The healertest 2

Iyare returned to the training camp with her grandfather and brother. For the first three days, Edosa made Efosa attend all the training sessions, even though he could not participate. He could only watch and listen to the instructors' lessons.

During this time, Edosa continued to train Iyare privately in the hut. He wanted Iyare to catch up with the training before rejoining the recruits. After three days of hard training with Edosa, Iyare returned to join the new recruits to resume her training. This time, Edosa did not train Efosa since his hand was not completely healed, and he couldn't use a sword or a bow.

After the day's training, Iyare accompanied Efosa to the healer's mountain to check on the recovery of his hand.

As the healer examined Efosa's hand, she explained his progress.

"Your hand is doing very well. You just need to change the balm you're using now," the healer said with a warm smile. She picked up a bottle and gently applied the balm to Efosa's hand.

"Lie down and don't move your hands unnecessarily," she instructed.

"Iyare, come with me to make the new balm," the healer said as she left the room.

Iyare followed the healer. She had been learning so much from the woman.

"We don't have much time, but first, I'll ask you some questions based on what you've learned. If you answer correctly, I'll show you something special," the healer said.

Iyare nodded confidently, much more assured than she had been during her first test with the healer.

"What is the use of this herb?" the healer asked, holding up a fresh herb. Not all herbs retained their properties after drying, so this was an important test.

Iyare took the herb and examined it closely. It was called magic grass—not only for its excellent medicinal properties but also because a nearly identical grass existed without any medicinal value. One had to look closely to differentiate the two. Moreover, magic grass could not be cultivated; it only grew naturally.

If the healer had been holding the imitation grass, Iyare might have misidentified it and failed the question. After carefully inspecting it, she noticed the small mole behind the stem.

"This is magic grass, used for emergency treatment when a person has stomach problems," Iyare answered.

"Alright, you've learned well," the healer said, satisfied. "Now follow me."

Iyare followed without asking questions. They walked to a part of the mountain Iyare had never visited before and stopped in front of a cave.

"Roll the stone back," the healer instructed two servants standing nearby. Iyare was surprised to see the healer had male servants. Male slaves were rare and very expensive.

The two servants complied, pulling the stone away. The healer took fire from the burning coals at the entrance and lit an oil lamp.

Iyare looked at the empty cave, wondering why it was considered special. She had assumed there might be rare herbs growing here, but it appeared to be nothing more than an empty space.

"Let's go," the healer said, leading the way into the cave. Iyare followed, still puzzled. After a few steps, the healer stopped and pointed the lamp at the wall.

Iyare turned to look and was surprised to see drawings on the wall. Though others might not understand the drawings, Iyare recognized some of the symbols. Having learned to write, she could interpret bits of the ancient markings.

These drawings were symbols representing different things. Without literacy, one wouldn't understand them.

"These are records left by the first healer of this mountain," the healer began to explain. Iyare, unfamiliar with the history of the healer's mountain, found her words confusing.

"This mountain has been here for a long time. The first healer recorded illnesses and prescriptions on these walls. That's why anyone who inherits the title of healer must live on this mountain," the healer continued.

Iyare traced her hand along the symbols, understanding much of it thanks to the healer's teachings.

"There are some illnesses recorded on these walls that still have no cures. Over the generations, if a healer discovers a cure for one, they add it to these records," the healer explained as they moved deeper into the expanding cave.

"You won't always have time to visit here, and some of these illnesses are rare. When you do come to the mountain, you can learn from these records. If there's any prescription or symptom you don't understand, you can ask me," the healer said.

"Do all the apprentices come here to learn?" Iyare asked curiously.

"No. I've seen your talent, and I hope to train you as the next healer. Are you willing?" the healer asked. The markings on the walls were treasure and not easy to learn. If someone who was not well skilled was to learn it. The healer was afraid that the person would cause harm intend of treat the patients.

"I... The..." Iyare hesitated. She wanted to learn but doubted she could stay on the mountain in the future. She loved the idea of going to war more than living as a healer.

"You don't have to answer immediately. Think about it," the healer said, though the disappointment in her gaze was evident.

"It's not that I'm unwilling to learn. I just don't think I can live on this mountain," Iyare explained, noticing the healer's unhappiness.

"You're still young, so naturally, you want to experience life. You don't have to stay here permanently. There are always trained subordinates to handle most of the work. I have three of them myself. The only reason you haven't met them is that they're currently on a journey to treat a patient who couldn't be brought here," the healer said.

Reassured, Iyare smiled.

"Okay," she said. Learning to be a healer while also being a general seemed possible. Perhaps in the future, she could tell her grandfather and parents about her dual skills and make them proud.

The reason she didn't dare mention it to her grandfather now was her fear that he would see it as a distraction from her training.