Arvium

37: Trinity Village

Month 1, Day 3, 19:30:42; Arvium, Northern Mountains

Aella opened her eyes slowly, seeing the white ceiling staring down at her. Slowly she used a hand to clear the loose hair out of her face. When she turned her head, she saw a woman sitting across from her, a smile on her face. Gentle white curls framed her face, setting off her golden eyes.

The woman was holding her hand, and nodded when Aella started moving to sit up. "Good evening, my dear," she said softly, tapping Aella's hand with her fingers. "You've been asleep for several hours."

Aella moved her hands under the cover, her eyes opening wide when she felt only a thin nightgown covering her body. Her hand slid up her chest and she breathed a sigh of relief when she felt her necklace. She pushed herself up so she was eye to eye with the woman. "Where are my clothes?"

The woman stood, letting Aella's hand rest against the bed. She pointed to the door, and Aella looked around the small room, bare of anything except for a bed and a small dresser. "Through that door and down the hall, drying out. I had to remove them to heal your injuries. Healing spells are less efficient when applied through clothing. Don't worry, I had them cleaned and repaired and they will be returned to you in the morning."

"You saved me?" Aella said, yawning.

She shook her head. "My son was the one who found you and your mentor, Princess. But I am the one who healed your wounds."

Aella frowned. Princess again. She looked into the woman's golden eyes. "Are you an NPC?"

The woman smiled, and shook her head. "No, but we aren't players either. But now isn't the time for that. Do you feel well enough to get up?"

She moved across the room to a dresser, opening the doors. "I have some clothes that you can wear. Once you get dressed, I will take you to get something to eat and you can explore our village. We are celebrating the marriage of two of our members so we are having a celebration. You are more than welcome to attend."

Aella watched her silently, feeling warm despite the thin nightgown she was wearing. The air was warm, and smelled slightly of flowers.

The woman pulled out a golden dress, delicate straps crisscrossing the shoulder area, and tulle flowing from the bodice. Her other hand held simple golden shoes with a ribbon to tie around her legs. "You will look beautiful, my dear."

Aella looked over the golden silk as it shimmered with movement, the fabric moving like golden water. She glanced up at the woman, shaking her head. "I can't wear something like this."

"Nonsense," the woman said, laying the dress on the bed. She motioned for Aella to get out of the bed. "It is simple for such a celebration. And you are our guest. I won't have you looking out of place."

Aella slid out of the covers, placing her feet carefully on the wood floor, slowly shifting her weight to her right leg.

"Is there any pain?"

Aella shook her head. "Thank you," she paused, not knowing the woman's name.

"Marillan," the woman said, smiling at her. "And it is the least I could do. Now, off with that nightgown so I can help you into this dress. I'll fix your hair up as well, and you can go find your mentor."

Aella blushed when Marillan helped pull off her nightgown. She stood there awkwardly, her hands covering herself as much as she could.

"It's fine, dear," Marillan said, reaching to take the dress off of the bed. "It's not something I haven't seen plenty of times in my life. I am the midwife and main healer in this village."