0.04

Packing my utensils away into drawers, I get ready to depart as I haul my coat over my shoulder. In conclusion, there had not been a lot of work today, a swollen eye and the bruises of some children playing carelessly.

The day’s restock fell a little short, so more work tomorrow it seems. If only Hearald was as diligent in his gathering as he is in protecting his daughter, then I would never be needing to worry about the stock. Luckily, we are not situated in the middle of any battle or surrounded by bandit encampments, otherwise we would have run out of herbs ages ago.

However, you have to sympathize with Hearald as even I would protect my family if it means sacrificing my life, but being paranoid about every little thing is something I will not do. And I trust my family to protect themselves on their own.

“Doctor”

I turn to face the patient room and hear the low sobs of a man.

“What is wrong?”

Hearald had suggested staying the night, so I didn’t oppose his decision. There seemed to have been stuff going on behind the scenes, and I wouldn’t want my wife seeing me all beaten up either. But...could there have been other motives?

“Can I speak to you about something?”

He asks,

“I won’t speak a word to anyone about it.”

and I respond.

He proceeds to tell me his story, and I was confused at first, but also glad that my worryful assumption that he had cheated was not true.

I prepare an extra bed and unlock the front door. I start to take out most of my utensils, and I even took out a few precious herbs in preparation for what is to come next.

It is better to be prepared than not to even start, and the boy might not be dead yet…

The nightingale barges into the infirmary and I swoop into action.