Life Changes

The pain is even worse on the second day. Yet I can move, slowly.

Despite the limitations, I stumble into the infirmary to see Darren still unconscious. Even two weeks later and he is still not awake.

“Another day and no change.”, Fran says with a frown. “At least he’s recovered for the most part from his wounds.”, She adds as I stand on the other side of the unconscious child.

“Is there anything we can do?”, I ask.

“Wait.”, The caretaker answers. “Healing magic won’t be of any help. We already had Dandelion do all she could.”, She adds before I can even ask about magic. I look at Darren’s resting face with resignation.

“I-”, I begin but am cut off by my own tears.

“Lydia?”, Fran inquires as she steps to my side.

“I’m sick of this.”, I say muffled in the woman’s chest as Fran embraces me in a hug.

“Time is the best cure.”, Fran responds.

-- -- --

I turn onto my side and look over at Dandelion lying in her bed. The new moon making the motion basically pointless.

“So why did you actually decide to work here?”, I ask the caretaker.

“Didn’t you ask me this before?”, Dandelion groggily inquires. I guess she was almost asleep, oh well for her.

“I asked if you ever tried to be a court mage or something before.”, I answer. “Honestly though, what’s always bothered me is that you know the basics of magic when it seems like none of the other caretakers know anything at all.”, I explain to her. Silence fills the room and I fear that the young woman has fallen asleep.

“I tried to join the local mage’s chapter.”, Dandelion finally explains. I quietly sigh in relief that she is still awake as she continues, “They said I wouldn’t have been able to do much in the guild with my lack of potential. Didn’t stop them from at least wasting a year of my life.” I am about to speak before she finishes, “Most of the spells I know are just things I tested out myself.” A ball of light appears in the young caretakers hand as she adds, “You’ve been doing the same thing.” The spell in her hand lights her face in just the right way to actually make my heart skip a beat in fear.

“How long have you known?”, I ask the caretaker.

“Awhile.”, Dandelion answers before the light dissipates. “So you’ve got affinity with fire, light, and shadow as well, huh?”, My instructor continues. “I could smell the fire whenever you created a ball of it in the winter.”, She answers my follow up question before I can ask it. “Yet you don’t seem limited as I am.”, She laments with a sigh of resignation.

“What do you mean?”, I ask as I cast my own ball of light.

“It’s late, dispel that.”, Dandelion responds with annoyance to avoid my question. The ball of light disappears.

“What do you mean Dandelion?”, I inquire again.

“Despite my low aptitude I did learn how to at least sense others aptitudes.”, Dandelion explains. “And no I’m not doing it for you.”, She adds before I can even ask.

-- -- --

“Feeling better Lydia?”, Gardenia asks as I step into the stifling office.

“Much.”, I answer as I sit down in front of the desk. “Is there anything I can look at for information about an occupation?”, I ask with a stern expression. I have to get this right, figure out what this world really is like.

“Did Dandelion teach you to read?”, The mother inquires as she pulls papers from her desk.

“Something like that…”, I mutter as I look at the papers.

“Well Seruna isn’t exactly the safest place currently. So unfortunately the less harmless jobs are more done by families.”, Gardenia begins to explain as she frowns.

“What do you mean?”, I ask as I try to peek at the papers on the desk. Wait, so this region is called Seruna? Or is the world called Seruna?

“Well the thing is…”, The woman begins to explain again but cuts herself off. “The region has been at civil war for sometime.”, She finishes the thought. So Seruna is the region? I hope she does not begin to try to explain a civil war.

“So the best occupations are combat oriented.”, I respond with a nod. “What combat oriented ones are there?”, I ask as Gardenia hands me a piece of paper.

“Well there’s the Fighters’ Guild and the Mages’ Guild as well.”, She lists off. I look at the paper in my hand. “The Slayers’ Guild also I suppose.”, She adds.

“That one.”, I say without missing a beat.

“The Slayers’ Guild?”, She asks with a raised brow.

“Yes.”, I answer firmly with a nod. I put a hand to my chest, forgetting that the tooth is still not back around my neck. Have my boobs gotten even bigger? A moment of silence falls between us.

“I suppose that makes sense.”, The mother speaks before I can think more about my own chest. “If that’s what you’re set on.”, She continues as she closes her eyes in understanding, “That was much simpler than most others I’ve had to deal with.” She smiles and opens her eyes.

-- -- --

I step into the kitchen to see Viola peeling an orange. I thought those were only for founding days.

“Who’s founding day is it?”, I ask as I step to the island.

“Nobody’s.”, She answers as she hands me the orange to cut. About to leave and I finally get to use a knife! “It’s actually for your leaving.”

“Oh!”, I exclaim as I nearly cut one of my fingers. “So we’re celebrating that?”

“Do you not remember the other ones from before?”, Dandelion asks as she steps into the kitchen proper.

“No…”, I mutter as I finish up cutting the orange.

“Not too surprising since you’re so young.”, Viola cackles as Dandelion grabs a bit of string to ignite the oven.

“What are we even making?”, I inquire to the head chef.

“Orange pound cake. Something specific you want for the meal?”, Viola asks me as Dandelion tosses the lit string into the oven. I rest my chin in my hand. What do I truly want? Curry… But do they have anything for that? I don’t think we’ve had rice once since I’ve been here.

“Am I gonna have to deal with those damn chickens again?”, Dandelion groans as she heads to the door outside.

“I don’t think so.”, I answer as I grab another peeled orange from Viola. “I’m not sure what to have.” I do know. I really want curry, but we have none of the ingredients! “Does rice even grow here?”, I mutter to myself.

“We did get a supply recently.”, Viola answers as she walks over to the pantry by the oven. “The local farmer had a surplus so he just gave us some.”, She adds as she opens the pantry. Perfect!

“Okay, you will have to deal with the chickens.”, I say to Dandelion. “You ever heard of chicken curry?”, I ask Viola with a smile.