There is a small house in the forest belonging to the medical man. He's a recluse; surviving from the money he makes creating salves and providing care to people of nearby villages. Once a week he makes a journey, cart in tow, selling his goods to willing customers. In the case of a serious injury, a messenger is sent on horseback to request his aid. The combined militia of the surrounding area has meant he sees far fewer wounds of the type produced by bandits than in previous years. Harvests have been good and the land here is prosperous. Perhaps that is why she was drawn here.
"Come on, little one, not much further to go now," a young woman spoke to her younger companion.
The light was fading as the pair walked the crude dirt road in search of a place to stay. Though they had long since become accustomed to sleeping on the rough ground out in the open, the knowledge of nearby civilisation motivated them to continue. Meetings along the road were few and far between yet none were intimidating; possibly because of the general safety of these surroundings, but more likely due to the appearance of the lady. She had a foreign look about her, much more noticeably than the youngster with whom she travelled. Tall and visibly muscled, she walked assuredly alongside the child. Her hair, hidden beneath her hood, was of a strangely brownish hue and cut short, framing her severe features. The twin swords at her hips added to the aura of confidence exuding from her person.
"See there. The lights of the village," she spoke softly.
"About time! You definitely made it out to be a lot closer," the boy humphed, frowning at his weary feet.
"Hush now," she said, smiling fondly.
A deep voice called out to them from a hidden outpost: "Greetings, wanderers! Have you come in hope of a place for the night?"
"We have," the woman replied. A short pause. The woman's ears twitched forward slightly, listening to the hushed conversation. These people were clearly not used to the presence of late night travellers.
"Just keep following the pathway," a second, older, voice made itself known. "The village hall will be the one with the beacons lit outside. Next to that you'll find the inn."
A hand was raised in acknowledgement of their words as the final leg of that day's trek was completed.
The village hall was a moderately-sized edifice, well-kept and possessed a welcoming feel. The crops from the coming harvest were likely to be stored and guarded in this central community building. Rowdy chatter could be heard from the building most likely to be the one to which the guard had earlier referred. Repositioning her bag more securely on her back and taking the child by the hand, she pushed open the heavy wooden door, immersing them both in wary stares and eventual silence. The man standing behind the bar beckoned them to him. His heavyset frame and rugged appearance did not detract from the warmth of his smile and the kindness in his eyes.
"Haven't seen the pair of you around before. New faces mean new stories, and that's something this lot is always a-hankering after. What should we call you?"
"You can call me Shizuru. This is my brother, Toubi. We've been on the road most of the day. The stories can wait for tomorrow, if you'll have us more than one night," she smiled sweetly as Toubi rolled his eyes. After briefly discussing rooms and payment, Shizuru accepted a key and made for their temporary accommodation.
