The room was dark and it must have been to preserve the various plants tied with ropes that hung from the walls. There was only enough light to keep from tripping over the scattered books on the floor and to be able to work.

"No, not this one... not this one either... maybe..." The wrinkled fingers showed their expertise as they moved up and down the shelves checking small jars.

“This will generate a good consistency, but the taste will be horrible... no, it won't work.” He continues to search his store for plants that provide the appropriate qualities for the medicine he intended to create.

Lost in his search, the old man listens as the front door opens and slams shut, making the wooden house vibrate. Sighing, he turns around expecting to see the silver hair of a girl peeking out of the doorway. Although now that girl had already grown splendidly to become a woman.

His memories are confused for a moment and it takes him a second to realize that the beautiful lady was that girl who slipped between his books looking curiously at every move he made.

“Lyaria no matter how many years pass you don't learn to close the door gently, I'm surprised that this house is still standing.” He expected to get the same old apology, but this one never comes.

This causes him to stop and inspect the young woman's expression and eyes, the beads of sweat and her ragged breathing indicating that the reason she came is not simply a visit.

“Grandfather! Um…” Lyaria can't find the words to sound as casual as possible.

The old man turns around, looking back at his shelves knowing that this way it would be easier for her to say anything to him without having to look in the eyes.

“Yes?” He responds in a casual tone without showing that noticed the abnormality in Lyaria.

“Grandfather, what would you do if a wound does not close no matter how much medicine is applied?” She takes a deep breath and normalizes his breathing.

"Hmm... blood fluid?" He asks looking at her askance.

“It does not work.” Answer instantly.

"Did you also try mixing it with purple flower?" Suggests it despite its annoying side effects.

“At first I didn't want to do it because of its hallucinogenic effects, but… No, it doesn't work.” His voice drops slightly.

"And despite all that, it still doesn't close? Strange... How old is the wound? What was the cause?” This time his curiosity is heightened and he looks back at the young woman.

“It is possible that, between three and four days, the cause was a beast and surely it was some kind of bear.” She takes his time before answering. “The patient is suffering from hallucinations from the purple flower and a fever, apart from the wound on his shoulder.”

“Infection? Poison?” Ask again.

"Nothing to prove it. Except...”

“Except”

“Except the wounds have light black spots, almost imperceptible. I had to make sure several times that it was not my imagination.”

The old man remains silent for more than a minute, searching his memory for any similar case, although he can't find any. After another minute more, he raises his head having made his decision.

“I can't find any solution. I have to see it with my own eyes.” He knew those words were the ones Lyaria least wanted, and the answer was clear on her face.

"..." She looked away.

"I don't know the circumstances, but is the secret worth more than is life?" Inquired the old man.

"Do you promise not to tell the others?" She asserts his stance and his voice turns serious.

"That depends on not endangering anyone." He answers softly knowing that whatever it is, it's special and can't help but let curiosity stir his old bones.

The cave was far away and getting to it carrying his medicine set was not easy, and apparently not even curiosity was enough to avoid the pain in his bones, especially in his knees.

"Is the saw really necessary?" Lyara asks incredulously

“Hehe… You never know, you never know.” Laughter makes him forget is pain momentarily.

Lyaria narrows her eyes and puts it back, clearly she was carrying the heavy items.

The entrance of the cave was large unlike its small interior, inside there was a table and on it lay a motionless boy. Various medicines and ingredients could also be seen scattered around the rocks.

The old man looks at Lyaria's hiding place for the first time, but stops abruptly, sniffing the air occupying all his attention and his face darkens.

"He's not one of us, am I right?" He didn't need an answer and he didn't get one either. "It's a miracle that a human managed to get here..." He stops again and more surprised than before. “No, he's not even a normal human. This hair... Lyaria. Do you know what it means?”

“I know, and yet I want to help him. Grandpa, don't judge him for the crimes that were committed before he was born.” Lyaria grabs the old man's rough hand and mentions it in a soft voice, with some hidden sorrow.

"He'll die if he doesn't get treatment... but I still can't help him. I'm sorry little one.” He squeezes her hand tightly.

Lyaria cannot see how inside the old man his emotions and ideals fight each other creating wounds that can be more painful than those caused by a knife.

“I'm sorry.” Lyaria hears the old man's sorrowful words again.

The old man still remembers the vivid images of his father telling him the stories with a hateful voice and expression. Helping him would be a betrayal of his late father, but not doing so would go against his convictions.

"Grandfather…" Lyaria knew the old man was suffering inside.