The Recovery

Lirena hurried herself through Yvonne’s kitchen, the air ringing with the clatter of various kitchen implements. The counter was a mess of flour and the remnants of chopped ingredients, and the sink was full of dishes from the attempts that had caused the chaos on the counter.

Cooking was not a skill that Lirena had ever thought to really hone. She had neither the need nor desire, and even camping as part of the Vanguard only ever involved simple prepared rations - meals with minimal involvement and heavy supervision.

She had a reason now to make the effort, though.

“You know, you really don’t have to do this,” Yvonne called from the next room over. Lirena was thankful that the blacksmith’s home was small enough to easily be heard from one side to the other.

“Yes, you’ve told me! And I repeat that I am offering my time not because I have to,” Lirena answered. She grabbed the mitt and pulled the ceramic dish out of the fire pit.

“It’s been a week! I’m sure I can at least cook for us just fine!” Yvonne protested. “My arms stopped hurting three days ago!”

“Yes, but the physician said two weeks, no moving them. So, your wonderful girlfriend is taking care of things!” Lirena cried. The simple back and forth was a light argument they had had several times already, usually when Yvonne started getting restless from her bed rest.

Yvonne had been examined and determined to be well enough to stay at home by the Vanguard’s physician, but he warned her to get assistance with daily tasks while the wound healed.

Lirena immediately volunteered.

Yvonne was leaning back in her bed when Lirena brought a slice of meat and potato pie. The meal was not a thing of beauty; The crust was singed, and the contents drier than most would serve.

Lirena knew all of this, but the food today was a far cry from her first attempt - a burned concoction so horrible that she had to buy ready-made food to replace the meal. Within the week though, she had certainly improved her meager culinary skills.

As a bonus, she had grown closer to Yvonne’s neighbors because of the mishaps and frequent shopping they required, which helped to remove the stigma of a nameless noble wandering around the Low Ward.

“It’s edible, I promise,” Lirena said, holding a forkful of food for Yvonne to take.

The blacksmith’s cheeks darkened at the attempted feeding. “Seriously, I can hold a fork,” she mumbled.

“I’m sure, but your reaction is adorable,” Lirena teased.

Yvonne took the offered bite but then snatched the utensil from Lirena’s hands. “Really is the best version yet. Pretty good!” The blacksmith quickly pierced her fork in and took another bite.

“I can work with that,” Lirena said, setting the plate on Yvonne’s lap and returning to the kitchen to get her own.

“I can’t wait to get this bloody thing off of me,” Yvonne grumbled as she continued with her dinner.

“Just a couple more days,” Lirena said, returning with her own plate and pulling up a chair next to the bed.

“I’m telling you, it’s already-” Yvonne began.

“I know. It feels completely healed,” Lirena said, taking a bite of the pie. The faults were clear, but she couldn’t help but smile at how this one had turned out. “I would rather be safe than risk you being in bed even longer because something went wrong.”

Yvonne could only sigh. “Sorry, I’m just frustrated. Haven’t moved this little in ages, it feels like.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll make up for it plenty once you get the all clear to exert yourself again,” Lirena said, her grin the height of mischievousness. At seeing Yvonne’s eyes widen, Lirena stuck her tongue out. “Your sword practice, of course. You wanted some lessons, right?”

“…R-right. Of course.”

Being nursemaid has some fantastic perks, Lirena thought.

* * * * * * * * * *

The light from the book dimmed, and the open page revealed the results of the physician’s scanning spell. Lirena looked over his shoulder, and there was an image of muscle and bone in the same position at Yvonne’s arm.

So, the magic makes a view of the inside of her arm? Lirena thought. The manifested sketch was unsettling to be sure, but the physician did not seem to share her reaction. A result of seeing the sight so many times, I’m sure.

Rather than the tent from before, they were in a proper treatment room in the Vanguard headquarters for the final checkup, but it was laid out much the same. The extra drawers and trunks likely kept much out of view, but the room was otherwise only different from the tent in its furnishings.

“You’re perfectly healed,” the physician said simply. “Honestly, you’ve healed further than I would have expected after the two weeks. You probably would have been fine to return to work a few days ago.”

Yvonne shot a smug glance Lirena’s way. The noblewoman rolled her eyes and smiled in return.

“Nothing extra to note, I can just get back to it?” Yvonne asked.

The man shrugged. “I’d tell you not to get yourself in a situation where you wind up with both arms broken again, but you lot with the Vanguard always find a way to disregard such advice.”

“Well, good thing I’m barely a part-timer then,” Yvonne replied. “Thank you for everything.”

At that, he gave a warm smile and waved them out of his office.

“Told you,” Yvonne said, nudging Lirena’s ribs. The blacksmith was still rubbing her arms, enjoying the feeling of the braces being off at last.

“Fine, you win. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you, but I didn’t want it to worsen,” Lirena said as she led her girlfriend from the clinic to the training yard, where several of the Vanguard members were already in practice matches.

Lirena walked over to the weapon rack stationed in the yard and examined the available swords. Disappointment set in as she realized that there wasn’t much variance between them. She often took such things for granted because she owned her own weapon.

“I feel like none of these are quite right for you, but they’ll have to do,” the noblewoman muttered to herself, picking up a pair of them and handing one in its scabbard over to Yvonne.

“Admittedly, I haven’t used a sword like this since I was still in lessons myself, but I’ve taken note of the Vanguard drills enough to help,” Lirena said as she strapped the sword belt around her waist. “And if I’m using the same kind, hopefully it will be easier for you.”

Yvonne fastened her belt and drew the sword out, lifting the blade up and down gently. “This is going to feel a lot different from swinging a hammer, I wager.”

Lirena smirked. “I would certainly assume so, but you’ll be a better judge of that.” She drew her own blade. “I think eventually you’ll probably want to include a shield, but for now, we’ll focus on one-handed movements until they come more naturally to you.”

Lirena held the sword in front of her, and Yvonne mirrored the stance. Once the noblewoman saw that her student's eyes were on her, she went through the basic swings to practice form, detailing the purpose of each stance and swing in combat. Yvonne nodded along, practicing each swing as it was explained.

Her partner clearly had no issue with the weight of the weapon, but her inexperience made her initial swings clumsy until she intuited that balance.

“It’s different from the test swings after a forging,” Yvonne admitted.

“Just wait until we get to follow through strikes,” Lirena chuckled. “Though in your hands, I imagine those might prove quite deadly. Most of my style is using a lighter blade to my advantage, but that seems less ideal for you.”

“Maybe I should bring something as heavy as a hammer if those things are going to be basically stone themselves,” Yvonne mused as she looked over the blade.

“Perhaps, but we won’t always fight those things. In most cases, a sword will be easier in many cases. Besides, they’re readily available.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Yvonne shrugged and returned to her practice. “Hopefully there’s not another earth zone you need my assistance with for a bit, I doubt I’ll be ready to brandish a sword any time soon.”

The words clicked something in Lirena’s mind. She thought for a moment about all of the missions she had been on so far.

The Zone elements have never repeated right away.

She would need to confirm with Vanessa or someone who had more experience, but from her brief stay with the Vanguard, that rule had held true.

“I… don’t think that will be an issue?” She said, pausing her instructive stances, which made Yvonne halt as well.

“What, are they on a schedule?” Yvonne said incredulously. Lirena’s pause caused her to press the question. “Wait, are they?”

Lirena shook her head. “I haven’t been on enough expeditions to be sure. But in my experience, there seems to be a pause on each element after they make a Zone.”

Yvonne cocked her eyebrow. “And here I thought they were random. No one else has called this out?”

“I’m certain someone must have, but I couldn’t tell you if anyone knows what it means.”

“Well, the Magus was a bit crazy. Maybe he had a plan for them when he made them,” Yvonne suggested.

Would he really? For what, though? 

“Thoughts for another time, I think. That’s not going to help us drill these movements into you!” Lirena said, trying to clear her mind. “Tell you want, you master this first lesson before sundown, and I’ll reward you with a kiss!”

Yvonne laughed. “As if you weren’t planning to find an excuse for it.” Her resolve shone through her taunting smile nonetheless. “Fine. I’ll be the best damn student you’ve ever had then!”

“At least you’re easy to motivate~”