"That speech was epic, she is so amazing," I whispered, hiding behind a crate.

I wanted to jump for joy and wave at Mistress Ephemia, but I couldn't embarrass her or myself. So instead I hid behind this crate and the people cheered her on. I admit that I did follow her out and maybe I snooped on her conversation with Gerald.

It's not like I am a spy or anything, I just wanted to talk to her and couldn't help but listen. I tried to rationalise it, but I still felt bad. What I heard sent chills down my spine. Gerald lied about keeping the demons under control while the mistress was injured.

It seemed like she approved of the deception, which I couldn't understand. Isn't it bad to lie to people, daddy always said so. But if the mistress said it was okay, it was for a good reason. The amazing Lady Ephemia protects the people, she wouldn't do anything to hurt them.

With that certainty, I peeked around the crate, basking in her presence. Her demon was standing beside her, she had made him kneel to her. It was like a knight kneeling to a queen. I chuckled at that, thinking of a demon being a brave and gallant knight from all those stories.

I liked the stories of mighty dragons and then knights. Most of my friends adored the tales of handsome knights rescuing the princess from a tower. I loved the tales of powerful dragons, I could recite their names by heart, and my friends would tease me about it.

I shook my head, trying to focus on the mistress speech. Looks like it ended and the people were turning to their tasks. I should get back, don't want to cause a fuss.

While everyone was distracted I quickly snuck back into the castle, down the winding hallway and into the room. The footman at the door smiled at me, as I entered.

His name was James, he was nice and let me go out to see the mistress. If not for him, I would have missed her amazing speech. I entered the place called triage and went back to my work.

It was boring but important. These poor people needed someone to help them, especially while Senior Gerald was out helping other people.

I sat next to my patient, the other wizard of Mistress Ephemia's prestigious school, Senior Wilhelm. He was hurt rather badly but was healed by Senior Gerald's amazing skills.

I hoped one day I would be as good as him. Oh, that would be a wonderful day, especially if the mistress would praise my skills. My head filled with wonderful thoughts, while I tended to the sleeping Wilhelm.

"You always had a gentle way about you." A familiar voice said from behind.

I looked towards the origin of the voice and brightened immediately. "Daddy!" I leapt into his waiting arms, thrilled at seeing him up and around.

"Sweetheart, it is good to see you are well and helping the people." Father praised me and it felt good to hear it.

I pulled away from his embrace and inspected him. Using all I had learned about healing, I could see he had recovered. Perhaps I could try a minor spell to help him? I quickly decided against it, since I was still new to magic.

"What will you do now father?" I asked, noticing he was wearing a leather gambison, something the soldiers wore.

Father sighed, he only had that expression when he was about to say something I didn't like. "Daddy will be helping with the defence. Helping mistress Ephemia in fact." He explained, adding the name of my idol at the end.

I perked up at that, but quickly frowned, once I realised what father was saying. "Your not going to get hurt? Are you daddy?" I sheepishly asked, terrified at the idea of losing him.

Despite myself, I clung to him harder, desperately trying to keep my father close.

"I will be fine sweetheart, I will be in the rear, supporting the men." He said and I still frowned.

I didn't understand what that meant, but if Father said it was okay, I would believe him.

"Looks like a happy family reunion." Gerald commented as he entered the room.

"Senior Gerald." Father bowed to the wizard and I curtsied by reflex.

"I'm not a noble, no need for that." He waved his hand as if he was trying to wave away our gratitude. "I will be needing your daughter, got quite a lot to do, having my little apprentice would be good." He glanced at me, naming me his apprentice.

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My heart swelled at the idea of being personally taught by a wizard directly under the mistress. Of course, being taught by the mistress would be better.

"Yes senior wizard." My father agreed, turning to me with a smile. "Go on sweetheart, don't want to keep him waiting."

I beamed a smile and followed behind the wizard, father came along as well. He was probably going the same way, to do his job and I to do my own.

It didn't take long for us to reach the castle courtyard, the house that was hit by the flying rocks was still collapsed beside me. People were littered about attending to their tasks.

I said goodbye to my father as he left to help the soldiers. "Please take care of my daughter, Senior Wizard." Father said before he left. I excitedly followed Senior Gerald as we spoke.

"I forgot to ask with all the confusion, but what spells can you use?" He asked.

This was my moment, puffing out my chest, I proudly listed what spells I knew, however meagre the list. "I know some geomancy, the basic spell to manipulate earth, a spell to manipulate vines and branches and a simple spell to help with aches and pains."

He stopped in his tracks and I nearly bumped into him. I wondered if I said anything wrong. Was I a lost cause? Did this show that I wasn't worth his teachings? So many bad thoughts raced through my mind, every one of them sinking my pride.

"Aches and Pains spell, the soldiers will love you." He turned and smiled. "How many times can you cast it?" He asked and my heart soared.

"Yes I know the spell, but I have only cast it a few times. So I'm not sure how many times I can cast it." I said, honestly.

He shrugged before continuing to walk. "No matter, we will work it out. Just let me know if you start getting exhausted." He turned back, his smile gone. "Make sure to stop casting when you feel tired. Okay?"

I nodded vigorously and many times to make sure. He nodded in return, grinned and gestured for me to follow. We walked not too far away and entered a strange building, just below the wall. I think I remembered Dad called this a barracks.

"Gerald you son of a bitch, were have you been, I'm bleeding here." Someone cursed inside, daddy should go tell him off.

"Language boys, we got a kid here." He chastised the man.

I peeked out from his side, making my presence known to a mottle collection of men. I think they called them men at arms, the soldiers directly under the mistress. The man who swore was a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark hair and green eyes. He smiled at me before bowing his head.

"Sorry little lady, we will be on our best behaviour." He turned back to the collection of men. "Isn't that right boys!" He received several shouts of approval.

"What is that?!" Gerald abruptly spoke up.

I traced his gaze to the soldier's arm, it was injured and poorly bandaged. Bloodstains covered the wound, with a piece of cloth haphazardly wrapped around it.

The soldier turned to the wound, figuring out what Gerald was saying. "Oh this? Battle scars, got knicked by that beast of a man with the axe." He said, proudly.

"Don't lie, we all know you nearly got your head cut off when that giant was waving around that axe. You got cut running the other way." One of the men seated on a cot joked.

"Your misinterpreting cowardice with a tactical retreat." He said in his defence, that the rest of the group didn't seem to believe him.

"I was talking about the bandage, didn't you pay attention to my first aid lessons. That is a travesty and will definitely get infected." Gerald complained, casting a witheringly long gaze upon everyone.

"What? It's not good?" The soldier said, puzzled.

Senior Gerald shook his head, he reminded me of my father when he was disappointed in me.

"I cannot fathom how you would think that. Now come here, I'm changing that." He gestured him over and he did so, with some of the others snickering.

With his patient seated, Senior Gerald went about removing the sloppy bandage, disinfected the wound and replaced it with fresh bandages.

"Now you remember this, because I might not be around when someone decides to stab you, again."

The soldier rolled his eyes but ultimately nodded. Gerald turned to me with a smile and a wink. "Now let's get to why we came here. Anyone here on the next wall rotation?" He questioned the room and several hands raised.

Gesturing the group of men to approach, only about five of them arrived. They looked haggard and worn, some of them seemed injured. But despite that, they still held themselves upright.

"These men need bedtime." I muttered.

"Unfortunately the enemy is tireless, which is the problem." Gerald responded to my soft-spoken words.

"Tell me about it, I hear their is going to be another wave. I am exhausted from the first two, I don't think the men can take so many." One of the five spoke up.

"That's why we are here." Gerald turned to me. "This little girl will be your salvation. But first we will have do some tests."

The men looked puzzled, their curious gazes flitting to Gerald and then to me. Even I was confused, but if Senior believed I could help, I would follow his lead.

"Kid, cast that aches and pains spell on this guy." He gestured to the one that had previously spoken.

"A spell from a kid, wait a minute Gerald. Are you sure?" He protested, looking at both of us dubiously.

"It's fine my man, you will appreciate it." He turned to me. "Hit him." He ordered and I obeyed.

I began the somatic gestures to cast the spell and chanted the words I remembered. A soothing energy extended from my outstretched hand and touched the haggard soldier. He winced, expecting pain, but soon his eyes were wide.

"Woah, I feel great." He touched all over his body as if trying to find some flaw. "What was that?" He asked, astounded at the effects.

Gerald chuckled. "It's one of the most basic healing spells, I haven't used in a long time. But lady Emily here knows the spell." He pointed to me and I felt everyone's gazes bear down on me. "With the two of us, this is what I propose. Every shift change, we cast this spell on the men. That way every soldier that reaches the wall will be fresh and full of energy."

That idea seemed to brighten the mood of the men. They started whispering to each other, smiling and genuinely hopeful.

"But before you all get excited, we need to test how many times she can cast this spell." Gerald explained.

"I don't know Senior Gerald, but I will do my best." I spoke resolutely, ready to do my part for the castle.