Dreisterne

INTERLUDE IV

The halls of Dunsgoil Hill's healing temple were filled with the scent of herbs and the quiet murmurs of the wounded. The soft shuffling of feet and the occasional groans of pain filled the air as Healers moved swiftly between patients. The temple had been busy before, but today, it was overwhelmed. A small group of refugees from the town of Wayside had arrived at dawn, their bodies broken, their spirits frayed. They were the last survivors of a town that no longer existed. Some bore wounds inflicted by bandits, others carried injuries from the treacherous journey east. Some had simply collapsed from exhaustion, never to wake again.

Among the survivors was Selena. Despite the toll the past days had taken on her, she had refused to rest. From the moment she stepped into the halls of Dunsgoil Hill's healing temple, she had thrown herself into the work, tending to wounds, changing bandages, and soothing the dying with words of comfort. She worked tirelessly, even as her hands trembled and her vision blurred from exhaustion. Her local counterparts begged her to stop, but she shook her head, her voice raw from overuse.

"I made a promise," she said, kneeling beside an unconscious child as she placed a damp cloth over their fevered forehead. "I swore to my Matron that I'd see them safe. I won't stop until-" She wavered, gripping the edge of the patient's cot for balance as her body threatened to give out.

"Selena..." came a firm but gentle voice.

The head Healer of Dunsgoil Hill's temple, a man with kind eyes but an unwavering presence, knelt beside her. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "You've done more than enough. If you keep pushing yourself, you'll collapse. Who will care for you then?"

She opened her mouth to argue, but no words came. She could barely think straight.

The head Healer gave her a small, knowing smile. "Selena, you have done well looking after your fellow townsfolk on the road and through all its dangers, and words cannot express how proud we are of you. But now, you must rest. You need healing as well, you know?"

Too tired to fight, she finally nodded. The moment she allowed herself to lean on him, her legs nearly gave out. Two temple workers gently led her away, guiding her to a small private room. The door clicked shut, sealing her away from the world. Selena exhaled, her breath trembling as if her body was still resisting the weight of her exhaustion.

She was alone, truly alone for the first time in days. She stood frozen, arms wrapped around herself, as if letting go would make it real. Her legs wavered, but she forced herself toward the bed, each step dragging. When she reached it, she collapsed, the sheets soft against her face, grounding her just enough before the first sob tore free. Then another. And another. Until she was shaking, curling in on herself as grief crashed through the walls she had held up for so long. There was no one left to be strong for.

The temple. Her Matron. Her friends. Her home.

All gone.

She had been so focused on saving others that she hadn't allowed herself to feel. Now, the weight of everything she had lost crushed down on her, and for the first time since the attack, she let herself grieve.

Selena lay on her narrow cot, drifting between sleep and wakefulness. Her body felt impossibly heavy, yet her mind refused to rest. The past few days played out in her thoughts with unbearable clarity, as if she were reliving every moment of them over and over.

... ... ... ... ...

It felt like yesterday when Selena had been preparing for her journey to Dunsgoil Hill's healing temple for her long-awaited chance at advanced training. Selena could still feel the warmth of her mentor's embrace, the faint scent of herbs clinging to the older woman's robes. She had practically thrown herself into her arms, laughter bubbling up as she bounced on her heels.