The sky was dark, the clouds sucking all the warmth from the city of Oreta. It seemed like a divine punishment had been cast over the city.
And yet, Iris could not help but like this weather.
She hated rain but the cloudy weather and the subtle cold felt incredible on her skin. She had always liked such weather conditions.
"My lady, she should recover right?" Nicole asked once Iris had finished with her back. She seemed intended not to turn around but it was to be expected.
The healing magic tended to leave one relaxed and not willing to move for some time after all. It was a pleasurable feeling to have running through you.
"She would be alright if she follows my instructions. Also, avoid the commission's medicine or it would interfere with my magic" the result of the scan had been just as Iris had expected.
The medicine was mixed improperly and the ingredients had reacted with each other forming an anti-healing agent. It was likely because of the brewer's inexperience since it was a common enough mistake.
Or so Iris's memory said.
"Was the Vizier's healer renowned? The one the commission send over?" Iris asked and the other frowned.
"My lady's healer? There had been quite a few now. They change them once a year and I only remember the first one being a famous one. Why?" Nicole asked and Iris debated what to tell her.
In the end, she decided to keep the information to herself till a better opportunity presented itself to use that information.
"Nothing. I was just curious about my patent's medical history and possible treatments. We should not delay our journey now" her words were enough to distract Nicole from her current predicament.
"Of course. Let's go"
The Vizier seemed more focused today which was a good sign in her recovery.
"Shall we try something more advanced today? Think your body could handle it?" the Vizier gave her a look that said 'you are the doctor, you decide if I am well enough' but just nodded in agreement.
Iris got to work and no words were exchanged that day…
…or the next….
...or the next….
…or the next….
Nothing seemed to change. Neither the rate of treatment nor the routine. Even the clouds that had descended over the city did not let off.
It neither rained nor did it clear out.
It remained like that till the end of the month.
"So, I'm cured now?" the elder lady asked, finally being strong enough to pace the room at her own pace.
Iris checked the other once again but no strain of illness remained inside the other's body.
"You are as healthy as you can be magically. The rest of your recovery would depend on your routine and diet." the other seemed suspicious but she had no room to doubt Iris.
Not when she was finally strong enough to stand on her own and walk around.
"Finally, I can show my face around once again. Nicole, when is my next meeting with those people scheduled?" the elder asked in a bored tone.
"In about two days but I told them not to expect you. Should I tell them otherwise?" Nicole looked caught up in her words but the Vizier only let out a laugh.
"No need. I'll surprise them myself. What about you girl? Are you ready to make your appearance? But we cannot have you go in there like this. We need a cover for you" Iris was more than aware of this.
Going in there with her real name would be foolish. It would alert the council about her whereabouts.
Going in as a healer would be equally foolish.
"How about a god's messenger? Someone with the power to perform miracles? It should be close enough and allow you a little leeway?" the elder asked but Iris only shook her head.
"We cannot do that openly. Holy Maiden Lunadel still aligns herself with the council and every major court has alleged itself under her. We would be found out if we did that" no major temple had but it was close enough.
Nicole seemed worried but the elder lady just smiled at her words. Iris had a feeling why but she did not want to count her chickens before they had hatched.
"There is one court you can still use. The court is still independent" Iris tried not to flinch when the other said that.
The Court of Isis was a free and open court not affiliated with anyone. It would also be appropriate since it was the court of healing and had only one other known member.
But it was not a viable option in any way.
"The court of Isis? Isn't that the origin of Holy Maiden Lunadel? The one she destroyed when she joined the council since they refused to change their ways? I'm no expert but I'm sure Holy Maiden Lunadel would not just allow Iris to join" indeed, that was the case.
Except, people had gotten the fact wrong.
Holy Maiden Lunadel was not the one who had destroyed the court and killed off everyone, the council had when they had refused to become a part of them and heal on their command.
Holy Maiden Lunadel had made a pact to join the council after the court's destruction and it had only been made to protect the other courts in the world. Holy Maiden Lunadel was no saint but she did her best for her brethren.
"Oh, but what if there was someone from the court who had survived all this while? Not everyone was killed off in the cross-fire after all" really? That was news to Iris.
Had there been mention of such a thing in the original book? If so, then she did not remember it at all.
"How can that be? They said that every active healer was killed except the hold maiden herself" it seemed as if Nicole found this news difficult to process but Iris realized what the elder meant.
"So, who is it? A maid? A cook? Who survived?" if there were survivors, then this plan was feasible.
The most important of a court was not the type of magic, but the binding glow passed down to its members. Only an active member could pass one and your rank depended on the one who passed it on to you.
Holy Maiden Lunadel had received her one from one of the elders in the guild so she was high up there in the original ranking. Iris just needed someone to pass one to her. Someone who knew the location.
"I just know that they were the second-in-command and are on their death bed now due to old age. Of course, I have never seen them. If you want this plan to succeed then you would have to appeal to someone else. I can only provide you with the means to do that"
Iris felt herself gulp inaudibly.
But this was a golden opportunity. She had to take it or she would end up regretting this in the future.
"I accept the compromise. Tell me who can get me to this person" Her voice was full of confidence she did not feel but it brought a large grin on the Vizier's face.
"The sultan, of course. It's not well known but the rumor had it that they are keeping the other as a refugee in their home. You would have to convince her if you want your pass" what a coincidence.
Or not.
After all, there had to be a reason Iris was successful and the sultan seemed like an adequate enough person to make it happen.
'Correct path unlocked. +500 EXP gained.
The user reached lvl 6 (1000/2000)'
Michael and Iris might have taken different paths but their ways seemed to be merging into one. It seemed to be the right path as well.