Siduri's mouth fell open, her eyes wide with hope and disbelief. "Are... are you serious?" she stammered.
"I may have poor taste in humor, but not poor enough to joke about something like this, Ms. Siduri," Favner assured her, his expression earnest.
"See, Sid? I told you!" Layla exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over as she draped herself over Siduri's shoulders, enveloping her in the warmest, tightest, most joyous hug imaginable. She kissed the speechless woman's cheek, her gratitude evident in every touch. "The dawn of a new day, and luck's already changing for the better. Thank the gods! Favner, I could kiss you too!"
"Yes, Ms. Layla, you could. I'd welcome it," Favner replied with a playful wink, causing Layla's entire body to flush with embarrassment.
"You're a rogue," she huffed, turning away from the dwarf. But then, a spark of mischief ignited in her eyes, and she spun back toward Favner, determined to outwit the devil at least once. "I'll be working tonight. If you truly fancy me, then come see me," she teased, playfully sticking her tongue out at him with a hint of seduction in her expression.
"I'll do just that," Favner nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Layla turned even more flustered. "But... but wait," she stammered.
"See you tonight, Ms. Layla," Favner said, giving her a contented nod.
"No. Wait, you can't. I didn't mean it," Layla blurted out, her words filled with a sudden rush of panic.
Siduri snapped out of her stupor and bolted outside the tavern, forgetting to even slip on her slippers. She moved like a whirlwind, leaving both Favner and Layla staring after her in astonishment.
Bursting through the tavern doors, she sprinted up to the dwarf, her thin gown clinging to the contours of her body in the wind, accentuating certain areas that were far too pronounced in the brisk morning air of early spring. Despite this, there was no hint of embarrassment or shyness on her face—only unwavering determination.
Favner regarded her with a raised eyebrow, a mixture of surprise and admiration evident in his expression.
With a fluid, graceful motion, Siduri sank to her knees before Favner, bowing her head to the ground with profound reverence. Favner emitted an impressed whistle, breaking the tense silence that followed her action.
"Ms. Siduri, as much as I appreciate the sentiment and the fine view, I haven't helped anyone yet. The weight of this bow is too great. I cannot accept it. Please, stand," he urged gently, extending a hand to help her to her feet.
"If you want to repay me, help convince the Madame to serve me a meal. After all, the sooner I eat, the sooner I can attend to the young lad, right?"
Siduri accepted the man's hand and nodded eagerly, her expression filled with gratitude. After she rose, she offered another hasty bow at the waist. "Please follow me inside."
After leading Favner to the table where she and Layla sat, Siduri retreated to the kitchen and relayed Favner's words to Isa. Though the old woman was skeptical, she prepared a sumptuous breakfast for the man with cautious optimism. If he could truly heal Mythra, she swore he'd never pay to eat or drink in her establishment again. The first meal was just a minor investment, but hopefully, it would encourage him to make good on his words.
When she handed Siduri Favner's meal she reminded her, "Don't forget to let the little mountain elf know that this was prepared with meat Mythra brought us. Now he owes the boy as well." Siduri quickly snatched the platter and replied, "Madame, don't antagonize our savior."
Isa toyed with the nicely sharpened meat cleaver, "Antagonize? Me? Oh, I'd never. I just want him to do his very best, is all."
Siduri rolled her eyes at Isa, spun on her heels, and whisked the food out towards the dining room, whispering, "So do I."
Isa swore she'd never seen Siduri smile so brightly in all her days. The girl was practically glowing with excitement and dancing with relief as she pranced out the door. With a wry smile of her own, Isa returned to chopping vegetables.
Siduri brought the platter of food to the table and placed it in front of Favner, eliciting a low hum of excitement from the man before he eagerly tucked into the meal. Layla and Siduri joined him, maintaining polite conversation as they finished their own breakfasts.
An air of anxiety and urgency permeated the table, as both women were eager to see if Favner could fulfill his promise and treat Mythra. Favner felt their hopeful anticipation like a prickle against his skin, but he only smiled charmingly, eating his meal at an expedited pace.
He knew they had expectations for him that he warned them not to have, but he anticipated that from the moment he offered to help. It wasn't the effectiveness of the boy's treatment that concerned him; rather, he worried whether the young man could handle it. The odds certainly weren't in the lad's favor.
With a final bite, Favner patted his stomach, letting out a contented sigh. The two women leaned in closer, practically burning holes through him with their gazes.
"Alright, alright ladies, if you stare at me any harder, my beard will catch fire, and that's not an experience I'd like to have repeated. Please, show me to the boy; let's get this show on the road," he chuckled, breaking the intense moment.
Siduri stood up so fast she would have knocked the bench out from under her had Layla not stabilized it, holding on for dear life.
"Yes, of course, thank you, Favner. This way, follow me." With a firm grip on the dwarf's hand, she nearly dragged him through the arches leading to the hallway staircase, with Layla following close behind. Together, they hurriedly ascended the steps.
Only stopping once they'd reached Mythra's bedroom door, Layla took a moment to catch her breath, her hands on her knees.
"Sid, I know we're in a rush, but did you have to sprint?" Siduri shot her a reproachful glance that sent a shiver down her spine.
"What… what am I saying? Of course, we had to sprint," she said with a very slight, very, uncomfortable chuckle.
She glanced at Favner with a tinge of worry. What would her sister do to the poor dwarf if he were unsuccessful?
Despite the rushed manner in which he'd been herded, Favner remained calm and composed. "Ms. Siduri, if you would, please," he motioned to the closed door.
Siduri's heart thudded heavily in her chest, a mix of anxiety and anticipation coursing through her veins. Hope flickered within her, fragile, but undeniable. With a steadying breath, she gently tapped on Mythra's door.
"Mythra, I'm coming in, alright? And I brought guests," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Pushing the door open with care, she stepped inside, her gaze immediately drawn to her son.
He wasn't asleep. He was sitting up in his bed, his silver hair tousled and damp with sweat. Traces of dried tears stained his tanned cheeks, and his eyes, usually bright and full of life, were now tinged red and held a vacant, distant gaze. There was no smile, no frown—just a profound sense of loss etched upon his face.
Mythra turned to see his visitors. "Hi Mom, hi Layla, and… Mr. Favner?" His voice carried a weight of sadness that tugged at Siduri's heartstrings. The realization struck her like a wave crashing against rocks—It was true after all; he must have attempted to move his legs and discovered his inability to do so. He was all alone. She had left him alone. Rushing to his side, she wrapped him in a warm embrace, pressing kisses to his hair.
Closing one eye, the boy leaned into his mother's affection before gently patting her forearm. "It's fine, Mom. I'm fine. I'll be alright. Stop worrying." Putting up a brave front he redirected his attention to the others at the doorway.
"What's brought you here to see me Mr. Favner? I haven't seen you since the harvest. Are the crops doing well this season?"
Before Favner could respond, Layla rushed forward, hugging the boy's head to her chest as if she were cuddling a kitten. "Layla," Mythra struggled to say, "I'm fine. Stop it, alright? Both of you, I'm fine!"
Favner gave a hearty laugh, making his beard tremble. "Yes, you are, Lad. That's a good spirit, a dwarf's spirit!" He clenched his fist and flexed his arm, emphasizing the spirit he was alluding to. "Ladies, I can't very well help the boy with you clinging to him like cats on a pole. Could you give us some room?"
Siduri and Layla unwillingly let go of Mythra moving off to the side so that Favner had enough space to do whatever he had planned.
Favner approached Mythra's bedside and gently rested his hand on the boy's foot, his expression subtly shifting as he did so. "The crops are good, Lad, very good this season," he remarked, engaging in idle chatter, as he gradually moved his hand up the boy's leg. However, there was no reaction from Mythra—he hadn't felt a thing.
Moving beside the boy, Favner placed his palm on the child's lower back but was met with silence. He started tapping on the boy's spinal cord as if counting them, progressively moving up as he did so. Finally, after the fourth tap, Mythra's body jerked slightly, and he turned to look at the dwarf.
"Is there something wrong, Mr. Favner? Why did you pinch me?" Favner gave the boy a knowing look and nodded his head. "That must've been pretty painful, Lad. You're a soldier, I'll give you that."
"How is he, Favner?" Siduri spoke up, her concern barely concealed.
"He's lost mobility from his hips down, and he's lost feeling in the area," the dwarf replied, sighing as he looked Mythra in the eyes, his golden gaze warm and sympathetic. "I can get you walking again, Lad, but it's not going to be a pleasant experience, to say the least of it." He judged the child's reaction to the news, but the boy was neither surprised nor fearful—just thoughtful.
"Is there truly a way, Mr. Favner?" Mythra's voice carried a flicker of hope.
"Aye, Lad, there is. There is always a way," Favner replied solemnly, "The question is, are you willing to follow it?"
"What will be the cost?" Mythra asked, with a shrewdness beyond his years.
"Mythra!" Siduri interjected anxiously. "Favner, cost is of no importance. If you can help my son, I'll get you any payment you want."
Favner gave the boy a solemn look. "The cost will be quite substantial," he said, and Mythra nodded as if he expected as much.
"N…" Mythra began without a second thought, but Favner cut off his words, "For you, Lad. Only you can pay the price required." Mythra shut his mouth, his brow furrowing into a confused frown.
Favner turned towards the women, sensing their unease. "Ladies, can the lad and I have a moment alone, please?"
"Absolutely not. Not until you explain what you meant by that," Siduri demanded.
Favner sighed, his gaze fixed on Siduri. "All medicines have a cost, Ms. Siduri and this one is no different. Elixirs may mend, but they'll leave you weakened for days, overdrawing your vitality. Common medicines often carry nasty side effects, even causing damage to the organs. Not even the gods can heal without an exchange. A price must be paid."
His words hung heavy in the air, and he continued, his tone solemn. "I said I had a method to heal the boy's legs, but I didn't say there were no repercussions."
"What are the repercussions, then?" Siduri asked as she crossed her arms over her chest with an upset, defiant look.
"I can't tell you that, Ms. Siduri. I can't tell either of you," he indicated towards Layla and Siduri with his eyes, "anything about this treatment," Favner said while shaking his head.
"Then how in the world do you expect us to agree to this crazy treatment, huh?" Siduri's frustration boiled over, her voice escalating as her nails dug into her palms.
Layla attempted to ease the tension. "Sid, I'm sure Favner has a reason for all this. Perhaps we should leave him to the task. If he can get Mythra up and running again, what's the harm?"
"What's the harm? What's the harm!?" Siduri was on the verge of exploding when Mythra's quiet voice cut through the tension.
"Mom, can I speak to Mr. Favner alone? Please."
Siduri swiftly shut him down. "No, absolutely not, Mythra!"
"Mom!" he persisted, "can you please… you promised to bring me food. I'm hungry now. Can you please get me some food?"
The realization struck Siduri like a bolt of lightning. How could she have forgotten his food? Despite the guilt gnawing at her, she persisted, "Mythra… I can't let you make this decision."
"My legs, my life. It has to be my decision," Mythra's words were firm, his gaze unwavering as he met his mother's eyes.
"You're too young to make this type of decision, Mythra," Siduri countered, shaking her head in disagreement.
"Ms. Siduri, if I may," Favner began.
"You may not," Siduri interrupted with a murderous glare.
Favner rubbed his brow to calm his own temper. "Miss, if you make the decision for the boy, and he grows to regret it, who would shoulder the blame?" He looked at Siduri in a way a parent would a petulant child. "Could you live with your precious son growing to resent you?"
That remark caused Siduri to falter, her resolve wavering at the potential implication.
Seizing the moment, Mythra spoke up. "Mom, if there's a chance for me to walk again I, at least, want to hear it."
Siduri trembled with emotions—anger, fear, sadness, and helplessness. "Favner, if you harm my son, I'll skin you alive," she said through gritted teeth.
"I quite like my skin, Ms. Siduri. I assure you, I won't harm a hair on his head," Favner replied calmly, raising his hand to his heart to emphasize the sincerity in his words.
Layla walked around the bed and gently took hold of Siduri's hand. "Come on, let's give them some space. Mythra's a smart boy, you can trust him."
Tears welled in Siduri's eyes as she spoke, her voice trembling with emotion. "Mythra, promise me, if it's dangerous, you won't go through with it."
"I promise, Mom." Mythra mimicked Favner, placing his hand over his heart in a solemn gesture.
Finally, Siduri relented. Her shoulders slumped as she allowed Layla to guide her towards the door. She paused only to cast one last concerned glance at Mythra before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind her.