Elfborn

Mistress Healer

Josilin was just about to tap lightly on the wooden door set into the side of Nona's toka when a greeting was called out.

"Fair day, Josilin. Going about the healer's business, are you?" asked Ludomir, Josilin's older brother. He spoke in the Tsigani tongue, a smooth, effortless language that resembled none of the Evindel tongues. The handsome, broad-shouldered young man often drove the family's toka, with their father guiding the lead wagon when the caravan traveled. And so his skin, normally the same color as Josilin's, was sun-darkened. His eyes, however, were as mischievous as Josilin's, with the same playful twinkle and his high-cheek bones, strong jaw and ready smile made him a favorite even among the women of the Evindel villages they passed through, much to the chagrin of their menfolk.

For all of their so-called bad traits, and nomadic lifestyle, the Tsigani were a beautiful people, who enjoyed music, singing and dancing almost as much as food and drink. Today he wore a bright shirt of sky blue and breeches of black, which matched the calf boots that he also wore, the silver chain attached to his belt marking him as an adult, accepted by the Elders of the clan. Over the shirt, as ward against the cooling air, he wore a sleeveless tunic of dark blue, the whole combining to make a rakish display. Needless to say, the Tsigani were also known for their love of bright colors, as evidenced by both the hues with which they painted their toka, and by the clothing that they wore.

Josilin looked up and smiled as she watched Ludomir jauntily walk towards her, looking as if he had just come from the young men's fire. The elders, to ensure that nothing inappropriate happened between the young people, often segregated a clan camp. And with so many in Clan Ruthin of marrying age, that temptation was often great!

"Ludo." She smiled warmly, also speaking the Tsigani tongue. She gave her older brother a hug and a kiss on the cheek before taking a step back. "Fair day to you, too! Gaming with Anjo and Draza again?"

"Always," Ludomir answered with a grin. "I was heading back to our toka for a bite of lunch when I spotted you." He grew somewhat sober. "How are our guests doing? Any change?"

Josilin's smile broadened.

"Yes, actually," she answered brightly. "It would seem that the poultice that Nona taught me to make actually managed to work, this time. It broke the fever of one of the young men."

"Worked, hey? Instead of stinking Deda's toka up again?" Ludomir grinned. "Will miracles never cease?"

"Stop, you." Josilin gave her brother's arm a mock punch. "I am becoming quite the healer, you know."

"If you say so, little sister." Ludomir laughed. "Just remind me never to become sick when you finally become one! That would indeed be putting my life at jeopardy!"

Josilin was about to administer another punch to Ludomir's arm, this one not so playful, when Nona's door abruptly swung open. The healer, a handsome woman with graying hair piled high on her head and barely covered with her handkerchief, had small smile lines at the corners of her mouth and crow's feet at her eyes, the only signs of her age. She wore a bright yellow shirt with an orange sleeveless tunic over it, her skirt the same dark blue as the one Josilin wore.

Frowning, Nona looked down at the two siblings, crossing her arms beneath her ample bosom.

"What's this racket outside my door?" she said sternly, her voice smooth and kind despite the stern look on her face. She couldn't sound angry even if she tried, a gentle soul at heart.

"How can a healer make her chants to drive away dark spirits if she's continually being interrupted by a headstrong youth and one of my reluctant apprentices?"