Bryson Coldwater and Florence Marsh glided through the wet marshes of Wrabuth on a small hovercraft. It was now the latter half of spring and summer was approaching. Neither mentioned it but they were both acutely aware that in a couple of weeks Florence would be headed to the kingdom’s capital.

  This little adventure was unofficially labelled as one final team mission between the two before she left to complete her studies. Now it wasn’t actually either of their ideas, it of course came from Bryson’s mother.

  Now that Florence was thinking about it, she did internally feel a bit embarrassed about accepting the offer so quickly. She just really wanted to work with Bryson again properly, it made her happy. Florence pinched one of her gloved hands in frustration, she shouldn’t be thinking like this.

  At the same time Bryson annoyingly found that he really was going to miss her. It was a ridiculous notion, especially since in a few months time he would be in the same city as her. If he wanted to see her he could visit, or vice versa. Then Bryson got annoyed with himself for allowing himself to feel like that.

  Bryson instead focused back on driving and began to think of the main mission they were tasked with. Or technically, what Florence volunteered to do. A simple little supply run to the villages in the marshes to deliver medical supplies and treat anyone that needs treating.

  It was a system that was developed a few years back for the more rural villages that struggled to get access to main roads for trade and commerce. Once every three months these smaller villages are visited by Coldwater-funded workers bringing some supplies and medical help.

  Any village that paid their taxes was eligible for the program. Apparently the idea was inspired after Florence was found helping out villages during her nomadic days. The tax money that the villages paid went directly to the medical field leaving many of their local worries aside.

  Bryson glanced at Florence who held a small medical bag in one of her hands. Obviously this was no normal bag, it was enchanted with spatial magic that gave the inside of the bag as much room as a warehouse.

  This job was actually for Florence to do alone, as a member of the medical team she was the one in charge of this trip. Bryson just decided to tag along as with the first school year approaching, there wasn’t much for Bryson to do now. Because again, he wouldn’t get another opportunity like this, besides it wasn’t like there were many people who could say no to his demands.

  Mother sure was acting weird. Even allowed me to finally drive without any supervision. Though it’s a hovercraft and not an actual car. Bryson thought as he saw a few village homes nearing the horizon.

  Has to say that I would be driving Florence along though. Bryson recalled when he said that his mother said to take as much time as they needed. Which confused Bryson because they had to make it back by tomorrow at the latest.

  “So what do we know about this village?” Bryson asked as he looked for a place to park the vehicle. At the same time as their arrival, a few villagers were beginning to gather, mainly kids looking at the vehicle with wonder. Right, they likely only have a few small motorboats. Bryson thought.

  “A population of two hundred and thirty-five. They mentioned how there were a few injuries that needed to be taken care of.” Florence said.

  “Don’t they have a local doctor for that? Or at least someone with medical experience.” Bryson asked.

  “There are a few herbalists, but they usually trust a cleric for the more serious conditions. Though they only know the spell ‘Heal Minor Wounds’.”

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “A cleric? They managed to get someone with magic here?”

  “Clerics mainly get their power through belief and gifts from gods. As long as they are devoted and lucky anyone can get those powers.” Florence said before adding, “I don’t trust it.”

  “The religious fervor or the healing magic?”

  “Yes.” Florence answered as Bryson parked the hovercraft, “I understand healing magic, but holy healing magic is different.”

  “I’m aware.” Bryson said as he turned off the hovercraft.

  Regular healing magic and holy magic while looking similar had small nuances. Both would use mana, but normal healing magic tends to heal through a scientific method. Whether it was just simply moving pieces back in place or the more reality-bending methods of manipulating time or matter. As reality-breaking as it is, it still broke something that existed in the real world.

  Divine magic was using a form of mana that was not naturally occurring. It healed people simply because it healed people. There wasn’t much of a reason or basis for it. There was no way of learning the skill, either someone received the spell or they didn’t. Florence found the whole method unreliable.

  What was probably the nail in the coffin for her seeing holy healing magic as unreliable was the fact that because of how it functioned, the caster tended not to know much about the medical field. Why would they? The magic really had no help with learning about biology and knowledge of biology did little with this magic.

  “Just try to not insult the people in their own homes.” Bryson grunted as he and Florence got off the hovercraft and approached the welcoming party waiting for them.

  “Of course, I will remain professional for this.” Florence answered just before they got within earshot of the villagers.

  “Ah, hello, you two must be the people sent by the Coldwaters. I am the chief of this village.” An older man in his fifties greeted the two with a welcoming smile.

  Florence waited for Bryson to greet the man only to find Bryson looking over at her and indicating for her to take the lead. Right, I’m in charge. Florence thought blinking once. She then for a split second found herself in a new reality. Usually Bryson or one of the doctors tended to take charge in these scenarios.

  “Right, yes I am Florence Marsh, and I have brought the supplies and will check up on everyone in the village.” Florence said monotonously.

  “Yes of course, thank you for coming.” The chief said before he turned towards Bryson, “I’m sorry, I forgot to ask who you are.”

  “I’m Bryson. Bryson Khan. I’m just here as security.” Bryson asked, “All questions should be directed to the medical professional.”

  Bryson did his best to not crack a smile as Florence shot him a single glance. For everyone else watching it looked quick look, if they even caught it at all. But Bryson knew that this was as angry as she would get in a situation like this.

  “Right.” Florence said curtly, “Show me to the hospital.”

  “Most of the healing is at the chapel. Plenty of room there.” The mayor said as he began to guide them, “You can also store the medical supplies there.”

  “Excuse me.” Another villager asked, “Where are the medical supplies?” He asked looking at the empty hovercraft.

  “In here. It’s a storage bag.” Florence said which drew a wow from the villagers.

  Entering the chapel they were greeted by a mural painting of Afa, Goddess of Heroes. Bryson rubbed his mouth in displeasure as he took a quick glance up at it. It was a recently added painting, likely no older than a decade.

  Florence on the other hand simply ignored the thing entirely and found an empty area where she began to unload the supplies one crate at a time. The villagers were a bit shocked to see her take out massive crates and sort them out with ease.

  “So where are the injured?” Bryson asked.

  “In the other room.” The chief said opening another door where Bryson saw the cleric working and treating a multitude of people.

  “That’s a lot more than I was told.” Bryson said counting the number injured, their injuries were also worse than what Florence said they were.

  “Yes, we were going to send a new message today saying we encountered a monster.” The chief said as Florence stopped unloading supplies and turned her attention toward the injured.

  “A monster?” Bryson asked.

  “Yes, a large serpent appeared and had been attacking the people here, thankfully no one died, but we now have some seriously injured.”

  “When was this?”

  “Yesterday. Our system relays messages slowly, only one every few days.”

  “Hmm.” Bryson grunted. This feels more like a coincidence than anything else. Afa likely hasn’t done anything to cause this. I doubt she would let a group of her own worshippers be eaten by a snake. Bryson then looked at the cleric who looked exhausted while still taking care of his patients along with two herbalists.

  Bryson looked over to Florence who was already pulling out items from her bag ready to begin treatment. After she’s done we can just leave… He considered.

  Bryson then glanced back to the chief, “So where was this monster spotted?”