11

I made my way to the healer’s chambers, a sense of urgency in my steps. I needed to find Cain and share the latest developments with him. As I entered the cozy chamber filled with the soothing scent of herbs, I found the healer, a wise woman named Isolde, tending to her collection of potions and remedies.

“Isolde,” I greeted her with a warm smile. “Have you seen Cain?”

Isolde turned to me, her eyes crinkling with kindness. “Ah, dear Agnes,” she said in her gentle voice, “your husband left moments ago.”

A soft chuckle escaped my lips at the assumption that Cain and I were married. “He is not my husband” I remarked. “We are just cool.”

As I turned to leave, Isolde called out to me, her voice laced with amusement. “You know, my dear, if someone fought a boar for me, I’d surely marry them.”

I paused in my tracks, my cheeks flushing with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment. “Oh, Isolde,” I said, trying to hide my amusement, “Cain and I are not… well, we’re not married… and I don’t thin