Team (2)
But the word team for the people here was not just a word. It was part of their bodies. Every personnel was part of a unit and they all play an important part. Everyone worked hard to move their team nearer to their goal. They did not just do what was expected of them. They did beyond the expectations. They never whined. Everyone helped one another, regardless whether you were a medic or a guard.

Their work ethics and camaraderie astounded Lia. she never felt this kind of teamwork as though this group of men and women were the physical embodiment of the word. Never in her life did she felt motivated to do something, to give her own contribution because it was much shameful to do otherwise. Not in the face of people who continued to give their best despite their dire situation.

And their situation was dire. Not enough resources and people for such a wide-scale attack against a powerful group of baddies.

Just as Lia was about to bolt for the nearby camp to do her job, the head physician approached her. He wore his usual amiable smile reserved for his patients but Lia could also gleam worry in his eyes. Seeing that look made Lia worry too. Her mind veered to a more negative direction.

As if he could read her thoughts, the physician smoothed out his expression. “I’m not going to reprimand you,” he said softly. Lia tried to not be so obvious with her sigh but of course, it did not escape the ever-observant physician Jeremiah. He chuckled. “It wasn’t as if you did something wrong.”

Lia raised a shoulder as her form of a shrug. “I don’t know. Everyone else thinks I do.”

“Not here. Not at present company.” Jeremiah gestured to the rest of the team who hustled and bustled around them.

The corners of Lia’s mouth curved to a wry smile as she watched them. “You’re all too trusting.”

“Lia,” he said in a tone as if a parent talks to a child, “what happened was very unfortunate. But you proved yourself to be above everything they flung at you in the past days. You being here is another proof of that.” He paused and let his words sunk in. “And I don’t know if this would be of any help but I want you to know that you are welcome here. I speak on behalf of the troop that you being here is a big help for all of us. Your knowledge of plants and medicine are truly amazing! Did you perhaps come from the capital? Because if not, where else would you learn something like that?”

Lia giggled. ‘Giggled’. She might as well be drunk at Jeremiah’s words. And she might think that he was fooling her if not for the obvious welcoming atmosphere she received from them. It had been long, far too long when she felt like she was part of something aside of her family. They never cast judging looks or whisper and call her names. She was never ostracized, something she was used to.

But she did not belong to them. She was an outsider. They would all leave her once everything was over and she would stay here in this town. Maybe she could re-build their cottage or just be a nomad. The last one did not sound so bad.

Her thoughts must have shown on her face as the worried look came back full force on Jeremiah’s eyes. Lia shook her head and forced herself to smile. “How about I tell you about the person who taught me that after all of this is over?”