Combat Healer Ch. 15

"Eira?" I said in surprise. "Eira let you know I was back?"

She nodded, seeming uncertain. "Umm, yes. When we went to ask her about adding me to the team, it was not the first time I'd met her. I found out the previous day when she sent a kid to my home to find me, and I packed that night, planning on leaving in the early morning, since I was told you might not be back long."

I nodded, seeing that she still seemed a little uncomfortable for some reason, though not about the topic. More looking physically uncomfortable. "And how are you feeling?" I wondered.

She sounded surprised. "Oh, very happy to be here. Happy to be useful to you, master."

I frowned slightly, deciding not to press right now. Maybe I'd ask her later, just to ensure something wasn't up, because she definitely seemed a little pained. Or maybe just stressed. Yet, a quick check of her information didn't reveal anything.

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Valshia Kumrahg

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STATUS

Race: Holstaur/Human (Hybrid)

Gender: Female

Age: 19

Class: Ranger

Focus: Essence Archer

Ailments: None

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ATTRIBUTES

Strength: 15 (Lv. 7)

Dexterity: 18 (Lv. 9)

Fortitude: 17 (Lv. 8)

Wisdom: 12 (Lv. 6)

Intelligence: 19 (Lv. 10)

Charisma: 19 (Lv. 10)

Total: 100

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Rank: S Tier

Level: 50/50

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Like, she wasn't in actual pain or anything, as far as I could tell, and didn't appear to have any ailments.

"I think I see the outpost," Celestine unexpectedly announced, prompting both Sylvia and Eliza to get on their knees to look into the distance.

Queen Eliza responded. "Yes, I think you're correct, Celestine. We should probably announce our arrival," she added, focusing on Mel. "Would you like to do the honors?" she wondered. "I'd like to see how many fireballs you can shoot off at once. If you can create fourteen Flame Daggers, then you should be able to create the same number of Fireballs at a lower cost, just without the piercing effect."

"Oh," Mel said in surprise, reaching back to touch her long black metal staff resting behind her. "Umm, yeah, I can do that." She focused on Val sitting next to her. "I don't want to get in your face though. Do you want to switch?"

Val shook her head. "I don't mind. Go ahead."

Mel nodded, leaning forward slightly as she grabbed her heavy staff more firmly, her toned rosy stomach tight as she carefully lifted it up over her white hair and readjusted it so that it was pointing toward the back of the wagon, the bulbous end just beyond Val's youthful tan face.

"Okay, here goes," Mel added. "I'll try for fourteen. Fireball."

Instantly, a little over a dozen tongues of fire appeared at the tip of her staff, one right in front of the other, before they all shot both out and upward, spreading as they rose far into the sky, only to dissipate soundlessly.

"Perfect," Eliza said warmly, glancing at me. "I'm very happy to see she's as competent as you said, as opposed to you being bias due to your relationship."

I scoffed. "It would be too dangerous to bring her along, if she wasn't competent."

"Pretty sure I would have been a Fire Specialist," Mel commented. "If not for my weapon unlocking the Battlemage Focus."

"Yes," Eliza agreed, returning her attention to the Red Oni's gold eyes. "I believe your assessment is accurate. When we arrive, I intend to teach you a little about how to control your Flame Whip better, and then I'll have you do an exercise with your Fireball spell, in hopes of getting you to push your limits. We have plenty of Essence Crystals to replenish your energy, and I'd very much like to take the time to ensure you're at your best."

"Sounds good to me," Mel said warmly. "If you can help me get stronger even just a little, I'd be eternally grateful. Especially if you can teach me how to control my Flame Whip to capture things."

"Capture and burn," Eliza agreed. "Wouldn't want to use it on a person."

Mel's gold eyes widened at that, only for her to laugh as she glanced at me. "You mean you can't use your Lightning Chains to tie Allie up?" she said playfully.

Eliza gave me an affectionate look, her amethyst eyes tender. "No, I would have to resort to normal chains for that."

"Hey now," I retorted, holding up my hands. "We've got a job to do. Let's not tie up anyone."

Mel and Eliza both laughed, and even Val cracked an adorable smile, though she still seemed a little off, like she was truly stressed, her delicate tan shoulders a little tense. But then again, maybe she was uncomfortable after riding in the wagon all night. I wouldn't normally think that, given that she grew up on a farm, but maybe she had a kink in her neck or something causing her pain.

Of course, Sylvia's expression didn't really change, but I could tell in the blonde elf's icy blue eyes that she was mostly content right now.

Celestine spoke up again over her shoulder. "They must have seen the fire spell. A couple of the Guard are coming out to greet us on steeds."

"Very good," Eliza replied. "But that means we'll have to be careful now. Please remember that I am your Queen, and that Allister is simply a human healer who has shown himself competent."

"As you wish, my Queen," Celestine replied.

"What about Astaer?" Mel wondered, focusing down at the older brunette sister sleeping kind of curled up in front of me, her gorgeous tan face partially hidden by her rich brown hair, her head resting on her bent arm.

"Let her be for now," Eliza replied. "She's obviously exhausted if she has not roused from our discussion. And she'll need to be alert when she leads us to where the Arakna'cabra appeared."

Celestine tensed slightly at that, but didn't respond.

We all fell silent then as the two Elf Guard approached on horseback, with Eliza deciding to carefully climb over me and sit up with Celestine, so that she might be seen upright and poised once they arrived. And sure enough, they noticed her and both placed their hands over their hearts, even as they slowed down and had their horses turn around, ready to ride beside us just as we began passing.

"My Queen," one of the men began. "We are honored to have you grace us with your presence. Is it true that you intend to fight this demon yourself?"

"Yes," Queen Eliza said firmly. "And I am led into battle by a competent and powerful human healer, Allister Rosengard, who has the power to cure the incurable bite of the Arakna'cabra. Together, with this team he has assembled, we will defeat both this Flesh Collector, as well as the one spotted to the west of here."

"My Queen," both men said in sync, their tones slightly different, only for an awkward pause to ensue. The second one sounded like he was honoring her with his words, while the first one seemed like he wanted to say more.

"Speak," Eliza commanded, being fully accustomed to the different implications of tones.

"This healer," the first man said hesitantly. "He can truly cure the cursed?"

"Yes, he can," she said firmly.

Celestine spoke up. "I'd been bitten," she blurted out. "He saved me from the clutches of death."

"And how far had you progressed?" the man asked.

"I was nearly dead," Celestine replied seriously. "Why?"

"A young boy was found this morning just after sunrise," he explained. "Everyone has prepared for your arrival, but morale is low. The boy is near death, and another is missing."

I finally spoke up. "Bring him to me," I demanded, causing both tall elven men to focus on me in the wagon. "Go now," I added firmly. "Go ahead of us and bring him, even if he looks dead. Hurry."

Both men looked to the Queen, as if for permission.

"Do as he says," she commanded. "For it is Allister Rosengard giving you a command."

Both of them looked alarmed at that statement, only for the two to abruptly give their steeds the command to run at full speed, a slight hope to their expressions, the two taking off toward the outpost which was already close enough that I could see it clearly.

A handful of minutes later, by the time the Guards reached the main entrance, we could already hear them yelling out to bring the boy, their tones urgent. They were already shouting that the great healer, Allister Rosengard, was here and might save the child.

Within a few minutes, a group of people had begun gathering right at the front, between two stone buildings that likely marked the Guard stations. This village wasn't large or condensed enough to have walls around all of it, but there were a few spots where either a wall or building served as a barrier.

Eliza focused back at me. "Do you need anything, Mr. Rosengard?" she asked, intentionally being more formal with me as a nonverbal reminder of the facade we must put on.

I shook my head. "So long as he is still hanging on to life, I should be able to heal him. My essence is recovered, so I might only need one Crystal to restore the cost."

She nodded. "Very well. Then switch with Sylvia and prepare to get out the moment we stop."

"Will do," I replied, only to hesitate. "My Queen," I added with a grin.

Eliza rolled her amethyst eyes. "Be good now, lest I have to adopt you, instead of marry you."

"Huh?" Mel and Celestine said in sync.

"It was a joke," Eliza attempted, quickly trying to move on. "Now, be ready."

I nodded, focusing on Sylvia to see that she was already readjusting her posture so that I could slip past her, only for her to speak to me apologetically.

"You'll have to forgive me, Allister," Sylvia said seriously. "But for the sake of appearances, I'll resume treating you how I did. There are many who know me to not be friendly toward men, and it might bring undesired suspicion if I am too friendly with you."

"That's alright," I replied, carefully slipping between her and Mel to get at the back. "I kind of always found your bitchy attitude to be a little hot anyway."

Sylvia's icy blue eyes widened in shock, and Eliza burst out laughing.

The blonde's icy gaze then narrowed. "The next time I allow you to enjoy me, you'll pay for that comment."

I grinned. "Really looking forward to it," I said sincerely.

She sighed, rolling her eyes.

I focused on Val then, just in time to see a discomfort in her purple gaze, before she straightened up a little when she saw that I was paying attention. She then forced a smile, prompting me to look her over briefly.

Damn, her thighs were so ridiculously thick, mostly muscle even though she had enough fat to keep the definition smooth, just as her tits were beyond enormous with firm juicy fat, all while her wide hips somehow seamlessly tapered in to her thin waist and overall smaller torso. As if the heaven's themselves had sewn together the thin delicate top half of a normal human girl, with the thick juicy bottom half of a full-blooded Holstaur.

Out of all the women in the wagon, she was by far the one who filled me with the most lust upon a simple glance, especially due to her tits, yet she was also the one I'd spoken the least to in the last day, largely because she was content to remain quiet as she listened.

But now it was obvious there was something truly bothering her, and I couldn't tell if it was physical or emotional.

"Hey Val," I commented, wanting to be careful to not point out that something seemed wrong in front of everyone.

"Yes, master?" she said in surprise.

"So much has happened, that we haven't really gotten a chance to talk. And last time I really spoke to you was basically a year ago when I was at your farm." I paused, nodding toward Mel and Eliza. "Since there's going to be a little teaching going on, I'd like to go on a walk with you, just so we can catch up."

She nodded. "Oh, of course, master. I would actually appreciate that. There's been something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

I was surprised to hear that. "Sure," I agreed, focusing back toward the front, knowing we were getting really close now. "Maybe we can do that before our meal?" I asked more generally, directing my words toward Eliza.

The Queen glanced back at me. "Perhaps that will be best," she agreed. "I intend to give a speech, and I think it might have the ideal effect if I give it after we've eaten, and are about to depart."

"Okay, then maybe soon after I heal this kid, I'll try to sneak off with her. If the crowd will let me."

She nodded, now grimacing slightly. "I just hope we aren't too late," she said more quietly, now that we were almost upon the end of the stone road. "If the boy is already dead then..." Her voice trailed off.

I understood her concern.

The people would certainly be understanding if I couldn't heal the kid, since they'd assumed that it wouldn't be possible anyway, but we had just given them a glimmer of hope, and if that hope died out then surely morale would plummet. Because even if I could heal this ailment, they'd still lost one of their own, a child no less.

Thus, as the wagon began slowing down, I climbed over the back board to stand on the wooden ledge, preparing myself to step down the moment I was able. The crowd that had gathered was large enough that we'd already passed a few people, all of them elves as was more common this far north, with Eliza speaking up just as we came to a stop.

"Set him down right there," she commanded, only to speak to me. "To the right," she added, likely assuming that I hadn't seen who had the boy within the crowd.

Stepping down, I quickly rushed to the right side, thankful that the tall elven folk were parting for me to get to the boy they'd set on the ground, a brunette elf who looked similar in age to Astaer and Celestine, only with pale skin and brown eyes, clasping her hands as if in prayer as she knelt beside him while focusing up at me, her rosy cheeks puffy from her tears.

But I ignored her, quickly trying to assess the physical appearance of the boy, hoping it wasn't too late.

But it was really bad.

Was I too late?

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Submitted: February 22, 2024 to Literotica (Copyright 2021 Kaizer Wolf)