CHAPTER 71

**Acquiring Healing Skills**

As I entered the healer's cottage, a comfortable building next to the pack's main grounds, the aroma of dried flowers and herbs filled the air. Although it was a sharp contrast to the serious war preparations taking place outside, this location was as significant in its own right.

Maelis, the elder lady who was healing, looked up from the poultice she was preparing. When we looked at one other, her piercing blue eyes softened. In times of suffering and illness, she served as the pack's leader, and now I was here to absorb her knowledge.

Maelis replied, "You are here early, Luna," with the same reassuring authority I had always appreciated in her voice. "I assumed you would be out planning with Kai."

Despite my aching heart, I smiled slightly at her. "I have done all I can to have Kai ready to command the warriors. I want to be ready now—to assist differently.

With a nod of approval, Maelis gestured for me to sit down at the large oak table that took up most of the space. Jars, dried plants, and odd items I could not identify were all over it. As she skillfully ground a mixture of roots and leaves, she said, "Healing is not simply about understanding herbs and salves." It comes down to instinct, patience, and observation. Let us check your current level of knowledge.

A flurry of information filled the morning. I learned how to recognize common plants from Maelis, who explained their qualities with a skill that befitted years of experience. She asked me to identify the dried leaves in the bundle she was holding. With most, my inexperience was evident, but I handled a few well.

She gently corrected, pointing to a little, wrinkled leaf, "This is goldenroot." The purpose of it is to halt bleeding and avoid infection. If things go violent, as they will, you should have it close at hand.

Even though her comments made me shiver, I made myself concentrate. This was about saving lives, not simply gaining information.

Maelis exposed me to more sophisticated methods during the day. She taught me how to make fever drinks, bandage wounds, and even make a salve that would make pain go away. With every assignment, my hands gained confidence as I worked alongside her.

I was able to wrap a bandage around a dummy arm, and she said, "You are a rapid learner." However, healing is more than simply expertise. It is about having guts. You will encounter things that will test your resolve as the fight starts. You must have strength for both yourself and them.

As we worked together, I kept thinking about what she had said. I felt the pressure of what was about to happen. I was not studying only for fun; I was getting ready for a conflict that would split our pack in two.

Abruptly, the door flew open, and a young warrior staggered in, holding onto his side. Blood stained his garment a rich scarlet as it soaked through. Maelis sprung to action, her composure unfazed.

"Assist me in getting him to the table," she said firmly.

Helping the warrior onto the table, I hurried ahead. He breathed in fast, short gasps, and his face was pallid. With difficulty, he managed to remark, "It was a rogue." "The scouting party surprised me."

Maelis wasted no time at all. As she led me through washing and treating the wound, she yelled commands at me. At first, my hands were shaking, but her calm demeanour gave me courage. We used a poultice to control the bleeding and avoid infection.

As she applied the last bandage, Maelis reassured him, "You will be OK." Her voice became softer. "Take some time to relax here before going back to work."

My pulse pounding, I glanced at Maelis as the warrior closed his eyes. Will things be like this in the battle? One wound after another?

Grimly, she nodded. Even terrible. If you are not cautious, you will witness things that will come back to haunt you. You must thus continue to concentrate on the lives you can rescue rather than the ones you cannot.

Maelis gave me a little vial containing a light green liquid later that day. Her tone was solemn as she said, "This is wolfsbane extract." When taken in tiny amounts, it might momentarily weaken a wolf. However, if given improperly.

She did not have to say the whole thing. With the potential of the vial weighing heavily in my hands, I gazed at it. "Why are you displaying this to me?"

With a sharp look, she said, "Because you need to realize that mending is not always about preserving lives." Sometimes it involves making difficult choices. This might be your final option if an adversary is too deadly or a warrior is beyond rescuing.

I nodded even though her words made me tremble. I knew I had to be prepared for anything, but I was not sure I could make that type of decision.

Maelis gave me a book as the sun began to set, creating lengthy shadows around the cottage. It had a faded leather cover and pages stuffed with doodles and scribbled notes.

She clarified that this belonged to the healer who came before her. It contains several methods and solutions that are not well known. Learn it thoroughly since it might one day save your life.

As I opened the book, I was astounded by the thorough annotations and intricate drawings. However, one entry drew my attention as I turned the pages. It spoke of a unique plant that might temporarily increase a wolf's power and speed, enhancing their innate talents.

Why is not this used more frequently? I looked up at Maelis and inquired.

"Because it is risky," she said, her face solemn. The plant is difficult to locate, and its effects are not always predictable. It has the power to either destroy the person who takes it or change the outcome of a conflict.

There was a glimmer of intrigue in me. We could have an advantage in the next battle if I could locate this plant. Was it worth the risk, though?

I walked out of the hut as darkness fell, holding the healer's book carefully. In contrast to the stuffiness of the day, the chilly air was a wonderful reprieve. With all I had discovered rushing through my head, I headed back to the main grounds.

However, I saw something odd as I got closer to the camp. There was no sign of the warriors who had been circling the area. There was an unsettling calm in lieu of the normal bustle of activity.

As I accelerated my speed and looked around the darkness for any activity, my pulse raced. Then I saw it: a person observing me from the edge of the forest.

When I saw their face in the moonlight, my blood froze. It was not just any rogue, however. I had never seen one like this before; it was bigger and more dangerous.

The rogue moved nearer before I could respond, a sly smile lighting up his face. He hissed, "You are the healer, aren't you?" "Let us check your self-healing abilities."

My instincts took over, and I grabbed the blade next to me. Ho

wever, the rogue lunged before I could draw it, and everything went black.