| The Elven Healer
As soon as they stepped out of the moongate a really awkward feeling came over Estel. A feeling that became even worse as she gazed up at the huge trees that here and there had branches twisted in a strange manner. JT spoke cheerfully, telling her they had arrived in the Elven Quarter and that she was looking at the famous Trinsic Rose Tavern. She tried to respond with equal cheerfulness, not wanting to disappoint him as he apparently felt completely at ease amongst the great trees, but of course he noticed. Finding it unable to give words to her uneasiness she just moved close, almost leaning against him as they continued their journey through the Elven Quarter.
“This is an infirmary and there is a library above.”
“Infirmary… is like Lloyd’s Healers house, yes?”JT nodded and pondered for a moment. “Would you like to go inside? The Elven Healer is supposed to be very good.”
“Elf healers very good, Lloyd say so. Maybe she know, how old I can be?”
They entered the building that was partially tree and partially building and came face to face with a beautiful elven woman. She had long blond hair and very friendly eyes and an even friendlier smile. Her smile was met by a nervous smile of JT and an even more nervous smile from Estel who almost hid behind JT. The woman was just drying her hands and made a welcoming gesture. “Aaye, come in.”
The elven woman and JT spoke a little, Estel remaining behind him and glancing over his shoulder to look at the elf. This was the first time she ever saw an elf that was not dead, the first time she met someone who was like her. Why did she feel so anxious that she wanted to run and hide and not look at her or talk with her? Startled she blushed a deep red when the woman addressed her and held out her hand to Estel. Softly Jon spoke assuringly to her, “its okay, little one”, before she carefully placed her hand in the woman’s.
“Amin naa Ruadnit Troi.”
“Me be, Estel Aralle.” Her nervousness made her orcish accent stronger.
The woman frowned at her a moment.
“She only has a little elven, miss.”
“But she understood which is encouraging.”
The woman led her to a delicately decorated bench and ordered her to sit. Seeing her uneasiness JT crouched down close by. Ruadnit explained she was able to heal in two ways, one that was similar to the way that Lloyd healed and the other was by touch. As she turned and sat down behind a desk with bottles, bandages and other healer’s tools she explained to Estel that her touch would make Estel feel warm and tingly inside. She suddenly looked straight at Estel and asked if she had any other injuries besides the healing cut on her head. Somewhat ashamed Estel told her she had old lashing scars on her back that were caused by her master.
To her surprise the elven woman also asked if she had been around a mage or mages. “My masta was Ork Mage. Why you know that?”
Ruadnit muttered and Estel looked questioningly at her, while JT shuffled closer and held her hand, squeezing it gently.
“There’s magic being used on you.”
“On me?”
JT raised a brow.
“Probably to keep you in sight.”
“But… I no remember? Masta never did magics on me.” Confused Estel stared at the woman until she suddenly realized: “For… for… for as long as I can remember…”
“It must be some memory spell or curse.”
Ruadnit kneeled down in front of her and placed some regents in her hands, before placing her hands over Estel’s. Then she closed her eyes and began chanting in an elven tongue that neither JT nor Estel recognized. While she did that the regents began to glow and disappear and Estel heard a soft popping sound. Together with the popping sound Estel felt a strange pain inside of her head. Her gaze met with that of the elf that opened her eyes surprised. “Well, that didn’t go well…”
She explained something more, but Estel couldn’t hear. Instead she could hear her former master speak to her, a chanting like manner as the elf had just done. She did not understand the words at all, but guessing from what the elven woman had just done he must have been using magic. Must have been. She was remembering something. ‘Estel, come to me…’. Frightened by the words Estel reached for the sides of her head while the words slowly faded into silence.
Suddenly worried JT asked her if she was all right and Ruadnit softly touched her arm.
“He’s calling.” Estel whispered.
“Well, tell him no.” Ruadnit simply said. “Yell it out loud if you have to. He’ll hear.”
But I don’t want him to hear. Estel looked over to JT, his face calming her down.
“Whatever he did, it is lessened. He won’t be able to track her.”
“Will it ever go, miss?” JT looked up concerned.
“The death of the mage should negate his spell.”
Estel tried to get up but was gently pushed back. Still dazed by the experience she just had, she nodded when the woman asked her if she could now heal her. Again she held out her hands to Estel and began chanting again after Estel had put her hands back in hers. She could feel a warmth entering her starting in her hands and slowly flowing through the rest of her body. JT’s eyes widened as he noticed the cut on her head started to disappear slowly until there was not even a scar left. The warmth kept crawling within her, healing whatever damage there was left from her ordeal with the orcs and she could even feel her back tingling.
For a moment the cut that had been on Estel’s head appeared on the same place on Ruadnit’s head and Ruadnit paled white. When the warm feeling left her, the healing done, Estel leaned forward and put her arms around Ruadnit’s waist. “Amin Hiraetha. (I am sorry)” She whispered softly. “For hurting you…” In reply Ruadnit hugged her gently back. “Lle did not, tis part of my gift.”
Ruadnit sat down behind her desk again and started to prepare a pretty blue jar, putting a blue salve in it. “This salve will get rid of the older scars you have. Put it on twice a day until they are gone.” She looked over at Estel again. “Lle will be please to know lle is well over a century old. Lle are still young. In elven terms lle are as old as your friend is.” She nodded towards JT. “So lle have a long life ahead of you.”
Estel’s mouth had dropped open in surprise. “Dat iz rilly rilly rilly old…”
“Not for a pretty elf as you.”
“Thank you so much, Miss.” JT said grateful when she handed him the salve.
They parted and after having had soup in the Trinsic Rose JT showed her more of Britannia until Estel became tired and visibly needed rest. Having felt so uneasy earlier, Estel was very glad JT had hired a room at the Covian tavern for the night that had a bed that was big enough for both of them to sleep in. Tonight she did not want to sleep alone, but rather close to the one she felt most safe with. |