Aalis pounded the roots of a plant to a paste and added a little water. She used her fingers to apply the salve to a boy’s arms.

“This will help it stop itching,” she promised, “and you will never forget what poison ivy looks like, right?”

“Yes ma’am.” The boy whimpered.

Aalis put some of the salve on his neck then buttoned the toggles of his shirt.

“Now, no scratching and no bathing until the salve rubs off.” She warned.

The boy beamed and looked at his mother. “Did you hear mama? No bathing!”

She laughed and held out a copper coin. Aalis stood up, shaking her head but the woman insisted. Aalis accepted the coin and slid it into the pocket of her dress. Perhaps, if she continued to save, she might be able to purchase a dress of far better quality that did not seem to scream, witch. Her dreadlocks slid over her shoulders and she smiled as she used the thickness of her locks to tie them into a knot at the back of her head.

“Unless I was to shave my head, these do tend to speak for themselves.” She mused then looked up when she heard her name called. Verne was coming towards her, Judd’s arm over his shoulders, limping badly. “Judd!” She cried, running to meet them and helping to get Judd to the tree stump she had been using as a diagnostic chair. Judd’s jaw was turning a delightful shade of purple and his right eye was going black. He was favouring his wrist and he moaned as he sat, clutching at his ribs. “What happened? Were you set upon by thugs on the way to the keep?”

Verne’s blue eyes were grim and hard. “Thug…that is the perfect word to describe Dalain.”

“Sir Alaykin’s sword master did this?” Aalis gasped. “But…but…but…”

“Judd didn’t stand a chance. The brute rushed him from the start and never let up.” Verne leaned Judd’s sword against the hut.

Aalis tore fabric from her skirt and dabbed at Judd’s split lip. His eyes were downcast and his shoulders were bent. He wasn’t just physically broken. He was emotionally and mentally destroyed.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Did no one think to stop him?” She demanded.

Verne shook his head. “From what I could tell, it’s a form of entertainment for the guards and soldiers. I saw them placing bets on how long it would take for Judd to accept defeat.” Verne swore softly.

Aalis knelt in front of Judd and tried to catch his eye. “I am going to prepare some medicine and salves for you.” He said nothing and she stood up, drawing Verne aside. “Verne…he seems more than just hurt…”

Verne’s face flinched. “Sword master Thiery gave no instruction the entire time until Judd was on the ground, for the eighteenth time mind you, unable to rise. Then he stood over him and said, ‘heed the advice of Terra’s best sword master…go home. You have no business being out in the wild defending others when you cannot defend yourself’.”

Aalis’ jaw tightened and her hands clenched. “That despicable, arrogant…”

“It was all I could do to get him out of the ring. I thought I was going to have to drag him back here.” Verne admitted.

Aalis paused, closed her eyes and breathed out to calm herself. “Verne, I need clean boiled water,” she handed him a pouch from her belt, “with a handful of salt thrown in.”

“At once.”

As Verne hurried to do so, Aalis returned to Judd. “Judd, where does it hurt?”

His undamaged arm lifted to touch his chest. Aalis felt tears swell up in her eyes when she realised he meant his heart. She blinked and swallowed, putting on a façade of professional healer.

“You need a bandage for your wrist. I will not be long.” She explained.

Judd heard her words but they were fuzzy in his head. He paid little mind to the pain of his body.

It didn’t compare to the ache in his soul.

Footsteps scuffed nearby. “Where’d the healer go? I’m an old man who needs his medicine to stop the burning sensation when I pee…Huh…what happened to you?” Judd lifted his head, knowing he was squinting but unable to do anything else for his right eye was swelling shut, and saw the crotchety old farmer who had fumed over the decapitation of his scarecrow only just that morning. “Oh it’s you…” Judd stared at him and the old man shook his head. “I hope you’re not stupid enough to ask for a rematch. People like you are not much more than training dummies to people like Dalain. Do yourself a favour and go home.”

Judd felt the salty taste of tears on his lips and lowered his head.

“Mr Agress? I have your tonic right here.” Aalis appeared and approached the old man.

“How much is this going to cost me?”

“I only accept what people are willing to pay.”

“Free medicine. Must be my lucky day.”

His footsteps moved away and Aalis sat in front of Judd again.

“What did he say to you?” She put her fingers over his hand. “Judd?”

“Nothing.”

Aalis knew he was lying but let it go, choosing instead to attend the wounds she had some skill in healing.