The carriage rattled down the hill in the spring dusk. Inside, Lorelei sat quietly, contemplating her future. She had no second thoughts about leaving her family… if those people could be called so at all. On the contrary, she felt rather happy and relieved. No matter what awaited her in Norden it would definitely be better than here. The only thing that overshadowed her happiness was the separation from her master. Ever since meeting him over ten years ago, he had become more like a father to her than her birth-parent. In that regard, she considered herself lucky. Master Levi had taught her not only his trade but also reading, writing and arithmetic – all things considered inappropriate or unnecessary for a woman. She would really miss their discussions over a steaming cup of fragrant eastern tea; his deep laughter when she asked him to tell her about his home country; his desperate cries when she would mix up the wrong medicine. Her eyes reddened. She would never go to wake him up again. She would never see his warm smile. Lorelei took a few deep breaths and wiped her tears. She had begged Jessup to bring him a letter from her where she explained everything that happened and bid him farewell. Jessup had returned without a reply.

The carriage stopped gently. They had arrived at the harbor. Lorelei peaked out of the small window. The salty air filled her nose with the smell of seaweed, fish, and oiled ropes. The ships from the prince’s fleet were right in front of her, flags fluttering in the wind, rigging squeaking. But there was also something that didn’t belong there – a very familiar cart, pulled by a small gray donkey.

Lorelei sprang from the carriage almost running over Jessup, who had come to help her out, and flung herself in the inviting embrace of the old man waiting on the pier. He cradled her in his arms, stroking her hair gently.

“Don’t cry, child, don’t cry. Teacher is here.”

“I-I thought you were angry with me, master. You didn’t reply.” Lorelei sobbed, clinging to the old man’s robes.

“I am sorry, child. I had much to do. A parting gift worthy of a duchess is hard to prepare.”

Lorelei looked at him with surprise. The old man just chuckled and gestured to his cart. Lorelei’s eyes immediately widened. There were three familiar big chests inside. She gasped.

“Master, your books!?”

“They are yours now. I wanted to retire and go back to Shareeba anyway, and I couldn’t take them all with me.”

This statement left her speechless. She knew very well that these books were her master’s life. Some of them he had even written himself. She saw tears in the corners of his old eyes. He hugged her one last time and kissed her forehead.

“From a father to a daughter,” he whispered quietly, “I give you my blessing and the blessing of my forefathers. May you find happiness, child, no matter where the wind takes you.”

He then let her go and slowly walked away. Lorelei watched his bent back disappearing in the night and her heart was breaking. She heard Jessup calling and forced herself to follow him up the ramp.

***

Lying on the bed in his cabin Noah was cursing the whole world. No, not the world, just his stupid, arrogant, merciless younger brother and that mangy dog – Count Orten. Were they devoid of any conscience? Noah wanted to scream in anger and desperation but knew that the walls were far too thin and everyone could hear him. The gloating faces of these two monsters surfaced in his mind.

Just as they were about to depart, Count Orten had come to him, telling him that he could not take care of his wounded men. The injured were too many. The winter had been too harsh and the estate had no way of feeding so many people. If they wanted to stay, they either had to pay two gold per person beforehand or provide the equivalent amount of food and medicine. Orten clearly knew Noah couldn’t procure such money at once, and he refused a loan. The only other option, the count had told him, would be to tax the local farmers again. Then his brother had chimed in, telling him with an angelic smile to consider the livelihood of the locals. That no one would agree to give their last bread to outsiders willingly.

Faced with the possibility of civil unrest, Noah had no other choice but to yield. It would take at least two and a half weeks from Sefis to Norden, and that was in case the winds held. He knew that this would be far too long for some of his men. From the eight ships at his disposal, the flagman ‘Dolphin’ was the fastest. They had carried the most heavily wounded there and now raced against time. Even with this, they could gain no more than a day or two. He even had to bargain desperately with some of Sefis’ merchants to procure the minimal amount of food for the voyage.

The ship violently swayed and Noah clenched his teeth. The world spun around. As if he didn’t have enough other worries, but his own wound was getting worse. His fever rarely went down and the pain in his shoulder was spreading like fire, preventing him from getting any sleep. They had managed to hire only a single physician in Sefis, willing, or rather greedy, enough to follow them to Norden. Thanks to his medicine, Noah managed to fool the keen eyes of Duncan and his men for the past three days. However, things were slowly starting to look grim. The effects of the medicine were weakening gradually and he had to take it more often. If he didn’t the pain always returned twice as strong.

Noah put a hand in his breast-pocket, taking out a small flask. He took a sip and grimaced at the bitter-sweet taste when the tincture touched his tongue. There was a knock on the door. He hid the flask in time, just as Jessup’s head peeked in the cabin.

“How are you, master? I brought you something to eat.”

The boy came in with a full plate and a cup of mild wine. Noah strained himself to get up and put his best fake smile on. It was a blessing from the gods that Jess didn’t have his brother’s hawk-like eyes. Just thinking of the older de Mar made Noah’s head hurt even more. Taking a deep breath, he started to eat slowly, struggling every bite down his throat. In the meantime, Jessup was chirping happily.

“The lady is truly something, master. She has never been on a ship before but she didn’t get seasick. Have I told you, she is chewing on these strange black roots, she calls them licorice and says they help against the seasickness? She gave some to me, and they are really sweet. I brought you some too, master. Here, try them.”

“Very thoughtful of you, Jess.” Just looking at the black wrinkled roots in the boy’s hand made Noah’s stomach churn. As he was about to politely decline, the cabin door opened and Duncan flew in. The young man had an ominous feeling.

“Noah, come quickly. We have a problem. Gregor he-”

Without a moment of hesitation, Noah sprang up and ran behind the old knight.

The underbelly of the ship was dim and the air there felt sticky and heavy. The creaking wood and the smell of salt and seaweed assaulted the senses. At the very end of the narrow passage, several people had gathered. Loud cries reached Noah’s ears.

“No! Do not touch it! Don’t touch my leg! No!!”

Noah stepped closer and his men parted to make way. On the narrow cot lay a pale young man, his face distorted in agony. Beside him was the physician from Sefis with arms folded on his chest. The moment he saw his lord, the young knight screamed again.

“Noah! By the Gods, please tell him! He wants to cut my leg! Please, my lord!”

Noah knelt beside him and took his shaking hand. He then lifted the blanket a bit. The sight was ghastly. He covered him again and sighed.

“I am sorry, Gregor. If he does not do this, you will die.”

“I would rather die than live as a cripple. Please!” Tears started running down the man’s face.

“But you have a wife and a child. Think about them.”

“If I am gone, Saya can remarry; my spirit can watch over her and Soraishu from the Spirit Plane!" His free hand clenched around the small green pendant hanging from his neck that was giving off a slight red shimmer. "If I survive a cripple, I’ll be a burden to her for the rest of her life! Please, Noah, please, my lord, let me die, but don’t take my leg!”

Heart tearing apart, Noah’s jaw clenched. He shook his head firmly.

“I won’t allow your death, Gerash. Help me hold him down.”

“NO!”

The man flailed but his comrades held him tight. The physician lifted the blanket, revealing the swollen red leg below and the horrid wound that ran along the calf. As he was about to begin his work, an unexpected voice echoed in the narrow space.

“His leg… there is a chance to save it.”

Everyone was stunned and didn’t dare move. Were they hearing things? Noah turned his head and saw Lorelei’s scrawny figure standing right behind him. He was as stupefied as his men. What was she even doing here? This was no place for her. Before he could say a word, the physician erupted.

“Stupid girl, don’t you see that we have work to do? If we don’t act now, this man will die! Go away and don’t disturb us with your nonsense!”

“His wound is really bad, but he is not about to die just yet. Otherwise, you wouldn’t need four strong men holding him down.” While saying that, there was a fire burning deep in Lorelei’s pupils.

Noah gaped at her words and so did everyone else. Was she brave, stupid, or both? He never expected the timid woman he knew to muster up so much courage. Right now, she was like a completely different person. He felt angry at her for putting his man’s life in danger. But at the same time, a tiny flicker of hope was kindled in his heart. Maybe…

The physician, however, did not seem pleased at all. He put up his chin and gave her a scornful look.

“What would a woman know about these things? Go away and stop delaying us.”

“I have seen my teacher heal wounds much worse than his.” To everyone’s surprise, her tone was resolute.

“Teacher?” The physician puffed disdainfully. “What teacher can a little girl like you have? Some village quack, no doubt. Now scram!”

“My master is physician Ser Levi of Shareeba.”

After hearing the name, the physician from Sefis gulped and immediately went silent. A small vein popped on his temple. Noah was honestly confused by his reaction. Was this physician Levi famous? The answer came from the most unexpected source.

“Ser Levi?” Duncan’s loud voice boomed. “That’s the guy who took care of my eye. I heard he also patched up Rober pretty well, and the boy was already knocking on Death’s door.”

There was a murmur and several others confirmed Duncan’s words. Noah’s heart was pounding. What should he do? If there was even a slim chance… Should he risk Gregor’s life on something like a chance?

“Tell me, my lady,” he carefully considered every word, “in your opinion, how much does this man have?”

Her forehead wrinkled in thought.

“From this point three days until it gets critical. After that nothing can save him.”

“I give you two.”

“My lord!” The physician from Sefis protested but Noah held up his hand to make him silent.

“I will give you two days. If by then I don’t see any improvement, the leg goes. When are you going to start the treatment?”

“I…” she looked at him slightly bewildered, unable to comprehend immediately that he had given her his permission. Then her whole face lit up. “I will start immediately, my lord! Give me a couple of minutes to prepare the things I need. Jess, come and help me.”

She ran away fast, followed by the curious gazes of the men. Noah could still hear the physician murmuring that this is a mistake. Maybe it was. But right now, Noah really wanted to believe in this strange girl. He gripped Gregor’s hand tightly and saw hope rekindling in his muddled blue eyes. At least he owed him a chance.

Lorelei returned before long, hands full with ointments and bottles. She was still in a haze. What made her talk so confidently just now? If it was back in Sefis, she didn’t believe she could have mustered the courage to say a word. Was the reason the sorrowful cries of the young knight that reached to her even through the deck? She remembered her teacher’s words. ‘When there are people in pain, it is our duty to help them.’ Right now, she could help that man, for she possessed not only the knowledge but also the means to do so. Lorelei thanked her master from the bottom of her heart. Besides the books, the old man had gifted her a couple of boxes of his medicines and a small bag of tools. This was more than enough to save the young knight’s life.

The men let her through and she knelt beside the bunk, arranging and pouring alcohol on her knives. She then made Gregor swallow a spoon of a reddish-black liquid and waited for a while. Soon the strained features of her patient relaxed. On her instruction, Noah and Duncan held down the young knight, who had become strangely cooperative. What followed next was the procedure itself. She had seen her teacher do it several times. It was not difficult, but it was messy. After the first cut, white pus started flowing out from the wound. The stench was unbelievable. She pressed and pressed the leg until only fresh blood started coming out. Then she washed the wound several times with alcohol and one of her master’s herbal tinctures and started to cut away the dead tissue. Working methodically and in full concentration, Lorelei was oblivious to everything save her patient. In the end, she applied some honey on a piece of cloth and bandaged it to the wound.

After she finished, she sighed in relief and wiped her hands clean. Strange. It was so quiet around her. Only the whizzing sound of the young knight’s heavy breaths was audible. She looked around and was met with a lot of wide-eyed gazes. To her surprise, there were fewer men than before around her. What was going on? Suddenly she heard a whistle. It came from Duncan.

“Formidable,” muttered the old knight. The people around him nodded.

She felt a large hand touching her shoulder. For a moment she panicked but then realized it was Noah’s.

“You should go and rest.” His voice sounded strained and tired, but there was also something else, hidden deep beneath. Was it… praise?

She shook her head.

“There is no need, my lord. I will stay and watch over him for a bit longer. We also have to clean here, so that the wound won’t get dirty again.”

“Do as you wish. Jessup will help… where, the hell, did he go?”

“I believe he went out to puke, my lord,” answered Duncan and his eye squinted. “Do not worry, I’ll stay with the lady and help her.”

Noah threw him a grateful look and stood up. He didn’t know how his wife did it, but just assisting in the procedure left him totally drained, physically and mentally. Gregor’s cries still rang in his ears and the stench of pus lingered in his nose. With some effort he reached his cabin and crumbled on the bed, unable to lift even a finger. His consciousness immediately drowned in a sea of distorted dreams.