I Built This City Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Read chapter 25 of I Built This City by ThePudding on NovelPedia.

Healer Ellen Ellen found Vincent near the mill, with Pauley and one of the mill’s donkeys. The two large men were showing so much concern and care for the relatively small equine that Ellen had to stop and stare, trying to stifle a giggle. The picture was just adorable to her… the broad-shouldered mill owner and the surprisingly beefy healer both looming over the creature that clearly knew better than to act up. “Easy… easy…” Pauley mumbled, holding onto the beast’s neck while Vincent tended to a large, ugly-looking welt on its side. Ellen wasn’t sure what the injury was, but it looked infected or something, and she wrinkled her nose as the two worked together to drain the pus from the fist-sized lump. Notifications flew by as she watched. She was getting used to this, now. She was a ‘fifth generation’ Ellen, as they’d started to refer to one another. She knew how to earn experience quickly… and what not to do so she didn’t earn the wrong kind of experience. She didn’t want to end up accidentally working toward Laborer or something. And after hearing about how her predecessor had died, she really didn’t want to end up doing any lumberjack stuff any time soon. “Trisha! Haven’t seen you at the mill in a while!” Pauley waved as he let the donkey loose. The stubborn beast snorted, then hobbled forward, a clean patch of cloth stuck to its side where the injury was. Vincent had reduced the swelling, but the poor thing still walked with a limp. Ellen smiled and waved to both. “Pauley! Vincent!” She hurried forward, hopping over the puddle between them. “Yeah I’ve been um… busy. Almost got conked on the head with a dead branch that fell out of a tree, so I’m trying to stay closer to the village for a bit.” Pauley nodded solemnly. “Have to be careful, especially around winter. The guys and I call those ‘widowmakers’ around here. You’re lucky you’re still with us.” The big man gave her a thump on the back that staggered Ellen, and she returned the gesture with a strained smile. It was a little bit of a fib. At least she now knew that what killed her predecessor had a name, and was common enough that she didn’t feel quite so dumb for having gone out that way. “One of these days you’ll have to show me how to chop down a tree, sir.” Ellen’s smile brightened a little as she thought of that. “I’m curious to learn. But maybe later. I um, do have some things to talk to you about soon.” “Sure thing, young lady!” Pauley grinned and tipped his hat. “You need to talk to your adventuring friend here? I can make myself scarce.” He turned to Vincent. “Appreciate the help, stop by later and I’ll get you paid up square.” Vincent clasped his hand with the other man. “It was my pleasure. Don’t have him haul anything for another two weeks and he should be fine.” Pauley nodded in thanks again before shuffling after the annoyed donkey, leaving Vincent with Ellen. The big man still looked ridiculous hurrying along and trying to guide the injured animal, but even the inexperienced Ellen could tell the donkey wasn’t really fighting it. The reluctance was all show. “Did you need something?” Vincent’s voice broke into her thoughts, the low baritone shaking her back to her purpose. The large man crossed his arms, looming over Ellen in a way that would be intimidating if his face weren’t so gentle. Scratching the back of her head, Ellen blushed faintly. “I know you don’t talk much, but I could use some advice on how to handle injuries. My um… brush with death made me realize I’m a little behind on that. If I’m going to be serious about a Hybrid Class I should learn important stuff like that.” “Hm.” Vincent shrugged and started walking, forcing Ellen to hurry to keep up. He hadn’t said anything more, but neither was he objecting to her following beside him. The awkwardness of the moment had Ellen biting her lip. After several minutes of walking away from the road and into deeper vegetation, the quiet healer rumbled a soft statement. “You smell like cats.” Ellen bli