Chapter 8 - Chapter 7

A P H I A

I look at Erskine, who is looking at me excitedly. He looks like a puppy. "Are you sure about this?" I asked, and he nodded without hesitation. I am about to use my healing magic for someone with a broken leg.

I just woke up a few minutes ago, and Erskine suddenly dragged me here in the infirmary to check the patient. This infirmary is within the vicinity of the castle, and it was built purposely for the knights.

I turn to look at the knight lying on the bed. He got injured during the expedition, and I heard that he was from the 4th Order of Knights. The doctor confirmed that he could not walk anymore.

"Please heal me, priestess." The knight said. "I want to stay in the order and serve the kingdom." His eyes are begging, and I can' help but feel more motivated to heal him.

I feel nervous and worried because this time, I am going to heal not just a simple wound but a broken leg. I don't know if my magic can heal him.

"Trust yourself, Lady Aphia. You can do it." It's Erskine and his motivational words.

Well, I wouldn't know unless I try, am I right? Let's do it!

I breathe out and position my two hands above his broken leg. I close my eyes as I feel the magic inside me and focus my mind on healing his leg. "Heal," I said, and my palms quickly feel warm, and I can feel the magic emitting from my hands.

After a few seconds, I open my eyes and breathe out. Gosh. I'm so nervous about the result. Erskine told the knight to stand up slowly. I took a few steps away from him to give him enough space.

The knight stood up using his other leg, and he slowly steadied his other leg on the ground. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I waited for him to move. His eyes widened in surprise when he was able to move his leg. A wide smile formed on his lips when he took a step forward, and his leg worked just fine.

He took more steps forward while laughing. Erskine told him to jump, and he successfully did. He was teary-eyed when he faced me. "Thank you, priestess! My leg healed! I can move, walk, run and jump like I did not get injured! You are amazing! Thank you so much, Lady Aphia!" He said with full of gratitude.

I smile in happiness and relief while observing him move around like a child. My heart feels warm once again, and I can't help but feel grateful for the powers I have.

"You did a great job, Lady Aphia." Erskine said with sparkling eyes. He cupped my face and looked at me with amusement. "You are amazing!" He complimented me, and I could not help but feel embarrassed.

"Thank you for teaching me, master," I said, and he let go of my face. Gosh. My master is touchy today.

"I have a lot to teach you, so let's go!" He said before dragging me outside. The knight was yelling and waving his hands as he thanked me over and over again.

Erskine dragged me to the Chateau de Arcovia, which has a 200 acres garden on the eastern side of the castle. It has paths leading to and around the pond and a fountain with pebble mosaic work. It also has gravel walks and parterres with distinct curlicue patterns. Plants and trees were planted in an amazing pattern too.

Erskine showed me wilted plants not too far from the pond. "These plants wilted a few weeks ago." He said, and I looked at him in confusion.

"Would you like me to water it? Maybe it is due to under watering." I suggested, but he shook his head.

"We tried watering it regularly." He said. I looked up to check if the plants were getting too much direct sunlight, but the area was shady with a bit of sunlight.

"What do you think is wrong with these plants?" I asked. "Are you trying to make me a gardener now?!" I suddenly shouted. I just realized what he was doing to me. "Do you want me to work all around?!" I added.

"What?" Erskine asked, and he looked lost at my question.

I cross my arms in front of my chest. "What exactly do you want me to do, Erskine?" I asked, and when he realized what I was talking about, he suddenly laughed. "It's not funny," I said.

"It was funny because you burst out all of a sudden. Please let me explain first." He said. "These plants were already dead. Will you try your healing magic to revive them?"

"What?" Did I hear him right? Revive the plants?! "I think the hunger affects my hearing ability," I said. "I haven't had breakfast yet, Erskine. Spare me of your jokes."

"I am serious here, Lady Aphia." He said with knitted eyebrows.

"So, do I. I don't think my healing magic can revive dead plants. Heal is just to heal." I explained. He was taken aback by my explanation. It's like something hit him, and he realized something with what I said. "Tell me I'm right," I said while grinning.

His expression instantly changes; he looks like in deep thought. He starts pacing back and forth in front of me while I watch him lazily, waiting for him to come up with a new idea.

"Then, try the reanimation magic." I gawked at him in shock. "What? Don't you think it's possible?"

"I am just the priestess, not a God," I said while looking at him unbelievably.

I was taken aback when he suddenly dropped himself on the grass. "I know you can do it. Will you please at least try it?" He said as frustration skates all over his face.

"Will you let me go after one try? I'm really hungry, Erskine." I said, and his face lit up.

He nods excitedly, and I sigh. I sit on the grass in front of the plants. I breathe out and position my two hands above the plants. I close my eyes as I feel the magic inside me and focus my mind on reviving them. "Revive," I said, and my palms quickly feel warm, and I can feel the magic emitting from my hands.

"You are gifted." I heard Erskine said and when I opened my eyes, I gasped to see the plants revived. The gerbera daisies with bright red, orange, yellow, dark pink, and violet flowers are vibrantly dancing in the breeze. "Your magic power is limitless, Lady Aphia." He said with full of amusement as he stared at the flowers.

"This is insane," I said. Even I was shocked at what I could do. It's amazing and scary at the same time. "Please don't tell me to do it on humans," I said, and he chuckled.

"Of all the words that you could use to cast the spell, why revive?" He asked, and I looked at him in annoyance.

"Should I use reanimate then?" I retorted.

He shakes his head. "What about restore?"

"How about resuscitate?" I said, and he looked at me like he just heard the dumbest suggestion ever.

"You may use bring to life." He suggested, and it was my turn to look at him in disgust. "What?" He reacted.

"Can we stop debating which word to use?" I asked before standing up. "I am going back to my room to eat breakfast. Catch you later, Erskine." I said as I briskly turned my back on him and ran.

"I will come and pick you up after a couple of hours, Lady Aphia!" He shouted, but I did not respond. I should ask for a day off to run away from Erskine, even just for a day. He is a monster! I couldn't believe he made me do things like that. It's crazy!

I was about to enter my room when suddenly two guys approached me. "Good day to you, Lady Aphia." I was taken aback to meet Howard and Elbrus.

"Good day to both of you." I greeted them back as I smiled even though I was so hungry. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" I asked.

"Prince Kalmin would like to challenge you to horse racing competition." Howard declared while grinning from ear to ear. I feel my throat suddenly sucked out of air.

What in the world?! Horse racing?! What the hell is that frog prince thinking?!

I need breakfast, for Pete's sake!