Page 45 of Cursed Dreams
“Strong infusions of white willow bark and magic infused feverfew to lower his temperature, and he must inhale steamed silverleaf to help clear his lungs,” Nyla said.
Master Elric gave an approving nod. “Well done.”
As they continued through the hospital wing, Thalia felt a thrill of excitement. This was what she had longed for, real patients, real cases. The thrill of diagnosing, of understanding how to heal. She had been dreaming of this since she first stepped foot in the temple, and now she was finally on the path to becoming a true healer.
She cast a glance at her friends, Nyla, serious but determined; Marand, ever meticulous and focused; and Cellen, who was now miming exaggerated swooning as they passed a particularly attractive healer. Thalia suppressed a laugh.
Master Elric came to a stop before a closed door at the far end of the hospital wing, his expression unreadable. Thalia, Nyla, Cellen, and Marand exchanged glances, sensing the shift in atmosphere.
“For our final patient of the day,” Elric began, folding his arms, “I present to you an exceptionally rare case. One that has puzzled both human and fae healers alike.” His sharp gaze swept over them. “Every method we have tried has failed. Every remedy, every magic infusion, every attempt at cleansing his system. We do not know what is wrong with him.”
A twinge of excitement and curiosity flared in Thalia’s chest. A true mystery. She tightened her grip on her notebook, ready to absorb every detail.
Elric continued, “His symptoms include persistent fatigue, episodes of dizziness, a slow but noticeable deterioration of strength, and, perhaps the most alarming, a faint green glow appearing on his skin during these episodes, that vanishes as quickly as it comes.”
Thalia’s quill paused midair. A green glow? That was not normal. She had never read about such a thing in any medical text.
“Bloodletting?” Marand guessed.
“Twice,” Elric confirmed. “No change.”
“Cleansing tonics?” Nyla asked.
“He reacts violently to them, fevers, vomiting.”
“Magic-infused salves?”
“Temporary relief, but his condition always worsens again.”
Thalia furrowed her brows. “Has anyone considered it might not be an illness at all?” she mused aloud.
“Explain “
“I read once about a case where the patient suffered fevers and convulsions, no remedies were proficient, it later transpired thatthe patient was suffering from suppressed magic, his mother unknown to him had been half lesser fae and while magic hadn't manifested in her, it had tried to in the patient but without a proper out let had begun to rebound causing the symptoms.”
Elric gave her a considering look before reaching for the door handle. “That kind of thinking is precisely why I want fresh eyes on the case.”
With that, he pushed open the door and led them inside.
The patient sat propped up in a cot by the window, bathed in the afternoon light. He was a man in his mid-thirties, lean but visibly weakened, his skin tinged with a pallor that suggested months, if not years, of battling his unknown affliction. His dark auburn hair was unkempt but thick, his beard trimmed short, and his green eyes twinkled with mirth as he grinned at them.
“Ah, Master Elric,” he drawled. “You’ve brought reinforcements. Finally admitting you’re out of your depth?”
Elric let out a small chuckle. “Aric, if I had an ounce of your charm, I’d have a much easier time convincing these healers that I’m actually capable of saving you.”
Aric laughed, but the sound was followed by a deep, rattling breath that made Thalia’s stomach twist.
“Apprentices,” Elric said, turning back to them, “this is Aric. He has graciously tolerated my presence for the past year, much to his misfortune. He will now tolerate yours as well.”
Aric gave them a lazy salute. “Pleasure to meet you all. If you’re here to poke me with needles or make me drink more of those gods-awful tinctures, you can leave now.”
Cellen grinned. “We were actually hoping for the opposite. I, personally, was going to offer to sneak you some good whiskey.”
Aric barked a laugh, shaking his head. “I like this one.”
Elric sighed. “Please do not encourage him.”
Thalia watched the exchange with a mixture of amusement and intrigue. Despite his clear illness, Aric’s spirit hadn’t dimmed. He had the sort of warmth that immediately put people at ease.
