That evening, the healer and her assistant watched as Iyare attended to her brother. Efosa was not very comfortable with this but decided not to argue. After all, if anything went wrong, it would be Iyare who got punished, not him.
The healer stood aside, observing Iyare's actions. She was impressed by Iyare's quick learning.
"Put a little more force," the healer commented, noticing Iyare was being too gentle with the massage.
Iyare followed the instruction, and Efosa frowned slightly from the discomfort. He hadn't bothered to ask Iyare how her test went, assuming she had failed. However, seeing her actions mirror the healer's, he began to wonder if his sister might also be skilled in medicine.
Even though he didn't fully understand the process, he could tell that the feeling in his hand was no different from when the healer treated him.
"That's okay," the healer said after a while. She tried to hide a smile at the corner of her mouth—she was pleased with Iyare's progress.
"Now, let's adjust the wooden supports on his legs," the healer said. She had set the supports twice since Efosa was brought in: once on the night of his arrival, and again two days later.
Although Iyare had only observed this process once, the healer was eager to see her try.
Iyare didn't complain. She untied the cloths securing the wooden pieces to his legs, then dipped her hands in oil as she had seen the healer do. Gently, she massaged the legs, paying attention to the bones. Iyare didn't fully understand human anatomy, so her actions weren't entirely accurate—she was simply repeating what she had seen.
Even so, the healer was pleased with her performance. Placing her hand over Iyare's, the healer explained the positions of the bones. Afterward, Iyare replaced the wooden supports and secured them with cloth.
"Remember to take your medicine and sleep early. Tomorrow, you will practice walking with your legs," the healer said before leaving the room.
Hearing this, Efosa was happy. He was tired of relying on Iyare and walls to move around.
"I'll go and get dinner," Iyare said, picking up the plates in the room.
"Iyare," the healer called out as Iyare made her way toward the kitchen.
"You did very well. I'll speak to General Edosa when he comes in a few days to let you stay and become my student," the healer announced.
"No, no," Iyare immediately shook her head. She hadn't thought she would pass the healer's test.
"Why? Don't you want to learn?" the healer asked, confused. She was convinced Iyare had been eavesdropping on lessons out of genuine interest.
"I… I… It's…" Iyare stammered, unsure how to explain. She wanted to learn, but she also had to train and act as her brother's body double. There was no time to stay at the healer's mountain, and she couldn't reveal her grandfather's arrangements.
Actually, she loved being a warrior more. However, being a warrior meant hiding in her brother's shadow, while becoming a physician would allow her to be herself. Unfortunately, her family served in the king's army, and her grandfather valued their family's title too much to let her pursue medicine.
Seeing Iyare struggle, the healer guessed there was something she couldn't say.
"Don't worry. Becoming my student is an honor. Even the king would let his daughter learn under me. Your grandfather won't blame you," the healer assured her, feeling tab Iyare's reason was connected to her grandfather's reaction.
The healer, renowned for curing difficult illnesses, commanded the king's respect. After all, everyone falls sick eventually.
"You misunderstand me. I help my grandfather a lot at the camp. That's why he brought me here. I won't have time to learn. Besides, I was only curious before," Iyare explained.
The healer looked at Iyare, understanding that the girl was hiding something. However, she also knew better than to meddle in the affairs of General Edosa's family.
"What if I arrange for you to learn under me for twice, every week? Would you be willing?" the healer asked.
Iyare hesitated, unsure how to respond. She was willing but worried about her grandfather's reaction. After all she had taken the initiative to learn medicine without asking his permission.
"Don't worry—no one outside the healer's mountain has to know," the healer said. The healer felt that Iyare hesitant because she worried about her family finding out. Although she was not sure why, she chose not to ask. Over the years, she had searched for someone talented enough to pass on all her knowledge. While her current students were decent, none showed exceptional promise. Iyare, however, was a rare blessing, she was unwilling to let her go.
"Okay, I am willing," Iyare finally agreed, convinced that everything would be fine as long as her grandfather didn't find out.
Hearing this, the healer walked away, pleased.
"Congratulations, madam. You've finally found the student you've been searching for," the healer's assistant said as they walked toward the courtyard.
"This is a good thing," the healer replied with a smile.
---
Days passed quickly, and soon it was seven days since Efosa's accident. That evening, General Edosa arrived at the healer's mountain to take his grandchildren back to the training camp.
"How is he?" Edosa asked the healer.
"He's healing very well. The wooden cast on his legs has been removed, and he can walk on his own now. However, he can't start training just yet," the healer replied.
Edosa wasn't pleased to hear this but showed no emotion.
"Can he return to the camp, or does he need to remain here for treatment?" Edosa asked. Training had progressed, and he didn't want Iyare falling behind.
"He can go back, but you must bring him every three days for me to check his hand. If you're too busy, let his sister bring him—she knows how to care for him," the healer said.
"Okay," Edosa agreed. Knowing that Efosa only needed to visit every three days, Edosa felt it was a good arrangement. After all, Efosa's health was crucial, especially concerning his legs and hands.
"Is there anything else for us to take note of?" Efosa asked.
"His sister has been taking care of him, just let her bring him over. She knows what to do," the healer said. Actually Efosa just needed to come around every seven days. With Iyare's skills she would be able to take care of him. But Efosa's hand was a perfect excuse to have Iyare come to the mountain.
When Efosa heard this he was relieved. So he agreed with a nod.
Seeing Edosa agree without resistance, the healer was in a good mood.