that you all forgot me" Ernesto shouted out in a cheerful tone. The guard broke into a smile.
"Master Ernesto, it's a surprise you are back so soon. Did you hire some new ones?" the guard asked in a casual. This merchant must come in quite a few times Leon thought as he saw Ernesto reach and pulled out a pass for the guard to look over. With a firm nod the guard handed it back and gestured to go through. Leon cracked his reins as the horse walked off again into the city. At this point Rin seemed incredibly focused, the sheer amount of noise and people was almost deafening to her since she was used to the quiet of the forest. Leon looked over his shoulder as he observed Rin's reactions to seeing a hub of people. He could guess ithere was some curiousity involved but it seemed that she has also had a frown across her face. Wanting to leave it for later to ask Leon hurried the horse down the street. Ernesto let out a sound of surpise as he the carriage stopped in front of his shop.
"I thought you didn't know of me?" Ernesto asked. He hadn't even told Leon where he was even located.
"I try to remember where all the merchants are when I come in for supplies. Your name rung a bell earlier so it came to me quickly once we got into the city" Leon replied. Rin and Leon helped Ernesto out of the carriage as the door to the shop swung open. A slightly taller and plump woman came out. Her face looked quite shocked at the state Ernesto was in as she moved over to hug him.
"Ouch, careful woman. If you hold me any harder I'll break something again" the merchant said playfully. The woman laughed and back off but she still held a hand around his waist.
"Young master, young miss. This my wife, Bertha. She truly is the treasure of my store" Ernesto said with a beam of pride. Bertha made her greetings and guided Ernesto back inside. Soon after she rushed out and give a bag that jingled at every step to Leon.
"Thank you, if not for you I don't think my husband would have ever made it home. If you ever need our help don't hesitate to call on us" Bertha said, her smile was practically beaming in thanks.
"No problems miss. We'll be staying at the inn with the black bear sign down the road. We'll make sure to visit to give greetings again" Leon said politely as he walked off, Rin followed behind but Bertha noticed there was something off as the girl had trouble walking straight. Putting back to her mind, Bertha was readying a tounge lashing at Ernesto's state. Sooner or later she would make this old rogue retire his carriage otherwise who knew how she would run this shop.