I trudged out of the Infirmary, staring gloomily at the ground and muttering about Roland under my breath. It would take me ages to find that herb bag - I had absolutely no way of knowing where it was. It could have fallen out of my pocket at any time. But he would not accept that as an excuse, of course. A Healer had to be exemplary in every single way.
"Stupid Roland..." I grumbled. "Always so up-tight, it's a wonder he even - "
A small cough behind me made me spin around, catching my breath. I had the unpleasant feeling that I would see Roland standing there with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes like thunderheads. But as I stared guitily around the deck of the chip, I saw no one.
Slowly I released the tension in my shoulders, confident that I had avoided Roland's wrath, at least for now. That was when I saw the woman sitting on a bench nearby. She had long black hair and emerald green eyes, and there was a battered-looking cat curled up on her lap. She looked directly at me, but her bearing was so remote and aloof that it almost felt as though she were looking through me. As though we weren't even in the same world.
I shivered slightly. As always, the Guildmistress of the Farseekers made me uneasy. I always got the impression that she was hiding something.
"Good morning, Guildmistress," I said politely, just to stop her from staring if nothing else.
She smiled slightly. "Good morning, Liss."
She knew my name? That was a surprise. I didn't think she's ever noticed me before.
"Um... Do you know if we'll be arriving soon?"
Elspeth nodded, her expression darkening for some reason. "Yes. I'm told we'll arrive this evening."
I couldn't help the feeling of excitement that filled me, so that I could barely contain a wide grin. Finally, some adventure. I didn't know why I'd been chosen to come on this voyage. I was told it was because of my healing abilities, but there were plenty of Healers more qualified than I. Although it didn't make sense to me, it had been foretold that I must come. And I wasn't complaining, as long as I got the chance to see the exotic Red Queen's Land.
Elspeth seemed to know what I was thinking. "This isn't a game or an adventure, Liss," she warned. "People get hurt on these trips. Badly hurt." Now she seemed slightly sad.
I nodded seriously. "I'll be careful, Guildmistress," I replied. But as I turned towards the Dining Hall (deciding Roland's herbs could wait for a while), all I could think of were the exciting new things waiting for me. The was going to be so much fun.
* * *
Elspeth watched the girl go sadly.
It seems somewhat unfair to her, don't you think? she sent to the cat curled up on her lap.
Maruman stretched leisurely and began licking at one of his injured paws.
It is necessary, he replied briefly.
Elspeth sighed. She knew it was necessary. She just hoped the girl would be able to live up to their hopes.