Miracles Can't Change Doubts

A deep metallic scent overpowered the smell of old ale. The few remaining copper coins wouldn’t compare even if jammed up one’s nose.

Maria winced as she knelt next to the young adventurer, whose makeshift tourniquet struggled to control the bleeding.

The injury was far worse than it’d initially seemed. It even had Old Bill’s boy beat. Past the tattered remains of leather covering his left leg, fragments of bone had broken through the skin. And beneath the knee, a few strands of muscle were the only thing keeping the rest of the leg from dangling off.

Though far from a medic, even Maria could recognize that an amputation might’ve been the only thing capable of saving his life. Not that she could ever hope to even attempt such a procedure.

She shivered at the thought. After a moment, Maria took a breath. All she could do was remain faithful.

She focused her mana, vibrating the surrounding air with subtle specks of light. With a focused prayer, she activated a powerful healing spell.

With divine magic, that’s what differentiated it from all other forms. Instead of a typical chant, the prayer served as a connection to the gods themselves to help weave a miracle. Maria herself could mostly skip such a requirement. A simple healing spell, she could do without so much as a quip. Even regrowing a limb, or purifying a village-wide plague. Sure, she’d be left exhausted, but if she truly wished, she could do so without a prayer.

But why would she? Being able to wield magic was a gift from the gods. The First Light of Goddess Elyra allowed men to recognize their own mana. It gave them varying degrees of ability to manipulate it through talent and training. It was only natural for her to pray in the use of such power.

The silence in the dining hall grew paradoxically louder. It was as if all within held their breath while they watched Maria’s miraculous spell come to life. The older man with the silver-streaked hair in particular seemed entranced. With wide eyes, he watched ‌from his table.

Maria’s palms glowed with a golden magic circle hovering underneath. It flickered and turned and repaired bodily damage that was far beyond repair. The young adventurer refused to fall unconscious. Sweat drenched his face. The pain must’ve been excruciating, but he fought back cries.

“You're a brave one,” Maria said. “Just hold on a little longer.” Finally, relief filled his face, and his breathing settled.

Maria caught her breath while the magic circle beneath her palms sputtered away.

She looked at his companions. “He’ll be fine. But he’ll need plenty of rest.”

They remained speechless for a moment before the young woman from the group finally spoke. “Th-thank you.”

Maria wobbled to stand. “I did what I could. But it was thanks to the gods.” She gave a radiant smile.

“S-Saint,” an onlooker from the crowd muttered. It opened the floodgates. The room came alive with even more vitality than when they’d first arrived.

“Amazing!”

“She completely healed such a grave injury!”

In no time, the gathering surrounded Maria. Her vision blurred as voices tugged at her from every direction.

“Please, can you mend my hand?” a bandaged soldier with a scarred face said.

An older woman yelled over the growing chaos. “Please. My father. Not even the clinic knows what to make of his illness!”

A merchant ‌with a stern expression pushed past anyone in his way. “I-I’ll pay you whatever you want!”

Maria’s head spun. “I-I’m sorry.” She swayed on her feet, but a clasp on her wrist prevented her from worse. An icy hand. But somehow she didn’t mind it.

Kaelan had almost fought his way through the crowd to reach her. He tried to lead her away, but now both were enclosed by an unruly chain of people.

The commotion was deafening. Maria broke out in a cold sweat, thinking it’d never end. Until a heavy thunk from a nearby table drew some attention.

It was the older man from before. His dark eyes now twinkled with some life. He stood atop the table, his faded royal-blue coat catching the soft glow of the room’s lights.

He didn't yell; he projected. "Enough! Apply an ounce of logic to this chaos before you trample the very miracle you’re begging for!" His voice carried like a man used to addressing a court of royals.

The crowd hesitated. The man stepped down from the table and weaved through them to reach Maria.

"Look at her," he said. “Divine favor is not a town well where you can all lower your buckets at once.” As naturally as he spoke, he pushed back the crowd. “Swarm her now, and I guarantee; The only thing you’ll receive is the displeasure of the heavens and a very exhausted young woman who cannot heal a bruised toe, let alone your dying fathers."

Mumbled chatter ran through the crowd as it dispersed.

"She is not a public service," the man continued. “If you truly wish for her aid, you will return to your homes for the night and pray that she heeds your wishes come morning.”

Kaelan stared at him with narrowed eyes.

The man turned to the innkeeper and, in a smooth flow of words, ‌Maria and Kaelan had their own room for the night, free of charge.

***

Maria sat up on the fluffy bed, her previously pale face having returned with color.

The silver-streaked haired man, who stood by with Kaelan, had introduced himself as Thomas Everheart.

“I’m glad you’ve begun to feel well, Sister Maria,” Thomas said.

Maria gave a small bow. “Thank you for helping us, old man,” she said with a genuine smile.

Thomas almost shed a tear. “Old man? I’ve only recently turned forty!?”

Maria stared at his silver-streaked hair.

“That’s due to magical residue, not the relentless march of time!”

Kaelan turned his head. His chuckling was hard to hide.

“I apologize,” Maria said. “It’s just… you give such a wise presence. Like a wise old man.”

“I’ll try my best to take that as a compliment…” Thomas straightened his patched collar. “But I’m glad I was of assistance earlier.”

“I’m sorry for the inconvenience,” Maria said. “I didn’t expect such a reaction from those around.”

“Who would?” Kaelan muttered from the side, his arms crossed.

“Please don’t misunderstand them, Sister,” Thomas said. “Pain can make even the most rational man believe in false idols.”

Maria nodded. “We can’t stay for long, but I’ll help in any way I can.”

“You’re far too kind. But…” Thomas stepped in closer to Maria. “Sister, do you have any idea what you did?”

"I helped the adventurer?" Maria asked blankly.

"Not only that," Thomas said, a subtle grin building across his face. "You made yourself valuable. You’ll be swarmed by morning.”

Maria wore an uncertain expression.

Thomas turned to Kaelan. “And, as I understand it, you two don't even have enough copper to buy a decent loaf of bread.”

“...” Kaelan remained silent in thought.

“If you’ll allow me, I can be of help.”

Maria tilted her head.

“I know you are resolved to help as many of them as possible,” Thomas continued. “You need order. I can help keep things calm, just like I did tonight, so you can help without everything turning into absolute chaos.”

Maria clapped her hands together. “That would be wonderful!”

“You don’t even know this man,” Kaelan snapped.

“I didn’t know you at first either, and you tried to kill—”

Kaelan interrupted her with a deep sigh. “Do as you wish.” He leaned against the wall and stared out the window toward the starry night sky.

“I suggest,” Thomas began, “that we ask for optional donations for your services. This will help dissuade an unmanageable crowd from forming.”

“Of course,” Kaelan scoffed with a mutter.

It didn’t help ease her qualms.

“Don’t misunderstand, Sister. My hope is that we can pass on most of the donations to the town clinic. It’s fallen on hard times, you see, sitting in complete disrepair and tragically low on funds.”

“Is that so?”

Thomas nodded. “And that way, your miracles will leave better healthcare behind for this town long after you've gone.”

Maria’s eyes softened at the thought of leaving a legacy of healing.

"We’ll collect the donations.” Thomas paced around the room. Boards creaking underneath. “The clinic will keep the majority.” He paused next to Kaelan. “And what remains will go toward your travel expenses.”

Kaelan’s ears almost seemed to perk up at those words.

Thomas turned his back. “And my small, reasonable management fee..." he muttered quickly under his breath.

“What?”

“Huh?”

Maria’s voice cut through the confusion lingering between the two men. “I’ll help.”

Both men remained blinking.

“Are you sure about this, Maria?” Kaelan asked. “I don’t trust this man.” He glared at him. Thomas just stood with a grin.

Maria hesitated. She had no reason to doubt Thomas, but more than anything, she didn’t want to doubt Kaelan’s words. Maybe he was just being a bit overcautious?

“It’s fine…” she said.

Kaelan sighed. “And there’s only so much you can do by morning, Maria,” he said. “The road to the Holy Capital is still a long one.”

Thomas chuckled before Maria could reply. “Actually, I must apologize to the two of you,” he said.

Kaelan narrowed his eyes. “What for?”

“Earlier, while dining. I overhead both of you. I understand you need a carriage?”

Maria and Kaelan glanced at each other, then back at Thomas.

“It’d be a great help,” she said.

A subtle smile crept onto Thomas’ face. “No driver in this town will take two suspicious strangers—especially not a nun traveling with a man who radiates lethality.”

Kaelan’s glare forced Thomas back a step.

“But I know this town,” he continued. “I know the travelling merchants. And I know exactly how to get you a carriage by tomorrow night.”

Kaelan went completely still.

“I suppose we could spare a day or two,” Maria said, turning to Kaelan. “The carriage would certainly make up for the lost time.”

“Fine.” Kaelan turned to Thomas.” But if you try anything—” His hand gravitated toward his dagger.

Thomas raised his hands. “I bear no ill intent. I just ask that the two of you meet me early in the morning in the town square.”

“Whatever.” Kaelan paced out of the room.

“Goodnight!” Maria said before he completely left. Though Kaelan brushed it off.

“Well, then I will see you bright and early, Sister?” Thomas asked.

“Yes. I will be there.”

Thomas leaned in close. "Remember. Miracles don’t buy food, Maria," he whispered. "But they do make people willing to open their purses… to offer donations! I will manage you—manage the crowd! …so you can just focus on helping those in need.”

Maria watched ‌as Thomas beamed out of the room, nearly tripping in a skip of joy.

She settled into the warmth of the cotton bed. Sleeping under the stars had its merits. The glittering sky always soothed her into an eventual sleep; it reminded her of special nights when she’d go stargazing with the children. Yet, at this moment, her fatigued body couldn’t ask for anything apart from the softness that cocooned her.