Recovery

I stared at the ceiling, for at the moment there wasn't much for me to do. My injury had been nearly incapacitating. An inch or more and I most likely wouldn't have survived the night.

Naturally that meant I was all but forced to stay bedridden, much as it grated on my soul. Aunt Kathy would bring me my meals, help me with paperwork, and other millennial work a lord needed to do to keep their territory flourishing.

I entertained myself by reading the many bulletins of the strange forum. There were a great many people interested in how I had been able to upgrade my village twice in such rapid succession. Speculation was abound.

I chuckled quietly as I read a few clearly misinformed bulletins. These were chosen… at least they were an entertaining bunch. I looked at the far wall, my halberd leaned against the headboard, the shortsword mung from the bedpost, the room was clean, immaculately so. It was as if a doll lived here.

The thought caused me to sigh. I started to move to rise from my seated position but searing pain shot through my side. "Arg." I clenched my teeth.

I closed my eyes and focused on my breath, slowly the pain subsided. Occasional pangs made it clear my blunder was not yet forgotten.

It was not long after that a knock came from the door. I pushed myself to a sitting position, at least I could do that much. "Come in." I called.

The door creaked open and Shanri poked her head in. "There's a few others here, want me to have them wait."

I shook my head, why wait? I was bored. "I could use the company." I replied with a small chuckle. Shanri shook her head but her mischievous grin gave me a sense of alarm.

"You heard the Lady, head in!" Shanri shoved the door open to reveal far too many people crowding the doorway. But before I could even recognize anyone crowding the door…

Ding! Shanri's Affinity has risen by +2, now 77.

Ding! Blini's Affinity has risen by +1, now 76

Ding! Kini's Affinity has risen by +1, now 76

Ding! Caleb's Affinity has risen by +1, now 76

Ding! Li-li's Affinity has risen by +1, now 76

I cursed silently at the thrice damned plagues. I waved my hand and smiled as everyone filtered into the room.

Sure enough, Shanri lead Blini, Kini, Caleb, and Li-li but I did a double take as the last person entered the room. He shook his head, "You can turn those notifications off ya know."

I stared at Tyran as if a ghost had strode back from the dead. "Should you not be overseeing your village?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Well, yeah. I suppose I should, but I left some decent instructions behind." he held out a small box he'd been carrying. "I mostly wanted to see that this got to its intended recipient."

I took the small box, it was made of polished oak with a plain iron latch holding it shut. "What is it?" I asked as I examined the box. I flipped the latch over and opened the box to reveal a small vial, filled with an odd greenish red liquid.

Tyran looked at Shanri cautiously. "A draught of healing."

Shanri's eyes lit up and she whirled to face Tyran. "Did you make it?" Tyran shook his head quickly. Shanri looked puzzled for a moment.

"Then where did you find it?" She demanded grabbing Tyran's collar.

"Hey!" he shouted, "calm down, aren't you a herbalist or something?"

"Where did you find that draught?" Shanri said as she tried pulling Tyran's face closer to hers.

"Hey, easy, easy." Tyran sighed and put his hands in the air. "Hey! I'll tell you. Just let me go!" he shouted as Shanri started shaking him.

She stepped back with a smug, but expectant smile. "I bought it." Shanri's mouth dropped open.

"Bought?" she stared at him.

"Yeah… from the market. It was something like eight hundred Denars." he said while scratching his head.

I looked between the vial in my hands and Tyran's fearful smile. "I've not seen it's like on the market."

Tyran shrugged, "nothing I can do about that." he pointed at the vial, "I didn't give that to you to stare at it, drink." he said forcefully.

I stared at Tyran for a moment, gauging his true stance on the matter. Why would he wish for me to use such a valuable item on myself in my current condition. But the steady look he had brokered no argument. I pulled at the stopper but it wouldn't come out.

"Let me try." Caleb took the vial, easily yanked the stopper off the vial, sheepishly he handed it back. I sighed before raising the vial to my lips and tilting it up, it was odd how tasteless it was.

"What's it like?" Li-li asked excitedly, stealing bashful glances at Tyran.

"Strangely, it's tasteless." I replied, Shanri crossed her arms.

"Of course it is. It's difficult to flavor such things." The rest of us knew nothing of what she spoke, so her word was all we had to go on.

I opened my mouth to ask the others why they were here but suddenly my side erupted in pain. It was like a flame was pressed to the wound. My eyes watered as I clenched my teeth, taking deep, ragged breaths.

After a few moments the pain subsided, and after another moment it was gone completely. I looked over to see everyone looking at me with clear concern.

"Are you okay Liz?" Kini asked, holding my hand. I nodded.

The girls all turned to Tyran. His face paled and he stared edging toward the door. "Where do you think you're going?" Blini said sweetly.