ALL NOVEL 3.4 The Healer and the Strange Man
Phaedra hated her father. She hated that fat annoying man with every fibre of her being. He was the greediest and most self-absorbed man in the world. She would never say that to his face, but she surely could think it all she wanted.
She couldn’t count how many times she had hinted and outright said she wanted to go to Evelncarth, to join one of the higher religious districts and study under advanced priests and healers. The thick-headed greedy lump of shit completely ignored her and now she was in the fucking dungeons. If Phaedra had it her way, she would never lay eyes on the interior of a dungeon, or the exterior for that matter.
Healers were expensive, most of them were working in religious districts and the few that were not were usually employed by the military or government. Adventurer healers were an anomaly.
Phaedra wished she could turn back time, wished that when he had asked what her specific class (1) was she had lied.
He hadn’t even had the courtesy to come on her first expedition.
“Isran.”
Phaedra watched the two adventurers she had been watching since they joined the expedition. They were clearly together, shared a tent, were always holding hands and sometimes she caught them kissing.
When most of the expedition was distributing loot they stuck to themselves. They didn’t take any loot they didn’t catch and kept completely to themselves.
The sheepfolk woman was giggling while the taller larger woman peppered her neck with kisses.
“Do they disgust you?”
Phaedra flinched and turned to face the adventurer who had asked her the question.
“What?”
The man shrugged and sat beside her. “I’ve been watching you and you’re always watching them. Most of the time with a sneer.”
Phaedra sighed and relaxed her face. “No, not at all. I’ve been thinking about upsetting things and I’ve also been watching them at the same time. I have no issue with their relationship.”
The man hummed, a gruff sound. “It’s not uncommon for adventurers to be together, though they usually form groups. Plus, the taller one has a cape and pretty expensive amour but from the way they fight they aren’t experienced or have high levels. Quite intriguing, I wonder if she comes from a merchant family.”
“I didn’t know you came here to gossip.”
The man chuckled. “Ah well, I am a little bored. I’ve spoken to everyone but you and those two, crossing one off my list.”
Phaedra looked the man over. He was young but looked experienced, he had a nasty scar on his cheek but lacked the wrinkles that came with age. His armor was more chainmail than metal plates. There was a red cloth tied over his forehead, and his red hair was tied tightly at the base of his head. Even sitting down he towered over her.
With a hum Phaedra made an impulsive decision. “How about we go say hi.”
The man blinked then a large smile appeared on his face. “I like the way you think missy.”
When they got close enough that they were clearly heading towards the two women they stopped what they were doing and looked at them.
Phaedra was most certainly not blind, both women were stunning. The sheepfolk was the kind of beauty that could only be achieved through a blessing from Sephia and the same went for the taller one, in a different kind of way. She had a regal handsomeness but a softness in her features which was definitely a blessing from the goddess of beauty. Or they had good genes.
“Hey there missies.”
The sheepfolk woman blinked up at the two of them, her eyes were almost calculating in the way they moved. “Hello.”
Phaedra kept her eyes on the taller woman. Up close she was pale, certainly not as pale as a sheepfolk but pale all the same. Her skin almost lacked the warmth of human blood. She wondered if the woman was half animalfolk. Her height and build gave next to no clues.
“We saw you two so far from the fire, thought you might need the warmth of conversation.”
The sheepfolk woman blinked and looked up at her partner. “Isran?”
The tall human woman—Isran—glanced up at Phaedra and her companion very briefly. She let out a small shrug and held her partner tighter.
Phaedra sat first, a smooth stone formation was directly in front of the two women and she claimed it with ease. Phaedra made sure not to show any specific emotions on her face, in truth she was a bit worried. If the man sitting beside her had noticed how much she watched the two women, the sheepfolk woman most certainly did as well.
“My name is Andreis and this little missy is—”
Phaedra glanced at him. “I’m Phaedra.”
“The healer.” The sheepfolk woman noted.
Isran was still not looking at them, she seemed… timid in the way she held on to her partner, her head lowered.
“Yes, I am the expeditions healer.” It took almost all her willpower not to sneer as she said those words.
“I’m Elysi, this is my girlfriend Isran.”
It was no shock that the two were in a relationship, they made no moves to hide the fact.
“You don’t talk much huh big girl?”
Isran blinked up at Andreis. “Uh… yeah.”
Andries laughed boisterously, slapping his knee once. “Aint you a rather nice enigma.”
“You’re being rude.” Phaedra hissed at the man.
“Chill chill. I aint never seen an adventurer that’s so different in appearance and manner. Damn when you fight, I’d think you’d be the cockiest bastard alive.”
Isran chuckled awkwardly. “Huh… y’know never judge a book by its cover.”
“Damn right you are.” He laughed again.
“Is there a reason why you’ve been watching us for so long? Both of you.”
Phaedra blushed at Elysi’s question. She wished she hadn’t tagged along with Andreis. But then again it was her idea.
“Oh, you must know everyone is watching you lot.”
“Yes well, no one else has approached us.”
“True true.” Andreis nodded, a smile on his face. “Ah, I’m afraid my reason is quite boring. Just wanted to chat rea—”
“Yo Andy!”
Only Andreis turned at the call. “Ah well seems my time is up. We’ll catch up tomorrow.”
Phaedra wished she had gotten up with Andreis, but she hadn’t and she was then stuck sitting on smooth stone staring at both women.
“Well? Why have you been staring healer?”