"Lumere..." I whispered aloud.
The man smiled again. Offering his hand and causing me to close my eyes, after a moment, I opened them. Questionably, I hesitated for a moment before slowly reaching forward and grabbing it. He squeezed his closed fist, causing me to flinch.
"My name is Matt." He said with a big smile.
"Is there something that you'd like me and the others to call you?"
Looking at him for a moment, I shook my head.
"I'm not sure..." I said.
His expression loosened for a second before returning to normal.
"That's alright! If you remember your name, be sure to let me know!" The man stood up.
"Well, I'll be off now. Is there anything that you would like me to bring you?"
Looking around the room, I shook my head.
"I don't need anything..."
After I spoke those words, the man gave me another soft smile before taking his leave. Listening to his feet move down the hallway, growing quieter until they fully disappeared. Slowly standing up, throwing myself off the bed and onto the floor. The room was cold, so cold in fact that I draped the fur sheet over myself. I had been naked my entire life, even if it was a short life; all I had ever known was cold. Not wanting to live the same way my entire life, I pulled the fur sheet closer to my body.
My feet moved across the wooden floor, the fur cover dragging behind me. Searching the room, my eyes fell upon a wooden box that was against the wall. Approaching it, my hands caressed its rough surface. On top of it was a small piece of wax, which seemed to have been burnt. The box was not in the best condition; some pieces were completely missing. Squatting down, my hands fell upon two metal handles that protruded from the box. Pulling on them revealed that the box was hollow; inside was quite empty except for a small ball.
Grabbing it, I ran my hand over its smooth surface; it was made of pure wood. Examining it for a moment, decides to drop it. It fell to the ground, causing a loud bang to ring through the room. My eyes widened as it did, and I quickly scooped up the ball and put it back into the box before jumping back into bed.
My eyes were locked on the door, but to my relief, no one came. Slowly, I stood up once again, curiosity built up in me while silently tiptoeing towards the door and placing my head against the hardwood, searching for any noise on the other side. After a second of listening, my hand grabbed the handle, pulling the door open slowly. As it swung, a loud creak echoed through the building, causing me to wince and close my eyes, hoping that no one heard it.
Once the door was fully open, I poked my head out, looking down the hallway. On both sides, the hallway went directly, with doors and lanterns lining it. On my left, the hallway continued for a little while before ending at a wall that contained a window. On my right, the hallway went quite a bit down, ending in a staircase.
Deciding to explore the side with the dead end, I slowly walked down the hall with the fur cover draped over me. Approaching a nearby door, I heard groaning on the other side, along with a few muffled voices speaking. Moving on to the next, the same thing happened, and the next was the same as well. All these rooms were filled with agony.
At the end of the hallway, my head leaned against the final door, but this time it was finally silent. Slowly grabbing the handle, I pushed the heavy wood door open. The room was massive! Filled with wooden pieces everywhere. At the centre of the room was a desk, on top of which were many pieces of paper, a lantern that illuminated it, and a quill that dripped ink.
Walking around the desk, I approached a wooden chair, rubbing my finger across it, and a piece of wood broke off and dug into my skin. Looking at the wound, it began to vibrate, then pushed the sliver out of the skin and onto the floor. The small hole it created quickly disappeared, leaving no mark. Slowly, I pulled out the chair and took a seat.
My hands ran across the desk and then onto the paper. What are these? I wondered before examining them. Each paper included words and a chart, with a long written portion at the end. Grabbing the first one, I began to read.
Patient Information
Name: Unknown
Gender: Female
Age: 16-18 (Estimate; patient does not remember.)
Condition: Healthy
Diagnosis: Memory Loss, Confusion
Characteristics: Long white hair, red eyes, pale skin, 5'6", petite.
Assigned Healer: Matthias, Wight
Comments:
Found the girl in the forest during the bear hunt. She had sustained some severe injuries. Lady Liora had to cast a healing spell on the spot, after which she was fully examined and treated at the medical centre.
The girl was not a part of the hunt, but she had ended up receiving many lacerations, protrusions, and blunt force trauma. Surprisingly, after a few hours of observation, the girls' wounds had completely healed.
Her healing capabilities had completely baffled the other apprentices and me. Still, according to Lady Liora, it is most likely an intrinsic skill that the girl had acquired over her lifetime. If Lady Liora is correct, then this girl is very talented...
The girl woke up after a few hours of rest; she was fully cooperative and seemed to be in good health at first. Kayla was the first to speak to her, and she diagnosed that the girl was suffering from complete memory loss. According to the patient, she could not remember anything from before the bear hunt.
Today I spoke to her; she was quite friendly, and it was just as Kayla had said: she was one of the most unique and beautiful young ladies I had ever seen. As per my duty, I offered her food, but to my surprise, she devoured it as if she had not eaten in several days. We spoke for a few minutes before I took my leave, but as I did, I offered the girl my hand. Surprisingly, as I did, she flinched... She may have been abused; we will find out once her memory has recovered.
This was about me... Is my rate of healing truly that strange? And being considered talented for having just one skill? Also, the bear—these people truly were hunting it. They think that I lost my memory due to the monster...
The final paragraph surprised me. They think I was abused? I'm not sure what that means, but the truth is that I thought he was going to hit me. Looking at the last sentence, my chest tightened for a moment. Should I tell them the truth, or should I keep lying? The question lingered in my mind for a while, but in reality, the only option that made sense was to lie.
If they found out what I am, they might kill me for it. Also, losing my memory is a great excuse for why I don't know anything; it's the perfect story—smiling, I grabbed the next piece of paper.
Patient Information
Name: Ashvale, Bella
Gender: Female
Age: 24
Condition: Stable (Comatose)
Diagnosis: Broken ribs, a broken left arm, multiple deep punctures and cuts, a punctured lung, many fractures, severe bruising, and head trauma.
Characteristics: Short blonde hair, white skin, blue eyes, 5'10.
Assigned Healer: Kayla, Moonstone
Comments:
She was first treated during the bear hunt after she had sustained multiple severe injuries. Lady Liora cast multiple healing spells upon her, but they were of little effect. Having to resort to using a healing potion, the severity of the wounds on Ms. Ashvale lessened slightly. In the end, the potion was also not enough, as Ms. Ashvale's heart had stopped, causing Lady Liora to start chest compressions, and the other nearby apprentices and I focused on stopping the bleeding.
We treated her at the medical centre, where we closely monitored her. During treatment, the bear began to approach us. Lady Liora sent us away, but according to her statement, the commander dealt with the beast and allowed us to return to treating Ms. Ashvale. After a few moments, her heart began to beat. Finishing up on site, we carefully extracted Ms. Ashvale and continued treating her at the Medical Centre, where we closely monitored her.
It has been an entire night, and Ms. Ashvale has seemed to stabilize. She has not woken up, but it seems like she will be ok.
Looking at her piece of paper, pity filled my heart for a moment. Sighing, I moved on to the next paper.
Patient Information
Name: Ashvale, Roderic
Gender: Male
Age: 55
Condition: Critical (Reactive)
Diagnosis: Broken ribs, an amputated left arm, multiple deep punctures and cuts, internal bleeding, many fractures, severe bruising, and head trauma.
Characteristics: Short grey hair, brown eyes, white skin, muscular, 6'3.
Assigned Healer: Liora BrightWard
Comments:
Commander Ashvale was treated soon after his daughter. He had sustained many severe injuries after facing the Aurelion Frenzied Bear in combat. He had lost a lot of blood and was at high risk of death. Having no time to transport him, I had to cast a healing spell upon him. It reduced some of the bleeding and gave my apprentices and me time to patch him up and transfer him to the medical centre.
At the medical centre, his wounds had reopened, causing me to have to recast the spell. In the end, we were able to get the situation under control. He will be kept in the medical centre under constant observation until deemed fit by me to leave.
Currently, Commander Ashvale is conscious and very rude, demanding to be brought to his daughter. To his dismay, I have told him to stay in bed and be quiet, or he will die due to his wounds or by me strangling him after what he put me through.
Putting down the piece of paper, my eyes were wide. The commander was alive! I was sure that he would not make it through that fight. Looking at the final paragraph, I giggled slightly. Looks like the commander and Lady Liora are friends.
Slowly, I grabbed the next paper.
Name: Lono, Evert
Gender: Male
Age: 32
Condition: Diseased
Diagnosis: Crushed ribs, severed torso, bleeding, multiple broken bones, and multiple cuts and puncture wounds.
Characteristics: Brown hair, green eyes, white skin, 6" and skinny.
Assigned Healer: N/A
Comments:
Died during the bear hunt.
My eyes widened as I read. Quickly, I looked at the next one.
Name: Lono, Mira
Gender: Female
Age: 30
Condition: Diseased
Diagnosis: Crushed ribs, charred skin, bleeding, multiple broken bones, multiple cuts and puncture wounds, Severed head
Characteristics: Black hair, Brown eyes, white skin, 5'4
Assigned Healer: N/A
Comments:
Died during the bear hunt.
Throwing the paper down and grabbing the next one.
Name: Grey, Mark
Condition: Diseased
Name: Falue, Sarah
Condition: Diseased
Name: Weston, Greggory
Condition: Diseased
...
They... everyone... all those people had died. My hands trembled, and my stomach began to turn. Visions of my siblings flashed through my head. My eyes blurred, and I started to hyperventilate. My chest was tight, and my hand gripped the linen covering it. Tears flowed down my cheeks, and I began to cough. My world began to spin.
I grasped tightly onto the desk and closed my eyes. Slowing down my breathing, I began to calm down. My grip lightened as the cruel pictures in my head began to dissipate. Opening my eyes, the thoughts of despair had vanished. Looking down, I saw the pieces of paper covered in tears. Gradually, I put the papers back in order and stood up, pushing the chair out.
Looking around the room and approaching a very tall wooden box. Opening it revealed multiple pieces of linen just like mine. They were of all sizes and seemed super comfy! Slowly, I grabbed one of the pieces and rubbed my hand against it, feeling its softness. Smiling, I buried my head into the piece, warming myself up slightly.
Suddenly, footsteps appeared in the hallway, and they grew louder with each second. Horror filled my soul, and fear could be seen behind my eyes. Looking around quickly, questioning what I should do. The last thing I want is to get caught snooping! My heart was beating fast, and my face began to turn red. The footsteps had turned into two now as a second person began walking. Panicking, I grabbed my fur cover and threw it and myself into the big box, closing it right as the door of the room opened.
I held my breath as two voices appeared in the room. Peeking through the crack in the box, I saw the two people.
"You wanted to speak to me, Matt?" the woman, whom I instantly recognized as Lady Liora, spoke. She sat down in the chair. looking at him.
"Yes, my Lady, it's about the girl," Matt said.
"I see. What about her?"
"Well... Today, I raised my hand to shake, and she flinched. And when I offered her food, she ate it like she had not eaten for weeks."
"And? Explain your thoughts."
"I think... I think she was being abused, and that she ran away from whoever or whatever was hurting her; that's why she was in the forest."
Lady Liora hummed to herself for a moment before speaking again.
"You may be right... But it's very coincidental. You do understand that tensions are building between us and the kingdom of Valthorne?"
"Yes, my lady... But I believe that she is just a scared girl; look at her, there is absolutely no way that she could harm anyone!" Matt yelled out.
"Matt, I understand your perspective, but think about it: we are a small village right on the border, and it's not common for nations to use children as spies." She paused for a moment before speaking again.
"It's my duty as a healer and as the mayor of this small town to keep my people safe... And think, Matt, she appeared a few days after the bear did." "Do you truly think that an Aurelion Frenzied Bear appeared in the forest randomly? It's far too coincidental."
"My lady... But... We can't just throw her away," Matt stuttered.
"I know that. I'm not a monster; we will watch her and treat her as one of our own, but if I find out that she is a threat, then I will deal with her."
Matt was silent but nodded.
"Matt, you have a good heart; that's why you're one of the best apprentices I have ever taken. I know you understand this, but the world's a dangerous place, and it is only getting worse. More demons have been spotted, dungeons are popping up all around, and strong monsters have been becoming more common." Her hands trembled for a moment.
"Peace in the lands will not last; it has already started to crumble. The bear was just the start. Something is coming, and I'm afraid that it will engulf the entirety of Clara Astrum." She sighed.
"I know you want to believe that the girl is good, but truly we know nothing about her, her name, her background, we don't know who she is, so that I will take her in, but I need you to understand that she may not be who you think she is..."
Matt was silent, looking down at the floor, his fists clenched and his jaw slightly trembling.
"Do you understand?" she asked.
After a moment, Matt nodded before slowly turning. He thanked her before quickly leaving the room.
Lady Liora let out a deep breath. She sighed loudly. Clasping her mouth, she broke into a sob, tears flowing down her cheeks and onto her lap. She wiped at her eyes, but tears continued to pour. She slammed her fist on the desk, causing a small crack to appear. Slowly, her breathing returned to normal, and her tears flowed. She stood up and dusted herself off. Her eyes were slightly red and puffy, but after a few moments, they returned to normal.
As Lady Liora walked, my heart seemed to stop; she was approaching the box where I was hidden. Sweat dripped down my head, and it felt like my chest was about to explode. She reached the box and placed her hands on the handles. I held my breath, trying to stay as quiet as possible. To my dismay, she started to pull it open. My eyes closed, but as they did, a noise came from the other side of the door; someone was running down the hallway.
The door slammed open, and with it, a worried voice echoed through the room.
"Lady Liora, it's Ms. Ashvale; it's urgent, please hurry!" The voice I recognized as Kayla's spluttered out.
Lady Liora closed the half-opened box quickly and sprinted out of the room. With her leaving, I gasped, releasing a breath that I had held in. Wiping sweat from my forehead, my mind replayed the conversation I overheard.
So bad things are happening all over this world, and demons are truly considered bad... Lady Liora is wrong about my intentions, but I can't tell her the truth.
Thinking about it some more, realizing Lady Liora was right about something, they did not know who I was. Looking at my pale hands and my beautiful white hair that fell across my face, I asked myself.
"Who am I?"