Two Weeks Later...
By now, Gilgamesh had gotten used to quite a few things.
He was used to the way Mariam's own overthinking caused her to start experiencing moments of temporary insanity, and was also used to resorting to some more or less extreme measures to get her to come back to the real world.
Gilgamesh had also become used to the occasional argument between Mariam and the old Family Heads, which would start all over again whenever she left the room and went outside. He started to find her way of speaking to them quite amusing, and would often have to stifle his laughter.
Another thing he was forced to get used to was the feeling of having his naked body washed by someone else. Mariam would then clothe him in her own robes to at least cover him up some, but it was still quite a humiliating thing.
Despite the fact that two weeks had already passed, his wound was barely any better, and the pain that came whenever he tried to move around too much was still enough to render him completely immobile.
Even so, he fought with it and managed to regain some level of freedom. He could sit up and move his arms around more or less freely, but needed Mariam's help to stand.
Today, he decided that he would try walking.
With Mariam supporting him, Gilgamesh stood up and mentally prepared himself for the endeavor. Every movement brought waves of pain to the wound of his chest, and pangs of fatigue assaulted his body despite the overabundance of rest he had been getting.
He could tell that something was wrong with him on more than just a physical level; he needed to recover both physically and spiritually.
"There we go," Mariam encouraged as she guided his steps, "just like that."
Gilgamesh groaned and panted as he tried his best to move. Even with her help, he still appeared weak and flushed after the slightest bit of movement.
"Maybe you should take a break now," she suggested, to which Gilgamesh immediately shook his head.
"No breaks... until I make it... to the end of the room and... back."
This would continue for half an hour before Gilgamesh finally made it back to the futon, and practically dropped down onto it. Dripping with sweat and panting for air, Gilgamesh could do little but shift his body and try to get comfortable.
"Whatever it was that attacked you," Mariam said as she grabbed a basin of water and a clean cloth, "wasn't just trying to hurt your body. To me, it feels like they took a piece of your soul in the process."
Gilgamesh shut his eyes and nodded slowly, still gasping greedily as he struggled to catch his breath. "I think... so too..."
Mariam crouched at his side and opened up the robe, then started to wipe him with the wet cloth. "Spiritual wounds require a special kind of medicine- spiritual medicine- that I can't make."
Gilgamesh shook his head at that, "Don't worry about it. I'll find a way to recover on my own. I always do."
Although he said that, he doubted his own words.
Mariam giggled, "I was just about to tell you not to worry, because I know someone who can make that kind of medicine."
Gilgamesh was a bit surprised to hear this, and he opened his eyes to see the smug look on Mariam's face.
"She's one of the Great Elders, and a good friend of mine. If I ask her for some help, I'm sure she'll come through for me."
Gilgamesh seemed unsure of what to say, before eventually settling on a simple, "Thank you, Mariam."
Once Gilgamesh was cleaned and properly covered again, Mariam gathered up everything she had scattered at various points around the room. Numerous teacups, jars, poultices and bowls were gathered onto a wooden tray, then she carefully stood up with them in hand.
"Get as much rest as you can, Gilgamesh. When I come back, I'll have that medicine for ya!" Mariam flashed a gleeful and confident smile. In doing so, she shifted ever-so slightly and almost caused the contents of the tray to fall over, but she quickly righted herself and got it back under control.
Letting out a nervous laugh, she steadied herself and walked to the door, then slowly opened it before walking out of the room and sliding it shut behind her.
Gilgamesh fell into thought the moment she left, but his fatigue caught up with him and he soon felt himself falling asleep.
'She's a truly... kind person...'
Those were his final thoughts.
___________________________________
The Felis Clan was among the largest and richest clans in Conceala City, with property that accounted for 28% of the City's total surface area. Possessing over twelve manors and thousands of acres of farmland, it was regarded as a regional powerhouse based on overall wealth alone.
Members of the Felis Clan, even the lower ranking ones, were treated like royalty within Conceala City and environs, even more so than members of the other Clans.
However, this was mainly due to the existence of the Great Elders. They were powerful cultivators who stood at the pinnacle of cultivation across the land, only rivalled by the overlords of other faraway regions.
Although other clans possessed Leaders and Elders of similar power, only the Felis Clan possessed four of them. To top it off, there was an even bigger reason why the Felis Clan was feared and respected by so many.
There was something of a legend turned rumor, which was hard to forget and impossible to believe. A story of a legendary cultivator lurking within the Felis Clan's walls, with greater power than even the four Great Elders.
However, the last known sighting of this person was over a thousand years ago, and so no one knew if they were still around or even if the information was reliable.
Even so, no one dared to mess with the Felis Clan without good reason.
At the southern border, where the Felis Clan's main families- and the four Great Elders- resided, was the largest of their properties. There was a manor there that housed about 50,000 Felis Clan members, and a mass of farmland over 600 acres, upon which the only thing planted was corn.
This was Mariam's corn field, where Gilgamesh had landed not too long ago.
The massive field of corn grew in separate sections to the left of the manor, and to the right of it were some small settlements of servants, vendors and other commoners. This corner of the city saw a great deal of traffic entering from the south through the main gate, and so there was a great deal of trade everyday.
As one of four access points into the greater city, it was necessary for the southern border to be heavily guarded. At the request of the City Lord, the Felis Clan's main family took charge of the southern gate and regulated all traffic, as both a show of goodwill and respect toward the City Lord's office.
Despite how much they were feared and respected, they did not try to undermine the actual lord of the city. This, in turn, won them even more respect.
Within the massive walled off villa were several wooden mansions and giant stone statues, altars and shrines. Throughout the Felis Clan's main estate, it was not at all rare to see clan members strolling about and visiting the shrines of their respective ancestors.
Each of the four families present had mansions of their own, and large lots of land to go with them. However, at the very center of it all, was a grand castle of a house.
This was precisely where Mariam, the four Family Heads and the Great Elders resided.
Currently strolling through the wide hallways of the enormous house, Mariam folded her arms behind her and whistled a merry tune. Whenever she passed by someone, she would offer them an enthusiastic greeting before stopping to try and chat with them.
As if all-too familiar with her, the servants and other clan members simply brushed her off and hurried on away, not wanting to linger with her. They knew that if they did, she would entrap them in a conversation that would not end any time soon.
It was too hard to get Mariam to stop talking when she started.
Despite her obvious off-putting traits and annoying tendencies, the clan members knew that she was something of the 'favorite.' For as long as they knew her, Mariam was given preferential treatment by the Great Elders, and allowed to do whatever she wanted.
There was nothing inherently wrong with this, as Mariam was not exactly unbearable and chaotic, but the clan members did have reason to hold her in something of a contemptuous regard.
The reason was that Mariam was not born in the Felis Clan. She was adopted by the Great Elders, and raised by them in their abode-- which was off limits to everyone but the Family Heads.
Thus, it did not make sense nor was it fair for Mariam to receive that kind of treatment. Yet, no one dared to voice their opinions on the matter. Not even the Family Heads.
Mariam greeted everyone on her way to the lower levels, and soon came upon a giant door, sealed off and marked with various symbols, each indicating one of the four main families.
Mariam cleared her throat and took a final step forward, then pushed the door open and entered into a chamber of shadows and mist, where an unyielding cold emanated from.
As the door shut behind her, she disappeared from view before continuing to walk through the darkness. Eventually, she came upon the only area in this dark basement that was well-lit.
It was a little hut on an artificial hill, with short grass and a well with a wooden bucket to suit. Once she came upon this hut, she spoke.
"It's Mariam. I'm coming in."