The soft rap of knuckles against weathered wood stirred Aleria from her restless slumber. Bleary eyes blinked open as a muffled voice filtered through from the other side of the door.
"Lady Aleria? It's Haddy, with your breakfast."
Aleria pushed herself upright, clutching the thin blanket against her chest to preserve her modesty. "Come in," she called out, stifling a yawn.
The door creaked open, and the plump young woman sidled into the chamber, carefully balancing a laden tray in her hands. The aroma of fresh-baked bread and rich broth wafted through the musty air.
"Morning, m'lady," Haddy chirped, setting the tray down on the small table with a clatter. "Brought you some food to start your day. Bread still warm from the ovens, and a hearty bone broth besides."
"Thank you, Haddy. That's very kind." Aleria mustered a wan smile, still feeling the lingering fog of fatigue clinging to her senses.
Haddy bobbed her head. "Oh, and Mayor Blackfist sent over a few of his soldiers, too. They're already down in the clinic proper, setting to work on giving the place a good cleaning."
Aleria nodded remembering Bernard's promise from the night before.
"The mayor always takes care of his own, and you're one of his now, like it or not." Haddy added.
She crossed to the small washbasin and upended her pitcher's contents, filling the chipped ceramic bowl with fresh, clear water. "There you are, m'lady. Cool and refreshing, for you to wash up with."
Sinking back against the pillows, Aleria regarded the well-meaning girl through the gauzy filter of her fatigue. "You're too good, Haddy. I'm really not deserving of such attentions."
Haddy fixed her with a reproachful look, hands on her wide hips. "Now don't you go getting maudlin on me, Lady Aleria. We're all just doing our part to get you settled proper-like. Take your time and come down when you are ready. I'll be downstairs whipping the lads into shape."
Haddy bustled out of the cramped chamber, gently pulling the door closed behind her. Aleria listened to the sound of the girl's footsteps receding down the corridor before finally rolling out from under the thin blankets.
Her bare feet met the chill of the wooden floor as she padded over to the small washbasin. Scooping up the coarse rag lying beside it, she dipped it into the clear water and began briskly sponging herself down. The icy liquid sent a shiver coursing through her, but it effectively banished the last lingering tendrils of sleep still clinging to her mind.
Once finished, Aleria let the damp cloth slip from her fingers and simply stood there, naked and dripping, as she allowed the cool air of the dim room to dry her skin. She closed her eyes, drawing in a long, steadying breath through her nostrils. The musty scent of damp wood and old plaster filled her lungs, mingling with the warm, yeasty aroma wafting up from the breadbasket on the nearby table.
Her stomach gave an insistent rumble, reminding her it had been far too long since her last meal. Wrapping the blanket about herself once more, Aleria crossed to the small table and sank down onto the hard wooden chair. She tore off a chunk of the crusty bread, relishing the feel of it tearing apart between her fingers, and took a ravenous bite.
Chewing slowly as she pondered over the prospect of settling down permanently in this ramshackle town. How long had it been since she'd last enjoyed the simple comforts of a true home? Fifteen years? No... closer to twenty.
She was just a girl, no more than 16, when the war came rampaging through her corner of the Kingdoms. Back then, she was just an apprentice healer in her village's small clinic, her biggest concerns being which herbs needed harvesting or which boy's clumsy courting she'd entertain…
But then The War came - and luxuries like home became something only the southernmost regions could entertain.
Aleria finished the last few morsels of bread, swiping up the crumbs with her finger before popping it into her mouth. Only the broth remained, the rich aroma teasing her senses. Grasping the bowl in both hands, she raised it to her lips and drank deeply, letting the warm, liquid slide down her throat in long gulps.
When the bowl was drained, she set it back on the tray with a contented sigh. Already, she could feel the nourishment reviving her tired body and clearing the cobwebs from her mind. Aleria stood and crossed to where her travel pack lay open on the floor.
She tugged on a pair of soft doeskin breeches first, sliding the tight fabric up over her calves and hips before lacing the front. Next came a simple blouse, and bodice as she slipped them over her head and down her torso, her fingers deftly pulling the strings tight.
Sitting back down on the edge of the bed, she pulled on the sturdy leather boots, expertly weaving the crisscrossing laces up over the arches. Finally, she retrieved a leather cord from her pack and swiftly bound her long auburn tresses up into a practical bun resting at the nape of her neck.
A few stray wisps slipped free to frame her face, but she ignored them for now. Aleria rose to her feet, squaring her shoulders. The clinic awaited, as did her new role within this worn community. It was time to get to work.
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