Chapter 28: The Village 2
"A tiger attacked us, and he saved us," Abel replied indifferently. The lack of respect was evident in his tone.
The villagers swarmed the four people when they entered the village entrance, their voices rising in a cacophony of curiosity and suspicion.
"What’s that on the sled?" an old woman asked, her gnarled hands already reaching for the leaves covering the sled. A sharp crackling sound from Barett’s basket startled her, and she pulled back.
"You’ve caught pheasants?" another villager guessed, craning his neck to get a better look.
Lara, standing beside the brothers, fought a surge of irritation. Though her body wasn’t tired, the feel of Darius—sweating profusely at her back—left her uneasy.
"Abel, can we go to your house?" she said impatiently, her voice lowered but firm. "Your brother’s in bad shape and needs a doctor."
Abel snapped out of his daze, blinking as though suddenly aware of the urgency. "This way," he murmured, leading Lara and his brothers toward the farthest end of the village.
"Cyrus, hurry—get the village doctor!"
Cyrus hesitated, his steps faltering. Reluctance flickered in his wide eyes. "But Brother," he began, "Grandma Melba said we already owe them too much... and they’re not running a charity."
Abel clenched his jaw. "Tell them a relative arrived with money. Now, Go!"
Cyrus turned to Lara, his gaze searching. "Sir Kane, is it true? Are you really our father’s relative?"