An able soul ... (healing training for Ardyne: Areka)

[Ardyne D'Enae]

36th of Optia (Summer), Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum

Ardyne looked up at the burnt city walls and buildings in awe. The air smelled of ash and the overcast sky added to the gloom of this place. She had travelled for some time, following roads on instinct. What had led her to this place, she didn't know, but it seemed that there was a need for able souls. She considered moving on, taking the road back and perhaps following another route. There was so much for her to learn of herself and this charred city had little to offer her in this quest. Though she was tired, in need of rest and a good meal. With a sigh she reluctantly entered the city which was sure to snatch her up with work in some way delaying her quest.

She cautiously entered the city, watching the depressed people move about. Some were still demolishing building that could not be saved, others trying to recover what could be salvaged from their homes. And still others salvaging what was not theirs ...

"HEY! YOU! STOP!" she called. The short, dirty man that had just exited the charred building through a window and sneaked past a sleeping elderly human, jumped and turned to see the elven woman running towards him. Clutching his bag of stolen goods he took flight towards the crowded streets of the market. Ardyne ran as fast as she could, but he had already blended into the crowd. Shaking her head she thought, "Not even half a brightening have I been here!" Brathing heavily, she returned to the sleeping woman, and tapped her lightly on the shoulder.

"Mm?! Wha? M! Who might you be?" the raspy voice asked, as the older woman straightened in her chair and blinked the sleepiness from her eyes to stare at the woman standing before her.

"My name is Ardyne. I'm sorry, but I saw a man climb out your window with a bag and it seems he may have robbed you of something. I tried to catch him, but he was lost in the crowd." she replied with a frown.

The older woman gruffly stood and without a word, taking Ardyne by the arm for support, made her way up the 3 steps into her home. Ardyne slightly unsure of what else to do for the woman allowed her to take her arm and followed her into the home. Once inside, the old woman released Ardyne's arm and shuffled across the floor inspecting her tables, closets and kitchen. "OooH!" cried the old woman. Ardyne called from the hall where they had entered, "What did he take? Is there anything I can do to help?"

The old woman shuffled out of the kitchen and motioned for Ardyne to come sit with her at the table. Eager to comply and let her feet rest, Ardyne sat in the chair across from the small chubby woman. "Since the fire, food stuffs have been scarce, one of the greater needs being grains. I had a whole sack of flour ... I used to be a baker you see, worked for many years at Iris's I did, and I still love to cook. I always kept a good amount of supplies. Some people still come to me from time to time for a loaf of sweet bread, a cake here and there ... " The woman waved dismissively and shook her head. "He stole some of my flour."

"Is there someone we should tell?" Ardyne asked.

"Don't worry about that now, I thank you for your help and for trying to stop the man. You seem to have come from a great distance. Let me get you something to eat ... a piece of my famous bread perhaps?" Without waiting for an answer, the old woman was already up and in the kitchen. She had quickly prepared a small snack of bread, cheese, and nectar.

Ardyne muched happily on the bread and cheese. "Mmm ... this is truly delicious! Thank you!" She took a quick sip of the nectar and smiled at the human. "I appreciate your hospitality. Perhaps you could tell me where I might stay the night and get some supplies for my travels."

"The market has several reputable places to purchase supplies, you'll be able to tell which ones they are. I really don't know if any of the inns are still standing and those that are will most likely be full. Hmm ... perhaps you should find those related to the relief effort. They are aiding those who are injured or lost their homes. Perhaps they will be able to help you find a place to stay."

Ardyne took the last bite of her snack, followed by her last sip of nectar and nodded. "Thank you. I will try to locate where the relief effort is taking place then." The old woman shuffled slowly behind Ardyne as she walked her out of her home.

"Be careful, young one." She said with a small wave of her hand before she closed her door again.

Ardyne, feeling quite well after her snack, decided to venture further into the city and see what she could do about lodging.

[Ardyne D'Enae]

She had walked aimlessly through the city most of the day. Trying to find where the relief effort was centralized, finding herself lost in back alleyways only to rush into the first main street she could find. She was tired, and her feet hurt incredibly, but she didn't dare go back to the old woman for fear she might offend her if it seemed she was trying to take advantage. No, she would continue to search.

Late in the brightening, she found a number of people, waiting together, some standing in pairs, some families, others standing one behind the other. She moved around the small crowd towards the side of the building to find more people ... how strange. Approaching a young woman, she quietly asked, "Umm ... excuse me. Might I ask what this line is for?" The woman raised an eyebrow as if to ask how there could possibly be someone in the city that did not understand what was going on. With a shake of her head, "This line is to receive help from the relief center."

She had found it! She thanked the woman and stepped back. Observing the multitude of people, she realized this was going to take a candlemark if not 2. She hastily moved to the end of the line to wait for her turn at the desk she would find at the front almost 3 candlemarks later.

She approached the desk. "I am not from this city, and I understand there's been a great disaster here. I'm sure you have a lot to worry about, however, I find myself in somewhat of a predicament. Most of the inns are full and my purse is limited. Would you be able to recommend a place to stay and perhaps an opportunity for employment somewhere?"

[LostWalker]

Before the person at the desk could offer any information to the young women another women came to her side. "If you are looking for a place to stay I can provide you with a place. As for the employment I can teach you to healing skills and you can employ yourself. All I ask in return is that you stay and treat the wounded. I am Alia the town healer..." There was a pause in which the young women seemed speechless "Come on now, I promise I want try to harm you plus you need your rest." Taking the hand of the young women she led her away from the counter and out into the streets.

[Ardyne D'Enae]

This woman ... Alia ... her eagerness to whisk Ardyne away was unsettling. However, the offer seemed rather agreeable. Ardyne looked at the woman that stood before her, trying to identify any underlying intentions. It must be a heavy responsibility to be the healer for this large town, especially during such a disaster. Alia's decision to recruit Ardyne was so swift, she could only assume that Alia was in desperate need of assistance.

Before she knew it, she was led out into the streets. She looked back at the desk from which she had just been pulled away. The man at the desk didn't seem the slightest bit concerned and had moved on to his next case. She imagined that had this person been an impostor of some sort, making herself known in front of someone from the relief effort would have triggered a reaction from them. She sighed as she realized that this is what she had feared. Staying to help treat all these people would take a considerable amount of time from her journey. However, she didn't even know where to go from here, her coins would soon be insufficient for lodging or food, and she did need her rest. It would also be a positive to learn this healing skill, as you never know what might happen while you travel.

The intense rattling of a passing wagon brought her back from her thoughts to the present. Her eyes looked around to the many people of the city and it's charred buildings and then back to the woman before her. With a smile, Ardyne nodded and said, "I accept your offer. Thank you. Where and when do we start?"

[LostWalker]

Aila had already had it set in her mind that this young women would be helping her even if she didn't want to. But, the fact that she seemed willing was a plus. Aila let go of the young women's hand and bid her to follow her through burned streets. As they walked deeper and deeper into the town it became very aware to the young women that not many places were spared. Shoppes, homes, building of work, were all taken by the massive fire. It also was brought her eyes of home much pain and suffering the people of Archadoon had suffered and were still dealing with.

Children wander the streets alone and wearing tatter clothing. They walked by one girl who sat with her knees pulled close and her head down. Alia stopped and walked over to the young girl. She knelt by her, spoke to her, then helped her to her feet.

"This is Sue, she has a cut on her hand, you will help me fix her up when we get back to the tents. Hold her hand, smile at her and tell her your name. She has lost her family, be kind to her." Alia said when she rejoined the young women she left standing in the streets.

Walking on they finally made their way to the tents. As they walked in and made there way toward the back the injuries of the people helping grew. It started from minor cuts and bruise, to broken bones, to deep wounds and lost of limps, to fatal and barely living.

"Now one is turned away. I strive to help each and every single person and I will train all who ask. I live here and am on call at all times, as you will be. You may sleep there" She added as she pointed to a cot in the corner next to her own. "Take Sue up front, find her a cot and give her something to eat and drink, the food rations can found near the front. Put you things away and meet me to begin your training."

[Ardyne D'Enae]

It was quite surprising and just a bit odd to Ardyne that Alia had not released her arm until she agreed. Would this woman seriously have persisted had Ardyne said no? Should she have said no? As they walked through the charred city, Ardyne noticed more of the distress that surrounded her. She had not noticed as much before, her concentration had been occupied by thoughts of her own well-being. Now, though, she could see how difficult it had become for these poor people to survive in this burnt city. She felt sadness and compassion for those that she saw, especially the children that wandered the streets alone. Ardyne shook her head slightly, dismissing the negative thoughts she had at the beginning from her mind. There was obviously a great need here, and she felt compelled to do something for them. If she could call upon her healing ability, she would, but it seemed she could not reach the spark she felt deep within her.

Before she could question anything, a child was brought before her and she was ordered to watch over her. Ardyne looked down at the small little girl who looked down at her feet with a dirty, tear-stained face. Ardyne placed a gentle hand on the child's head as she knelt down, her hand lowered to wipe away a tear from the child's cheek and tenderly move her hair back away from her face. "It's ok, Sue. My name is Ardyne. We'll get you feeling all better, ok?" Ardyne said to the little girl who only sniffled and nodded. Ardyne made sure to gently take the child's uninjured hand so that they could continue to walk through the streets to the tents.

Upon arriving to the tents, Ardyne could see that the injured were far more than she had first imagined. Small injuries were abundant, as were those of a more serious and gruesome nature. Sue sought refuge behind Ardyne's skirt as they walked through the rows of cots. Soon it seemed Ardyne had been recruited to the army of strictly choreographed volunteers going about sanitizing, healing, washing, and various other tasks. She received her sleeping arrangements and her first orders. She found that Aila was in her element here and was quickly absorbed in the nature of the business around her, Ardyne could only nod and do as she says, after all, she was here to learn.

Ardyne smiled down to Sue and nodded as she led her up to the front of the tent, finding her a cot in a far corner where it seemed that not many people were being placed and was quiet. After asking one of the other volunteers where there would be some food and gathering it, she hurried back to Sue with a small piece of bread, a small piece of meat that had been prepared and cooked, and some nectar. Sue quickly held out her hand for the bread and munched happily on the meal, finishing off her nectar licking her little lips and smiling up at Ardyne.

Ardyne couldn't help but smile before taking the little girl's good hand once more and leading her back to the cot where Ardyne would be staying. She quickly removed her pack and set it under the cot. She soon stood before Alia once more with the little girl who had a full tummy, yet still continually held up her injured hand with a pout to show she wanted it to be seen and fixed. Ardyne could only nod until Alia helped her with healing the child.

With a smile, Ardyne approached Alia and said, "I think she's ready for us to help fix her hand now. The poor thing. What do we do for her?"

[LostWalker]

OoC...I am moving you to this thread here please post there.