A Doctor Without Borders [Healer | Slow-Burn | Medical Fantasy]

Eiræk breathed in the cool night air, heavy with pine, as he climbed a small hill overlooking the crude longhouses where they resided. Resided, not lived. The time in this blasted place had taken its toll. How he craved the sun's light. They were not made to live underground. Give him the open plains and the sea of grass and sage over all the wealth hidden in these mountains. Leave that to the Oresiani—or the Humans, even if that brought the land a step closer to a Sundering. Despite all the danger that entailed, he would brave the Wilds and the mountain passes on his own for the chance to return home. Of course, he couldn't. His honor wouldn't allow it. He—no, the man standing atop this hill—traded it away.

But can I blame him after the lives he saved?

Eiræk continued the walk up the hill toward the tall figure silhouetted against the starlit sky. His Marks shimmered with an iridescent gleam from the light of the pale moon and the large stones adorning the camp's walls. The man's physique told of strength; his intricate Marks, a man skilled in the craft of battle and leadership.

Eiræk came to a stop, head bowed, before his Sæmdarskati, the one most favored to take on the role of the Sæmdarherra when the Lord of Honor passed—or had been. Only time would reveal if his gamble paid off. He couldn't predict the outcome, but it did not matter. Though decades his junior, his Sæmdarskati spoke with more wisdom than half the Council of Elders. He had saved Eiræk's life more times than he could count and had yet to lead them astray. Even after stepping down from Verndari to a hærlið with this forced merger of warbands, Eiræk bore no animosity over the loss of status. He would follow this man to the ends of the world.

Eiræk did not lift his gaze. "Honored One, I am here to report."

His Sæmdarskati turned to address him. His deep voice carried an undercurrent of warmth. "Come now, raise your head. There's no need for such formality."

Eiræk hesitated, his honor warring with the command, but he relented. He would beg forgiveness when the time came.

The leader nodded. "Good. Now tell me what happened after my visit."

So little, and yet too much. His Sæmdarskati had left the Verndari an unconscious heap on the floor. Then he took a Human and an Oresian to meet with an Elder—one of the most powerful people in the camp, and a staunch enemy of all things Human. She tried to hide it, but whatever had happened during that conversation left the Vísir rattled. The battle had limited the men's appetite for gossip, but rumors were starting to spread.

"The shock amongst the men is wearing away. We have faced far worse terrors, though none that have sapped our spirit in such a manner. They will recover soon."

The Sæmdarskati nodded. "I would expect nothing less. Those abominations are not something to face unprepared. That battle will remain a lesson in humility. We are lucky that's all it was."

Eiræk didn't disagree. Even now, hours after the battle, small tendrils of the Shade Stalker's dark magic still lingered. He struggled to quiet the unpleasant whisper in the back of his mind, and darker thoughts seeped in unless he actively pushed them away. Those thoughts were easy to ignore when only worries, not injuries, followed.

"Yes. They all know we were lucky not to lose a single person in that battle. I think many also see the reason why."

"The Human."

"Yes."

The Sæmdarskati let out a long chuckle. "That boy has done more for my cause than anything I have done."

Eiræk took a second to collect his thoughts. So close to the battle's end, memories of helplessness remained raw for many. For many, that would persist, but to go through all that and not lose a single soul, few would forget that. All thanks to that single Human. A Human? Helping an Ættar? His benevolent intentions had already started to seep into the consciousness of the men in the company. This battle just emphasized them. Still, even with the increase in goodwill, Ættarsk memories were long. He had a mountain to climb. Maybe in the past, that would have been just a hill. However, the rise of the Human kingdom to the south had brought ancestral fears to the forefront.

Eiræk let out a sigh. "Unfortunately, Honored One, it's not enough. The distrust is still there."

"Give me your take on him."

"Daniel—"

"Daniel? Has he earned that degree of familiarity?"

"Yes, Honored one. I see him as a trúnaðr."

"Before this recent battle?"

"Yes."

"Unexpected." His Sæmdarskati mulled that over. "Continue."

"He is a bit of an enigma. He shouldn't be here at his level. Yet, he shows strength beyond his tier. It's clear that he's educated, likely a noble. He's hale but soft like one, too. However, he has none of the disdain so typical of their upper crust. I have spoken to one of our brothers close to him. He claims that Daniel knows nothing of this land. I believe him. Though I don't know how he got here, I don't think he's from this area. He's unaffiliated. I think he could be an asset in the right circumstances."

"The Mother works in mysterious ways." The Sæmdarskati tilted his head to the sky, studying the Veil, perhaps trying to find meaning in this strange circumstance. "From what little I've interacted with him, I have no reason to disagree with your assessment. I'm inclined to watch the path he chooses given options. I have sent him to be the Vísir's apprentice, knowing full well that she will push him onto her apprentice."

Eiræk sucked in a breath. "Her apprentice? I've heard they had a…disagreement."

"Really?"

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"Yes, our brother watching him mentioned it to me. Apparently, Daniel has managed to offend her."

The Sæmdarskati frowned. "Has he ever treated one of us without honor?"

"To my knowledge, never intentionally, and that's even when we have not treated him with honor in return."

"It is easy to find slights when looking. That girl is too sensitive to her past. If he is as consistent with his actions as you say, I cannot believe he sees her in the way she thinks. Her attitude holds her back. She will be far greater than her master at some point—if she doesn't get in her own way."

Eiræk bit his tongue. He had been in tribes far less favorable to Humans. His leader sometimes forgot just how fragile egos could become with cruelty abound, and though she was blessed in many ways, her path was not. Still, given the other choice… "Even if there's tension, I imagine working with her is preferable to the Elder."

The Sæmdarskati let out a long chuckle. "I agree. Especially with the way I reminded the Vísir of her duty."

Eiræk hadn't heard anything of this. "Do I want to know?"

"No. All that matters now is nurturing his talents. When you take over, you will need to let your men know that he will not be there for much of the day."

And here it comes.

Eiræk paused while he gathered the will. His Sæmdarskati wouldn't like what he would say, but his honor demanded nothing less. He bowed his head, keeping his eyes fixed on his Sæmdarskati feet. "Honored one, I must inform you that I must decline the elevation to leading the company."

His Sæmdarskati couldn't hide his surprise. "Are you not tired of serving beneath your normal position?"

"Please forgive me, but I do not think taking over the Grimglæf's role as Verndari would be wise."

"You have the experience and the aptitude to serve as more than a hærlið."

"I will not deny that, at times, my demotion affects me. However, I can live with it when there is a reason. My group is fragile. As you know, it contains some of Grimglæf's strongest supporters. I have kept an eye on them. For now, we remain united, but that could change. I may be able to take his command, but he isn't going to disappear. He is cunning and charismatic, and his actions, though dangerous, have always found support. I am not sure this battle will change things. Many will want a more cautious approach, but that is before the rewards are revealed. Give him room to agitate, and he could fracture the peace."

"He has been reckless. I will not lose lives needlessly, not now, not with all that faces us." His Marks flared brighter with each word he spoke. Eiræk ignored the pressure that built around him. He had many of the same feelings, though he was blessed with not having to bear the full weight of command.

"I think your public rebuke has done enough to announce your displeasure. All know of our relationship, and some of his supporters may see your action as a move to marginalize them instead of its intended purpose. I can keep Daniel safe. His actions have earned him respect, and everyone in the company knows he is under my—and, by proxy, your—protection. I have fewer concerns about our brothers than I do about the Volki."

"Explain."

"As I've mentioned before, the young Human had drawn the attention of some of the lesser Volki."

"A typical play to demonstrate superiority, yes?"

"As always."

"And in his case, you intervened?"

"It had escalated to the point that he may have died. My honor would demand nothing less. I…" He hesitated. His leader wouldn't normally have blinked at his actions, but these were exceptional times. Still, he should know if only because it reflected on Daniel. "The lead Volk attacked me after a warning, and I left him broken on the ground."

Though Eiræk couldn't see his leader's face, he caught the minute increase in tension in his body.

"You didn't mention these details before. How many Volki died?"

"None, which is why I didn't bring it up. Daniel saved his attacker, and the rest didn't test me."

"He saved him? If he attacked you, the Volk deserved what happened to him."

"I don't disagree, but Daniel claimed a duty to his calling. He was also not oblivious to the repercussions of a dead Volk."

"Interesting. He has the makings of an ally. Now lift your head, my friend. As always, you provide good counsel."

Eiræk brought his eyes back to his leader, finding him, once more, looking up to the sky. He waited, taking pleasure in the gentle caress of the cool breeze and the scents of the Wilds that it carried.

His Sæmdarskati let out a long sigh. "The Mother tests us in the strangest ways. I think now we are going through a test, and we are failing."

Eiræk's heart picked up its pace. "Have we seen more of the Wasting?"

The Sæmdarskati shook his head. "Thank the Mother, we have not. Still, the path the Ættir walk is not working. If we keep this up, I fear we will not have the strength to fulfill our sacred duty. We need to look outward for other solutions."

"More than we already have?"

"Yes. I had already begun to eschew many of our traditions before our plight had become apparent, but how our tribe prospers when others do not bears the truth of our path. I see the risks in the direction I take us. Even if they are countless generations away, the Humans take steps towards a Sundering. But eradication isn't a solution. They always find pockets of safety to which to flee and rebuild. Better to keep the Humans close and under our eyes so that we may guide them. And, if we could somehow find a way to help ourselves, all the better—not that we have many choices now. Even if we wanted to raze the kingdom to the south, we couldn't do it, not at our current strength." He shook his head. "That is how far we have fallen."

Eiræk swallowed. Not that he agreed, but… "In that regard, I have whispers amongst the other leaders of a possible…pact."

"I know. I started those rumors."

Eiræk flinched. "You, Honored One?"

"Don't look so surprised. I also have no love for the Volk and their ways, but I am not an idealist. The Humans are dangerous, and if we cannot guide them, then other options need to be available. Humans aren't the only risk. The old tales tell of other peoples having brought about Sunderings. We need options."

"That's a dangerous game."

"Yes, but a gambit I believe worth the sacrifices it entails."

Eiræk surveyed the mining camp. "Some would disagree with that, with all of it."

"Then those are fools. The old ways are important, but they need to be questioned. Our tribe grows stronger from trade. We've earned a debt by saving countless of our brothers and sisters. Now, we sharpen possible tools. Like any tool, it can injure if used poorly, but better to have the right one than none at all. All this," he gestured to the camp, "is a small price for what we may gain."

"But when does it end?"

"That is to be seen, but if this lasts too long, I will help the Alfa see a good reason to end our agreement."

Eiræk's stomach turned. "But what of your blood oath?"

"I have no intentions of breaking it, but I've learned from negotiating with Oresiani and Humans. Our terms are…flexible. The beast is cruel. He already walks the line of what is acceptable. I do not believe he'll be able to help himself when some type of opportunity arises." He reached out to grab both of Eiræk's shoulders and stared him in the eyes. "This is the true reason I wanted you to lead. There may come a time when tough decisions need to be made. And I need to trust they'll be done."

Eiræk bowed his head, thinking. Loyalty was a hard thing to earn and an easy thing to lose. Taking over the company would only inspire more anger. Whatever his Sæmdarskati planned, the difficult decisions would not involve Humans, at least not for now. He raised his head. "If you plan moves against the Alfa, I think the Verndari will stand with you."

The Sæmdarskati fell silent, studying his subordinate. "Fine then. However, if you see anything else concerning, report it to me. I will not tolerate recklessness. We need our strength."

He turned away to study the rest of the camp.

Seeing a dismissal, Eiræk said nothing more. He turned to walk back toward camp, leaving the Sæmdarskati to his thoughts. As he headed down the grassy slope, studying the camp, he gave thanks to the Mother that she had provided a person who could bear the weight of all that had befallen his people.