The doorbell chimed, and Milo, one of two established healers in the Eastern District stood red faced in the entryway, a throbbing vein visible on his forehead, “I had to see it to believe it! Exill, how could you do this to me? After everything I did for you!”
Exill sighed. The Elf was a short man with a prominent widow’s peak, his jet black hair tied in a ponytail and a perpetual scowl. He was a serial complainer, and was prone to sending profanity laced letters to everyone who remotely wronged him, perceived or otherwise.
“You are on the other side of the market. This district is large enough for the three of us.” Exill had learned to be curt with the Healer or there would be no end to his grumbling.
Milo’s hands trembled at his words before slamming them on the counter. “There are proper channels and procedures to setting up a clinic! You did not consult with the Healer’s Guild or give due notice. You are breaking the law and must immediately cease your operations, or you will hear from us!”
‘Ah… f**k.’ Exill knew he had forgotten something.
He had thought registering for a business license at the Magistrate’s would suffice. Exill wasn’t a member of the Healer’s Guild so what could they realistically do to him? Apparently, Milo begged to differ and was of the opinion that the Witchdoctor had broken the law.
“When is the next Guild meeting?”
“It is today, every second Thursday you dimwit! I assure you I will elevate this issue to the highest committee!”
Exill decided to tread cautiously and changed tack. He didn’t want to be on the wrong end of the law, “I’m sorry Milo, I’ll close up shop for the day and see you at the meeting. We’ll proceed from there.”
“Hmph! You’re breaking the law Exill, mark my words. You young’uns think they can flout the rules, but the arm of the law is frighteningly long my boy!”
Exill sighed as he closed the door, taking care to turn the sign to indicate the Clinic was closed. Deciding to take a nap until the Healer’s Guild convened, he dragged his heavy feet up the stairs.
***
Exill woke up in the evening to find Envy nestling into his bed. He moved his arm before the Vampire could latch on and asked her, a hint of panic in his voice.
“What time is it?”
“Bell rang eight times a while ago.” Envy replied sullenly, she had been looking forward to the meal after an arduous day in the Labyrinth.
“You can eat later; I need to rush to the Healer’s Guild meeting.” He hurried out and passed through the gates of the Inner City, flashing his resident token to the guard. He was heading towards the Central Market. The place was usually closed at this hour, but his destination was a long building of freestone that lined one side of it.
The Guild Hall was a two-storey building with interior colonnades leading to arched rooms where the various Guilds of Ark could hold council. There were forty such private rooms in the building, some permanently assigned, and some shared between the smaller guilds. Exill climbed the stairs to the upper storey, searching for light that indicated a room was in use alongside the Healer’s symbol on the door.
“You may take a seat, Witchdoctor Exill.” A stern woman with greying hair in a tight bun looked over her spectacles as he knocked and entered the room. Exill controlled his heavy breathing as he sat down at the only available seat – next to Luna.
“The next item on the agenda is the matter concerning Witchdoctor Exill. Healer Milo, you may have the floor.”
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Milo stood up, glaring at Exill before clearing his throat, speaking lines that had been clearly rehearsed, “My esteemed colleagues, I bring forward to you a case most troubling as it flouts Guild tradition established over hundreds of years. Witchdoctor Exill opened a clinic not 450 meters (0.3 miles) away from my own.
He did not ask permission from the Guild or notify its members of this fact. Furthermore, his shop front is adorned in the light blue livery of the Healer’s Guild as regulated by the Kingdom of Fayth. His shop sign makes a mockery of the World’s Spirit by depicting the Eld Tree on the palm of the glowing healer’s hand, another symbol that is regulated by the Kingdom.”
There was a hubbub of noise as members discussed the details of the case with their neighbours. Perg could be seen lightly shaking his head in the direction of Exill. The stern woman at the head of the table motioned others to quiet down.
“The light blue livery and the glowing hand symbol are reserved for exclusive use by the Healer’s Guild. Considerations will be made for your attempt to change the symbol, but it is not transformative enough. How do you plead?”
Exill gritted his teeth, it looked like he had no choice in the matter. Who knew trademarks existed in this fantasy world? He quickly went into damage control, “I thank the Council’s judgement on the matter and will immediately repaint the storefront and take down the sign. I ask for leniency.”
The head of the Guild examined Exill’s contrite posture with stern eyes, glancing at Luna before passing judgement, “Considering your past service, penitent nature, and free admission of guilt; the Guild fines you a hundred Denars. All in favour?”
The vast majority of hands went up, Luna carefully abstained from the vote. The matronly head counted the votes before affirming the judgement, “The motion passes. The next issue is regarding the operation of a clinic, unsanctioned by the Guild. Do you consider yourself a Healer, master Exill?”
Luna brushed his knee with her fingertips; an imperceptible shake of her head told him to reply no. Exill hesitated before replying in a clear voice, “No madam. I am not a Healer. I was blessed by the Spirit of the World with the title of ‘Witchdoctor’, the first, and probably last of its kind. My powers lie in the manipulation of the life force and is not exclusive to healing.”
Various members of the Guild who had crossed paths with Exill nodded at his word. They had experienced firsthand the miracles he had wrought. The Guild head had a thoughtful look on her face as she perceived the various reactions around the room. Finally, she spoke, “Would you be interested in joining our Guild?”
“Would the Guild approve of my clinic?” Exill countered with a question of his own.
Looking around the room it was evident that his clinic would not be approved. Like all Guilds, they were protectionist by nature and were eager to maintain the status quo – especially where a nuisance like Milo was involved. The Guild head also saw this and knew her gambit had failed.
“On the matter of the Clinic… the Guild declines to pass judgement as Witchdoctor Exill does not hold the title of ‘Healer’ and is thus outside the purview of the Guild. Anyone with objections may directly inspect his Card.”
Healer Milo shot up in outrage, his lips curled in grimace as a vein throbbed visibly on his forehead, “This is preposterous! Witchdoctor or not he-”
The Guild head cut him off sternly, her eyes cold, “That is out of order Healer Milo. With no further issues on our agenda I call an end to this meeting.”
The volume rose as people stood up to rush home, discussing the extraordinary case with their neighbours. The general consensus was that they were fine with the judgement. Exill was an anomaly created by the Will, a one-off that didn’t threaten the authority of the Guild. Their status was safe and very few cared about Milo.
Exill stood up to leave when he felt a hesitant tug at his sleeve. Luna motioned him to follow as she left the room and slipped into a vacant room further down the hallway. Exill quietly followed after her.
“I leave you alone for a week and you get yourself into trouble?” she looked tired, but concerned.
“Thanks for helping me out back there… how are you doing?”
Luna tried to hide the pain in her eyes. It physically hurt to see him again, especially after her confession… and hearing his response that he liked her back. The Maiden weathered each day by consoling herself that she would never see him again.
There was a curious comfort in unrequited love as long as the object of your desires wasn’t in front of you.
“I’m… keeping busy. I’m recruiting an apprentice, but it isn’t easy.”
Exill nodded as the seconds drew out between them, increasing the tension with words unsaid. Luna broke the silence first, her heart was thumping too hard, making her lightheaded,
“I… need to go. Congratulations on your clinic and take care of yourself.” She turned to leave but stumbled as her foot caught on the door ledge. Her fall was arrested when strong arms wrapped around, steadying her.
‘Ah… this is bad.’ Exill thought as he held her light form against the moonlight in the colonnades.