Bedridden for 5 days, only now being given the chance to stand on her feet. With the help of the nurses and Dr. Fahana, she got the strength to walk on her own. It was an awkward feeling not being able to use her left arm for added support. But with the new information about health potions the nurse educated her about, she had a new sense of pride to now let her body do the healing. She was proud that all her head injury amounted to was a scratch on her scalp. It felt worse than it looked. The scratch would leave a scar but nowhere noticeable.

Aliza explained to the staff of her immigration situation and was anxious that she would not be able to notify anyone about her whereabouts. Lucky for her, Olif, yet again off duty, heard the cry of the witness and rushed to her side. He took her to the hospital and only came to the front desk daily for updates on her condition. They offered to call him so that she could have an escort back to the Inn as she wasn’t completely confident to walk the streets by herself again. He agreed and would be waiting for her on her discharge date.

After giving her two bottles of medication to take, Aliza signed the last of her papers ready to get back into her bed.

“Understood Dr.”

“One more thing. Your nurse already let me know of your religious standings. But, wanted to let you know there are temples across Syris not just of Tendia, but others like Bahamut and Ymir and Odin if you ever want to visit. Just letting you know. It’s important to heal the mind and spirit as well as the body.”

Aliza’s neutral mood turned solemn and dreary as he said that. He means well but… with what she had gone through, how could she have faith? …Like how her mother once taught her to have?

“I’ll…give it some thought. Thank you though for your help.”

“Of course. If your pain doesn’t improve or you start to run a fever, come back and see me, ok?”

Aliza nods and dimly smiles.

The doctor lightly taps her back and she paces out of the building. Olif stood waiting by the stairs in his civilian attire, his red hair gleaming in the sunlight. Aliza pattered down the stairs while cradling her slung arm, the feeling of embarrassment and shame started to grow.

“Sir, I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s fine Miss Menona. I have no quarrels whatsoever. How are you feeling?”

Aliza’s brows raised before dipping her head to look back at her arm.

“I’m ok. At least as far as a fractured arm could be. I still have migraine spells now and again but as far as anything serious, they said I’m in the clear.”

Olif cringed at the fractured arm part. “I’m sorry to hear that. At least it’s not broken. I broke my forearm sparing once. My buddies still call me Boomerang to this day.” Aliza snorted and covered her mouth. The gesture got a hearty chuckle from Olif.

“I guess I got lucky there. I’m usually more graceful than this.”

“Eh, accidents happen. Just glad to know it wasn’t more serious. Tohea was worried when I told her you had been in a coma for two days.”

Aliza’s head flicked up to meet Olifs gaze. Her eyes were wide and her brows raised. “She was… worried?”

Olif’s face morphed into confusion. “Yes. You surprised?”

“Well, she hardly knows me. And last week we had a… disagreement… we haven’t spoken to each other since. I thought she…”

“No, she cares. But she’s also the type that gives as much energy as she receives. You saw that when you met her.”

Remembering the short and straight-to-the-point attitude she had when Aliza was bashful, to the kind and playful energy when she became more comfortable and confident crossed Aliza’s mind. The wash of realization couldn’t come clearer to Olif.

“Listen, I don’t know what the people of Icurus are like but know that the majority of people are not like that racist idiot. Not everyone here is like those in Icurus. I hope you’ll learn that. If publicly flogging the fucker doesn’t speak volumes I don’t know what will.” Olif said.

Aliza clutched her arm more firmly while looking at the ground.

“I’m… sorry…” she spoke timidly.

Olif sighs while rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s neither here nor there. Ready to go?”

Aliza nods and they start their journey back to the tavern. Like days prior, she could barely look up to notice the scenery around her. They passed the market square when someone with a large box dropped it by the fountain and wrote “FREE” on it. Aliza glances at it to see the box filled to the brim with books. From what she could tell, they were used and old. Some could probably be old prayer books, maybe mysteries, one book was cut off but its spine gleamed with gold, white, and green.

“Ummm… excuse me?” She timidly spoke. Olif turned on his heel slowly, that blank stare still on his face. “Is it…ok… that I take… whatever is in that box back with me?” She points to the box of interest. His eye flicks between the box and Aliza and he is about to reject and continue their journey back to the inn. But something about her sorrow-filled face made him… pity the woman.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Sure.”

Aliza nodded and darted back to the box for a look. Most of the books were gems. Tales of Witches, The Split of Sardior: The Birth of Gem Dragons, Sherlock Holmes Volumes 1 and 2, Runes for Beginners, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and several textbooks on economics, mythology, and culinary arts. At the very bottom of the box were a few types of stationary with blank notebooks, some pencils that had their tips broken, a sharpener, and one black and silver fountain pen.

Why would anyone throw these away?

In the middle of her deciding which gem to take, Olif came from behind her without a word and neatly put back all the books and supplies she took out.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

He then lifted the box and extended his hand, “Why not have them all? Let's go.”

Finally reaching the Inn, the stares didn’t stop staring at Aliza in her new broken state. Flushed and feeling a Migraine rear its ugly head, she wanted to get to her room as fast as possible. Before they passed the bar, a familiar voice called out.

“Miss Menona! Glad to see you back!” Tohea called out.

Aliza startled jerked her head to her voice as the clacks of her hooves swiftly approached her. Tohea gazed down to her arm and her brows furrowed. “That must have been one hell of a fall you took to be strapped like this. Are you ok?”

Looking back to Olif, he gives her a nod and a wink. Turning back to Tohea, a soft smile grew on her face.

“As good as a fractured arm can be.” Aliza chuckles. “I’m a lot more graceful than this. I swear.”

“Maybe you should take up monk training in that case. Or befriend a nimbus cloud.” The three laughed along with some nearby patrons. Aliza flinched as the pain in her arm flared and spikes of pain entered her head. She falls forward but Tohea manages to catch her firmly in her arms. “You’re ailments aren't done with you yet. Olif, I can take the crate if you can carry her up.”

“Nnn- no. I can walk. Just need… a moment.” Aliza stammered.

“I don’t think so. Olif.”

With a smooth transition, the crate was passed to Tohea and Olif scooped Aliza in his arms. Too weak to fight back, her head fell into his chest, her eyes closed temporarily losing consciousness. When her eyes opened, she was tucked in her bed with her books sitting between her bed and her desk.

“Thank you, my friend,” Tohea says to Oliff.

“Anytime.” He returns. He looks back to Aliza’s dreary eyes. “Get well soon Miss Menona.”

He turns to leave out the door when Aliza speaks again. “Thank you… for all that you’ve done for me. I appreciate your help. Truly.” With a quick nod and what looked to be a small smirk, he closed the door behind him.

Tohea takes a feel of Aliza’s forehead and props her to give her medication. She also tells her that her staff will be up in a few hours with some soup. She managed to nod before Tohea took her leave.

“Tohea…”

“Yes?”

“Thank you… for everything…”

The warmth radiated from Tohea’s smile that eased Aliza to sleep.

Tohea switches off the lights and whispers, “You’re welcome,” as she leaves and locks the door.

A few days later…

Aliza looked over all her new books and couldn’t think where to start first. Luckily she had nowhere to be. What does one do when you have all the time in the world? Learn more about it! She picked up the Sardior book which was bright red and leather bound, the silhouette of a dragon with horn, teeth, and tongue as black as obsidian. Grazing her finger against the eyes and horns, it was smooth and chilled to the touch. Flipping through the pages, it had an old paper smell that satisfied her senses.

“Let's start with you, shall we? I have almost 30 years of… well everything to catch up on.”

By the time Aliza got to a stopping point in her studies, it was well into the night. The moon shone brightly in her window the sky and the stars lighted the galaxy around them. Aliza couldn’t admire them for long when her stomach loudly gurgled.

“Oh yeah. I didn’t eat lunch today.” She says rubbing her stomach soothingly. Tension and heat ran up her spine when the thought of going downstairs suddenly froze her. The various looks that she would most likely get. Possibly judgemental. Who are they to…

“Ugh… this is stupid. If people are going to talk, fucking let them. That steak had been calling my name for ages!” Willing herself out of pure spite, she grabbed one of her mythology books, swung open the door, and strode downstairs.

Aliza looked at her usual spot and her eye and lip twitched. She looked around the hall to see about other empty tables to at least be able to be with her book and food in piece. None were available, but there was a seat by someone who looked to be nose-deep in a book as well a couple of tables away from the bar.

I hope they won’t mind having a reading buddy for the night.

Aliza lightly tapped them on the shoulder accidentally startling them out of their world. She was an elven druid with a flower crown with bright pink roses and deep blue eyes emphasized by her black circular glasses.

“Gods I’m sorry! I was… I was going to ask if it was ok if I sat at your table. But I’ll just leave you alone.”

“No, please! I don’t mind. Go ahead.” The druid stops Aliza, a timid look in her eyes.

“Thank you.”

Aliza sat her book down and took her seat. The two did not spare a second glance as the druid got back into her book. As Aliza read, her eyes couldn’t help but flick up to know what got her reading buddy so invested. It looked to be a textbook of some kind. Maybe a spellbook? The druid's eyes were focused and intent, she spared no one in the room any glances. Moments later, she opened her bag without looking, and a notebook magically floated in front of her and opened a blank page. The curious cat Aliza kept holding her book in front of her face but the magic that was just shown was now more intriguing than… what was his name… Thor?

The druid's eyes flicked up to Aliza whose cheeks instantly turned rosy as she redirected her gaze to her book.

“I’m-sorry. Ignore me.”

The druid let out a slight chuckle. “I’m guessing you're from Icurus judging by your surprise.” Aliza nodded, still not putting her book down.

Great what is she about to say?

“...would you like to learn a little?” She asked. Aliza’s eyes sparked as she gently put her book down. She nods. “Arabella.” she greets extending her hand.

“Aliza.”