Vaehandre: Where The Stars Fall [Under Revision]

Chapter 34: Healers Three

[Photo by gurgur on DeviantArt]
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"Lady Moira! Lady Moira!" Gytha said, panting at the doorway of the library after she running from the raven tower. Her lips shuddering as she struggled to talk. "The twins..." She bit her lip, and tears started to dampen her face. "They're dead."

Sabina appeared at the doorway and placed her hand on Gytha's shoulder. "It's true, headmistress. Their ravers are gone."

Stepping forward into the light of the fireplace, Moira glanced at Ingrid: her eyes widened, and her brows furrowed.

Shortly after delivering her news, Gytha began to tremble. Sabina assisted her to a nearby chair.

"And Alyson?" Moira asked Sabina.

The raven master set the hysterical girl down. "Alive. I've sent her her raven."

"Good." Moira knelt down and held Gytha's hands. "It's alright, child. Just breath now."

Try as she may, the aspiring alchemist continued to whimper while struggling for breath.

Ingrid moved to approach Gytha.

Moving her gaze towards, Ingrid the headmistress said, "Choose your companions wisely."

With a raise of a brow, Ingrid stepped back. She nodded and squeezed Gytha's hand before leaving the library.

Going down two flights of stairs, she knocked on the second door to her left. "Distira?" she called out and knocked again. "Distira!"

"Cursed fates, what time is it?" A girl in her nightgown answered the door. She had dark hair and brown eyes.

"Distira—"

"Ingrid," she replied at once.

Rolling her eyes, Ingrid continued. "You've been taking basic potions and healing classes for a year now, right?"

"I've only been here a year," answered the groggy girl.

"That's fine. When we get to Rathorn, you can help out with the potions. But what I really need right now is a fighter."

Distira let the door swing open and crossed her arms. She pressed her lips together. "You know I left the Southern mages to be a healer. Just a healer. Maybe a proper mage who doesn't kill. One who saves people, not hurt them."

Ingrid crooked her mouth sideways. "Two of our healers are dead, Distira."

The Southerner untangled her arms and shrugged.

"Whoever killed them is still out there, and I need someone like you by my side."

Lowering her gaze, Distira paused for a while. Finally, she looked Ingrid in the eyes. "How did this happen?"

"On their way to Rathorn to deal with a spreading illness. They, they were attacked. Look we don't really know what happened."

She nodded her head. "Who else is coming?"

"Gytha."

"Gytha? Squeamish Gytha? Didn't she break down in tears during the last battle?"

Ingrid raised a brow. "She is also a quick study and our fastest alchemist. If we are dealing with a plague in Rathorn, we'll have to be able to cure as many people as possible.

"I'll get my staff."

"Hurry, we'll leave as soon as everyone is ready. I'll go fetch Gytha."

Distira put her hand on her door. "Alright." And closed it fully when Ingrid left.

Pacing towards the steps, Ingrid took seven steps when she placed her hand on the wall. She slumped against it and covered her mouth to muffle her cries. Squeezing her eyelids, she thought of the twins: Bertha and Ella. Girls around the same age as Gytha. Healers who were gone too soon. She shuddered and let out a breath. Then, wiping her tears away, she continued to go up the stairs.

Arriving back in the library, Ingrid saw that it was just Gytha and Moira there.

Moira stood up and went closer to Ingrid. "Take the fastest horses."

"Are you sure you won't need them?"

"The matters in Rathorn are far more important than anything else now." Moira raised her chin. "Who did you choose to go with you?"

Ingrid sighed. "Distira."

"A warrior from the South," Moira noted.

"And..." Ingrid looked at the forlorn alchemist sitting on the chair. "Gytha."

Moira raised her brow. "The best alchemist in this school. Alright, if you can, make haste."

● ● ●

At daybreak in Rathorn, Aiden and Henry stood ever watchful on the walkway of the curtain wall that surrounded the keep. The sky was still grey but was getting lighter by the minute.

"You should get some rest, Aiden. You've been up all night."

"I don't think I can sleep till I know what happened to those healers."

Henry tilted his head. "You know I knew a guy who stayed up for two nights and—"

"Sir Henry, a message from the Academe has just arrived," their raven master called out.

After striding towards him, Henry retrieved the scroll. He then gave it to Aiden.

Dear Lord Aiden of Rathorn,

I apologize for the late arrival of the healers. We suffered two losses from the first group, and one of them is still missing. Rest assured, another group of three is already on their way. They departed an hour past midnight. We've taken precautions in this second group expect them to arrive this afternoon.

—Moira, Headmistress

Aiden looked up at his Knight Protector. "Two of their healers are dead, and one is missing."

"Do you think it was..."

"They would never stay near the main roads unless they had a target." Aiden turned to face the city. Glancing back at Henry, Aiden saw that he already had the same idea.

Henry had his brows raised. "They would at least be halfway here by now."

"Yes, we'll ride out and escort them back here safely."

"We?" Henry bowed his head slightly. "You're staying here."

Aiden shook his head. "Yeah, stay here and be useless."

"You know I'm right."

The Lord of Rathorn clenched his jaw. "Alright."

Sir Henry bowed and made his way to the stables.

Looking back at the rising sun, the sky was still grey but was getting lighter by the minute. Aiden thought of what that new dawn would bring.