The Birth of the War Goddess

After a brief black out I regain consciousness and find myself finally free from the wolf corpse...

A couple of improvised herbal bangades cover my ankles.

I shakily stands up and take back my sword to dip it into the river's water, looking at my blood-soaked clothes it seems like I died myself...

-It's not like just washing the blood off will help... I have quite a lot of injuries, how am I going to hide it this time?- I whisper to myself seating down to ease the pain.

-Why was My Lady here alone?- he asks seating beside me

-You wouldn't believe me...-

-You just killed 3 wolves alone... After I saw that I might aswell believe anything- he crosses his arms rising an eyebrow

-Four-

-Uh?-

-There were four wolves but one ran away, well I let him off... Quite a stupid move-

-Yeah... But I mean... What could possibly be the reason? This is already shocking enough-

-Well...- I stare at my ankles "I won't be able to walk back home..."

-If you promise to help me I can tell you-

-I would have helped anyway Miss...

I can see those wounds very clearly- he turns on his knees

-Come, I'll carry you- he says offering me his back

-I guess it can't be helped now...- I sigh joining my arms over his neck

-I have some clean clothes at the mountain's feet, I believe my horse is there too if you would be so kind to accompain me there-

-Absolutely- he hiss me on his back and begins walking.

...

-So... You are telling me you train here alone almost everyday? And knows about war strategy too?-

-That's correct-

-What an unusual Miss... I didn't knew girls here had so much courage-

-Actually... It's just me... Sadly-

-And why such a passion?-

-I honestly don't know... I remember having always pushed myself further in anything I enjoyed since I was little... And soon after anything of woman competence became too easy, so I skipped to man duties at a very young age...-

-It actually does make sense... If you don't mind I could help you from time to time.

I do have some skills in fighting, maybe we could share each other's tips and techniques... But I don't know for how much tho-

-I wouldn't mind, afterall you are my accomplice now... But what do you mean with the rest Chao?-

-Well... I haven't came here to settle down, I'm traveling further away, I must reach some relatives living in the South

I just planned to stop here for some weeks or months so I could earn enough money to continue my travel...-

-I understand, it's not a problem at all... Let's have a few sparring untill we can- I smile letting myself sunk on his back for the tiredness.

...

We reach my hiding spot and he lowers me to the ground, turning around for me to change clothes.

My horse was indeed here waiting

-Lian you coward! Discharging your owner like that and even running away alone!-

-Come on Miss don't scold him, he's not a trained horse anyway... Let me help you climb him-

-There's no need- yet rising myself up seems impossible

-Mmh actually...- I cannot do this alone for now

-Well thank you for your help Chao, you are now free to go back home-

-Not at all Miss! I'll be escorting you home, you might faint on the horse if those cuts start bleeding again-

-I'm afraid this is not a good idea...-

-Will it be a better idea to call for maids to help and have them find about all that happened today just so they can report to your family, which will lock you up?-

-Ehm... If you put it like this...-

-I'm not a doctor Miss but I can definitely help you apply some balms and get you to bed without alarming anyone in you house, even tho you need some serious treatments- -There's no need to go that far but...

I would really appreciate help sneaking from the window...

There actually is a doctor who can help me... But he lives a bit far and it's almost night now so...

Could I ask you to contact him for me tomorrow? Once arrived I'll write you the address and give you some compensation for the trouble...- he only nods leading the way

...

Once arrived home I show him where the stalls are before sneaking in my room

-Just lay here I'll be back soon-

And just a few minutes later he's back

-I found this herb on our way here... I hope you won't mind if...-

-Aren't those useless?-

-Is this what they teach in books here? Haha not at all, we use them as pain killers in my region...

You just need to know the right process- he says proceeding to cut the leaves and wash them...

After the paste is ready he slowly tap it over the wounds on my ankles and not only the pain disappears but I could almost feel the wounds closing up...

To think we are uncultured about something so useful

-Miss...- he asks for permission

-I don't mind, don't worry- I reply removing the clothes on my back trying to keep the fabric close on my chest

-Thank you so much Chao, I feel much better now...

Let me write down the doctor address-

I reach for some paper and ink and after I'm done I hand him the envelope later in which I placed a few coins

-Here and please... Have some rest- he nods and slip out of the window leaving me to lay down on my bed

-To think such a plant exist... It almost looks like that guy's hands are miraculous themselves-

...

I get woken up by a knock on the window and get up slowly

-What's happening... Chao?- I rise an eyebrow confused in seeing him outside the window while it's still nighttime

-Shh! I got your doctor-

-But I told you to have some rest...-

-Those wounds need to be taken care of immediately My Lady, no rest allowed-

-Uhm... Well come in both of you- I press my lips togheter regretting how much trouble I cause this man.

...

After a quick check up the doctor speak his mind

-Miss... To think you fought 4 wolves and this is the result...-

-I got cuts all over... What do you mean?-

-Still they are quite superficial and already started healing-

-How's that possible?- I widen my eyes, I know that I heal fast but this is simply impossible

-Maybe the Gods favoured you, gifting you such perfect skin or lowered their heavenly hands on you while fighting.

But still Miss... You should be more careful, you can't allow this to happen again.

I lost count of how many times I had to patch you up, almost as much as those soldiers!

Fortunately this young man was there and you managed to survive but, what if next time is a bear? Or even worse, a tiger?

I hope you remember to still be a Lady from a Noble family...

These will surely leave scars and your in age of marriage...-

-Let's keep this conversation for another time please... At the moment I don't really want to think about such things-

-As you wish My Lady, I'll take accord to remain here a few days until you are able to move freely alone again...

We'll just pretend you got scared and twisted your ankle while running with your hands full due to flower basket-

-What's hilarious is that peoples will actually believe that... As if a woman is that frail...- I grit my teeth letting myself lay down again

-Well then, I'll take my leave now... I'll surely come back to check in the next days, My Lady- says Chao before leaving the estate.

-My Lady... Who is that young man? I've been thinking...-

-I know what you're thinking but no... I can't force a good person into a fake marriage just because they found out about this... Nor I want to pay for their silence, He's not a noble anyway-

-But what if he betrays you in exchange for some money?-

-He won't... Plus in a short time he will be gone again, don't bother with such annoyances Mister... Let me have some rest now-

-Sure Miss-