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The innkeeper wandered around the bar, then led her towards the stables. Once she’d unhobbled the horse, she guided him into its loose box.

“There’ll be plenty of fresh hay for him.” He gestured to the feed scattered all over the floor and stuffed into a wooden box fitted to the wall.

“Thank you, sir. ”

“None of that around here.” He waved his hand. “Ye’ll be callin’ me Svante or nothin’ at all.”

She bobbed her head and smiled. “As you wish.”

“I do so wish. Now, ye’ll be followin’ me to ye room. I’ll be bringin’ supper up to ye in an hour or so, once ye’ve bathed and set any affairs in order.” He turned on his heel, grabbed her bags, and gestured for her to follow.

Inside, he headed for the stairwell. The wooden stairs creaked underfoot as he ascended. She followed behind.

Towards the end of the corridor, he stopped and opened a door, revealing a small yet quaint room with a fire in the hearth already lit.

He placed the bags at the foot of the bed. “Will this be suitin’ ye?”

“Of course, thank you.” Her gaze landed on the metal tub positioned near the hearth. “Can I trouble you for some hot water please?”

“I’ll fetch it up for ye now, miss.” He bowed his head, then dashed from the room.

Enveloped in silence, if one didn’t count the crack and pop of flames, she wandered to the double bed. Tracing her hand along the cotton covers, her heart ached. Her eyes stung and an uncomfortable lump formed in her throat. She should’ve been with her husband—they should never have been separated.

Kneeling in front of the bed, she propped her elbows on the mattress, then clasped her hands in prayer. She closed her eyes.

“To all that is mighty, I ask you to look over my husband. Keep him safe and protected from the evils circling him. Until we may be reunited.” She swiped the single tear rolling down her face and rose .

Clearing her throat, she straightened her skirts. Svante made several trips with buckets of water.

When the tub was finally full, she bid her thanks as Svante turned to the door. “Could you tell me where I could find the nearest hospital? I’ve some minor ailments in need of treatment.”

“Oh, sure, miss,” the innkeeper said, his hand resting on the doorknob. “Down the way, head north, and ye’ll find the Salken Medical Centre. It’s a modest place, but I’m sure ye’ll find what ye’re looking for there.” With a smile, he slipped out of the room, clicking the door shut behind him.

She stripped, then sank into depths of the tub. Sighing, she let the water wash away her fears, her guilt for not being able to stop her husband from being captured. She pressed her lips to her triple stacked wedding ring.

“I love you, Damir,” she said to the ghost of him guiding her. “Always.”

∞∞∞

The following morning, the narrow streets of the small village were bustling with town folk.

Market stalls were open, and the familiar waft of baking bread filled her nose.

If she hadn’t already eaten breakfast in the boarding house, she might’ve been tempted to purchase some.

Instead, she and her horse were about to embark on the journey deeper into the Salken Mountains, but beforehand, she wanted to top up her salve used to treat the burns on her wrists .

Following the innkeeper’s instructions, she headed north, guiding her horse by the reins.

When she spotted the billowing sign for the medical centre, she tethered the straps to a post and wandered to the small, terraced building.

Its roof was weathered, moss covering the tiles, but the paisleys growing in the window boxes added charm to the otherwise decrepit place.

The door creaked as she entered, the ground floor long and narrow.

Cots were crammed in rows against the walls, torches fixed above the frames provided additional light, and medicinal supplies were scattered across shelves and countertops.

Each bed was taken by a patient, most of whom slept, despite the late morning hour.

“What can I do for you, miss?” a woman in a long gown and white apron asked as she approached Adelina. Her hair was scraped back into a tight knot and a pair of circular spectacles sat at the edge of her nose.

“I am looking to purchase some salve suitable for mild burns and blisters,” Adelina said as she breathed in the strong, heady scent of garlic, ginger, lavender, and a variety of other herbs and spices she couldn’t place.

With a swift nod, the woman stood on her tiptoes and withdrew a round tub from a cabinet fixed to the wall above a small desk. “Apply twice daily to the affected area.”

Spotting the cost marked on the lid, Adelina rummaged in her pouch, then handed over the coins. “Thank you.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I have patients to attend to.” The woman smiled. “Good day to you, miss.” She turned on her heel and headed towards a barely conscious woman positioned a few strides away.

“It’s good to see you awake, Sara,” the woman said as she approached the sickly patient, whose eyes fluttered open and closed. From Adelina’s position, she could see her collarbones protruding out the top of her shirt.

“Would you like some food and water?” the woman, who Adelina presumed was a healer, asked as she dragged over a cart, a tray with a bowl and spoon and cup placed on top.

“Water,” Sara said breathlessly.

The healer handed her the cup, keeping a hand on the back of the patient’s neck as she helped her to sip the contents.

Sara closed her eyes and moaned. When she reopened them, she rested her head against the pillow, all of her limbs limp and thin beneath the threadbare blanket.

“Is there something I can do to help?” Adelina asked as she wandered closer. For a reason unbeknownst to Adelina, she found herself drawn to the woman.

“It’s all right, miss,” the healer said. “I’m sure you must be on your way.”

“I would be happy to sit with her while you attend to your other patients,” Adelina offered, noticing the only other healer in the building was busy sponging down another patient.

The woman chewed her bottom lip, as if considering her response. “Only if you’re sure. The other lady who works here has a grievance in the family and hasn’t come in to work this morning. Understandable, but leaves the two of us, and with an influx of patients overnight, we’re swept off our feet.”

“It would be my honour to help.” Adelina picked up the bowl from the tray, trying not to grimace at the stodgy oats inside.

“Thank you,” the healer said. “And you may call me Molly. I won’t keep you for too long. I have some wounds to dress, which should only take a short while.”

“Of course.” Adelina smiled as Molly nodded her thanks, turning her attention to the next patient.

Sitting on the edge of the mattress, Adelina scooped up some oats with the spoon and held it out for Sara. “Here. You should try to eat something.”

Grumbling, Sara shook her head and swatted her away. “No, dear. I wish to be left in peace. If I am to die anyway, I shall not force myself to eat that mush they call food.”

“Please,” Adelina said in a gentle tone, unable to keep her gaze from the hollowness of Sara’s cheeks. “You need your strength to recover.”

“There is no cure for what ails me, dear.” The woman smiled faintly. “Although, I thank you…for your concern. Now don’t look at me like that…I don’t want your pity. I have lived a good life.”

“What about your family?” Adelina kept one hand on the bowl and rested her other on Sara’s bony arm. “Can I get anyone for you?”

“My family…are no longer with me.” The woman’s words were laboured.

“You should rest your voice,” Adelina said. “And drink some more water.”

“I do not wish to be fussed over, girl.” Sara sighed, closing her eyes. “Leave me in peace. ”

Adelina set the bowl on the counter but stayed at Sara’s side.

She’d already decided there was nothing in the gods’ good realm that could convince her to take another human’s life.

But by the grace of the gods, she was presented with an opportunity to perhaps provide this woman with a fulfilling and quick death.

She could complete the first step of her mission without losing her soul in the process.

“There is something I must tell you.” Adelina rested her hand on Sara’s arm again, in a gentle attempt to keep her lucid.

Sara opened one eye. “Oh? A story to make my journey…into the arms of the gods a little easier? You know, people often…take those they love…to a familiar place through kind words.”

“That’s not what I’m doing here,” Adelina said.

“Don’t tell me you’re only here to tend to the sick and dying. A fine young woman such as yourself…will have plenty of opportunities, far away from this tiny village.” Sara smirked, although it seemed out of place on her pasty skin.

Adelina leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Do you recognise me?”

“No. Why would I?” Sara frowned.

“My name is Adelina Orlova. The astral wielder, and I have fled from Filip. His intentions are not pure, and he holds my husband as his prisoner,” Adelina revealed, keeping her tone hushed, so she didn’t alert anyone nearby who may be listening.

“Why would you tell me…such things?” Sara said.

“Because I believe you can help,” Adelina said.

“Filip wanted to marry me to secure a powerful bloodline. He does not wish to reunite the countries but instead plans to dominate them through force and war. For the good, innocent people of these three countries, and for the sake of my husband and family, I am searching for the Sword of Light.”

“I am no sorcerer; I cannot help you.” Sara closed her eyes again.