Early morning light streamed through the tiny crack between the drapes, in the small window of a small house. The house, if it could even be called that, was the house of one of the few local healers in Olnesse. Dried herbs and various mixtures and poultices lined the many shelves hanging alone the walls in the living room and kitchen, giving the rooms a pleasant smell, if a bit strong for those not used to it. Through a small door leading out from the main room was the bedroom, furnished with little more than a bed, a cupboard and a shelf filled from top to bottom with books, ranging from the epic stories of heroes of old to the idle romance stories. Most of the books, however, were of medicine in some way; be it a book about rare or common herbs, how to set a bone after it's been broken or how one should go about treating an infection of the lungs. Even did one not know who lived here, a single step inside and a quick glance would let anyone in on the fact that this was the home of a Healer. Said healer, a young—and peculiar—woman by the name of Evelina reluctantly opened her eyes and sat up in bed, the light passing though the small window above her bed having woken her up much to her chagrin. The thick blanket fell away as she stretched, revealing a chest larger than even some of the most well-endowed concubines. The fact that the young woman was slim and had a toned body did nothing to hide them, rather it made them all the more noticeable. "What am I going to do with you?" She asked herself, glancing down at herself. She sighed, reaching for the crumbled roll of old bandages on her cupboard and went about tying it around her chest. It was a work that took only a few minutes, but the results were undeniable. At least now she only look like she had an average bosom. With that done the last of the blankets were shed, revealing the most startling of her peculiarity. From the waist and down she looked not quite human, having instead digitigrade legs covered in short, brown fur, and ending in a pair of large paws complete with a set of retractable claws as sharp as any predator's. A long and agile tail extended from just above her rear as well as a pair of feline ears atop her head completed the most startling differences, though the green, slitted eyes and elongated canines also bears mentioning. Several minutes passed during which her long, fiery hair was brushed into a state of decency, and a simple gown was adorned; legless clothing worn so as to hide her lower body. T'is true that the city of Olnesse had primarily gotten used to her odd appearance, but that did not keep her from trying to appear as normal as possible. She counted herself lucky that healers were in short supply, and with the size of Olnesse that meant that some were forced to go to her in times of need, even if they felt uncomfortable with her... peculiarities. [i]Money is money.[/i] Breakfast consisted of a small loaf of bread, some cheese and cold milk which had been standing outside during the night. In hindsight it probably wasn't the best of ideas to drink milk which wasn't fresh, if only because letting it stand outside during the night could very well invite some smaller Voidling or other to poison it. Luckily for her, however, nothing happened and it tasted just like milk should. ---- About an hour had passed since she had finished her breakfast and work had gone to her work room: A small shack, would be the best way to describe it, in which she kept most of her dried herbs and poultices. Her living room looked positive bereft of mixtures compared to how much hung from the ceiling and stood on the shelves in here. She had started grinding a few choice herbs in hope of replenishing her store of of a certain disinfectant she was running low on. Only problem was that one of the herbs she needed for it was almost out of stock as well. She grumbled something about that herb being one of the few she had trouble growing in her own private garden. It wasn't like the forest outside of Olnesse were incredibly dangerous, as what few predators there were, were of little challenge when faced by her and her sword. She let out a sigh, grinding the last of the herbs she had for that disinfectant. She scrunched up her nose at the sight of it; enough for five patients at most. She needed more, which meant she needed to either go to Aelholt to see if anyone sold it, or go gather it herself in the nearby woods. "I need to hire someone to go gather for me," she grumbled, well knowing that no one would bother regardless of what she paid them... almost, at least. She wasn't poor by any means, and actually lived quite comfortably, but that didn't meant she was about to strew around her with money. Her musings were interrupted by a series of rapid knocks on the door. It wasn't a frantic knocking, but it was quick and sharp. She turned from her work desk and carefully strode towards the door, her paws giving little in the way of sound as she walked across the wooden floor. Opening the door she peered outside through the crack, then opened it fully when she noticed who it was. "Cormack?" She asked, taking a step back away from him, though not as an invitation to enter. "What're you doing here?" Her tone was low and cold. She had yet to forget what he did, and likely never would. "Sorry," he muttered, dragging a hand through his unruly hair. He had seen better days, that much was for sure, and though he was reaching his fortieth year he looked somehow older; haunted, even, as he looked her in the eyes. "But there are news, something you may want to know. I just met him earlier today and he talked about a rebellion. He... He briefly mentioned something along the lines of revenge, as well." Evelina looked up at him, her face a mask of perplexion. "What? Who?" She pressed. "Who are you talking about? Revenge for what?" Cormack took a deep breath and let his hand fall to his side. He held the breath for several long moments before he let it go. "Have you heard of the rumours rising seemingly out of nowhere during the past few weeks?" Evelina shook her head, tail swishing agitatedly behind her. [i]Won't he just get on with it?[/i] "I haven't. The wolf attacks have been steadily increasing lately, and I've been busy treating patient after patient. Running low on disinfectant, too. Doesn't make it any easier that some of the patients comes from Stoneshire. One would think they'd go to Aelholt instead." "Perhaps they were travelling to Olnes—" "I know that's a possibility," she said, cutting off Cormack. "But why did you come? You were telling me about someone." He looked suitably embarrassed at her comment, obviously having forgotten what he was about to say for a moment. "Right. Sorry. A young man, around your age, has been garnering support lately here in Olnesse. He's trying to start a rebellion against the king to grab the throne. He has hair like yours, and the same colour eyes. And... he also briefly spoke about a sister he had lost." He stopped then, awaiting a reply, or any kind of response. Silence reigned for the longest time, Evelina's eyes wide and body tense. He tail had simply stopped moving, hanging limp behind her. "What?" Her voice was quiet, almost at a whisper. She gulped, almost afraid to speak herself. "Did he say who he was?" "The bastard son of the king, and half-brother to the prince," he replied; short and to the point. "Where?" She didn't so much say the word as she breathed it out. Cormack shook his head. "I don't know. I met him a couple hours ago and he said that he was about to leave for one of the smaller cities to recruit. I think he's left by now." "I..." Evelina moved away from the door, sitting down on a small stool near the work desk, hands in her hand and hair covering her face. "He's alive," she whispered. "I have to meet him." She looked up, a determined fire in her eyes. "Cormack, go find out where he is. I have to meet him. Ask around or what not. I don't care. [i]Find him.[/i]" She had barely finished her sentence before Cormack nodded and left, knowing well enough that making Evelina angry was a bad idea. Especially after their first encounter years past. She breathed out a relieved sigh, anxiety and joy welling up inside her. "Now... I—" "Excuse me? Are you Evelina?" The voice came from the door and belonged for a young woman, a girl—somewhere around the age of five, Evelina guessed—in her arms. "I am." She put on a smile, waving them inside. "What can I help you with?" "Adam here got bit by a rat yesterday, and his hand has been swelling. Can you help?" Evelina nodded and started fishing out bandages and a few mixtures. "Of course, now if you'll just..."