Fast Healing

Julia navigated the streets of Sharwood with a practiced ease, her steps purposeful and efficient, weaving through the townsfolk and the occasional cart with a familiarity that spoke of countless previous visits. It was clear she knew this place well, her internal map guiding her directly towards their destination without hesitation. William, though still favouring his not so injured leg, managed to keep pace, his curiosity about this new world and its inhabitants momentarily outweighing his discomfort.

They arrived at a building that, while not imposing, was noticeably larger than most of the surrounding structures. A simple wooden sign above the door, depicting a stylized mortar and pestle, identified it as the town's clinic. The building was a combination of sturdy stone at its foundation and well-maintained timber above, reflecting Sharwood's blend of practicality and established presence.

Inside, the clinic was a scene of organized chaos. The space was essentially one large room, cleverly partitioned with hanging cloths and movable wooden screens to create distinct areas. One section, closest to the entrance, was clearly designated for emergencies, evidenced by the presence of a bloodstained bed, a collection of bandages and splints, and a palpable sense of urgency. The other, larger section was dedicated to recovery, filled with several beds where a mix of soldiers and townsfolk rested, their faces etched with varying degrees of pain and weariness. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and the faint, underlying odour of sickness and injury.

A tall, remarkably thin man, clad in a simple brown robe that seemed to swallow his frame, bustled about the room. This was Mendal, the town's doctor, his movements a blur of focused activity as he flitted from patient to patient, his long, slender fingers deftly probing wounds, administering medicines, and offering words of comfort or instruction. He had a kind face, etched with the lines of long hours and constant worry, but his eyes, though tired, held a spark of unwavering dedication. Several assistants, younger and less experienced, hurried to keep up with him, fetching supplies, holding bandages, and offering what support they could.

Mendal moved with a speed that belied his age and slender build, his hands a blur of motion as he checked a bandage, mixed a potion, and murmured instructions to an assistant, all in the span of a few seconds. He seemed to be everywhere at once, his attention divided between a dozen different tasks, yet somehow managing to maintain a sense of calm amidst the controlled chaos.

Finally, as he was turning from one patient to another, he caught sight of Julia. His face, previously etched with concern, broke into a relieved smile. He hurried towards her, his long strides covering the distance quickly.

"Julia! Thank the heavens you're alright!" he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of relief and worry. "We heard rumours of increased goblin activity in the Tallenwood. I've been worried sick. Are you injured? What can I do?" He reached out, his hands hovering as if to check her for wounds, his concern evident in every line of his face.

Julia smiled warmly, placing a calming hand on his arm. "I'm fine, Mendal, truly. A few scrapes and bruises, nothing more. It's William here who needs your attention." She gestured towards William, who stood awkwardly by her side, feeling a bit like an intruder in this scene of urgent medical care.

Mendal's gaze shifted to William, his expression instantly turning professional, his eyes assessing, cataloguing, diagnosing. He took in William's rumpled clothes, his makeshift crutch, and the bandage on his leg, his mind already formulating a preliminary assessment. "Found him in Tallenwood, unconscious" Julia explained, filling in the details. "He was attacked by a goblin. Nasty bite, looked infected. He managed to find some citrusroot and apply it, which was remarkably resourceful."

Mendal, his relief at Julia's safety momentarily forgotten, turned his full attention to William, his eyes narrowing in professional scrutiny. "Let's have a look, then," he said, his voice brisk but not unkind. He gestured towards a nearby stool, and William gratefully sat down, wincing slightly as he shifted his weight.

Mendal knelt beside him, his long fingers gently but expertly unwrapping the makeshift bandage, revealing the wound beneath. He probed the area around the bite, his touch light but firm, his eyes assessing the colour of the skin, the texture of the tissue, the presence of any lingering inflammation. He poked and prodded, his brow furrowed in concentration, his silence amplifying William's anxiety.

"Hmm," Mendal murmured, more to himself than to William. "Remarkable. The wound is almost completely healed. You can see the signs of a significant infection, but it's cleared up entirely. The tissue is knitting together nicely, the skin is already regenerating. This should have taken days, perhaps even weeks, to reach this stage, especially with a goblin bite. They carry all sorts of nasty bacteria." He looked up at William, his eyes filled with a mixture of puzzlement and professional curiosity. "You said you used citrusroot?"

"Yes," William replied, somewhat meekly, feeling a bit like a specimen under a microscope. "I crushed the leaves and applied them as a poultice. I... I remembered reading that citrus had antiseptic properties and those leaves gave off a strong citrus smell."

Mendal nodded slowly, impressed. "Indeed, it does. Citrusroot is a potent remedy, but even so... this level of healing, in such a short time... it's extraordinary. You say this happened just yesterday?"

"Less than a day ago, actually," William corrected, feeling a growing sense of unease at the doctor's astonishment. He'd hoped his makeshift treatment would be sufficient, but Mendal's reaction suggested something far more unusual had occurred.

Mendal's eyebrows rose, his scepticism evident. "That's... highly unusual. I've seen citrusroot work wonders, but never anything like this. There must be other factors at play. Perhaps a particularly potent batch of the herb, or... or something else entirely." He paused, his gaze thoughtful. "The only times I've heard of wounds healing this quickly... well, that involved magic. Powerful healing magic. But that's... that's ancient lore, lost knowledge. It's been centuries since anyone in Aver possessed such abilities." He shook his head, dismissing the thought as fanciful. "Still, it's remarkable. You're a very lucky young man, William. Very lucky indeed."

Julia, who had been watching the examination with quiet concern, spoke up, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and lingering curiosity. "He's fine, then? No need for further treatment?"

"He'll need to keep the wound clean and bandaged, of course," Mendal replied, turning back to his task, "and I'll give him a tonic to help boost his strength. But yes, he's essentially healed. It's quite astonishing." He finished re-bandaging William's leg with clean linen, his movements deft and practiced.

Knowing that Mendal was clearly needed elsewhere, Julia thanked him and gently steered William towards the door. "We won't keep you from your patients, Mendal. Thank you for your help."

Mendal nodded distractedly, already turning his attention back to the crowded room. "Of course, Julia. Take care of yourselves. And William," he added, his voice stopping them at the doorway, "if you experience any further discomfort, or if anything seems amiss, come back immediately. This... this rapid healing is something I'd like to study further, when I have the time."

Once outside the clinic, Julia let out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you're alright, William. That goblin bite looked nasty. It seems you're a fast healer."

William, however, was still processing Mendal's words, his mind grappling with the implications. "He said... it was like healing magic," he murmured, more to himself than to Julia. "But that's impossible, isn't it? I mean, I'm just... me."

Julia smiled, a knowing expression in her eyes. "Perhaps. Or perhaps this world holds more surprises for you than you realize. Come on, let's find Edward. He'll be at the Adventurers Guild."

As they walked, William couldn't resist the opportunity to delve deeper into the subject that had captivated him since his arrival in this world. "Julia," he began, his voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and hesitant hope, "you mentioned magic. Can you... can you tell me more about it? How it works?"