The Last Dragon

Chapter 3 - What Happened?

"They were in the mountains to the southeast, on a special mission for the king. That's all I can say."

Ilia eased herself to the bed. Her legs gave out part way down and she collapsed on the mattress. "They look like they've been in battle." She pushed herself back up to sit on the edge of the bed.

"They were. That's not your concern now, though. You can learn more when we do rounds tomorrow." Master Silvan took Ilia's hands.

Ilia smiled and relaxed. As worried as she was, Master Silvan still treated her normally. Whatever was wrong, it couldn't be that serious. "I still get to do rounds with you?"

"You've earned it, Child. You're a natural at healing, and you're ready to move to the next stage of training. Now, sit quietly and let me do this."

Ilia twitched and shifted. Master Silvan narrowed her eyes at the girl, and she went still. Ilia closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. Calm. A healer must be calm. Patients can heal themselves if we're calm and believe they will, and that takes control.

"Better, Child. Your magic feels fine to me. What happened?" Master Silvan pulled a stool from the corner of the small room and sat facing Ilia.

Ilia shrugged. "I don't know. I felt fine. The powder was pouring perfectly for me. The next thing I knew, I felt like I was being thrust through with a sword. My ribs wanted to explode, and my heart ached. I couldn't breathe."

Master Silvan got up and stepped to the cupboard. She retrieved a bottle and uncorked it. A nerve tonic? No, there was a ring of gold liquid at the top. What's that potion for? How do the many parts of the potion stay separate? Ilia raised an eyebrow.

"Drink it all, Child. I know it's a lot, but you need it. This potion protects against magical interference." Master Silvan held the bottle out to her.

The delicate scent of Nordomine blossoms wafted up to her, sweet and floral. Cinnamon? Something else, a light oil of some kind. Coconut oil. Ilia smiled. She took the bottle and tipped it against her lips, taking a large mouthful. Ilia choked, and the bottle slipped from her hands. Master Silvan caught the bottle and held it up for her as Ilia sputtered and coughed.

"Ugh." Ilia wiped her mouth with her sleeve. Her robes definitely needed laundering now. "Salty."

"The salt is protective. Drink it all, and you can have as much water as you want when you're done."

Ilia gulped down the potion, trying not to taste it. She shifted onto the bed, leaning back against the headboard, and wrapped her arms around her belly.

"Here. It'll help." Master Silvan took a massive glass from the cupboard and filled it with a pipe at the counter.

Water flowed into the glass, stopping when it was nearly full. She handed the glass to Ilia, and the girl gulped it down in a few big swallows, despite the amount. As promised, the water cleared the salt from her mouth.

"Rest. They'll clean up for you. Don't leave this room until I say so. I'll be back soon."

Master Silvan set the water glass on the counter. She opened another cupboard and pulled out some crystals. She set one in each corner of the room.

"I call on the power entrusted to you, protect and guard those inside, through and through. Let no other powers inside. Guard her, protect her, in peace she'll reside." Her voice was steady through the chant.

The crystals glowed with a pale white light. A wreath hung above the door, and a crystal within the branches glowed as well.

"Stay here, Child. I'll be back soon." Master Silvan left the room, closing the door behind her.