Valora Edisone was never a good rider. Before, she used to ride with Landynn or Woodrow. Now, she was alone and she had no choice.
She rode across the markets of Lakera. She saw boats and ships ported on docks. The wind flew across her grey horse and through her unkempt grey hair.
Her destination, Arag.
She rode as hard as she could, stopping only at inns for food and rest. She went through Dihel, crossing the capital town.
She earned glances from outsiders because of her attire but did not care for that.
The girls. That was her only thought.
She stopped in front of a tall white building. Pillars rose high up from its left and right. High above the tall mahogany door, a symbol of grey and mighty was seen.
It was two snakes eating each other, tail to tail.
'The emblem of Bran, the symbol of medicine,' Valora thought.
People were entering and leaving the door, in sticks and chairs. Some were even in beds. Valora went and gave the horse to the inn for safekeeping.
Valora slowly entered the building without bumping into anyone. Inside, she was met with a nostalgic smell. The smell of medicine and disease.
Inside she saw people laying on white beds, coughing and spitting phlegm. Some were struggling to breathe. She also saw soldiers with amputated limbs being taken care of. Nurses ran left and right tending to patients' needs.
Valora slowly went between the beds to the front. Some men raised their heads, looking at Valora. A man with shabby grey hair and kind grey eyes was talking to a nurse.
The man was wearing a long white robe riddled with blood stains. He was giving instructions while glancing at a patient.
It was Valora's father, Graeme Edisone.
"Father," Valora called out softly, not to disturb his duties.
Graeme looked towards the call, his eyes widened. They returned to normal quickly, he was serious about his work.
"We will talk later Valora. If you can, help us out. The nurse's hands are filled," Graeme said looking to a report.
Valora knew that look. When her father became like that, not even the end of the world will make him step away from his patients. She decided to wait.
Valora went to the cleaning area and wore a clean white nurse's robe. She tied what menial hair she had. She washed her hands, face and legs and went to care.
Valora helped an elderly to spit phlegm into an urn. A soldier with an amputated leg was crying in pain. Valora went near him, placed her hand on his chest and chanted.
"Bran, the God of medicine. To you I plead, a life lies here in need of care. Take my body and grant her health."
A white light glowed, draining Valora's Zest. The man breathed softly in relief.
It was only at night Valora was able to talk to her father. They were sitting in his study. The shelves were books about ailments, medicines, treatments and the underlying structure of the body. On his desk, there were ointments, potions and reports on patients. On a table in the corner, vessels for mixing and pouring were seen.
"I am happy to see you alive Valora. Your mother has been grieving since the day what happened at the first town was received," Graeme said hugging his daughter.
"I am sorry father, I was not in a state to come back," Valora said, her eyes downcast.
"I heard about it. I am so sorry Valora," Graeme said showing his grief.
Valora tried her best not to break down into tears. She has come up with a purpose and she has to fulfil it.
"Father, I need to ask for a favour," Valora said slowly.
Valora rarely asked for anything. When she wanted something, she went and got it on her own. Her going for adventure was also like that. And so she decided to listen closely.
"I lost my friends that day. I was in despair and I wanted to end my life. And then, I came upon a girl. She had escaped from their grips," Valora started speaking.
"Her body was riddled in bruises father. I healed her, but her mind was already broken. I couldn't bear the thought that there were more like her. So I went to the camp to save them," Valora's voice was wavering.
"The things they do father. No one should go through that," Valora covered her face.
"I know Valora, I have also seen it," Graeme's voice was grim.
"I have decided to help them, father. But I do not have the means. Please help me," Valora pleaded.
Graeme went into thinking. "I think you remember the four pillars for a healer."
"Autonomy, beneficience, non-maleficence and justice," Valora replied.
Graeme nodded to her answer.
"If you help only those girls, it will go against the pillar of justice. You should not be partial about your treatment."
"But those girls have no one else," Valora raised her voice.
"True, but there are also others who have no one to turn to. I am not saying that you shouldn't help those girls. I am asking you to do more," Graeme's eyes brimmed with kindness.
'Do more,' the voice inside Valora echoed.
"Don't worry Valora, I will help those girls. But don't stop at that. You are capable of more," Graeme said smiling.
"Also, go and see your mother," Graeme said when Valora was exiting the door.
Back in the ward mansion, Osmond was having a new lesson. It was not lectures or fighting, it was horse riding. Connor thought that he will need it soon enough and this was a good time to start.
Osmond was now in a stable. In front of him stood a brown pony, saddled and ready. Connor was standing in a corner.
The man holding on to the reins was Jack the stableman.
A box was placed on the left side of the horse.
"Step on the box son," Jack said.
Jack was a balding man with thick strong arms and an unruly beard.
Osmond stood on the box as instructed.
"Now place your left foot on the left saddle and cross the right foot to the other side."
"Hold on to the reins like this," Jack corrected Osmond's grip.
"Round your shoulders and make the triangle bones on your back touch. Straighten your back.... More...." Jack ordered.
"What can you see son?" Jack asked kindly.
"So high!" Osmond exclaimed.
"Well then, let us do a small walk," Jack smiled.
After the walk, Osmond's legs felt like strings. There was no training, so he went to his room, tired.