A few days later, Falt arrived with provisions from the village of Qaiel. Together, the Knight-in-Waiting and the farmer had a pleasant day, salvaging skins from the furry possums that roamed the plainsland.
“The old wise-woman asked for you”, said Falt that evening.
“Oh?”
Stiel had heard about the wise-woman before, an old crone living in Stickle Pass not too far from the Windy Bridge. It was what the villagers called the wilderness, and that made them think of her as weird. The old woman had their respect, however, because of her potions, salves, and the help she offered women bearing children, or wanting to. She was as close to a midwife as anyone could remember Qaiel having, she just didn’t live there. The green-haired young man had never heard her name spoken.
“Yes”, continued Falt, “she did.”
“Well, what did she want?” Falt had a habit to not move on with things he deemed important, unless you prodded him for more information. Stiel sometimes found this little treat charming, to use one of his mothers words, but at other times - like this - it annoyed him a lot. He had to keep the urgency and irritation from his voice, a feat that had gotten harder the further away the completion of his Stand seemed to be.
“You, and your help. She asked if anyone would see you soon, but never waited for an answer. She had use of noble assistance, she said, whatever that means”, Falt said, poking the fire.
“Noble assistance?”
“Aye.”
“I see. When?”
“Right away I guess”, the farmer said, paused, and then continued, as if he’d debated with himself before going on. “It was almost as she looked at me and knew I was coming up here today.”
They sat quiet for a while, lost in thoughts. The moon was starting to break through the twilight, turning the cold evening into an even colder night.
“Will you see her?” Falt finally asked.
“Yes”, Stiel said. This could be his chance, a noble deed for his Stand. Besides, an old woman needing help - noble assistance even, whatever she meant by that - going to her aid was the honorable thing to do.
Stiel meant to be a honorable knight, no matter what.