When they returned to the Headquarters, the main hall was a little emptier.

From the training grounds came the clash of swords and the voices of the recruits. As they passed the Grand Master’s office, Lyra glanced inside. He was not there.

Vienna stopped in front of the very next door.

“Here,” she said in her steady voice, and stepped into the room.

Lyra remained on the threshold and looked inside.

The space was smaller than Valir’s office, but not cramped. It seemed to have once been an old auxiliary office, now about to be given a new purpose.

Warm midday light streamed in through the tall window and fell softly over the high wooden bookcase. It was filled with small stacks of books that looked as though they had been left there for years.

Near the opposite wall stood a rather elegant, low pale-blue sofa.

In one corner was a small wooden cabinet with drawers. Beside it, close to the wall, a washbasin with a metal bowl and a low counter had been set up.

The room had not been made to serve as an infirmary.

Not at first.

But it had everything it needed to become one.

Lyra stepped into the room and approached the desk.

She touched the dark wood as if she wanted to make sure it was truly there.

Vienna stood a little farther back, letting her take everything in first.

“It is close to the entrance, close to the main hall, and directly beside the Commander’s office,” she said in her calm, practical tone. “If anyone is injured in the courtyard or inside the building, they will be able to come here without delay.”

Lyra nodded slowly, still studying the space.

Close to the entrance.

Right beside Valir’s office.

She smiled.

It was practical enough. They would be able to keep an eye on her easily this way, she thought immediately after.

The idea did not bother her. It was natural for them to be cautious around her.

But she was not a spy. She was not an enemy.

She had no connection to this world. That was her only secret.

And that could not harm anyone.

Her gaze returned to the room. The sofa could be covered with clean cloth and turned into a makeshift examination bed.

She took a few steps farther in. She lightly touched the back of a chair, then the wood of the small cabinet. She opened one of the drawers. It was empty. She closed it again.

Yes, she thought. She could work here.

She felt something small and warm inside her. It might not be large. It was not impressive.

But it was hers.

Or at least, it could become hers.

“I like it,” she said at last.

Vienna turned slightly toward her, as if taking note of her answer.

“It will need a little more work,” she continued. “But for now, it will be enough.”

Two knocks on the open door drew their attention.

“Vienna! You’re already here?” Alina stepped inside quickly, carefully setting down the box she was carrying.

“You’re late.” Vienna’s voice sounded stern, but her eyes softened.

“I had work at the Cathedral. I’m finished now, too,” Alina said with obvious annoyance.

Lyra simply watched the two sisters. With their blond hair, one was like a polished blade, strict and disciplined, while the other seemed like a cheerful ray of sunlight.

Inside the box, Lyra noticed small bottles filled with various liquids, clean cloths, gauze...

“Since you’re here, I’ll leave. I have a few matters to attend to,” Vienna said to her sister, ending their exchange.

“Doctor, make a list of anything you need and bring it next door. I’ll see that you receive it,” she added, already hurrying out of the room.

“All right,” Lyra replied.

“I’ll help you too,” Alina said, looking at her with the confidence of someone who had organized spaces like this countless times before.

Lyra smiled, and together they began taking things out of the box. Among them were items Lyra recognized, and others she did not... Her expression grew faintly troubled.

“What is it?” Alina asked, her voice calm.

“Hmm... I don’t recognize some of the things you brought,” Lyra said, concerned.

“Ah. That isn’t difficult. We’ll go over them in a little while,” Alina said with a smile.

Lyra nodded, and for the next hour, the two of them put everything in order.

Alina showed her which herbs they used most often for inflammation, which ones for cleaning wounds, and which ones to soothe pain. Lyra opened small bottles, smelled them carefully, touched different textures, and organized everything in her mind.

It was not her world, nor her medicine, nor her tools.

And yet, the logic behind caring for the injured was familiar.

Order. Cleanliness. Organization. The need to know where everything was before you needed it.

Sometime after noon, Ed stopped by the Headquarters as well.

“Alina?” the young man’s voice came from the doorway, making both of them look up from the desk and the notes spread before them.

“Ed!” Alina said happily. “Did you come for the equipment?”

“Yes... my father sent me to bring some new swords and pick up a few others for maintenance,” he said.

“Ed’s father is the best blacksmith in the city,” Alina told Lyra.

“Really?” Lyra asked with enthusiasm. Perhaps a little more than necessary. She knew. Just as she knew, the young man never missed a chance to follow Alina anywhere.

“Ahem...” Ed cleared his throat. “I brought food too,” he said, lifting the bag in his hands a little higher.

“Tell me that’s your mother’s meat pie?” Alina asked excitedly.

“Yes. Yes,” he said. “She insisted I bring it to you.”

Alina stepped forward happily and took the bag from his hands.

“Will you stay with us?” Lyra asked him.

“No, no. I have work. I need to go,” he said quickly. “See you tonight at the tavern?” he asked, turning to Alina.

Always to Alina.

“Yes! Right, Lyra?” the girl asked.

“Yes, of course! Alfry will be there too,” Lyra replied.

“Perfect!” he said enthusiastically and turned to leave.

“Tell your mother thank you for the pie!” Alina called after him.

“Yes,” he answered as he walked away.

The two of them ate quickly. Alina had not been wrong to get excited. The pie truly was wonderful.

After their break, they returned, absorbed, to the work of cataloguing the herbs.

By the time they finished, most things had found their place.

The gauze and clean cloths in the drawers. The bottles and herbs on the shelves. A basin beside the washstand. The tray was cleaned and ready. The pale-blue sofa was now covered with clean cloth, so it could be used without a second thought.

The room already looked different.

It was no longer an abandoned office.

It looked more like a small infirmary.

Only when Lyra stepped back to look at the result did she realize how late it had grown.

It was nearly eight.

The knights’ training had ended by then, the corridors had quieted, and the Headquarters had slowly begun to leave behind the tension of the day.

“That’s enough for today,” Alina said, closing one of the last bottles. “Go get ready. I’ll see you at the tavern. We need to celebrate your first day.”

“Thank you,” Lyra said with a nod, then went up to her room.

She splashed some water on her face and got ready to head down to the tavern, where she had arranged to meet Alfry and the others.

She went down the stairs and, as she passed Valir’s door, cast a discreet glance inside.

He was gone.

She had not seen him since morning.

The guards at the entrance greeted her as she left, and she returned the greeting with a smile.

She walked through the narrow streets toward the tavern. She knew the way well. Tall lanterns softly lit the grey road with their warm flames.

It truly was another world.

If you enjoy the story so far, please consider leaving a like or a comment!

Thank you for reading "Rookie of the Wind".