Chapter 29: Sinew and maggots

The rat-kin glanced at Ghaz, then at the maggots, and finally muttered, "Fine," as he slid the box toward him.

Ghaz placed the coins on the counter and reached out to take the box.

"Aye, aye, nice tattoo," the shopkeeper remarked, lifting Ghaz's sleeve slightly to reveal a faint mark on his arm.

"Why would a shaman be exiled?" he added casually, his beady eyes glinting with curiosity.

Ghaz's expression darkened. He yanked his arm away from the shopkeeper's gaze.

"Thank you for the maggots," Ghaz said curtly, his tone firm. Without another word, he grabbed the box, turned, and opened the door.

"HIGH-QUALITY ALCHEMY ITEMS HERE! REMEMBER TO COME AGAIN!" the rat-kin shouted after him, his voice shrill and raspy.

Ghaz ushered Nila out ahead of him, gently but firmly pushing her forward.

As they walked, he made a mental note of the shop's location. Other alchemists might try to scam him even worse, especially since he was both an orc and an exile.

After a long time things are looking good.

The sun was high in the sky as Ghaz and Nila made their way back, their arms full of supplies. The sinew still needed to be treated before it could be used in the procedure.

As they walked, Ghaz felt a faint tap on his shoulder.

He turned to see Hobgoblin Reza grinning at him.

"How's the healing going?" she asked casually, ruffling Nila's hair with a playful pat.

Ghaz smirked. "Well… I kinda joined the Iron Bone Orcs and just started a clinic."

Reza blinked in surprise. "Kinda?" she repeated, her brow lifting. "What do you mean kinda?"

Her sharp eyes narrowed slightly, clearly expecting a proper explanation.

"We're not officially members," Ghaz explained with a shrug. "So we don't have to wear an iron tusk. They sponsor the shop and provide the instruments, while I treat their men free of charge—except for the cost of herbs and treatments."

Reza crossed her arms, raising a brow. "So, you're basically their personal healer?" she teased. "I don't think anyone with money will be coming to your clinic." She chuckled, clearly amused.

"No!" Nila suddenly interjected, her small voice firm. "Teacher is very good. People will come."

Reza smirked at the girl's defiance. She glanced at Ghaz with mock skepticism.

"Well, let's hope your teacher really is that good," she said with a playful grin.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she changed the subject.

"Where's your brother?"

"At work in the brothel," Ghaz replied without hesitation.

Reza's smirk widened. "Well, he'll be with me tonight," she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes, turning to leave.

Ghaz snorted. "Try to return him in one piece," he called out with a smirk.

Reza glanced over her shoulder, flashing a wicked grin. "No promises," she laughed, her voice ringing out as she disappeared into the background.

After spending a few days in the city, Ghaz had learned more about Reza. She was a Silver-tier adventurer, known for her skills as a scout. She kept a residence in the slums, though she was rarely there, always off on some quest.

She was also known for buying small gifts for the slum kids, often spending her reward money on them.

Her kindness, however, was fueled by personal tragedy—her younger brother had been killed in a gang dispute involving goblins and beastkin.

When they finally reached the clinic, Ghaz immediately began preparing the apparatus and herbs to treat the animal sinew.

They had only eaten some snacks for breakfast, and the concept of lunch was a meal for nobles and the rich.

Ghaz lit a fire in the wooden stove and placed a pot of water to boil.

As he worked, he glanced around and noticed that Nila was unusually quiet.

He walked outside and saw her asleep on the ground, her mouth slightly open with a thin line of drool on her cheek. She must have been exhausted from walking all day.

Ghaz sighed and carefully lifted her into his arms. He carried her inside and placed her on a cot, covering her with a thin blanket.

The previous owner had left behind a cupboard and some bedding, but now, with Neuman joining them, there would be four people living here.

They might have been used to living alone, but Ghaz's conscience wouldn't allow Nila to sleep on the floor.

Once Nila was settled, Ghaz gathered the herbs he needed: turmeric, sage, yarrow, and thyme.

Turmeric had antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Sage was antimicrobial, making it effective against infections.

Yarrow was a coagulant and a wound healer, ideal for stopping bleeding.

Thyme had antifungal properties, providing additional protection against infection.

He added sage, yarrow, and thyme to the boiling water, letting the herbs steep. Their earthy scent gradually filled the room.

Next, he took a pestle and mortar and started grinding the turmeric into a paste.

He moved on to the boar sinew, slicing it into long strips. He carefully applied the turmeric paste to the sinew, coating it evenly, before placing the strips near the stove's fire to dry.

Then, he worked on the wolf sinew, cutting it into small cubes, slightly larger than gum pieces, since they would shrink during the drying process.

He coated the wolf sinew with turmeric paste as well and left them to dry for a while.

Once the water turned murky from the herbs, he passed it through a muslin cloth into a beaker, removing all the herb remnants from the water.

Ghaz retrieved the dried sinew and washed it thoroughly in the herbal water. The sinew soaked up the medicinal properties of the herbs, increasing its durability and reducing the chances of infection.

Finally, he placed the sinew over the stove on a rack for it to dry, ensuring it would be ready for use in the upcoming procedure.

Tomorrow, Gorrock will come, and hopefully, his jaw will be fixed. Druth should also receive his prosthetic tomorrow if everything goes according to plan.