The Healer

The heady scent of eucalyptus and bergamot permeated my nostrils as I stirred into consciousness, scarcely having the courage to open my eyes; hoping and praying that somehow I'd been dreaming some crazy Game of Thrones-level weirdness and I was now back in my cosy bed at Margaret's B&B. I groaned as I sat up, the throb of my shoulder confirming there was no dream, and everything up until this point had been all too real. Eyes still closed, too worried what I might find when I opened them; I sat up and rubbed my palm across my forehead, willing myself to make sense of everything.

"Is it usual for mortals to get out of bed before they have opened their eyes?"

I startled upright and groaned at the pain the sudden motion placed on my shoulder. I knew it was him before even glancing in his direction. I shot Ayris a glare, before turning away and pretending the bedsheet had my rapt attention; anything to avoid his gaze. It felt like his eyes pierced through me, seeing every detail of me and I wondered if everyone felt like this in his presence. Mortals? What the hell did he even mean?

"I don't know" I finally replied in answer to his question

"Do you usually stare at people while they sleep?"

I met his gaze; as a soft smirk briefly grazed the corners of his lips, before being replaced by his customary stony expression. He rose up from the wooden bench he'd been seated at and strode towards me, making my pulse race at the thought of what he might do when he reached me. It was clear he was the commander of this army, or whatever this camp was, and I'd just ran my mouth without thinking, maybe I'd imagined the smirk I thought I'd saw. My heart pounded and I tried to look cool as the panic began to rise in my throat. He paused as he reached the foot of the bed, hands clasped behind his back.

"What is your name?"

"Laurel" the words fell from my mouth before I'd even had time to think what to say. Maybe it was the pain making my head spin, but I felt like I was unable to lie to him.

"Laurel" he rolled my name around his mouth, as if he was taking it for a test drive before giving it his approval.

I could have sworn I heard a soft purr from him, but then told myself it was definitely the pain making me crazy; before watching him open-mouthed as he turned and strode straight out of the tent.

Jesus, did people here have no manners? Who the hell asks for someone's name and then turns without a word and leaves? This place was becoming more bizarre by the second. I swung my legs off the edge of the bed and stood up, my shaky legs protesting as they held my weight. I decided to head out of the tent and get some answers about what was going on, but I was stopped in my tracks by the healer as he opened the flap of the tent and made his way inside.

"You are awake. How is the shoulder?"

"Sore" I said honestly "But much better than before. Thank you"

"I am a healer, it is what I do" he smiled softly, a genuine and kind smile that made me feel at ease "You are not from here, are you?" he asked, a look of curiosity lining his face.

I think it was plainly obvious that I didn't belong in whatever this place was. It was like stepping back in time or waking up in Lord of the Rings. Everything here was ancient and had a strange aura surrounding it, everything from the medieval-style armour the men wore, to the antiquated way they spoke indicated that I'd travelled to a place my brain couldn't yet fully process.

A different time, maybe? Or a different world or universe altogether? Or possibly I'd fallen during my hike and was in a coma, living out the wildest dream ever. I had no idea; my brain ached just trying to digest it all. I shook my head in reply to the healer's question and gazed at the floor. I didn't dare confess how I'd gotten here, they'd more than likely think I was a witch and either drown me or set me ablaze.

"I think you have travelled much further than anyone might care to imagine" my eyes glanced upwards to meet his soft features once again. He knew my secret without me even uttering a word. This did not bode well.

"I don't even know where I am, or how I got here"

I decided to be honest, but I decided against divulging too much, just in case he was a some kind of part-time witch finder on his days off. This way I wouldn't have to lie, and I hoped he wouldn't press me for any specific details.

He nodded and walked over to one of the shelves lining the tent, his back was turned to me as he began to search for some specific ingredient from his apothecary.

"Your safety may be compromised should you ever remember the details of your arrival here" he spoke so softly I could barely make out the words "So be sure to keep any memories you may have buried. They must remain hidden"

A cold wave of panic slithered up my spine as I acknowledged his words. I could never be honest about who I was or how I'd gotten here. Maybe they really would burn me as a witch.

The healer turned back to me and took my hand in his, before placing something in my palm. It looked like any other pebble you'd find on the beach, small and brown, with a smooth surface that had been worn away over time. As I gazed up at him, I felt a tingling in my palm and gasped as I looked down and saw the stone shift from brown to a an opalescent shimmering jewel. The healer hastily removed the stone from my palm, its surface swiftly changing back to the dull brown of before.

"Never tell them what you are. And never ever speak of this" he said, taking the stone and tucking it inside his pocket.