A couple of days had passed as Lucian did his best to recover. The thoughts of his dwelled on the system, thinking about what it meant and wishing to rise in level to see what is possible.
He'd be visited by Aeliana during those days as they talked about the slightest nonsense. Anika did her best to treat his wounds however he was still in the shape he was - fully wrapped in bandages.
During his session of thinking about all that has gone down, the door creaked as Richard entered inside.
"You awake, lad?" Richard asked, walking over to the chair and sitting down, gazing at him. "Still recoverin' aye?"
Lucian smiled a little, going to sit up and just barely being in a half-sitting position. "Yeah. How's that arm?"
Richard looked at his arm, recalling the damage. "Seen better days. Slowly gettin' better." he did a bent arm circle with it a few times before shooting his next words "You been cooped up in here for a while huh? We should get you outside."
Nodding in agreement, Lucian added "I do agree. Don't know if Anika would like that very much though."
"Ah, leave her. You done us all a favor and the entire town is grateful to you. Quite disappointed to have missed your legendary battle."
"Don't worry. Next time for sure."
"Yeah. Anyhow, let's get you up.
Richard stood up and aided Lucian into standing. In his state, it's a miracle that he can move so much. The wounds sustained from the vampire were taking their sweet time to heal. A whole week had gone by basically.
He put Lucian's arm around his own neck and despite Lucian's winces, he stood up and grabbed a cane in his other hand and walked out. In the other room, no one was there. Clearly Anika wasn't here, neither was Uldric and Aeliana.
It was about 4pm. The sun glistened and it looked beautiful. Lucian walked and thoughts ran through his head, trying to recall the memories of what happened during the fight with no success.
His thoughts were distracted as Richard kept adding on something as they exited the house fully.
"Y'know… I may not have known you for long kid, but someone who places their life on the line for me and my family is always welcome here."
"Thanks a lot, it means a bunch to me."
"You seem quite young so I was wondering…" Richard hesitated for a few seconds before asking "Where are your parents?"
Lucian hesisted to answer as he had to make up something but actually chose to go with a half-truth "They're gone. I can never see them again. This is my reality now so… Well.. I must embrace it."
"I'm sorry. Well hey, if you need anything, you can always count on us." Richard gave him a sincere smile. Surprisingly he wasn't all too much drunk.
Lucian returned a smile too, thinking about that. The fact that he cannot go back and see his real friends and family isn't as good as it seems, but make do with what you can make do.
Not only that, but Elias did worry him. And the system too, he kept thinking and pondering back to it. As to how he can use it and why he has it. Clearly he's a player. It's obvious.
As they walked into the heart of the town, most villagers stopped to thank him. Every single one. It was like a huge family, this town, this village.. Whatever it is. Lucian accepted their gratitude and they spread the word.
Before long, he was being thanked by a large number of individuals. He truly felt like a hero, despite being so hurt by the circumstances.
"Thank you so much for bringing my baby girl back home!" some woman told him as she shook his hand.
"Truly it's no problem." Lucian replied with a gentle smile.
Another man approached him "My wife's life was saved by ye! I'll forever be indebted to you!" he exclaimed, bowing and shaking his hand.
Lucian upkept his smile until finally Uldric approached him from making his way past the crowd, holding a pouch in his hands.
"Lucian, my new dear friend, I once again thank you for bringing my sweet sister back home." he raised it, going to hand it to him "This is tribute from the entire town to you, Witcher."
Hesitant at taking it, he was thrown back at being called that. "I'm no witcher, but I do thank you all for paying me."
He assumed it'd be 10 crowns as Richard said, but they upped the payment…
"That's your payment." Uldric added "16 crowns. It's not really much but… Agreement came to part when thinking about that, so we upped it as much as we could. The rest we need to supply shippmen-"
Lucian stopped him in his words "No worries. It's good enough."
16 crowns in other words was 1600 coppers.
The town, after expressing gratitude, continued to go their way as Richard lent him a hand back towards his house. "There's something the best healer in town has concocted and we need you for it. Hopefully it speeds things up."
He wondered as to what it could be. Surely an ointment or a liquid. It was besides the point. Richard and Lucian talked about things, well.. Briefly. The rest was blabbering about Richard's favorite beer.
After a couple of minutes, they arrived at the place, entering inside. It was full of bottled liquids, fake moss and overgrown greens covering the place as a door frame was behind the counter out of which a black clothes apparel covered young girl, no older than her early 20's came out of. Her hair was blonde, shiny and silky. Her eyes are blue like the ocean itself.
Lucian didn't believe that she was the best healer. Maybe she's a witch, maybe not.
"Is this him?" she asked Richard, referring to Lucian.
Richard nodded "It is." he said. "I appreciate you doing this, Blaire."
"It's no problem at all, sir Richard." she reached for a leaf-looking ingredient as she added it to something being heated up.
"It's nice to formally meet you, Lucian of Aldoria." Blaire's voice directed towards him. A hint of gratitude in it too.
Before he could say anything, she added strictly "Sit down. There is something you should know."
Lucian felt uneasy and a profound disturbance.