Under the Oak Tree - A Sip of Momentary Grace

Act I - The Sacred Tree of Ages

The brisk, evening air filled her lungs with the promise of cooler nights and orange sunsets. Max paced around the garden, trying to straighten out her tangled thoughts. She had spent the morning in the herb field behind the great hall that Medrick had started and was in the library up until now.

Lizardgrass, echinacea, goldenseal, valerian... Now what was that other one?

Max was fixated on improving her knowledge about medicinal herbs and was reading Medrick's studies on how to prepare certain ointments. Learning magic and building a mana supply took patience, so she wanted to broaden her skillset to feel as though she was making progress in becoming a more competent healer. She wondered what Ruth would think about this holistic approach rather than using magic to heal at every given opportunity.

Suddenly, she found herself in front of the Uigru tree that she had visited with Riftan not too long ago. She recalled the extravagant show that Ruth put on to entertain the servants when he applied magic in an attempt to revive the seemingly dead tree. Her lips curved into a smile to see that the previously blossoming buds were now full grown leaves.

A heavy feeling weighed in her chest as she thought about the last time she saw Ruth. How long would it be until she could see her first friend again?

Max felt strangely connected to this tree. Was it because she discovered she had mana affinity here? There was something about it she could not pinpoint that invoked the feeling of connection inside her. She walked up to the tree and placed her hand on its bark, taking in a deep breath to appreciate the earthy smell and closed her eyes to listen to the gentle rustle of its branches.

"What are you doing here?"

A deep baritone voice shook her out of her thoughts.

Max turned around in surprise and saw Riftan standing there with his arms crossed.

"Ri-Riftan... You startled me." Max clutched her hands together, her eyes shying away from his piercing gaze.

"The maids told me you spent most of the day in the library, but I'm finding you here instead..." Riftan looked at her with a concerning expression.

"I-I needed a break from reading and wanted some fresh air." Max took a few steps towards the man, and he pulled her to his side.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to wander off alone?" With a firm grip on her waist, he gave her a disapproving look causing her to recoil.

"It's getting late. Let's head back to the great hall for dinner." He sighed and rubbed his large hand up and down her slender arm before resting it upon her shoulder. Riftan glanced at the Uiguru tree before turning around to head back to the Castle with Max.

She was not used to his warm contact as he had been so busy lately with securing Medrick as a healer, the construction in Anatol, and meeting with the other knights about the situation in Livadon.

As the pair made their way back inside, Max let out a sigh to release the tension in her heart. She wanted to ask him more about his day and hear about what was going on in the meetings. It was awful to be left in the dark and not know about such important affairs.

Max yearned to be accepted by Riftan... the knights have already acknowledged her role as the official healer of Castle Calypse, especially in Ruth's absence, but why did Riftan continue to resist? She was determined to break the image of being nothing more than a feeble, sheltered noblewoman in his eyes. To comfort herself, she often daydreamed about Riftan praising her efforts in becoming a respected healer... and a wizard. As long as she didn't overdo it, perhaps he would come to be proud of her abilities. Max clenched her fists and silently promised to study diligently tomorrow.