The sun had reached its peak as Leonidas rode towards the Collen farm. His horse cantered down the road, one hand resting on the pommel of his saddle as the other hung on his side. An off-white tunic covered his athletic frame as a dark brown leather vest fitted over his chest. A wide satchel hung over his left side, holding his packed medical supplies.
He spotted the two-story farmhouse, the second level jutting out slightly over the first. The barn was a short walk away with a chicken coop by the door and a small post and rail fence placed to keep the animals from wandering. A well was located in between the two main buildings, with a bucket resting on the stone mouth. It was idyllic at first sight, as if it came out of the storybooks he read as a child.
Spotting the farmstead he thought, a little early, hope Moire doesn’t mind. He saw a woman standing by the door way, wringing her hands and looking back at the room behind her constantly. Dismounting his horse and tying the reins to a fence rail, he approached the farmhouse.
He waved and gave her a smile, saying, “Afternoon, Moire. Hope I’m not too early.”
She shook her head, waving the comment off. “Absolutely not, please come inside.”
The soft scent of smoke, roasted meat and herbs touched his nose. “Whatever is on the stove smells amazing.”
“Thank you,” Moire replied, chuckling nervously, “Little Siomon is upstairs.”
The two made their way to the upper level of the farmhouse. The wood creaking as their weight shifted the flooring beneath them. The ambient light filled the hallway in a warm glow, reminding Leonidas of when his years in the Outlands. He smiled at the memory before Moire opened the door and led him inside.
Peering inside, Leonidas saw a chair and simple desk situated near the window, a chest resting next to the bed and small boy resting on top of a wool sheet placed over the mattress. “Little pup?” Moire said to a young boy resting in a bed but up against a wall. “The doctor is here to see you.”
The boy sat himself up, using his right leg to move his body while his left laid flat on the bed. Leonidas grabbed a chair nearby in the room and pulled it over next to the boy. “Hey there, Master Siomon, I heard we had a bit of a tumble fighting squirrels, eh?”
Siomon shook his head, “I think I got on their bad side.”
Leonidas chuckled. “I wouldn’t worry, they aren’t the type to hold grudges.” As he positioned himself to examined the leg he looked back to Siomon. “Now I’m going to need to use my fingers to possibly see what’s happening inside your foot, is that all right?”
The boy nodded quickly gulping deep.
“This shouldn’t be too bad, though if you breath out, I will need to take the foot,” said Leonidas, as he moved Siomon left leg to a bent position. Siomon’s eye widened as Leonidas laughed. “Just a little doctor humor,” he said to Siomon patting the boy’s shoulder.
Leonidas closed his eyes and began moving his fingers around just above the base of the ankle. Moving along the front of the ankle joint Leonidas thought, All right, the anterior talofibular feels normal, no laxity or anything else. He moved to behind the joint. Oh, there we are, always with the calcaneofibular, you little rascal.
Leonidas placed the leg down, nodding. “I think I found the issue. He’s got a bit of swelling on the outer ankle. Nothing to lose sleep over, but you will need to bury him in the backyard up to his neck next to the horses.”
“What?” Siomon said, his head shooting up.
“And I just put my shovel away,” Moire said in mocking disbelief.
“But, in all seriousness, Siomon, give the foot a day or two to rest and you should be back on your feet,” said Leonidas, ruffling the boy’s hair.
As he and Moire made their way to the front of the farmhouse she said, “I can’t thank you enough for getting here so quick.”
Leonidas smiled, lifting the palm of his hand towards her.
“Wasn’t an issue at all. I’m just glad it wasn’t anything dire.”
“Would you like to stay and have something to eat?”
“I’d love to, but I should probably get back to the clinic before I’m missed.”
“We have a chicken roasting on the spit.”
“Oh,” Leonidas said, rubbing his chin, “And you make outstanding rotisserie chicken.”
He felt a vibration in his satchel. Opening the flap up he saw a golden glow emanate and immediately threw his head back. “Oh no.”
“Is that bad?”
“It’s not great, but I do need to take this one,” he said apologetically.
He stepped away from the house, pulling a golden stone out of the satchel and holding it close to his ear.
“What is it?” he said sternly, immediately his demeanor changed as the other person spoke, “Wait wait wait, what? Slow down, what happened … Oh Ellia’s mercy, is anyone else hurt? … He has what, shit that’s not good. Well, where are you at? … Thank the gods for small favors, I’m not that far away. Just, just keep everyone where they’re at and I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He turned to Moire, tapping his foot hard and clearing his throat. “I do apologize, but I need to go.”
“Oh no, is everything all right?”
“An acquaintance got herself into something, and they need a doctor quick,” he said mounting his horse. “I’ll try to be back for that meal, but I can’t make any promises.”
“We’ll have a plate ready for you whenever you do get back,” said Moire.
“You’re too kind,” said Leonidas before he ran to his horse, leapt onto the saddle, and had it go into a full gallop.
Once away from the farm his face turned from smiles to concern. He urged his steed to ride as fast as it could. Time was not on his side and ominous thoughts filled his mind on what he’d find. Trees whooshed by his ears and sounds of the forest melded together into one menagerie of noise. He felt the specter of death chasing him, trying to over take him and arrive there first.
Sweat poured down his face, his breathing quickened, matching the pace of his horse. Deeper into the forest, man and horse charged on without hesitation. Leonidas looked over his shoulder, feeling his opponent barely behind him. He pressed his heels into the horse’s side, urging the animal forward.
Around one bend he saw the faint glow of light. Thank the gods, the forest’s edge, he thought to himself. Emerging out of the tree line and into the light he saw the small pillars of smoke from chimneys and other miniscule buildings dotting the town. Leonidas slowly allowed himself the luxury of hope as reached the outskirts of the town.
Moments later he saw a woman leaning against a pillar before the town’s inn. Pain written all over her face as she gripped her slightly bent torso. Leonidas stopped his horse in front of the building, quickly tied the horse to a hitching post, grabbing his satchel and ran to the woman.
“Hey Doc,” she said to him, a feeble smile on her face.
“Jeanne!” he called out, “What the hell happened, you look like shit?”
“I feel worse,” she said, waving him to follow, “Come on, the rest are in here.”
Moving off the column Jeanne winced in pain. Leonidas came over, “Let me help.”
“I’m fine,” Jeanne insisted.
“You’re about to fall over, let me help.”
“Fine,” she said through gritted teeth, as he wrapped her arm around his shoulders and helped her through the eating area, up the stairs and towards the back room down the upper hall. Turning in to the farthest room on their left, Leonidas saw several people laying on the floor, all looking worse for wear, and a man lying on a bed with two arrows sticking out of him.
He saw a female elven archer sobbing as a female sword singer tried to comfort her. A large warrior sat against a wall, his arm in a sling, his long-curved sword resting next to him. Another man, dressed in academic clothing all bloodied and torn in numerous spots resting on his back, his hand over his eyes and breathing heavy. Standing next to him by the door way was a Felidan, fur matted in blood and mud. “I take it you’re the ‘Doc’?” he asked Leonidas.
“That’s what they call me, yeah.”
“Thank the gods,” the Felidan said with effort, “We could use a good doctor right now.”
“Agreed,” said Leonidas softly. “Now I hate to be rude, but I’ll postpone introductions for now. Is this the only room you have, Jeanne?”
Jeanne shook her head. “We have a couple more across the hall.”
“Good,” Leonidas said, “Have those who can move help those who can’t get into one room have and the rest stay put in the third.” Pointing to the man with the arrows, “I’ll look at him now.”
“Cid and I would like to stay with him,” Jeanne replied, nudging her head to the Felidan.
“It might be a little bloody,” Leonidas said.
“We’ve traveled this road before many times,” Cid said.
“Of course, but let’s get started, shall we?” said Leonidas.
“I’m surprised he hasn’t asked what happened,” said the large warrior of their group, pressing a wet towel on his forehead with his free hand.
“When you’ve been doing this long enough, you know can tell this wasn’t a tea party, wild as they can be,” said Leonidas, standing next to the man on the bed. “But if you don’t mind, I think some privacy would be best.”
Leonidas tossed back the over flap of his satchel, reaching in and pulling out a palm sized rock emitting a red glow from within. “Hello there,” he said standing next to the wounded man, “My name is Leonidas, I’m going to be taking a look at you today. What’s your name?”
The man weakly waved and said, “Kveldulf.”
“Hey Kveldulf,” said Leonidas as he made a circular gesture with his hand, the rock facing Kvedulf. “I see we were having a pretty fun time.”
“Tons.”
After several quick rotations, Leonidas released the rock, which continued its movement on its own over Kveldulf’s torso. Leonidas used his hands to widen the circle, then held his left hand over the disc and with subtle movements of his fingers he could see past the armor and skin, viewing the internal organs with clarity.
Moving the disc around for a better viewing, Leonidas saw the two arrowheads within Kveldulf’s torso. He nodded thoughtfully before turning to Jeanne and Cid. “I’ve got some good news and some bad news.”
“What’s the good news?” Cid asked him.
“Both arrows didn’t hit anything vital. I can definitely push one through without issue.”
“And the bad news?” Jeanne asked.
“The other is firmly lodged in a rib bone. It is possible to remove, but it will require surgery.”
“Surgery?” Cid asked, his eyes widening.
Leonidas nodded. “Obviously there’s always a risk of this turning ill, but I think he should pull through if I can remove the bolt.”
Cid and Jeanne looked at each other, Cid pressed his lips together, his nose wrinkled briefly before taking a short breath and said, “Do it.”
“All right, I’ll need some time to prep, and maybe a couple of people to hold him, but I can get started shortly.” He began pulling out items from his satchel before he stopped. “I’m sorry, I will need a plate and bowl from the kitchen down stairs, please.”
Cid and Jeanne left the room as Leonidas began grabbing a mortar and pestle from his satchel, placing it on the night stand next to Kveldulf’s bed.
“So, quick question,” he asked Kveldulf, “You’re not a lycan, by any chance, are you?”
“No?” Kveldulf responded, confused.
“Good. I’m only asking because I have a concoction that helps with the pain, but if you’re a lycan, it will kill you.”
“Oh, no no,” Kveldulf replied, shaking his head.
“Good,” said Leonidas, placing ingredients into the mortar. “Because you are going to need it for this one.”
Cid, Jeanne and the large warrior returned as Leonidas gave Kveldulf the concoction. Cid had with him a plate and bowl, while Jeanne was carrying two large plates covered in honey with bandages soaking.
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“Is that the dog killer?” Jeanne asked.
“It is, indeed,” Leonidas replied. He jerked his head back with an incredulous look as he saw the plates. “You remembered,” he said softly.
“You hammered it in enough times,” she replied with a satisfactory smile.
“True enough,” he said chuckling, before returning to a serious demeanor. “First, I’m going to remove the access shafts, then we’ll remove his armor whatever is underneath. After that, I’ll need his legs and arms held down.”
Kveldulf looked up at him concerned.
“You want me moving around in your guts without some stability?”
“Fair enough.”
“How are you going to get the shafts out?” Jeanne asked.
“Thankfully most arrowheads aren’t attached with an adhesive. Usually a fletcher will use a tang, a hafting or a compression socket to fit the heads on. And bodkins are usually compressions. Which means they can pop out easily if they’ve been soaking long enough.” Leonidas stopped and turned to Kveldulf. “Sorry, that was a little insensitive.”
Kveldulf waved the comment off. “I’ve heard worse.”
“In any case, if we’re lucky this should be an easy pop and we can move to the next stage.”
Leonidas gripped the shafts to near the surface of Kveldulf’s armor and slowly twisted them out. As the others removed Kvedulf’s armor, Leonidas pulled out his medicus screw, a device made of metal. Two threaded tongs placed side by side a long, petite threaded shaft. “All right, everyone, let’s do this.”
“That looks like a torture device,” said the large warrior leaning back and sinking his head into his neck.
“Depending on your point of view, it is,” said Leonidas, placing the tool on the bed stand before grabbing three saws, each a different size. He looked at the first arrow, not lodged in the bone through the disc. “All right,” he said looking back up at the large warrior, “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name?”
“Oh it’s, Benkin.”
“Benkin, good to meet you. If you could keep our friend steady on your side, I’m going to try to pull this out, instead of pushing it through.”
“Wouldn’t that be a bad thing?” Benkin asked.
“With most arrowheads yes,” Leonidas replied, gripping the arrow and carefully pulling it out. “But the nice thing about these bodkin heads, is they don’t flange out terribly, so they won’t take flesh and other bits with it on the way out. Only nudge it out of the way for a brief moment. Which means less of our friend’s body will need to be damaged in the process.” As he finished, Leonidas removed the arrow, head and all, from Kveldulf. Leonidas gave a relieved smiled as he placed the arrow on the plate.
Leonidas pulled out one of the honeyed bandages, wrapping it gingerly into the wound. Covering the bottom all the way to the top and sealed the gap with a poultice. “All right,” he said the them, wiping the sweat from his brow, “That was the easy one.”
“Easy!” Cid exclaimed.
“Yes sir, now we have the fun one.”
Leonidas moved the disc over for a better view of the second arrow. He gripped the shaft of the second arrow and after cracking his neck, began twisting slowly. In a few twists, the shaft popped out and after viewing the end, and seeing it was smooth and undamaged, Leonidas let out a sigh. “That part’s done.”
“What’s next?” Jeanne asked.
Leonidas, wiping his hands on the bed sheet, grabbed a glowing green rock. Repeated the process to make it create a view disc and took the red stone and spun it with his fingers. “Now, we have deal with the difficult one.”
The red stone generated a red beam of light and as Leonidas directed it above the open wound, Kvedulf’s blood began lifting into the air, held in suspension a short height above. Everyone, save for Leonidas looked at the sight wide eyed, with Leonidas saying, “Eye on the prize, questions later.”
Once the blood stopped trickling upwards, Leonidas grabbed his medicus screw and slowly inserted it into the wound. Using the emerald view disc to see inside Kveldulf, Leonidas used one hand the press the screw against the arrowhead, while the other twisted the top and expanded the tongs inside.
Gaining a firm purchase inside the recess of the arrowhead, Leonidas began lifting the tool and felt a sharp release of resistance. His hair stood on the back of his neck and he felt his heart beginning to pound heavily as he looked down. He felt his body go limp for a brief moment as he saw the arrowhead dislodged from the bone.
Extracting the arrowhead and placing it next to the other arrow, Leonidas bandaged up the wound with the remaining honeyed bandages, seal the opening and said with a tired smile. “We’re good.”
Leonidas saw the others let out a sigh of relief and after congratulating Kveldulf, left the room for the patient to rest. His hands began to tremble and his legs become wobbly with his knees buckling. He sat in the chair nearby and gave himself the moment to breath in and let himself decompress. He had performed many similar procedures before, yet each felt like it was his first when it was done. He told himself this was a good thing, kept him from getting cocky, not taking the needed precautions before a surgery, making mistakes which could get a person killed.
It made him remembered the ‘healers’ back in The Outlands, a whole continent decreed back in the early years of the Rubicon Empire to be where criminals were sent to find their ‘salvation’. How these soothsayers used magics they had little understanding in as one and done methods of healing. Not knowing the full scope of the forces they considered themselves masters in. He didn’t want to think of all the people who’s lives might’ve been lost because someone with an unhealthy overevaluation of their skills wound up putting someone in an early grave.
He felt some relief this was no longer the ongoing battle he had to wage whenever there was a deluge of wounded when wars and skirmishes would break out. A dual conflict between the conflict waging outside and the one fought to keep people alive. When others tried to use their skills as a means to conjure a sense of being greater than those around them, he simply focused on arresting the hand of death from taking them. He felt a pain in his heart as he thought of how those how dedicated themselves with healing felt this was merely an afterthought.
There was a sadness in how in a land where survival depended on the cooperation of everyone, hardly anyone was willing to see past themselves to ensure such things. A pained expression came over him as the memories of those he tried to invest his trust hopes of finding a community and acceptance in were taken away, many in battle, some at the hands of those they trusted, and some he blamed himself for.
The only way he could keep the agony from such loss was to keep those at a distance. So when they were taken from his life, the pain was not so harsh, the burden not so heavy. It didn’t afford him many friends, but it meant there were less friends to mourn when taken away.
As the dark thoughts slowly left him, he felt his muscles regain their strength. He rose from the chair and made his way out into the hall.
Once in the hall, Leonidas turned to Cid and said, “All right, then. Let’s see to the rest of your people.”
***
Leonidas finished examining Maeryn. “All right. Looks like there isn’t anything major to worry about. Just some rest, a little food, and you’ll be knocking down curs in no time.” She smiled, nodding quickly before making her out of the room. He walked out, seeing Jeanne leaning against the door frame opposite where Kveldulf was resting. She was hunched over, her arm once again wrapped around her waist and he could see her jaw was clenched tightly.
“Jeanne!” Leonidas called out.
She turned, “Hmm, what?”
“You’re turn,” he said gesturing her into the room. “Come on.”
“I’m fine,” she said, shaking her head.
“Jeanne,” he replied pointing towards the room sternly.
She grumbled as she made her way into the room. She slowly maneuvered herself to the bed. While climbing is she winced in pain as Leonidas put his hand under her back to help her lie down. “Thanks,” she said through gritted teeth, trying to control her breathing.
“No worries,” he said, conjuring up a visual disc with the red stone.
“I think you’re doing this just to use that damn thing.”
“No. And you’re telling me you wouldn’t?”
She laughed before letting out a painful groan. “Damn, this hurt.”
“No wonder,” he said as he viewed through the disc, “you have two broken ribs.”
“Oh, fucking wonderful.”
“You’re lucky, they’re already set in place.”
“They are?” she asked with her eyebrows squished together and blinking quickly.
“Yeah, ribs are usually pretty good about that. So, no hooks for you.”
“Oh, Shepherd’s kindness, not the fucking hooks.”
“Still better than what you friend will be feeling for the next few days.”
“When do you think he’ll be on his feet again?”
“If there’s no major infection and he doesn’t do something completely stupid. I’d say about two weeks.”
“Two weeks?” Jeanne said, her eyes widening and raising an eyebrow.
“He had two arrows lodged in his guts, and one almost took a rib out of him. I’m honestly surprised he’s not crying in pain right now.”
“It’s not bad if I don’t move much,” Kveldulf said from the other room.
“I like him, he’s not completely stupid.”
“Thank you,” Kveldulf replied.
“Go to sleep!” Leonidas shouted before turning to Jeanne. “I blame you.”
“Of course, you do,” she said rolling her eyes.
“What exactly we you all doing when this went south?”
“Cid, Kel and I were investigating a bounty and the rest were wanting to check out a ruin or something,” she breathed in deep, causing her to wince sharply again. “But I don’t know the details on that one.”
“You three are hunting bounties?” Leonidas asked as he grabbed his satchel and pulled a chair up to Jeanne’s bedside.
“We just started a mercenary company and figured getting a couple of quick bounties under our belts would help build a reputation before we took on bigger jobs.”
“Huh,” Leonidas said, “not a bad idea.”
“Yeah, look how good it went.”
“Well, you all made it out in one piece.”
Jeanne turned to Leonidas, tilting her head and narrowing her gaze.
“What?” he asked.
“I was expecting you to read me the riot act or something of that sort.”
Leonidas blinked his eyes rapidly and touching the base of his base. “I mean did any of you rush into a fight because you wanted a certain kill?”
“Doc, we’re soldiers for hire, not someone severely lacking in self-confidence and intelligence.”
“All right, then. Did anyone decide to give away their cover to make a grand entrance and undermine the element of surprise?”
“If I didn’t know the context of that question, I’d be insulted.”
“And did anyone race out into a dangerous situation because ‘everyone else was doing it’?”
Jeanne’s mouth dropped while she blinked slowly. “How did any of you survive out there?”
“I have been trying to figure that out myself for a long time. But, I don’t have to worry about any of that now. So … Kveldulf and Cid were the two you mentioned before?” Leonidas asked as he grounded thin pieces of willow bark.
Jeanne nodded.
“How long have you known them?”
“Over a decade at this point.”
“Damn, and they put up with you willingly?”
“Oh, shut up!”
Leonidas mixed the bark powder with flour and honey. Placing the bowl on the table next to the bed, pointing to her tunic. “May I?”
She let out a snort. “You know you don’t have to ask, right?”
“Yes, I do,” he replied, a soft smile from the corner of his mouth. Lifting her tunic carefully, he found several large bruises on her skin on the left side of her torso. Both of their eyes widened at the sight.
“So that’s a thing,” she said, moving her hand over to the bruise.
Leonidas swatted at her hand. “No!” he said sternly, “don’t be childish.”
“My broken ribs, my choice,” she replied adamantly.
“And you can deal with the pain then,” Leonidas said as he began putting his stuff away.
“You’re no fun,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“You can do whatever the hell you want when you’re not injured.”
He lightly placed the poultice on bruise. She breathed in sharp at the touch, tightening up as the pain hit again.
“How come I don’t get the painkiller tonic?” Jeanne asked him.
“Because last time I gave it to you, you ran around on two broken legs. Fought a orken mercenary and proclaimed yourself Jeanne, first of her name, High Imperial Queen of the Squirrels.”
“Oh … oh,” she said slowly. “Might’ve forgotten about that.”
“In any case, this should start to kick in before too long.”
“It’s starting feel a little better already.”
Leonidas applied the poultice to her skin. Feeling her breath in and out slowly, trying to control the pain best she could. He paused, seeing her there resting on the bed, watching some of her cares from earlier in the day beginning to wash away and allowing herself to relax and regain her strength.
Since their last time together he forgot how stunning she could be. The confident smile, the boisterous laugh, the devil-may-care attitude, he forgot how much he enjoyed being around it. Even when she would drive him crazy with antics and pranks, there was something her he found comforting.
Something he wished he could possibly see if there was maybe a connection he could find a semblance of companionship. But the thought of reaching out and seeing what was there caused him to think of all which might go wrong. Memories of those closest to him being wrested away before he knew it had happened. One in particular causing him to wince at it’s mere recollection.
Leonidas looked back at Jeanne and the thought of such a fate befalling her made him certain anything beyond flights of fancy should never stray too far away. He cleared his throat as he returned his thoughts to the task at hand. “That should help. Try to get some rest and let the bones heal up. But knowing you … well.”
“Why Doc, you sound like I’m some form of trouble-maker.”
“You, my dear, are the Queen of that realm.”
“You could join us, you know. Might enjoy an exciting battle or two.”
“I’d rather not, thank you. I’m not exactly the type to run into a fight.”
“Sure, but in all seriousness, Doc. Thank you for coming here when you did.”
Leonidas was taken aback by her change in attitude. “Of course. Wasn’t anything, at all.”
“It’s just … I know I can leave the wrong impression with people. And I know you’re never thrilled when our paths cross …”
He placed his hand gently on her shoulder. “Jeanne, I don’t hate you. You just annoy the piss out of me sometimes.”
“What about that time I broke into your clinic and brought that wolf inside?”
Leonidas narrowed his eyes. “Jeanne, I’m trying to be nice. Could you not remind of that?”
“Then there was that time I tried to see which ingredients could get me drunk … or high.”
“Gods that was an expensive night,” Leonidas said with a heavy sigh.
“And then –”
“I get your point, Jeanne!” said Leonidas before letting out a long breath. “Still, I do not see you as bad company. There are others far more worthy of that distinction.”
“Oh, oh!” she said. “I forgot about them. Have you ever heard from those people since you left?”
“No,” said Leonidas, helping her sit up to wrap bandages around the poultice. “And I’ll be a very lucky man if I never hear from them again.”
“Well, thanks again,” Jeanne said, “This means a lot.”
“Remember that when I send you my bill of service,” Leonidas said, helping her lay back down as he finished wrapping her bandages. “But right now, get some rest and I’ll check on you later, all right?”
“You better tuck me in, and right this time, or I’ll knock your teeth out.”
“Yeah, you’ll be just fine,” he said chuckling under his breath before making his way to the stairs and dining area below.