1

A musty scent wafted into the air and tickled Ingrid’s nose. Not quite an unpleasant smell (it was earthy, pungent and had a hint of sweetness), but potent nonetheless. She watched with muted interest as Telhari prepared the medicated balm that he would use on Perry’s wounds. The medicine, he had informed them, was made of common herbs that were to be enhanced using magic.

Magic.

Spells.

The whole concept was foreign to her. It all seemed too fantastical to be true. She had heard the stories, as all poor children had. Those stories gave a sense of wonder to the otherwise grizzly reality of their own humdrum lives. It was sweet honey for the imaginations of children, to keep them quelled and content. Its purpose was to distract them from realizing the painful, ugly, dirt and bloodstained truth of their world.

She had heard the stories, as all poor children had. Her mother told them to her before bed. And when her mother was gone, Ingrid had recited them in her place.

“Is it almost done?”

“Be patient, Ellis,” Perry chided.

Sir Perry made every effort to remain calm, but he was clearly uneasy. He had not taken his eyes off Telhari since he had begun his work preparing the herbs.

Ingrid turned her head just enough to look at Perry. He was sitting on the wooden bench; his bandages were removed, and his wounds were open to the air. His shirt was folded in the corner, and he had freshly washed skin. Despite being limited from his wounds, his body was still strong, having lost none of its muscularity. She allowed herself only a moment to observe him, before quickly looking away.

Perry respected her as one of his equals, despite initial protest from the others. How uncustomary it was in Omnirius for a woman to don armor and fight on the battlefield alongside men and knights. It was all she had ever wanted, and finally she had found someone who supported her. She could not risk losing that support to such frivolous temptation.

So, Ingrid decided to distract herself, instead focusing on Telhari as he continued to prepare the medicine.

It seemed to have two parts: there was a poultice to be placed on the wound directly, and a liquid concoction to be ingested. Telhari had described it as ‘healing from the inside out, and from the outside in’. That concept seemed to make sense to her, but none of that had to do with magic.

In the stories, a wizard might have just waved his hand and closed the wounds, like a seamstress sewing two pieces of cloth together. What good was magic if it needed all of this preparation and work?

“Alright.”

Telhari placed the pestle down on the table. He reached over and withdrew a clay kettle from the coals on which they had been sitting and placed it on a wooden block next to the mortar.

“Is…is that it?” Perry asked.

“Not quite.”

Telhari held his hands above the mortar, with his open palms facing downward. It seemed to Ingrid that he might have been praying. But what he did next was entirely unfamiliar to her.

Telhari’s mouth hung open slightly, and a soft tune drifted out into the room. It swelled and churned until the song seemed to take on a life of its own, becoming almost physical. Ingrid’s skin tingled and she could feel the table vibrate gently in tune.

Perry was unable to move. The sensation was new, and it frightened him. He wanted to stop it, but he was too scared to interrupt. What if something happened? What if he was turned into a toad, like in the wives’ tales!? Instead, he looked around the room, hoping the reactions of the others might offer him some comfort. Ingrid was similarly on edge, but Ellis and Mary seemed not to be phased. In fact, Ellis seemed at ease. Perry continued watching him with a newfound curiosity; Ellis seemed to drink in the sight and eventually close his eyes, as if sleeping peacefully…

Perry and Ingrid gasped suddenly as a wisp of light flashed into existence above the tea pot. It burned a faint shade of emerald and then disappeared.

Stolen novel; please report.

Telhari withdrew his hands and reached for the pot. He grabbed a small cup and filled it with the liquid; he then put down the pot and slid the cup towards Perry.

Perry felt a lump in his throat.

“I…I drink this?”

Telhari nodded.

“What does it taste like?”

“Just drink it, uncle. It’s gonna help.”

Perry shot Ellis a look.

“It will taste fine, I can assure you.” Telhari tried his best to be comforting but nothing could assuage Perry’s apprehension completely.

Still, he had agreed to this and so he would see it through. Perry lifted the cup and peered inside at the dark brown liquid. He eyed it for a few moments. Then, he quickly brought the cup to his lips and downed the medicine.

“Well?” Ingrid asked as she leaned in.

Perry smacked his lips a few times and blinked in surprise.

“It tastes better than the coffee.”

“Really!?” Mary leaned in, grabbing the cup from him and sniffing it.

“What about the rest?” Perry asked, pointing to the mortar.

“Ah, this will go on as usual. Avenell should be able to help you with that.” Telhari slid the mortar across the table so Perry could look at it. The texture had previously been clumpy and uneven, with an inconsistent smattering of colors. But now, after the spellwork, it had changed to a smooth consistency that was the color of fresh honey.

“Keep the bandages on for five days,” Telhari continued, “Do not get them wet and do not remove them. Continue to drink this,” he said, tapping the pot. “One cup in the morning and one cup before bed. When five days have passed, you may remove the bandages. If any liquid remains, finish it in the usual amount.”

“Five days!?” Ingrid asked. “Surely not?”

Telhari looked at her.

“Five days should be more than enough.”

“The shoulder wound you gave him is deep,” she insisted, “It has damaged the muscle, he cannot even lift his sword.”

“Ingrid,” Perry groaned, “Please don’t remind me.”

“But Sir Perry, if we don’t treat these wounds seriously, the damage could be lasting! You might never be able to fight as you once did…”

Perry patted his shoulder.

“This shoulder is already damaged Ingrid; it has been for some time. I don’t know how much longer I would have been able to use it anyway.”

“All the more reason to—”

Perry lifted his hand.

“I trust this man, Ingrid. That is the end of it.”

She wanted so badly to protest. Why would he risk so much on something so flimsy and uncertain as magic?

Ingrid sat back in her chair and folded her arms.

“Do as you wish.”

Telhari stood there, watching the two of them. He couldn’t help but feel as if he had seen this behavior before.

Perry stared into the mortar and said nothing for a few moments.

“Master Telhari…”

Telhari looked at him curiously.

“Yes?”

“There is one more thing I would like to ask of you.”

2

The mess hall was completely silent.

The Starspawn members were gathered at the long tables, seated in front of Sir Perry who stood atop the dais. The rest of the manor staff and servants were lined around the perimeter of the mess hall. Everyone had their eyes trained on Perry and the man standing next to him.

“From this day forward, and until further notice, Master Telhari will be staying with us!” Perry called out into the hall. “He will continue to train my nephew and will be looked after as one of our own!”

Many of the staff were nodding their heads in agreement, undoubtedly weary of this mysterious Elfkin, but either too scared or too trusting of Sir Perry to disobey. The members of the Starspawn, however, seemed less convinced. A soft murmuring of concern swelled between them as their suspicious glances fell on Telhari.

Perry perceived this and continued.

“If there are any who doubt his merit, I invite you to see what Master Telhari is capable of for yourself.” Perry then unbuttoned his shirt to reveal his bandaged body as a testament, knowing all too well how the minds of his men operated. “I have tested his blade first-hand and have deemed him to be a man of exceptional quality. You will show him respect, as you show me respect.”

“Otherwise, he’ll turn us into a toad!?”

A few men stifled their laughter.

“As I’ve said before, Albert,” Perry called out, “If you are doubtful, then you are more than welcome to invite Master Telhari to a duel. I am sure he would be happy to oblige your curiosity.”

Albert made no further comment.

“Good!” Perry said as he clapped his hands together. “I expect nothing but the utmost hospitality from you all. We will show our guest that the Starspawn is indeed worthy of praise!”