The Forgotten Lady

Chapter Four

The Village Healer

Amelia's new life in Havenmoor truly began once she started working with Eliza, the village healer. Eliza was a woman of many talents—wise, resourceful, and steadfast. Her small cottage was perpetually filled with the scent of drying herbs and the sound of bubbling pots, creating an atmosphere both soothing and industrious.

Eliza welcomed Amelia with a pragmatic warmth. "You'll find my cottage is humble but comfortable," she said, guiding Amelia through the small yet efficient space. "The work is demanding, but you'll learn quickly."

Amelia nodded, her resolve clear. She needed to move beyond her previous life for her survival and sanity. She listened attentively as Eliza walked her through the basics of herbal healing—identifying plants, understanding their uses, and learning to prepare remedies.

To protect her true identity and avoid any connections that might lead back to her former life, Amelia adopted the name "Emily Harper." The villagers, only too willing to accept the healer's new apprentice, soon became accustomed to calling her by this new moniker.

Amelia, under Eliza's guidance, became proficient in the ways of healing. She found herself deeply engrossed in the intricate world of herbs and potions, her natural curiosity and intelligence speeding her mastery of this ancient art.

Despite her burgeoning skills and the respect she garnered from the villagers, Amelia remained haunted by a gnawing anxiety about her past and the circumstances that led her here. Eliza noticed this tension and approached her one evening as they prepared a poultice for a villager's wound.

"You have a secret," Eliza said, her eyes soft yet penetrating.

Amelia looked up, startled by the healer's insight. "Yes," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Eliza nodded knowingly. "We all have secrets, child. Some we keep to protect ourselves, others to protect those we love. But remember, here you are safe, and your past does not define you."

The healer's words were a balm to Amelia's restless soul. She was growing to trust Eliza, seeing in her a mentor and perhaps even a friend.