Good evening! 🌙 I'm back with the continuation of Ereollynda's story! Part one is attached in the related posts!
Ereollyda II.
She recognized nothing after waking deep in the woods. What happened…? The beginning of a brawl with an enormous tree spirit. Then everything goes dark. This time her body groaned in pain when she tried to move. She lay on her back. The starlit sky was barely visible from the dense treetops. Hours probably passed, she didn’t know. Thoughts about her companions and their safety filled her head. Then she wondered how far the catastrophe had drawn her into the woods. What happened to what I was fighting, Ereollynda felt a small panic in her chest. The short boost of adrenaline made the movement easier. Once she sat up the frightening question was answered; the motionless creature lay before her only a few feet away. The clearing she sat in had been created from their battle. A dozen or so trees were reduced to stumps. Clumps of grass, dirt, and blood scattered the open area. The dead tree spirit lay on its side, slumped against a few trees ready to give from the weight. Slowly Ereollynda began to realize she’d slayed the spirit before her. Herself. She assessed her injuries: A dislocated shoulder, a gashed side, a punctured thigh, and most likely a serious concussion. In the short time she lay unconscious, the open wounds were already mending themselves. Maybe… I am a monster. With the assistance of a tree stump, she got to her feet. She cautiously limped through the trees. There was no sign of the destroyed work area or the town. Instead, Ereollynda searched for signs of water until she found a creak that eventually led to a river. After bathing she started a fire like they’d taught her for when her group worked into the night. She silently thanked them and prayed that some of them survived.
In the morning Ereollynda followed the river and eventually found the main road. She found another town. Seeing her tattered clothes and injuries, the town’s innkeeper took pity on her.
“Those look like some nasty injuries,” the woman stated looking at the still dislocated shoulder.
“Come. We should have that looked at.” She turned and walked towards the inn. Ereollynda followed her into a sizable building and turned into the connected infirmary.
“You think you could fix her up, Aros? I don’t think it’s too bad.” The innkeeper said to the man sitting at a desk. The doctor looked up from his work at the request and then to the girl. The man came from around the desk. He crouched a bit to get a closer look at the dislocation.
“It should heal properly if put back in place”, he concluded, straightening back up.
“I should have some spare clothes that fit,” the innkeeper said. There was a short pause.
“... I don’t have any money to pay for this,” were the first words Ereollynda spoke. Receiving something without giving something was unfamiliar to her.
“You needn’t worry about that”, the woman said.
“A girl like you shouldn’t have such monstrous injuries in the first place.” You should see the other guy, was the first thought that came to Ereollynda’s mind. She wondered if they’d treat her differently if they saw what she’d done to the beast. She simply nodded at the innkeeper's words, to which the innkeeper spun around and headed away. The doctor led her to a room and began a closer examination.
“Your regeneration skills are impressive for someone so young,” he stated. The open wounds had almost sealed themselves. He presumed her arm would heal itself, even in the dislocated state.
“I’m going to have to set this,” he gently held her arm up in position.
“It will only hurt for a moment,” he said. Ereollynda nodded and gripped the table she sat on. She made a small whimper as the joint relocated. The ache in her shoulder soon resided.
“Thank you”. She was still unsure of it all, but Ereollynda appreciated the help. Before long the innkeeper returned with a change of clothes. The ones she wore hung in shreds around her from work and battle. She looked at herself in the mirror once left alone. Although the lacerations and punctures healed they would scar—reminders of her survival against a furious tree spirit. Ereollynda pulled the new clothes over herself. Soon she had a bowl of food and sat by a warm fire. It roared in the fireplace, keeping the entire dining area cozy. For a moment, she decided to relax and enjoy the hospitality. This was her first warm night in months. The work shacks were always drafty with no fireplace. The bowl of meaty stew in her hands was twice the portion she expected.
“Feeling alright?” The innkeeper came to sit next to her in the fire’s warmth. Ereollynda glanced at her from the corner of her eye. She was short, no older than 50 with one long salt and pepper braid.
“Yes… Thank you,” she replied. Despite being skeptical of the hospitality, her kind eyes put whatever worry at ease. They sat together momentarily, listening to the cackle of wood under the flames.
“You’ve been through quite a bit, being so young,” the innkeeper observed. Ereollynda nodded in agreement. Someone from the kitchen brought hot tea. The innkeeper took her cup and took a sip. She sighed, placing the cup back on its saucer.
“Life can be unkind, but you’ll find what I think you’re looking for.” The comment puzzled Ereollynda, she was not looking for anything… Was she? Again, she nodded.
“I hope so,” she said softly in accord. The innkeeper flashed a small smile and rose with her cup of tea.
“Make sure you get some rest. Surely some amazing adventure awaits you,” the innkeeper turned and left the dining hall. Ereollynda sat and continued soaking up the warmth of the fire. She thought about the innkeeper’s words and what she ought to seek. Soon, she took the empty cup and plate back to the kitchen. To her surprise, the cook told her a small room was ready for her. She followed the instructions to a numbered door that opened to a room with a bed. Ereollynda closed the door behind her and felt herself relax. She’d never had a room like this before and noted how easy it was to be alone. The feather-stuffed bed had her asleep in a matter of minutes, not even realizing how exhausted she’d been. Her dreams carried her far to the lands somewhere north… an owl with a mask, a creature with blood-red eyes, a town… Ereollynda awoke before the sun. Staring at the ceiling, she tried to sort out what she saw in her dreams. She sat up, concluding to head north and find the town from her dream.
After breakfast, Ereollynda decided she would follow the next trade wagon on the north route.
“Going off on that adventure, yes?” The innkeeper came to her as she packed what little she had. Ereollynda nodded.
“I am,” she slung the small bag over her shoulder. She used her money to buy another short sword this morning. It rested against her other side.
“Well, this will be of more use to you than me then,” the innkeeper produced a small trinket and placed it in the girl’s hand. Ereollynda closed her hand around the object.
“I will return to repay you,” she bowed to the innkeeper and did not wait for a response. Ereollynda turned and ran to catch up with the leaving wagon.
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