"Ruka?" a soft alto voice called out.
A pair of emerald eyes looked up from the rose bush she had planted to find the source of the voice, Claudette. Friends for years, Ruka could not fathom what would bring Claudette out here now, away from her cooking.
Claudette's meals were famous, at least in the small town they inhabited, and nearby villages and such. Travelers always stopped at her Inn, just to sample whatever it is she might be preparing that night. She very rarely ventured far away from her kitchen, for fear that her husband might sample her dinner before it was ready or, even worse, add something to it.
"I'm here, what's the matter?" Ruka asked, noting the worry on her friends face. Claudette's doe-brown eyes were brimming with tears, and her usual cheerful smile had been replaced by a pensive frown.
"Ruka, it's…. the Queen." Claudette stated, her voice trembling, threatening to break. Her ebony hair was pulled back into a severe bun, and wisps fell out, making her look even more stressed.
Ruka was confused, the queen? She hadn't spoken with the Queen, Serene, in at least ten years. What could be so wrong that had Claudette in tears, looking for her in regards to her friend from years ago? "What do you mean, Claudette, what's wrong?"
"Ruka, I… I, just come with me.." she grabbed Ruka by the hand and half dragged her back towards town. Ruka lived by herself outside of town, a loner content with her gardens. She was the town's healer, and was accustomed to people coming to her at all hours of the day and night to drag her into town for some ailment or another. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should bring her bag with her, just in case she needed any of her herbs. She ran a delicate hand through her strawberry-blonde hair, that fell in loose curls about her shoulders, cascading down her back, and looked down at the faded-green tunic, and brown trousers she was wearing, not at all proper for a woman, unless she was working in the garden.
"Claudette, should I wash up first? What would people think.." but Claudette cut her off with a brisk flick of her risk.
"No, Ruka, this is too important."
As they walked back towards town, Ruka thought of her time here in Larza. She had come here ten years ago, having just left the service of Queen Serene. She had not been prepared for the peace of country life, having been accustomed to the bustle of the palace. The townsfolk had not taken to her immediately, at first fearing what she could do with her herbs and her hands. They had never had a healer before, just a simple herbswoman who could only deal with the most basic of ailments.
Ruka, however, was a trained healer. She had trained in Zonam, where the great Academy was, and had received her greens years before she had arrived here. The people of Larza had never considered sending to the Healer's Guild for a proper healer, and had never expected to find one in their midst, and certainly not one in full Healer Greens, though she rarely wore her full uniform any more, she did always wear some green, which is forbidden to anyone not of the Healer's Guild.
In the ten years she had been here, she had befriended the herbwoman, and helped her open the Inn that she loves so much now. Claudette had been the first person to trust her here in this small town. She had wanted to learn more, but did not have the spark to be a true Healer. As time went on, people had warmed up to her, and now she could never think of another place a home.
As they approached the town square, Ruka could see there was a carriage there. Perhaps the queen had come to visit, Ruka thought, but dismissed it when she considered how upset her friend had seemed. The carriage was small and black, nothing like the stately carriage that Serene station would force her to use. The crowd around the carriage parted as she approached, to allow her through. She could see a small man, probably the driver, standing by the horses, and approached him.
"You the Healer?" he asked.
"Yes, and you are?"
"Unimportant, here." He handed her a note, and turned towards the door of the carriage. He opened it, and extended his hand to whoever was inside. A small hand took his, and the most lovely little girl Ruka had seen in years stepped out. Her hair was white-gold, and seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. It hung in soft ringlets to her shoulders, and framed her angelic face, with their large blue eyes. Ruka was puzzled, and decided to open the letter.