Lament of the Slave

Soothing Touch? What was that? According to the cabinet and the small bottle of white liquid which the man took from it, I knew it was a potion. I wasn't stupid. It was its effects I knew nothing about that worried me.

My experience with potions was not pleasant.

These experiences were associated with my body's mutations because I got the potions from my "master". They helped my body better accept the mutations, speed up the changes themselves, or amplify the essence's effect. That usually meant more pain. I never got a potion just to help me. When I didn't want to drink it, Dungreen simply ordered me to do so.

Therefore, despite the name of the potion that the man in a white medical version of the guard's uniform brought to my bed, I had an aversion to it.

The healer probably saw the fear in my eyes because he smiled, "You don't have to be afraid, lass. That potion has basically the same effect as my skill I'm using right now."

"...and that is?" I asked in a weak voice.

"Calm your body, your mind. Without it, you would shake like a leaf now. You would cry, possibly scream like a madwoman," the healer explained, not taking his hand off my shoulder. He looked thoughtfully away, then added, "... I've seen many cases of mind attacks in my career, most of them looking worse than you. Some tried to scratch their eyes out, bitten off their tongues, or pull their hair out. We had to tie these patients to bed so they would not harm themselves."

That was terrible and something I didn't want to hear right now. Was he really a doctor? I mean, a healer? He should tell me I'll be fine, even if it's a lie.

When I thought about it a little, I realized that he was probably trying to tell me that. In his strange way, he was telling me I could have turned out much worse, that I would be fine.

"It won't cure you, but it will calm you down," he said, showing the man with the potion to approach.

I couldn't help but have doubts, but I drank the potion with their help. Hmm, the first potion I drank outside the basement didn't taste as bad as I thought it would. I was expecting a bitter liquid that would burn in my throat. Contrary to my expectations, the potion cooled my throat, and its taste wasn't so bad either. The taste was hard to describe, maybe just a little minty?

Anyway, I didn't feel any effect after drinking it.

I looked at the healer and asked, "How will I know it works?"

"You won't right now," he replied with a smile, "but I will. It usually takes a minute or two. Just relax."

It was easy for him to say, but it was much harder to stop thinking about everything that had happened. I didn't want to think about it, but all that happened brought back many memories from the time of my captivity, which I tried to forget.

I tried to think of the virgin mountains I loved, the silence, the clean air, the breathtaking views of the landscape. Unfortunately, Dungreen and Agen Hal were there with me. In my happy place.

"All right, lass. The potion has started to work," the healer said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

He removed his hand from my shoulder and immediately began stretching his arm.

"Are you okay?" asked the man who had brought the potion. I looked at him, thinking he was asking me. But the man was looking at the healer.

"Nah," the healer shrugged, stretching his arm. "...got cramps in my arm. I'm not as young as I used to be."

Really? It was a few minutes at most. Plus, wasn't he a healer? He had to have some skill to help him with the cramps.

The healer grinned, "I know what you're thinking, lass!"

"Really?" I asked cautiously.

Everything was possible, and he could have had such a skill. He could also be a mind mage.

"Yeah," he nodded, running his hand over the stubble on his cheeks. "That I'm too handsome to be old!"

"..." I was speechless. Did he mean it, or was he kidding? I couldn't tell. Was this really a city guard's healer? Were we really in the barracks infirmary? I had serious doubts. I even wondered if I had collapsed, and this was just my imaginary world. Imaginary healer. After all, I felt a little dizzy, and all this seemed unreal to me.

The healer sat on the edge of my bed, gesturing something to the others in the infirmary. Then he looked at me, winking, "Silence? Does that mean, yes?"

"No!!" I said sharply, or at least I wanted to.

It sounded weak and somewhat uncertain instead, which made me feel rather embarrassed.

"You don't have to deny it, I know you like me, lass," the healer said, adjusting his hair with his hands.

This guy was unbearable, full of himself. I'm sick for fuck's sake, leave me alone! I looked at him, wanting to tell him to fuck off. But I had to admit he was handsome. He has blue piercing eyes, high cheekbones, and gray hair streaks at the temples, indicating that he was older than he looked.

"Ah, you're blushing now. I'm flattered," the healer said, laughing.

It didn't make me laugh, on the contrary, I felt even more flustered. The arrival of a woman with a bowl of what looked like candy only reminded me that there were others in the room listening to us. I would rather hide under a blanket and not get out anymore, but the healer was sitting on it.

The woman placed the bowl on the table next to the bed.

"Sir?" she asked him.

"Bucket," he said simply. Then he looked at me, pointing to the bowl, "Take one or more. They'll help you."

I looked in doubt at the bowl of candy that was supposed to help me. They were small white balls, no bigger than grapes. Another potion only in the form of sweets? What was in them?

I looked questioningly at the healer.

"I could tell you that their production is extremely demanding, requiring rare raw materials," said the healer, understanding what I meant by my expression. He cleared his throat and continued, "but it's just a sweet candy, nothing more. Sugar is important in cases like yours."

He reached for one to show me they were not dangerous. Eventually, he stuffed two candies into his mouth to prove that I have nothing to fear. He didn't have to do it. I already drank the potion, so if they wanted to poison me, they would. I was just ... ok, a little paranoid, I admit.

I reached for one candy, wondering how sweet tasted in another world. After all, I haven't had one in over a year. But as I moved, I got very dizzy, which forced me to lie back.

The healer put his hand on my shoulder again. Whatever skill he used, it helped me. The dizziness didn't go away completely, but at least the world around me stopped moving.

"Not so fast, lass," he said, handing me a candy.

"My name is Korra, not lass," I retorted. I couldn't stand the way he addressed me anymore.

He grinned, "Beautiful name, my name is Marcus, lass."

Jerk.

Without a word, I took the candy he was offering me and shoved it in my mouth. Hmm. I purr with pure delight. It wasn't the best sweet I've ever had, but it made my taste buds extremely happy. I've lamented over my small budget several times as I walked around pastry shops. It made me sad again because I knew that once I left the infirmary, I would not be able to afford anything like that. Not soon.

I looked longingly at the bowl full of these goodies, still sucking on one of them.

Marcus laughed, "You can have as much as you want, lass."

"Thanks," I said, grinning.

"I'm not going to say no to someone who can appreciate my charm, am I?" he asked, winking at me.

Arg. I almost forgot that Marcus was a narcissist. I'd rather punch him to leave me alone, but every move made me dizzy.

And it got worse and worse.

"You know I'm the boss here ..." Marcus bragged, pointing around.

I know he was just trying to impress me, but I had other worries. I just took a second candy, which turned out to be a mistake. My dizziness worsened with the addition of nausea.

"Here," the voice of a woman handing me a bucket caught my attention.

Just in time.

I barfed into the bucket the moment I had it in my hands.

My throat stung, tears in my eyes, but for some reason I couldn't stop regretting the sweets I vomited.

For a change, I was glad Marcus was here stroking my back. He was a healer and must have seen worse things than a vomiting girl. I still felt embarrassed, a little humiliated. I couldn't help but feel that way even though I knew where I was, why I was here. My feelings were a mess.

"I'm sorry about the sweets," I said, still clutching the bucket in front of me.

"What?" In a surprise, Marcus asked but laughed as the realization dawned upon him, "Don't worry about it; there's still plenty of them, lass."

"I don't know why I threw them up," I tried to explain why I vomited them. I was confused, dizzy, and crying now. "I liked them a lot. I don't know why ...".

I threw up again.

"I know you're confused now." the healer nodded.

Why wouldn't I be confused?! If there was something wrong with my body, [Never-Dying] should have fixed it. That's why I kept this skill. So what the hell was wrong with me?

Marcus grinned, I frowned, "What?"

"Sorry, but it's so easy to figure out, what you think," the healer laughed, adding, "Your body language is amazing!"

"Great! So you're not reading my mind," I growled into the bucket.

I must have looked awful now, at least I felt awful, and yet it was easy for him to say what I was thinking? What were my ears doing that it was so easy to tell where my thoughts were going? These damn sails I had instead of ears were just causing me trouble. Fortunately, the wings and tail were hidden under a blanket. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't even have to talk.

Maybe it would be better just to sniff a little at the tail and say goodbye to this madness. At least for a while.

Of course, I knew that was not possible right now. I haven't forgotten that I changed most of my General Skills, which was one reason I ended up in the infirmary. Right now, my tail was just an ordinary tail.

I had no choice but to rely on [Never-Dying] getting me out of it. Hopefully, it will be soon.

"You're wondering what's wrong with you, aren't you?" Marcus asked.

"Hmm," I nodded.

He took another candy, "Physically, your body is in perfect condition. Of course, if I omit all the parts that humans shouldn't have. I must say that your heart is incredible..."

"Please stop!" I shivered.

"A sensitive topic? Okay. Even though your body is fine, your head isn't. More precisely, the mind." Marcus said.

Ah, so it's more of a job for [Indomitable Will].

"Your mind is, let's say, disorganized, and therefore sends confusing signals to your body, which respond to them, for example, with nausea or crying. These are common symptoms after an attack on the mind, one of those milder ones. It will take at least a few hours, maybe a day ... " he tried to explain to me but did not finish the sentence.

"Day?!" I shouted at him, splattering, which wasn't just saliva according to the stains on his white uniform.

Marcus looked at the uniform, but to my relief, he did not comment. Still, he looked at me sternly, "Yes, a day, lass. You can be glad it won't be any longer, that you're not a blabbering fool right now!"

"I am, but ... my job ..." I tried to tell him they would be waiting for me at Broken Heart.

"Your work can wait!" he said, but then asked, "Or are you doing something so important that they can't do without you?"

"No," I shook my head.

"Excellent, then everything is okay. You're staying here with me, isn't that great?" he asked enthusiastically.

I hesitated, unaware of how not to react, "Well ..."

"Don't worry," he patted me on the shoulder, "I'm sure they sent someone to explain the situation to your employer."

"Are you sure?" I asked, with hope in my voice.

However, he frowned and handed me a towel, "Wipe your mouth and snot under your nose."

"..." I took a towel from him, upset that he hadn't given it to me before.

"San must have sent someone," he answered my question confidently.

Well, I was glad to hear that, but who the hell was San.

"Your employer is a happy person to have employees like you. Right now, you can't even stand up and still want to work. I'd really like to know where you work."

I blushed, "It doesn't matter." I didn't need to explain another misunderstanding, especially not to this jerk.

Marcus smiled, "I'm curious now. Come on, where do you work, lass?"

"Why should I tell you?!" I objected.

But it didn't deter the healer, "It must be some job you're ashamed of. Are you a shit shoveler?"

"ew, no!" I protested strongly, wondering how he came up with this. "Does this job really exist?"

"Of course, do you think I'm lying?" he shook his head in disbelief.

"Doesn't Castiana have a sewer?" I asked.

Marcus looked at me like I was an idiot, "Castiana is a labyrinth city."

"Ok..." Was that supposed to explain why the city didn't have sewers?

Not to me, so I had to ask, "What has that got to do with it?"

"Oh, you really don't know, lass," realization dawned upon Marcus. He looked at me, questioningly, "But you know what a labyrinth is?"

I shrugged, "Roughly, an ancient structure with an unknown number of floors on which the city is built."

Marcus nodded, "Yeah, at least you're not a complete bumkin. The important part is that the city is built on a labyrinth. Dig two meters deep, and you'll run into it. A very hard rock in which digging sewers wouldn't pay off. Most houses don't even have cellars."

I didn't think of that. I thought the labyrinth was deeper, much deeper below the city, not just a few meters.

"But what about wells? They have water. How is that possible," I asked, looking at the healer.

"Dig deep enough, and you'll hit the water. Experts are still arguing over whether it's a maze defense mechanism or a hidden floor," he said, shrugging, "I don't think it matters, the important thing is that people have clean drinking water."

Yeah, that was true.

Marcus surprised me when he put his hand on my shoulder again. He probably used a skill to verify my condition. But I couldn't say for sure.

"How are you feeling, lass?" he asked, looking me in the eye.

"I ..." I hesitated, startled by his question, "I feel better, a little."

"Okay. I know it's going to be hard for you, but you're going to have to do without me for a while now," he said and stood up.

Finally, I rejoiced when my blanket was free. If it weren't for the bucket I held, I'd curl up in it.

Markus cleared his throat, "No more fun, you may feel better now, but it will be awhile before you can leave the infirmary. You'll vomit a few more times; your moods will change; when you need to go to the toilet, don't be afraid to tell someone to help you. If it will be too acute, there is a potty under the bed."

Potty? I definitely didn't plan on using it, not in the middle of the infirmary.

"Hey, I know what you're thinking. If you can't make it to the toilets, use it. Better than shit your pants.

"Your [Indomitable Will] must be at a high level, at least tier four?" he guessed, taking my breath away. "Oh, tier five, nice. You're lucky; because of that, your symptoms aren't that serious. It will help you recover faster."

Damn, should I put a bag over my head, so he doesn't know what I'm thinking?

Markus turned to the female healer who brought me the bucket, "Becca, I'll leave her in your hands. I'm going to San to find out exactly what happened. If I don't come back in an hour, give her another Soothing Touch. Don't let her fall asleep."

"Yes, sir," the woman nodded vigorously. I almost expected her to salute. Instead, she hurried to my bed.

"I'll see you later, lass," Marcus winked at me before leaving the infirmary.

My name is Korra! You jerk.

"I'll get you an empty one," Becca said, pointing to the bucket I was holding.

I looked down at the bucket that held the contents of my stomach, which was a mistake. I almost vomited again.

"Thanks," I muttered, handing over the bucket quickly.

The woman returned very quickly with a clear bucket, placing it beside the bed. Unlike Markus, she brought with her a chair to sit on. I had no idea why it was necessary for her to sit here next to my bed.

"Is he always like that?" I asked her.

"You mean Chief Healer?" Becca asked, and before I could ask who she meant, adding, "Marcus."

I nodded, hearing his rank for the first time "Yes, is he flirting with every woman who comes to the infirmary?"

Becca chuckled, "If he did, his wife would kill him."

"He's married?" I raised my voice in disbelief at what I was hearing.

The healer nodded, making me think of what kind of woman could marry such a man.

"Then why ..." I didn't finish the sentence, feeling more embarrassed than I should. Was this the swing of emotions Markus was talking about?

"Why was he flirting with you?" Becca asked, adding, "He was trying to distract you; keep your attention on him."

That was the reason?! He tried to make me think of something other than what had happened to me? Now I felt foolish for thinking he liked me.

"He's good at it. Chief and the Captain have served in the army together," added Becca, crossing her legs. "Many of their friends became victims of mind attacks. Markus doesn't like to talk about it, but he knows very well what to do in such situations. We all do."