I couldn't sleep, consumed with restlessness and constantly tossing and turning in bed. I felt lost, I felt uncertain about my place in the world. About my purpose in life. About my position as an apprentice. I longed for the chance to prove myself, to show that I was capable of something much more then just cleaning the shelves. I knew I was being mean, being bitter. Feeling jelous of a newborn. Jealous of his potential and the possibilities. Pathetic. However, I still felt trapped, bound by tradition and the expectations placed upon me. "Listen to your master." Yeah, I wasn't sure.

I yearned for something more, something that will allow me to break free from my shackles and forge my own path. The flames within me would not extinguish until I found a meaning and a goal to live for. I wanted to help, to protect, to heal, to save. To nurture. So I had to make a decision. A resolve to take action and seize control of my destiny. I was not going to sit and wait for Ascula to forgive me. I did nothing wrong.

I might have acted on a whim but I did nothing wrong. The medicines I gave that woman gave her peace. If I was guilty, then so be it.

My mind raced with new possibilities. I knew it was a risky move, going against my mentor's orders, but the thought of being stuck in the same routine without any chance to prove myself was unbearable. I wondered if I could gather enough ingredients for making new potions, and if I could create them successfully without any mishaps. Or perhaps, I could somehow study on the ancient recipes. I had learned a few words before Ascula stopped teaching me, and maybe by comparing the words with the few recipes I already knew, I could figure them out! Oh holy God. How could I not have thought about this before? Was I dumb?

I also wondered if I could visit far villages or the nobles Ascula wasn't serving. Would anyone even trust me, a mere apprentice, with their health and well-being? Well I wouldn't tell them I was an apprentice anyways.

The thought of exploring uncharted territories, interacting with unfamiliar faces and demonstrating my healing abilities filled me with excitement and hope. The odds might be stacked against me, given my mentor's lofty reputation, but the possibility of a new and fulfilling life was worth the risk. I made up my mind to gather all the information I needed and start planning my journey, even if it meant defying Ascula's wishes.

There will be no new faces on the walls.

My gaze shifted to the walls, away from the ceiling. These walls would always remain barren. I wouldn't let any child I hugged perish. Mine or not.

A smile tugged at my lips. The flames of hope and excitement still flickered within me, illuminating the darkness. As I drifted off to sleep, thoughts of new possibilities and potential futures filled my mind with peace.

It was bright but unsettling.

I found myself standing in a grand room, adorned with ornate decorations, precious valuables, and luxurious fabrics. A magnificent window, almost as tall as the ceiling and as wide as the wall, allowed a warm breeze to enter. The peaceful rustling of leaves and sweet melodies of birdsong echoed inside, as if I was standing in the middle of a lush forest.

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In the center of the room stood a massive bed, and as I drew closer, I could see the silhouette of a man lying on it, gasping for air.

"He will die," I thought. "There's no way to save him."

I couldn't see his face clearly no matter how hard I looked, but I could make out his raven black hair and the outline of his strong, masculine frame lying beneath the covers. His hands rested on top of the blankets, and I noticed a distinct mole on the index finger of one of them. Without thinking, I reached out to touch him, hoping to provide some comfort, but as soon as my fingertips grazed his skin, the vision abruptly ended, leaving me confused and disoriented.

He will die, I thought, again and again.

He will die. He will die.

"Fiera?"

He will die.

"Fiera?"

He will die, mom.

I woke up.

"Fiera."

I struggled to open my eyes, my mother's face slowly coming into focus as she leaned over the bed, peering at me.

"Nadea just stopped by," she said, "and told me to tell you that they're going to the temple with Ascula. She also mentioned that no one would be coming today, as they'll be delivering the potions."

"Oh?" I murmured, my voice barely audible.

I blinked blearily as my mother's words slowly registerd in my mind, a faint feeling of disappointment prickling at my consciousness. Ascula and Nadea were heading to the temple today? No visitors then. I had been looking forward to the possibility of making some new potions. How was she already ahead of me? She was a witch, wasn't she?

My mother hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I was going to let you sleep, but I have to head to town today. Can you take care of Misceria for me?"

"Yeah, sure." I replied with a nod, still feeling a bit groggy from my interrupted sleep.

"Don't forget to eat."

I nodded slowly, rubbing my eyes as I sat up in bed.

My mother gave me a small smile before exiting the room. I let out a sigh and stretched my limbs, feeling a sense of unease wash over me. With nothing to do, I decided to take Misceria for a walk, maybe to my friends' town and gather some herbs along the way. Maybe it would help me clear my mind and figure out what I wanted to do next.

The mention of food reminded me of my growling stomach and I've realized I haven't eaten for two days.

I swinged my legs over the edge of the bed and stretched again, feeling my muscles groan in protest. I stood up and headed to the washroom to wash my face, then I headed to the kitchen, hoping to find something to eat that won't upset my stomach. As I rummaged through the pantry, a flash of my dream came in front my eyes. That man lying on the bed. Who was he?

I shaked my head, trying to clear the thoughts from my mind. Oh no. I needed to focus on the task at hand - taking care of Misceria.

Who was he though? Is he okay? He seemed to be struggling to breath on his own.

My mind was consumed with questions about the man in her dream now. Who was he? What did he want from me? Why was he struggling to breathe? Was it just a random dream, or did it hold some sort of significance? As I found a bread and an apple to eat, I tried to think who could he be. The room was the largest space I had ever laid my eyes on, nearly the size of our entire home. I could not recall the the details much. Was it possible that I was in the chambers of a nobleman I didn't recognize? Was the man on the bed a sick lord, perhaps Lord Sillavont? But the man appeared far younger than the elderly lord.

"Oh, heavens help me," I muttered in dismay. "Not now. Not again. No visions and shit."

I went to kiss my mom goodbye, than to my room. I put on my sage green dress and tied my hair up into a bun. Then I went to the kitchen again, I grabbed a basket and filled it with some leftover bread, a few apples, and a small jug of water.

As I stepped outside, trying so hard not to think about the young man I saw, Misceria excitedly ran towards me, pulling at my hand and tugging me towards the road.