Túta The Quirky Healer

I followed the healer's instructions and found the house on the outskirts of the town. It was almost indistinguishable from the rest of the houses, and I wouldn't have known it was there if I hadn't been told.

I knocked on the door.

“Door’s unlocked. Come on in,” a gruff male voice called out.

I know I said quirky would be fine, but I was beginning to have second thoughts. I slowly opened the door and took a small step into the shop.

Imagine everything you'd expect in a healer's shop. Things like books, magical items, and the scent of lavender. 

Now, scratch that. 

This was the exact opposite of that. It was hot, dirty, and looking more like a forge. A clang echoed around the room.

I turned to the sound to see a short male with reddish-orange hair and a braided beard hammering away at an anvil. I'd been told the eccentric healer was a dwarf, but I still couldn't help but question whether I'd come to the right place.

The dwarf wiped the sweat from his forehead and gazed up at me.

“The dwarf, Bjørn Trüestrike, at your service. You here for forging?”

“Um… No. I heard there was a healer here.”

The dwarf paused for a moment before bursting out laughing.

“So you’re here to see my daughter then?”

He eyed me, head to toe, notably pausing his gaze on my injuries.

“Well, you look like you have fought some battles. My daughter hasn't mentioned a boyfriend, but I suppose I can allow you to marry her.”

“M-Marry?” I struggled to respond. I couldn’t even process the thoughts.

At the mention of marrying, Pippa flew out of my jacket and began angrily flapping at the dwarf. I don’t know why she was so angry. I was surprised she was willing to pop out at all.

Bjørn gently swatted her away, and she pouted before turning around and landing on my head.

“You don’t have to lie about seeing her for her healing. I know how lads your age are. Besides, there are plenty of healers in town with excellent reputations. Meanwhile, my daughter…” he paused and diverted his gaze. “Well, she has a bit of a reputation…”

Although I was slightly curious to learn more, I was still in quite a bit of pain. At this point, I didn't care about her reputation. If she could help, it was fine by me.

“No, seriously, I am here about her healing.”

“Bullhorn! Really?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

I nodded.

“You’re not drunk?”

“I’m too young to drink.”

“You are never too young to drink,” the dwarven man burst out laughing. “Well, go on through that door. My daughter Túta is inside.”

He motioned towards a wooden door. Unlike most of the other rooms in this house, this door looked clean with fresh paint.

I wandered over and pushed it open. Inside, the room was filled with books and compounded powders. Bottles of colourful liquids were stored orderly in cabinets clearly labelled. A scent of flowers also hung in the air. Whereas the forge had felt gritty, this room felt clean. There was not even a speck of dust in any of the corners.

Rushing about the room was a short girl with medium-length orange hair that matched that of the dwarven man outside. She looked young, way too young to be a healer. She stopped what she was doing and looked up at me.

“Can I help you?”

“I hope so. Are you Túta?”

“That’s right. So, how can I help?”

“I heard you might be able to help me with my injuries.”

Without even a moment of hesitation, she responded. “Of course, I would love to help you. It’s been my dream to be a healer. I’ve worked every day since I was a child, studying to be the best. But…” she paused. “But I’m a Dwarf. I am limited by what I can do. My medicine and healing methods won’t be able to regrow your hand or fix your eyesight. You’d be better off seeing another medic.”

I hadn't mentioned my hand or eyesight. Sure, Pippa's bandages covered both, but she identified my injuries even from a distance.

“Besides, why would you come to a dwarf healer who can barely use healing magic? If you found this place, it must mean you spoke to someone. You must know that all my treatments are barbaric and unconventional.”

She looked down with a sad expression before locking gazes once more, and with a more serious expression, added. “There are humans and a few elves in town who would do a much better job than anything I can do. No one in their right mind would come to a dwarf for healing.”

As she spoke, my mother's words rang in my ears.

“You’ll never amount to anything.”

Hearing about her struggles as a dwarf trying to be a healer stung. I felt the pain she must’ve experienced all her life, being told she could never achieve her dream. Yet she held her head high and fought. Even now, when she was faced with a patient, she was encouraging me to see someone else to ensure I got the best treatment. She was a true healer. No matter what anyone else said or thought.

I could feel a smile creep up my face.

“I went past there already. They can’t heal me. I was just hoping to get some medicine and for someone to check that the injury will heal alright.”

“Why can’t you get a healer to heal you? Are you cursed or something?”

She gave me a suspicious look. So I explained everything to her. How I came from another world, how I had no skills or stats and how the system seemed to dislike my existence.

“Wow, it sounds like you’ve had it rough as well.” She sniffled, trying to hold back her tears.

“So can you help me?”

“I might just be able to. I now know why you would want me to help you.”

“That’s not the only reason.”

“It’s not? Then what’s the other?”

I smiled at her.

“The other reason is I like you.”

Her face turned redder than her hair, and she looked to the ground.

Was she embarrassed? Maybe she wasn’t used to getting compliments.

“Not having any skills or stats, I didn’t even know such a thing was possible,” she muttered.

“It’s not meant to be. Seems like the system is angry at my existence.”

“So you are waging war against the system?”

“You bet.”

She laughed. “You sound like a pirate.”

“A Pirate, huh?” I grinned. “You know what, that actually sounds quite fitting. Do you hear me System? You took my hand, now this pirate will take everything of yours.”

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End of chapter 8