Annamarie let go of Serena’s hand and stepped aside. Serena straightened her spine and clasped her hands. The woman who had greeted them rushed down the staircase and stopped an arm’s length away from Serena.
She bowed slightly and smoothed her apron, taking deep breaths to calm herself.
"I didn’t know you’d be here so quickly," she blurted out. "The letter had only gone out two days ago-"
"Samantha!" a woman called sharply, interrupting the rambling.
Serena turned toward the top of the stairs. A woman stood there, posture stiff as a rod, eyes narrowed with the kind of disapproval that needed no words. She had aged gracefully, her black hair pinned neatly under her white cap. Her eyes narrowed, and her frown deepened.
Samantha visibly flinched, her shoulders folding inward. She stepped aside, head lowered like a scolded child. The woman at the top stepped down, taking her time.
Serena made sure to keep eye contact with her. From her age, she assumed she was a Senior Healer. Most of them were elders, wolves with decades of experience. Serena, of course, had been an exception, elevated to the position at twenty, thanks to skill and not years. That had been... what, seven years ago?
"Welcome, Ambassador," the woman said. She had a raspy voice.
"I’m glad to be here," Serena began, putting on an exaggerated accent.
The woman turned briefly to Annamarie, her nod curt. Annamarie returned the greeting, clearly uncomfortable beneath the woman’s gaze.
"This way," the woman gestured without looking back. The four women made their way up the stairs, Annamarie and Samantha lagging behind Serena and the Senior Healer.
"I am Senior Healer Edith," the woman introduced herself.
Serena hummed in acknowledgement. "I go by Serena."
"We do not get diplomats often in Ironshade. The last time had been when I was just a pup."
They passed through a hallway lined with pale stone walls and lanterns. The scent of herbs grew stronger with every step, eucalyptus, thyme, something sharp and acrid lingering just beneath.
The corridor led into the resting quarters. Beds lined the walls in neat rows, some occupied, others empty.
Wolves of all ages lay bundled beneath thick wool blankets, their faces flushed or pale with sickness. A handful of apron-clad healers moved between the beds, checking bandages and murmuring softly.
Serena faltered in her steps for a moment, the smell of the infirmary sent memories flooding back to her. This infirmary was much bigger and more equipped. Serena clenched her gown and swallowed hard.
"Samantha, go tell them to close that jar of Bitter Howl tonic. It’s affecting the Ambassador," Edith instructed.
Samantha nodded and scurried off somewhere. Serena felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find Annamarie looking at her with a worried expression.
"Oh, I’m sorry," Serena said softly. She pinched the bridge of her nose, scolding herself. Edith must have thought the tonic had affected her.
It was used to help with the stress of shock and blood loss. It had a strong smell, and overexposure could cause hallucinations.
"Nonsense," Edith said curtly. "If it is too much, we can step outside briefly."
Annamarie gently laced her fingers with Serena’s, her smile both teasing and kind. "We don’t want you fainting now."
Serena cleared her throat and shook her head. This was some sort of normalcy to her. She would stay and enjoy her visit.
She smiled and looked at Edith. "Surely, you don’t think this is enough to faze me."
Edith smiled, or more like her frown lifted a bit. "Very well, then. We will continue."
They moved once more, and Annamarie tugged at Serena’s arm, drawing her back.
"Are you sure you’d like to be here? You looked like you were in a trance."
Serena chewed on the inside of her lip and nodded. "I’m fine... I just remembered something."
Annamarie still looked unconvinced, but she shrugged her shoulders and then caught up with Edith, who had walked over to a bed with a child who looked at everyone curiously.
Serena walked over and leaned over the bed. Her eyes widened, it was the boy who had barrelled into her at the marketplace.
"Hello," Serena said with a small wave.
The boy blinked up at her, his lips curling into a faint smile. "I know you," he murmured.
Edith placed her hand on his forehead and sighed. "His fever has not let up."
She cleared her throat and gestured for them to keep walking. "Children’s fevers often make them speak nonsense. Where would he have seen you?"
Serena glanced at him and gave a small wink. It wasn’t his fever talking. He had really seen her. His mother, Rebecca, would be in for a surprise when she heard the story.
"How many Senior Healers are in Ironshade?" Serena asked.
"We have four," Edith replied, her voice steady. "One is on leave for her mate’s recovery, and another is stationed near the borders for an ongoing undertaking. Senior Healer Sophia, she’s the one who sent out your letter, stepped out just before you arrived."
"I see," Serena said, nodding thoughtfully. The number was respectable.
They made a few more rounds, and Serena realised she was lacking in playing the role of Ambassador. She exhaled, she was the Beta’s wife and a Senior Healer of a pack once, albeit Silverstone was dwarfed by Ironshade’s size.
"Do you train healers from puphood or are they chosen later on?" Serena asked.
"From puphood. It has proved to be the better option time and time again," Edith answered.
That was different. In Silverstone, healers were chosen only after showing interest. Even then, some still turned away from the path.
Annamarie had broken away some time ago, drifting toward a different corridor. She was chatting with one of the younger healers, her laughter echoing faintly in the infirmary.
"Are there special areas where the herbs are grown, or do you trade?"
Edith stopped at a bed, inspecting what a younger healer was doing before turning to meet Serena’s gaze. One of her eyes had a milky film spread over it.
"We grow what we need. Trade... it is hard to come by these days."
Serena raised a brow, mulling over the words. It was strange for a Cardinal pack to struggle with trade. Even her former pack had some alliances with those around it, and even as far as the southern packs.
Ahead, one of the healers was crouched beside a bed. A middle-aged wolf groaned, beads of sweat slipping down his temple. The healer dipped her fingers into a ceramic bowl of thick green paste, clearly preparing to apply it to the man’s swollen leg.
"No-" she stepped in, swatting the bowl out of the girl’s hand.
Just then, the doors opened, and Darius and Elder Cedar stood, perplexed, with scrunched eyebrows. The whole infirmary fell into silence. For original chapters go to novᴇlfire.net