Through battles, heroes gain injuries and often must fight through them. In the end, they gain many scars before they die.

“This sucks.”

“How does it feel,” said Taylor.

“Like I have broken my arm,” said Greg.

“You know what I mean. How bad is it?”

“I don’t know. I’m not a doctor. It must not be that bad because the bone isn’t out, and I am still conscious.”

“We need to do something before the priests see this mess. The older kids won’t get any punishment,” said Brad.

“Leave me here. When they find me, or when I walk inside I can tell them I was playing in the woods by myself.”

“No, we can help,” said Taylor. “I know where the first aid books are, and they should explain how to set up your arm into a splint.”

“I can get some numbing herbs for the pain and some other supplies for any cuts from the garden,” said Ash.

“I’ll stay here I guess. Keep you from doing anything more stupid,” said Brad.

Ash and Taylor got up from their spots and ran back toward the orphanage. The older kids had already run off without realizing they had injured Brad as they reviled in their easy victory. Greg and Brad watched the pair run off for a minute before returning to the issue at hand, with the hand.

“Roll up your sleeve if you can,” said Brad. “We can at least do a visual inspection before they try anything drastic.”

Greg started to roll up his sleeve slowly. Seeing the progress Brad helped him roll it up to the elbow. The skin was bluish purple and the expected straight line running from elbow to wrist was a bit more of a curve. Both boys stared at it unsure of what to do next if anything at all.

“Sorry,” Greg finally said. “I know I messed up. I should have just let the older kids run by. They were going to get their way regardless of what I did. Instead, I got trampled. I don’t know what I am…”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll be here to help and so are the others. Now we know what they are like and will avoid them next time. We’ll find a way to get back at them another time. I’m sure Ash knows some good plants that will cause rashes or diarrhea.”

Greg laughed at that. “That would be great to see. Imagine watching their hives erupt in the middle of the cafeteria. All the other kids watching too. Something like that hasn’t happened in almost a year when Gray was it, had his pet attacked, and got back at the other kid by putting some animal dung in the kid’s soup.”

“That was a sight to see. I’m glad I never pulled any pranks on him.”

Despite the fond memories, Greg turned their attention back to his injury. “While the girls are off finding something to help this heal faster we should figure out how we are going to hide this injury. A sling will probably be necessary, but it is also obvious. At least I can still write with my right hand so I can do the assignments the priests hand out.”

“I don’t know how long it will take to heal. The last kid to break something took two, or three months to heal at least. Though I don’t know how the injuries compare. You will need to limit exercise of course. If the priests have us do any manual work you will be caught immediately. We can probably trade jobs for a while, but that may not be an option every time.”

“Wilson might be able to grab a healer’s cure for me during one of his night outings,” Brad suggested.

“No. We are not involving him. Not yet at least. He is still in trouble and will probably be watched for the next week once he is out. And that stuff is too valuable. He might be willing to take the risk, but we can’t let him.”

Greg sighed. “Fine. Perhaps we could find a way to distract the priests instead. There are almost too many of us for them to keep track of all the time. If I disappear in the times when I am not needed for things then I would be less likely caught.”

“That is maybe four or five mandatory hours other than bedtime where you would be observed. During that time, you wouldn’t be able to wear a sling and would have to bear any pain. Additional herbs might help with that, but it is risky.”

Greg’s internal despair grew. It had started after realizing that he was injured, but the trouble he was in gnawed at him. “Should I just accept my fate? Otherwise, you might get in trouble as well for helping me cover this up.”

“No,” Brad said firmly. “We know the consequences and that is our last resort. With our help, we will make sure that it doesn’t get infected or grow worse in any way. While we haven’t had to deal with this before we know how to keep things secret. The adults won’t know a thing.”

At the orphanage, Taylor rushed to the small library the building had. They didn’t have much free time left before all the children would be called back inside for classes and work. Greg needed to be back for that call without visible issues. Or else the adult’s wrath would be upon them.

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Taylor stepped into the small alcove. It wasn’t even a full room. A few shelves were filled with books and decorations. In the corner was a small reading chair. She scanned the shelves looking for the familiar book. Skimming the titles as she thought over the organizational structure or lack thereof she eventually found the book. Grabbing the book and opening it up she began to read. She ignored the other children who ran by on occasion searching for the right page. The book was sorted by types of illness which led to her finding the pages she needed easily.

While rushed she flipped through the pages quickly and took care to keep the pages unbroken at the same time. Taylor was so engrossed in her reading that she almost didn’t realize that someone had said her name. She looked up to see a younger boy looking over her and more specifically the book in her hands.

“What do you want?” Taylor asked him.

“Are you in trouble,” he answered in a drawn-out fashion.

“No, I am fine. Leave me alone,” she said while drawing the book closer.

“OK then. It is just that you seem to like that book and everyone that does is either hurt or knows someone who is. Maybe I should…”

The boy didn’t finish his words before she cut in. “I said what do you want? Here to rat me out?” Taylor said a bit harsher than she meant to.

“No. No. Not at all.” He put up his hands defensively. “I like that book too. I added it to the library. The name’s Danny. Do you need any help with the injury? I have helped the kids my age before.”

“I think I will be fine thanks. As you well know I need to hurry off with this information.

“Are you sure?” asked Danny again. He peered over at the book catching a glimpse. “Page 87. Either you are dealing with a bout of hives which seems unlikely given the urge to hurry or your friend has a broken bone.” He said correctly.

“What do you know about that?” Taylor asked a little more intrigued.

“I’ve assembled a split before. Built crutches too, but that was before my time here. We can get things done quicker with an extra set of hands. What do you say?”

She grimaced at making a decision so quickly and under these circumstances. “We got to go, and we got to make it quick.”

“Go where?” said a new voice both recognized easily.

Priest Grant gave them both curious glances waiting for them to answer. The two kids looked like deer in headlights. Their responses didn’t come quickly. Both were stuck in their heads trying to decide on little information. The new priest was younger, strange, and different. Whether he was going to do the same as the old priests was unknown and for time to tell.

“The first aid book,” he finally said after getting a read on the book. “That one is quite useful. Now, what happened?”

Taylor and Danny gave each other unsure glances. Finally, Taylor spoke. “Greg got hurt outside. We are trying to help him.”

Priest Grant nodded as if expecting the answer. He kept his face neutral and calm. “Do you know how bad the injury is?”

“Broken bone in his arm. The older kids were being too rough,” she said while trying to cast blame on the other kids. Taylor started to relax a bit and so did Danny.

“I would tell you to be careful, but I think you have learned that lesson. Considering that you haven’t left yet he probably hasn’t been hurt for long. Where is he now?”

“At the edge of the forest in the direction behind the orphanage. I suppose I can lead you there.”

“You can lead me there in a minute. Things would have been easier if you found me right away. I need to collect something but will meet you back here. Then we will go to him together. Ok? You aren’t in trouble. Accidents happen,” he said while putting a hand to her shoulder.

Taylor nodded and Priest Grant left them in the reading nook. She relaxed a bit more once he was out of sight.

“Should we get out of here?”

“No. That would be a bad idea,” said Tayor as she put the book back on its shelf. “For now, I will trust him. If we leave now we could be in more trouble and could get caught by one of the other priests. If things go wrong with him then I will be the first to spread word about the problems and the warnings, but for now. Now we wait. If you want to go you can, but I know where Greg and Brad are. You don’t.”

“I guess I will stay. I said I would help, didn’t I? Even if it is just moral support. I’ll wait.”

Other children passed them by as they waited nervously. Taylor’s thoughts were on Brad and Greg who were still waiting for them. Their free time was coming to an end for the day. She had gotten them through the first interactions with the adults, but she wasn’t sure how the second time through would go. Especially when the priest saw the results of their activities. Her mind wandered to what he must be up to while keeping them there. She hoped it was something that would get them through this quicker.

Priest Grant walked quickly around the corner ushering them up. “Lead the way. I’ve got some things to help him.”

Taylor hopped up from the chair eager to get going. She raced ahead and the others followed behind her. There weren’t many people out, so they got back quickly. At the tree, Ash had already returned from her gathering trip. She was applying a paste to Greg’s arm. Brad watched with a nervous eye. The trio caught sight of Taylor and Danny first before spotting Priest Grant walking behind them.

“What is he doing here?” Brad asked quietly.

“He is here to help. For now, at least.”

“Or catch us all together,” Brad muttered even quieter.

Taylor nodded at that and let it slide. The adult took up Brad’s spot and looked over Greg’s injury. Brad stepped away and his nervousness grew. Priest Grant traded a few words with Greg though it was hard to hear. He looked over at Ash’s work next and thanked her for her work. She took a step back as well.

Out of an inner pocket, Priest Grant brought out a bottle. He removed the cork quickly and brought it to Greg’s lips. “Drink all of it if you can.” Greg accepted it and started to suck it all in. He drank quickly and coughed a little as he did so. Still, he followed the instructions. The priest watched him intently. When the bottle was empty Greg dropped it to the grass.

Priest Grant turned to the other kids. “What you’ve done is foolish and I expect you know that by now. I will deal with the older kids though I expect you know to avoid playing such games in the future. You still have assignments and chores for the day to attend to. Greg, what is yours?”

“It is supposed to be assisting in cooking dinner tonight.”

“Taylor?”

“Sweeping and mopping after dinner,” she said expecting the question.

“Putting the littlest children to bed tonight,” said Brad without needing to be prompted.

“Then you Greg will swap with Bradley tonight. Do not put weight on it and be more careful next time. Do not go running around or stress yourself for the rest of the week. You understand?”

Greg nodded. Priest Grant got up and helped Greg follow. “You all should return to your duties. Your free time is almost over. These circumstances should not repeat.”

Priest Grant left them at the edges of the woods for he had other duties to attend to. When the kids saw him truly leaving Danny was the first to leave followed by Ash and then the others. Greg kept his arm close to his chest, but the pain was fading. He looked up in the sky and thanked the gods that they had finally brought them a nice priest.