The Morning Visitor
1617 Words
The wolf tracks stayed in Seraphina's mind all morning.
She glanced at them one last time before leaving for the infirmary.
They were too large to belong to any wolf in Moonridge.
Yet strangely...
She wasn't afraid.
She only hoped the injured wolf hadn't reopened its wound.
Shaking the thought away, she picked up her basket and headed into the village.
The streets were already coming to life.
Bakers carried trays of fresh bread to their stalls.
Children laughed as they chased one another between the houses.
A group of young warriors jogged past on their morning training run.
One of them slowed down as he noticed Seraphina.
"Morning."
She smiled politely.
"Good morning."
Another warrior beside him snorted.
"You're greeting the wolfless girl now?"
The first warrior looked embarrassed.
"I was only being polite."
His friend laughed.
"You should save your manners for someone who'll actually become a real wolf."
They walked away, still laughing.
Seraphina lowered her eyes for a moment.
The words still hurt.
Maybe they always would.
But instead of letting them ruin her day, she took a deep breath and continued walking.
Selene had once told her,
"People who try to make others feel small usually have their own fears to hide."
Whenever someone mocked her, she remembered those words.
They didn't erase the pain.
But they made it easier to keep walking.
The bell above the infirmary door rang softly as Seraphina stepped inside.
Selene looked up from a shelf filled with glass bottles.
"Right on time."
"I almost wasn't."
Selene noticed the thoughtful look on her face.
"You didn't sleep well?"
"I slept."
"You were thinking."
Seraphina smiled.
"Is it really that obvious?"
"To me, yes."
She laughed softly.
"I'll tell you later."
Selene nodded without asking another question.
She knew Seraphina would speak when she was ready.
Before long, patients began arriving.
A farmer came in with a sprained ankle after slipping near the river.
An elderly woman wanted herbs to help her sleep.
A little boy proudly showed Seraphina a missing tooth.
"It finally fell out!" he announced.
Seraphina laughed.
"Congratulations."
"Do wolves grow new teeth?"
"They certainly do."
The boy grinned.
"Then I'll be the strongest wolf in Moonridge."
"I'm sure you will."
His mother thanked Seraphina before leading him home.
Selene smiled from across the room.
"You always make children feel important."
"They are important."
Selene nodded.
"I couldn't agree more."
Around midday, Elena burst through the door carrying two wrapped meat pies.
"I brought lunch!"
Selene looked up.
"For everyone?"
Elena smiled innocently.
"Mostly for Seraphina."
"I knew it," Selene laughed.
"You spoil her."
"Someone has to."
Seraphina accepted one of the pies with a grateful smile.
"Thank you."
Elena leaned against the counter.
"So..."
"What?"
"I heard something interesting this morning."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow.
"What did you hear?"
"The hunters say they found enormous wolf tracks near the northern forest."
Seraphina nearly dropped her food.
"Really?"
Elena nodded excitedly.
"They've never seen tracks that large before."
One of the older patients overheard the conversation.
"I've seen them."
Everyone turned toward him.
The old hunter slowly sipped his tea before speaking again.
"Years ago."
"When I was young."
Elena's eyes widened.
"What were they?"
The old man shrugged.
"I don't know."
"But the elders told us to leave immediately."
"They said some creatures are better admired from a distance."
He chuckled.
"I listened."
Selene folded her arms.
"That was wise."
The hunter smiled.
"I enjoy being alive."
The room filled with laughter.
Only Seraphina remained quiet.
Without realizing it, she touched the pocket of her apron.
Inside was a small strip of clean cloth.
The same kind she had used to bandage the black wolf's injured leg.
For some reason...
She hoped no hunters would find it.
Later that afternoon, the patients became fewer.
Selene began organizing dried herbs while Seraphina swept the floor.
The peaceful silence was broken by three loud knocks.
A tall man stood outside the infirmary.
He wore a long traveling cloak covered in dust.
A leather bag hung over one shoulder.
His face was unfamiliar.
"Excuse me," he said politely.
"I'm looking for the village healer."
Selene stepped forward.
"That would be me."
The traveler smiled with relief.
"My wife is expecting our first child."
"We've been traveling for days."
"She became exhausted just outside the village."
"Could you please help her?"
Selene didn't hesitate.
"Of course."
She turned toward Seraphina.
"Prepare a medical bag."
Seraphina quickly gathered clean cloth, herbs, medicine, and fresh water.
Within minutes, they were following the traveler toward the village entrance.
As they walked, Seraphina noticed something unusual.
The man's boots were covered with dark forest mud.
The same kind found only near the northern border.
She frowned.
He traveled from the north...
Without knowing why...
That simple thought stayed with her.
The traveler led them along a narrow path just outside Moonridge's gates.
The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the fields. Birds chirped in the distance, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of wildflowers.
"It isn't much farther," the traveler said.
"My wife insisted on resting beneath the old willow tree."
Selene smiled reassuringly.
"She made the right choice. Traveling while expecting a child can be exhausting."
The man let out a nervous laugh.
"I've been worried since this morning."
"We'll make sure she's all right."
A few minutes later, they reached a large willow tree beside a quiet stream.
A young woman was sitting on a blanket with one hand resting on her stomach. She looked tired, but the moment she saw her husband, she smiled.
"They're here."
The man hurried to her side.
"I told you I'd find help."
Selene knelt beside the woman.
"My name is Selene. This is my assistant, Seraphina."
The woman smiled weakly.
"Thank you for coming."
"What is your name?" Selene asked gently.
"Lydia."
"And how far along is the pregnancy?"
"Almost seven months."
Selene nodded while checking her pulse.
Seraphina quietly unpacked the medical supplies, handing Selene whatever she needed.
After several minutes, Selene smiled.
"The baby is healthy."
Lydia let out a sigh of relief.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"You're simply exhausted."
The young woman smiled, tears gathering in her eyes.
"I was so afraid something was wrong."
Selene placed a comforting hand over hers.
"Your body is asking for rest."
Seraphina handed Lydia a cup of cool water.
"Drink slowly."
"Thank you."
Lydia accepted it with a grateful smile.
"You have kind eyes."
Seraphina blinked.
"I... thank you."
Lydia looked at her carefully.
"You'll make a wonderful mother one day."
Seraphina froze for a second before giving a small smile.
"I hope so."
Selene noticed the brief sadness that crossed Seraphina's face but chose not to mention it.
Instead, she packed away the herbs.
"You should stay in Moonridge for two or three days before continuing your journey."
The traveler nodded immediately.
"We'll do that."
"There are several empty guest cottages near the eastern road," Selene said.
"You'll be comfortable there."
The man bowed respectfully.
"You've both shown us great kindness."
"It was nothing," Seraphina replied.
Lydia smiled.
"I don't think kindness is ever 'nothing.'"
Her words lingered in Seraphina's heart as they began walking back toward the village.
The sky was turning orange by the time they reached Moonridge.
The evening market was quieter now.
Most merchants were packing away their goods, while children chased one another through the square before heading home.
Seraphina carried the now lighter medical bag.
"I'm glad they're all right," she said.
"So am I," Selene replied.
"They remind me of something."
"What?"
Selene smiled.
"That even in difficult times, life keeps moving forward."
Before Seraphina could answer, they heard loud cheers coming from the training grounds.
Curious, she looked over.
Dozens of villagers had gathered around the practice arena.
Young warriors were competing in friendly matches while families watched from the wooden benches.
Elena spotted them immediately.
"There you are!"
She waved excitedly.
"You came just in time."
"For what?" Seraphina asked.
"The final match."
Kieran stood proudly in the center of the arena, spinning a wooden practice sword in his hand.
He grinned at the crowd.
"Anyone else?"
The young warriors around him laughed.
"No one wants to lose again."
Kieran folded his arms proudly.
"I thought so."
Elena leaned closer to Seraphina.
"He's been showing off all afternoon."
Seraphina laughed quietly.
"He does seem happy."
"Too happy."
Just then, one of the younger boys stepped into the arena.
"I'll fight you!"
The crowd chuckled.
Kieran looked at the boy and smiled.
"Maybe when you're older."
The boy crossed his arms stubbornly.
"I'm not scared of you."
Laughter spread through the crowd.
Even Kieran laughed.
"That's because you're still too young to know better."
The match ended with cheers and applause, and the villagers slowly began heading home.
Seraphina smiled as she watched everyone.
Moments like these made Moonridge feel peaceful.
Safe.
She wished every day could be like this.
As she turned to leave, she noticed Beta Rowan standing near the edge of the training grounds.
He wasn't watching the matches.
He was looking toward the northern forest.
His expression was serious.
Seraphina followed his gaze.
The trees stood silent beneath the setting sun.
Nothing seemed unusual.
Yet Rowan remained perfectly still.
Almost as if he were waiting for something.
A cool breeze swept through the village.
Somewhere beyond the trees, a lone wolf howled.
The sound was distant.
Soft.
But it was enough to make Rowan's eyes narrow.
Seraphina looked toward the forest one last time before following Selene home.
She didn't know why...
But she had a feeling that tomorrow would not be as peaceful as today.
- Writer
