Just Before

She secured the bandage about Gilliam’s little hand with a deft and gentle touch. The silly boy had decided to take his juggling routine to the next level. A dangerous level. Fortunately he only suffered a shallow cut, though it had bled enough to scare him and his friend, Cole, into seeking The Healer - a title she embraced with pride and bore with dignity. It had always been her dream to carry such a responsibility, to be the fixer and the mender. To be honored and even revered. She was the shepherdess and this town, they were her flock. It had always been her dream…
 
…hadn’t it?
 
“Mistress?” Gilliam’s voice was tentative, as though afraid to disturb her.
 
She looked up from her work, realizing she had been holding his hand even after the job was done. She smiled and saw him immediately relax. And maybe even blush a little.
 
“There,” she said, releasing him and folding her hands into her lap. Even such a simple movement was possessed of elegance. “It will be healed before you know. Now go tell your mama what has happened, as thou promised. And spend more time practicing with fruit before you toss knives.”
 
Gilliam was already on his feet and towards the door before she’d finished speaking, with Cole not far behind. Cole turned back to her with an impish grin. “Can’t change anything if you don’t try to change anything, Mistress.” The two boys giggled and scampered out of her shop. Her smile faltered as she watched after them, her expression gradually pinching with bemusement. What a nonsensical thing to say. Wasn’t it? Of course it was. Silly boys saying silly things for the mere sake of being silly.
 
She stood, brushing her hands together as if brushing off the odd feeling that had briefly existed, as if it were dirt to be scattered, and set her mind to her next chore. She had a need to visit old Keeper.