VERONICA IN THE TOWN

After listening to the Head Priest, Veronica's eyes sparkled. The only thing that came to her mind was, 'I can go to the town.'

Arthur's image flashed in her head. Her face heated up and she lowered her head. 'Why am I thinking about him?'

It's true that she wasn't able to meet him for six months. She wished she could meet him before leaving. Deciding that, she took a detour so as not to meet Catherine on the way and headed to the town. She was blocked at the temple gate but after showing a token given by the Head Priest, the guards allowed her to leave.

The city was bustling just like before. The news of the healers disappearing hadn't arrived there yet. People were chatting joyfully and children were playing without a worry. The scenario wasn't as festive as the night time but it was refreshing.

The first thing she did was to go to the library. The library had a signboard. It said 'Open'. Her heart filled with anticipation as she entered the library.

She went straight to the librarian's table where Arthur was supposed to sit and do his work. However, she didn't find him there. That place was empty. The library was busy with students and scholars. They didn't pay attention to a girl.

She went to the corner to approach the attached door that linked Arthur's house with the library. Surprisingly, the door was locked from the other side.

'What's going on?' she wondered.

At that moment, someone was passing by and whispered, "What are you looking for, miss?"

Veronica was startled by this sudden appearance of a person out of nowhere. She turned around and saw an eighty year old man with a dust cleaning brush.

The man observed her and told her, "I'm sorry if I scared you but this place is off-limits to outsiders."

'This grandpa thinks I'm a thief,' she thought. She stated, "I'm not an outsider. Arthur knows me. You seem to be a new person here. Where is he?"

The old man responded, "If you are looking for Master Arthur then I'm sorry to say that he isn't available. He left last night and told me strictly not to let any woman go near his house." He looked like he was ready to kick her out.

Veronica pondered, 'Was he talking about me? But I haven't met him for six months. He wouldn't be wary of me.' She opened her mouth and inquired, "Did anyone else come to find him before I did?"

The old man answered, "Yes. You are the seventh woman who came to find him after he left."

'Seventh! And he just left last night. That damn playboy,' she gritted her teeth while cursing him. 'But at least I'm number lucky seven. I've still got hope.'

She was surprised at her own thoughts. 'What am I thinking about? What hope am I hoping for? Seriously!'

She took out two books from her bag and handed them to him. "Please give them back to him when he returns. And tell him that I'm sorry I was late to give him these books. If I'm alive, I will come to meet him again." After giving him a sweet, polite smile, she turned around and withdrew herself from there.

'At least this woman was a good one,' the old man thought and looked at the books. 'She is the first woman to be able to borrow something from Master Arthur. Master Arthur never allows any woman near his precious house. If they asked him for something, he would give stuff away as if he was doing charity. How could a merciless man like him let her borrow anything? Maybe because she is a polite woman.'

While the old man was doing his speculation, Veronica gazed at the library one last time and sighed. She wasn't sure if she could come back here in one piece.

She was never in a war and Arthur once mentioned that during war people kill each other. It's a bloody mess. Even many healers disappeared with a flash of light. Thinking about all that made her scared. However, she couldn't show it to anyone in the temple in case they were worried.

She came to meet Arthur to give him back his books and to seek some advice and comfort. Unfortunately, she didn't find him.

With a heavy heart, she departed from the library. She walked past an antique shop.

Just when she mixed in the crowd, the door to the antique shop opened and Arthur came out. He dragged his feet toward the library.

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"Are you sure you will be okay?" Catherine hugged Veronica. She was scared to death after finding out that her friend was going to the war.

"What are you concerned about? Don't you know I'm a tough girl? I will conquer everything! Just wait and see." Veronica acted bravely. Noticing that Catherine's complexion still didn't improve, she joked, "Maybe I will find a husband for me and search one for you too." She winked at her friend.

Catherine's face flushed. "Enough! Don't joke around." Although she said that, she was feeling shy.

"Neigh!" The horses called out. A wooden carriage was waiting for her. There were other healers inside the carriage.

Veronica knew it was time. She squeezed her friend's hands. "I'm off then. Keep me in your prayers."

"Don't you worry about that. I'll pray day and night," Catherine promised her. It was night time, and the path was lit up by torches on both sides. She stood in front of the gate, till Veronica's wooden carriage disappeared in the dark.

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Meanwhile, Saint Ava was looking at the carriage from the tower along with the Head Priest. "It wasn't right to send her. She wasn't ready for it."

The Head Priest responded, "The matter is out of my hand. I can do nothing but to obey the king's order."

Saint Ava furrowed her eyebrows. Her cold voice was cooler than the weather of the Alss. "That's why I should have met him and prevented her from going."

The Head Priest remarked, "And I had to stop you before you did something you shouldn't have. This matter is out of our hands."

"If something bad happens, you have to answer to me," after warning him, Saint Ava left the tower.

The Head Priest murmured, "I'll pray for everyone who had left the town today. May the Goddess be with you all the way. Please come back safely."