Chapter 109 The Doctor Is In 5 (2/2)
”The bridge is enchanted?!” Zero's eyes were positively sparkling and Clowis had to look away for a bit.
”Yes, it is. We're now going to visit the watchtower. I think Roovan is on duty now. You're in luck if he's there.”
Zero cocked his head to a side. What did Clowis mean by in luck? His silent question was soon answered.
The watchtower was very similar to the apartment in the trees. However, it was a lot smaller and had windows in every direction. Zero didn't know if they could spot enemies from the watchtower with all the leaves obscuring the view but didn't ask. Magic was usually the answer to such things.
”Roovan, are you in?”
Clowis didn't see anyone in the watchtower but he'd be a fool to assume it was abandoned. Zero blinked when Clowis called out to the empty building. However, he soon understood why.
A huge bird, no, bird-man swooped down from above. He had huge black wings and a crow's head but a human body. After a glance at Zero, the crow head transformed into a handsome human face. ”Hello there, I didn't think there would be guests.”
Clowis grinned. ”Chieftess told me to take him around the village yesterday but after eating her cakes, he had to rest so we're here today.”
Roovan grimaced and gave Zero an apologetic look. ”I apologise on behalf of the village for what you've gone through. Chieftess can be a rather passionate person although said passion does not always have the intended good results.”
Zero gave a weak smile. ”It's alright, I'll just be more cautious about eating anything she offers from now on. Also, my name is Zero. I'm training to become a doctor.”
Roovan flashed him a bright smile. ”My name is Roovan. Clowis mentioned something about a village tour. Perhaps I can help with that? Although the Sky Bridge is the fastest way to get around besides the underground network, it still takes a while. Say, are you afraid of heights?”
Zero shook his head and Roovan grinned. ”I think I like this boy already. Clowis, do you mind if I brought him back for lunch with Coux?”
Clowis shook his head. ”He has a lunch appointment with Zoe and the kids. I think they made a promise to play tag today. Perhaps another day. I'm sure Coux would be delighted to indulge him with stories about her travels.”
Roovan exchanged a few more words with Clowis and passed something to the warrior before carrying Zero in his arms.
”Are you ready, young Zero?”
The brunet grinned. ”Always ready!”
With that, the raven beastmen took off into a sharp nose-dive, eliciting squeals from the brunet. Clowis watched them go in the distance and assumed guard duty he exchanged with the village scout. Lovina's intruder detection magic didn't pick up anything so Clowis could afford to kick back and relax a little until the next guard came to relieve him from his duty.
***
They were now above the clouds and Zero held onto Roovan's neck tighter. Roovan proved to be rather strong and Zero was impressed by how his wings could carry both their weight.
”Over there you can see the farm you came from. The cliff beside it is where the cave is inside. Our village reaches all the way across the river. You can see that tree with the weird metal on the top... that's the apartment that Wiser lives in along with Lovina, Cleo, the fox demoness whose name I can't pronounce, Moona and Latitia.”
Zero didn't know who the fox demoness was but didn't think Roovan was insulting her by saying so.
”Across it near the roads is where most of the warriors live. The kids like to play tag there too as there is a huge open area. Soon and his zombies, Vishnu, Gweshr, Titor and Crudgel live in that tree. Of course, it's best to stay clear of that apartment at night. Some of them can become really wild especially during a full moon.”
Zero had lots of questions to ask but nodded anyway. He figured he would find out when he met them. But zombies? That got Zero's interest. Soon must be some sort of necromancer and Zero had never met a necromancer before. He was also curious to know if zombies fell ill.
”I think you've seen it before but over there is the Chieftess' tree and the heart of our village. You can tell it apart easily because some of the tree leaves have turned purple-brown from her cooking experiments. Although the tree is still well and alive, the leaves often absorb the poison so they've mutated a little.”
Zero squinted. True enough, there were purple-brown leaves on the tree. Not all the leaves were purple-brown but it seemed to be spreading. Zero pitied the tree.
”And there nearer to the farm and clearing is where I live with Coux. Lowis lives on the top floor. Gerald and Vrald live there too. The guest room that you stay in is there too so if you'd like, you could drop by anytime. I'm sure my wife would be pleased to meet you.”
”Wife? Oh, you mean Coux...”
Roovan blushed a little. ”Yes. Coux is my wife. Not to brag or anything but she's the most beautiful woman in this village. I'm really lucky she's willing to put up with my lame personality.”
Zero giggled and looked over to where Roovan was pointing. ”Over there is where the kids live with the village guardian. Douglas and the giantess live there too. They're the closest to the river because that selkie needs water. Also, Camie takes up two apartments in that tree alone because of her height. You should meet her, she's a really gentle person despite her size.”
Zero nodded and Roovan flew by to see the workshop. It is a little far out into the forest and Zero could hardly see anything apart from trees.
”Believe it or not, below these trees is a stone workshop where Tambolt and Raj work on new inventions. They live near the swamps with the magician twins, the yeti, Raj's apprentice and the other couple in the village.”
”What is a yeti?”
Roovan shrugged. ”From what I see, Chowkah something like a giant but hairier and unable to speak. He likes the winter a lot but is very skilful when it comes to gardening.”
Zero nodded. He learnt a lot about the village in their short flight. So far, there were five tree apartments, the Sky Bridge, the farms, Raj and Tambolt's workshop, the feast cave and Zenobia's tree which was the heart of the village. It wasn't a huge place but it wasn't small either.
”I have a question. Do you know who built the underground passageway?”
Roovan smiled. ”That happened during Grandma Moppo's time. The village didn't exist back then. From what I heard, it was Grandma Moppo's ancestors who designed and built this village. The tree houses were built by the faes and the underground network built by the dwarves. They lived in harmony together. However, a terrible disease struck about a hundred years back. Grandma Moppo lost most of her family. The remaining survivors left the village for a better place but many things happened and only Grandma Moppo was left. With nobody left and nowhere else to go, she returned to this village alone and lived for decades until the fox demoness came. One by one, we discovered this village and Grandma Moppo welcomed all of us. We slowly became a village together but it wasn't a true village until the stupid Count of Carrabas started attacking us about ten years back. Chieftess was the first person to fight for us and pull the village together. Half Moon Village was founded soon after when Hua Tuo chanced across it during his long trip back from the human town. He agreed to be our doctor on the condition that we will trade on his behalf for the supplies he required and that we kept his identity a secret.”
Zero was deep in thoughts after hearing it. Ten years... Half Moon village was considered newly founded and Grandma Moppo had suffered a lot. He was sure everyone in this village had their unique story to tell. For example, why would a yeti who loved snow travel so far away from snow? Why would the fox demoness decide to settle down in an abandoned village with a stranger? Why did Lady Zenobia fight so hard for this village when they were just strangers? How did she become the Chieftess and why was the Count of Carrabas attacking Half Moon village?
Then, his stomach protested loudly, startling both of them.
”I guess it is time for lunch. What do you say we head over to Zoe's now?”
Zero blushed and nodded. What a way to ruin the moment, stomach... what a way...