Lesser Bloom

Sound of the drums

Time rushed by like tiny grains of sand slipping through a child’s fingers. Almost imperceptibly, another six winters passed, and then the news arrived. Lirael kept perfecting her healing magic and reach to a point when healing critical wounds didn't even extort her anymore. She regularly helped in the kitchen to Mara and learned a lot about healing potions from Linnett, a human druid who, according to her own words, ended up captured by the beauty of this place and stayed. When she wasn't at the kitchen, she helped the maids clean the clothes and learned basic tayloring skills from Milo, an old merchant, who visited the castle frequently, bringing new and exciting fabrics. Lirael was also a regular visitor at the training area and more specifically, the healer's house. Eldrin Thornwhisper, or simply "Old Eldrin" to the troops and guards. Only Amaunator, God of sun and time knew his exact age, the elves only referred to him as "that stubbor old healer, who refuses to retire to Evereska. Eldrin earned his reputation with his temper, strong sense of order and discipline. Refused to heal anyone who won't say "thank you" — not out of pride, but because he believes gratitude keeps the soul anchored during near-death. He had no patience for heroics. One could hear his argue through the tents or by walking under his clinics open windows.

- Lie still, fool! Glory won't knit your flesh. Despite his gruffy personality, Eldrin would sit through the night with a dying orc if no one else will. He treated every soldier equally — elf, human, goblin mercenary, whatever — because "pain doesn't care about bloodlines." His once-silver hair is now mostly stark white, thin and long, often tied back with a simple leather cord. His skin has the pale, almost translucent quality of very old elves, etched with faint silvery scars from centuries of battlefield triage. His eyes are a faded violet, sharp but weary, like twilight seen through frost. Eldrin always wore practical, patched robes of deep forest green and gray, layered with a blood-stained, but always clean, healer's apron that has dozens of pockets for herbs, salves, sutures, and potion vials.

Also carried around a battered leather satchel that's bigger on the inside (a minor enchantment he crafted himself long ago). He had a soft spot for non elves or half elves due to their shorter lifespan, probably that's why at the beginning he let Lirael wander around and follow him. Soon Eldrin noticed the little girl's innate power and curiosity of healing and herbalism. He took her under his wings, and troops soon started calling Lirael, Eldrin's unofficial apprentice. She worked under the Elf's supervision relentlessly. Eldrin liked that there was no insignificant work for Lirael, she took care of the smallest task with the same care and determination as the mot important one. The old man could never understand how the Lord of their castle could be so blind to let such a talent go to waste just because she wasn't pure blooded. Only a few knew, that Eldrin was once a respected cleric of Jergal, and served in elegant moon elf courts. But after seeing too many young elves die in pointless border skirmishes centuries ago, he left high society to become a battlefield healer. He turned his back to his God and chose another path to follow, in hope that he can change the stories he used to solely gather back in those days. Despite his turn in faith, Eldrin kept one old habit from his cleric days, only changed it's aspect a bit. He kept a small journal of names — every soldier he's saved or failed, and reread it by firelight when the castle and training grounds are quiet. Eldrin harbored a slight anger towards the Lord of the castle for how he treated Lirael. The young girl reminded him an old apprentice of his whom, he sadly couldn't save. That loss is why he never turns away anyone now, no matter how "unworthy" they seem. Maybe the troops noticed how he always lingered a second longer over young recruits or new guards. The day when they received the news that changed Lirael's fate, started just like any other. Lirael started helping Mara early at the kitchen, then headed directly to Eldrin's clinic. When she arrived the old elf was snapping back a dislocated shoulder. The young guard's eyes were filled with tears and Eldrin shook his head, saying in his raspy voice.

- Hold still or I'll make it hurt worse on purpose. - the boy whimpered like a puppy and Eldrin sighed saying.

- Come on kiddo, don't embarrass yourself in front of such a beautiful woman! - Lirael blushed a bit and the young guard's eyes glued on her. Eldrin grinned and with a quick movement and a loud crack, his shoulder was back at its place.

- There, see it wasn't that bad. Now rest it for a couple of days.

- Thank you Eldrin! - he smiled with gratitude and bowed a bit in front of Lirael before leaving the clinic whistling. Eldrin shook his head again.

- Young idiots... - after getting lost in his thoughts for a second he turned to Lirael.

- Have you checked the notes I gave you yesterday? - she nodded happily.

- Yes! They were very interesting! I had no idea how many poisonous plants could be used as a medicine too! - Eldrin nodded.

- One just need to know the correct order and amount of things to heal or kill. Nothing that nature created is innately evil or good. Everything is just a tool, in the right hands it could save a life, in the wrong ones , it could ruin several. - Lirael listened to Eldrin's wise words trying to memorize everything he said. They started preparing the next batch of healing potions, when a messenger swung the clinic's door open.

- BOY MY DOOR! And who would knock?! - Eldrin shouted and the messenger got so scared for a moment that he forgot why he came originally.

- Will you just stand there like a flowerpot or will you finally spit out why you are disturbing us? - Eldrin asked with his hand on his waist. The messenger shook his head and said with a slightly shaking voice.

- The orcs attacked the Northern barriers. Lord Aerindel is calling everyone from the troops to the training grounds now.

- Why haven't you started with that? - Eldrin washed his hands and nodded towards Lirael.

- Keep and eye on the fire little sprout, I'll be back soon. - Lirael nodded and made sure to keep the boiling liquid in front of her at the right temperature. Time passed by, but Eldrin didn't return. She finished the potions alone and packed them away. Lirael was getting worried and was about to search for the elder, when she heard his unmistakable voice shouting.

- I don't care who he is, this is not right! That twerp! - he kept cursing loudly in Elvish, but Lirael didn't understand everything. Eldrin arrived back to the clinic and screamed at Lirael.

- Stay inside! - she shut the door closed and crunched next to it. Lirael heard Eldrin's voice from the outside arguing with the castle guards.

- This is my clinic and you are not taking the girl anywhere! I've already told to that buffoon that I'm more than happy to go!

- We are not in the position to argue with the Lord of the land Eldrin. - Garrett said. The middle aged castle guard was one of Lord Aerindel's most trusted man. Lirael recognized his voice without even seeing him.

- I'll take care of Lirael Eldrin! Don't worry! - Pip said and Eldrin scoffed.

- You?! You can't even take care of your own steps! Is Aerindel so lacking in proper healers that they want to send a girl, who is barely visible above the ground to the battlefield?!

- Step aside Eldrin, please.

- In your dreams! - Lirael saw Eldrin lifting his walking stick to the air and she swung the door open.

- I'm here, I'll go with you, just don't hurt Eldrin! - the old elf looked at her like that was the last time he'll ever see the girl.

- Oh you foolish child... - Lirael hugged Eldrin fighting her tears.

- I'll be fine! I had a great mentor! - she said confidently, but inside she was terrified. Eldrin watched as Lirael was escorted by the guards and Pip stood beside him. Eldrin sighed sadly and murmured.

- The day finally came when they found a way to legally get rid of their "shame", all under the argument that "The thorn endures where petals falter". - Eldrin spit on the ground and still cursing under his breath walked inside his clinic shutting the door closed. He sat by the small round table and grabbed his notebook from his pocket. He searched for a quill but when he couldn't find one, he just locked his fingers together, closed his eyes and prayed.

- I don't care whom, but please Gods, someone take this little bird under your wings and somehow, doesn't matter what it takes, but save her life.