The Master of Restoration

Chapter 14: The Master of Restoration

"Shut up," Noela said, already beginning to heal her.

The bear had got her, and she had a line of three deep gashes going across her arms and torso. She hadn't been able to block the attack with her arms, and both the undersides of her left and right forearms were deeply cut. That one claw swipe had also cut deep into the the left of her abdomen, and Noela was focusing on that first since it was the most life-threatening.

Golden magic flowed out of her hands as she willed all her magicka out as fast as she could, but the wound was deep and she didn't know if she would be able to stabilise it.

Astrid was losing blood.

"You're going to be alright," Noela told her, but perhaps more to herself. Her voice shook, and her hands were shaking even more.

Just then, the sound of hooves appeared, and both Shadowmere and Trigger were back.

"Dumb horses," she muttered. "Why'd you not help out more during the fight?" she asked angrily.

Astrid's eyelids were fluttering closed. "Don't be… so hard… on them. Dead… horses are even… less useful."

"Stop talking," the mage said in frustration. "Shadowmere, come here."

The horse trotted over and Noela dug out two magicka potions from her bag, downing both bottles one after the next. Then, she resumed her healing.

"How many magicka potions do we have?" Noela wondered, trying to remember how many she had packed. "I think we only have three more."

"Give me… some health—"

Noela had pulled out a health potion and shoved the bottle at the woman's lips. "Drink."

Astrid opened her mouth as the liquid poured out, and she gulped in agony.

Noela felt stinging in her eyes. She hastily wiped them on her sleeve and continued casting her healing spell.

"I'm a Master of Restoration, did you know?" she began chatting as an outlet to her anxiety. "I only wished I had my master robes of restoration right about now. I would be able to heal you a lot faster."

"How is it… looking?" breathed Astrid. "Is it working?" She raised a heavily damaged arm and tried to feel her abdomen, but Noela caught her wrist with one hand and gently lowered it away from the stomach wound.

"Uh uh, don't touch it. The skin is beginning to knit itself together, but the deep tissue might take a while. In fact, I don't think it will completely heal with the amount of potions I have. I think it's best if we get you healed a little, then move off the road. It's very dangerous out here like this, exposed."

Astrid appeared to give a nod and looked like she was going to pass out.

"Don't! Just stay awake for now, okay?" Noela heard her voice crack. "You can't—you mustn't go unconscious. Please."

The blonde blinked, trying to keep her eyes open. "It's… that bad?"

Yes, yes, it was bad. But Noela wasn't going to say it. This depth of wound was similar to a dragon injury that Lydia had received—and that had taken twenty bottles of health and magicka potions to heal to the point Lydia could walk again. They were lucky to be near a town that time.

But now, in the middle of nowhere, with a much lower supply of potions—Noela didn't know if she could stabilise Astrid and keep her conscious. It would help a lot if there were someone else around to help.

"Shadowmere, Trigger," she called to the horses. It was worth trying, though she had no idea if it would work. "Can you two please go and find red mountain flowers, blue mountain flowers, blue butterflies or blisterwort or wheat, and white caps?"

The horses looked at her. Then, after three seconds, Shadowmere trotted off, and Trigger followed behind.

"They… understood me?" Noela asked in surprise.

She continued to drink magicka potions while feeding Astrid more health potions, then continuing to heal her with her magic. She had drunk the last of the magicka potions when the horses returned. She estimated at least forty-five minutes had passed since they had left.

Shadowmere spat out a bunch of red and blue mountain flowers, and Trigger some white caps and crushed blue butterflies.

"I can't believe it," Noela said, shaking her head. "You horses are amazing." She picked up the ingredients with one hand, keeping the other releasing magic over Astrid's wound. She had moved onto her arms, trying to close up those gaps before they got infected. She had managed to close the skin on her stomach, but not the deep tissue within.

The Nord seemed to be gaining consciousness.

"I think you're almost stabilised," said Noela. "How do you feel?"

They were still in the middle of the road, and Noela was wary that another enemy might appear. So far, no one else had come across them.

"I'm feeling, somewhat better," answered Astrid.

"Can you sit up yet?"

Noela stopped casting and bent down, supporting Astrid behind her shoulders as she attempted to sit up. Astrid's face scrunched up in pain, but they managed to get her in a seated position.

"I don't think I can, stand up yet," the Nord puffed. "It hurts, too much."

The mage looked around them. "We need to get off the road, get shelter somewhere. It's only a matter of time before someone else appears."

Astrid looked like she wanted to pass out again.

"I know," said Noela. Bending down fully in a squat, she positioned her arms under Astrid's body.

"What are you doing?" asked the Nord weakly.

"Getting us out of here," Noela replied, and lifted the woman bridal style in her arms.

She wasn't particularly strong, certainly not as strong as Astrid, and Astrid was taller than her, but she managed to carry her off the road and into the trees. She placed her down and asked Shadowmere to keep watch.

"Neigh if someone's approaching," she told the horse.

Quickly, she sprinted through the forest, trying to find safety and shelter they could use. After ten minutes, she spotted a rocky outcrop, beneath which they could huddle and stay undercover for the night.

Hurrying back to Astrid and the horses, she lifted the Nord again and carried her to the rock, placing her on the ground which was full of soft, lush grass.

"Since I'm out of potions, I'm going to make some more," she said, as Astrid slowly positioned herself upright against the vertical rock face. "At least the bleeding has stopped, now that the wounds are closed. But I need to heal the inside tissue, which will take more time. After that's done, you'll be able to stand and walk."

"Thank you, Noela."

Noela was trying to find her portable mortar and pestle to start grinding up the ingredients for more potions and looked up, surprised to see Astrid's expression of gentle gratitude."Of course, Astrid, what else would I do?" she smiled at the older woman.

Finding her mortar and pestle, she began grinding the blue mountain flowers. It was better that she fed her the health potions first, as they were faster than using her magic. It was a shame that she couldn't heal Astrid at the same rate as she could heal herself—but her spells weren't as powerful when it came to healing others.

The blue butterfly wings were next and she crushed them, before mixing the blue mountain flowers in. They became a paste, and then she grabbed an empty bottle from her bag. Adding a bit of water, she scooped in the paste and stoppered the bottle.

A minute later, she was shaking the bottle, and then it was done. "Here, drink," she pressed the bottle to Astrid's mouth again and the Nord drank it down. "Feel any better?"

"A little," she nodded.

Noela repeated the process with the rest of the blue mountain flowers and butterfly wings, and Astrid's condition greatly improved after several hours of grinding, mixing and drinking the potions.

The horses had even gone off to find more of the ingredients she had just used up, and by evening Noela thought that they had an excess amount of ingredients now. Her arms were aching from the hours of pushing and grinding. She was also starving, since she hadn't eaten anything the entire day.

By dusk, Astrid had had enough health potions that the sight of Noela giving her another bottle and drinking the liquid made her splutter and nearly spit it out.

"Hey! I just spent fifteen minutes making that potion, don't waste a drop!" Noela scolded.

Astrid wiped her mouth, dropping the empty bottle to the grass. "After twenty potions in a row, I think I'll never drink another health potion again."

"Okay, then I'll switch to the magicka potions but it'll take longer since I have to make them as well as cast the spell."

"Noela, I'm fine now." The Nord slowly stood up, and even started taking a few steps forward. "See? I can walk again." She took a few more steps, but was already out of breath.

"Just rest for now," Noela said, getting up and walking over. She took the Nord's hands in her own, and turned her wrists over to examine the arm wounds. "Looks pretty good," she said, seeing the new skin formed, faint white scars remaining. "How do your arms feel?"

Noela let go and Astrid lifted them up. "They're almost back to normal, actually. But it seems my stomach is where the pain is most."

"Yes, that's the part where you were losing the most blood. But your arms got the brunt of the bear's claws, so I'm glad they feel alright already. I think by morning, and if I continue to heal you through the night, you'll be good as new."

Astrid gazed at her warmly. "Thank you again, Noela. I owe you with my life."

Noela shook her head. "I would do this for any companion I'm with so, don't worry about it. I'm happy I can help."

Astrid put her arms around her, and tried to pull her into a hug, but winced.

Noela chuckled, "I guess no hugs until tomorrow."

It was night, a small fire was going and Noela sat yawning, one hand on Astrid's abdomen ejecting a gentle, thin stream of healing magic. Astrid lay on the ground on top of her bed roll, asleep.

They had spent the previous hour eating a brief dinner of stale bread and butter, before the Nord had lain down in exhaustion and drifted off in seconds. But Noela knew there was still work to be done, and estimated a few more hours of healing was necessary to get Astrid in an almost-normal condition by the morning.

As the fire died out, Noela's energy did too. She fell asleep, her hand still on the other woman even though her magicka was now depleted.

The following morning Noela awoke to find sunlight streaming down from high in the sky. She looked around. The extinguished fire pit was in front of her, and both horses were not around. She jumped up, when she realised that Astrid was nowhere to be seen either.

Just as she was about to set off to find her companions, she heard rustling in the trees surrounding the rock face and the horses appeared, followed by the Nord.

"You're awake, it's about time. It's noon already," Astrid greeted, pointing to the sky. In her arms she was carrying ingredients: mushrooms, leeks and a cabbage. "I raided a farm nearby, thought I'd make soup for lunch."

Noela hurried to help her with the ingredients. She looked her superior up and down. "How do you feel? Is your stomach still hurting?"

They set the ingredients down beside the fire. The blonde smiled, "Thanks to you, I feel almost perfect. A little delicate in my stomach but another day and I'll be good as new." Astrid grabbed her shoulders and brought her close. Her arms gripped Noela tightly behind the mage's back. "I can't thank you enough, truly, sister. You have saved my life."

Her earnest stare was so intense Noela looked down. "Of course, Astrid. I lo—like you," she quickly corrected. "As a friend, and you're a good friend. You know I don't have many of those."

Her blue eyes peered into Astrid's green. She wasn't sure if there were subtle tears in the blonde's eyes or if she was imagining it. Perhaps Astrid was really just glad to be alive.

Astrid made a delicious soup, and after lunch, they set off for Markarth once again.

Riding full pace as they were behind schedule, they wasted no time in stopping anymore and they were lucky to not come across any more enemies. Sunset was almost over when the stables of Markarth came into view, and a large, orange moon was on the horizon.

Astrid parked Shadowmere in the stables, and Noela followed with Trigger. Just before the gate and out of view of the guards, they stopped.

The Nord spoke, "This is goodbye for now, Noela." The mage nodded. "My acquaintance is likely waiting and you have to make contact with yours. I'll be heading back to Falkreath right after so you're on your own. Best of luck with your first real mission."

Looking at her in the dimming light, Noela was once again hit with a pang of disappointment that they were parting ways. She had not expected it to be so soon. At least, spending the night at the inn meant another dinner together.

But, she was being silly. Now was the time for work. They would see each other at the sanctuary soon enough. But was this the last time they would be travelling alone together? It could well be.

With a heavy exhale, Noela jumped onto Astrid, giving her one last, tight hug.

The Nord caught her, surprise etched on her face, and gave her a warm pat on the head. "And make sure you don't behave like this when we're at home, sister," Astrid whispered lowly into her ear. "We had a good time, let's not forget that."

Noela peeled back at her words and examined the Nord's expression. Did she mean that? "You mean about me healing you yesterday, or our first battle working together, or…"

"Yes," Astrid pointed. "That last, unspoken one. Of course, fighting together with you was fun, too, until I wasn't." She gave a dark laugh. "I'll be sure to tell the entire family about our adventures."

The mage's eyebrows flew up.

"Except," continued Astrid, "The sex. Obviously."

Noela chuckled but it was unintentionally lacking in humour. "Yes. I'll tell no one, don't worry about it."

Astrid gave her one last squeeze. "Thanks for understanding." Then she leaned in and did something that made Noela freeze.

A peck on the cheek.

Noela looked at her with wide eyes.

"Relax," laughed the blonde. "We're sisters. And I am fond of you. You're a close member of my family."

The younger woman smiled sheepishly. "Right, then. Guess I'll be off."

She headed through the city gates without looking back at the other woman, afraid that her expression would soon give her away.

Creeping through the Dwemer ruins of Raldbthar, Noela knew she was almost at the end. Her target, Alain Dufont, would be dead in minutes.

Uncorking the bottle that Muiri had given her back at The Hag's Cure in Markarth, she dipped her dagger into the Lotus Extract.

She snuck in through the last door, taking out the remaining bandits easily with a quick stab in the neck.

Muiri's poison was potent, and very effective.

"Well, you must have all of those annoying gods on your side to have made it this far, whoever you are. Even I have to admit that's pretty impressive."

Noela stopped, kicking herself for having been detected.

Alain Dufont slowly pulled the enchanted warhammer from his back and held it in front of him. But it seemed he didn't know her exact location.

"Come out, come out and play. Or don't tell me you're afraid?" he taunted.

Noela rolled her eyes and shot a fireball at the oil on the floor surrounding him. He jumped back, alarmed.

But she was already behind him and stabbed him, once in each arm, and his warhammer fell, clattering on the ground.

"AH!" he screamed.

Stepping in front of him and kicking the warhammer out of his reach, she met his eyes.

"Muiri says hi."

"What?" he snarled, panting, his arms drooping uselessly at his sides. "What have you done to me?"

"Muiri's special poison. Consider it her very last gift to you." She looked down at the man who now fell to his knees. "You'll be dead in the next minute, Alain. Any last words?"

Alain's forehead was sweating and his whole body was shaking from the effects of the poison. "Tell her… that bitch," he panted. "I hope she dies a most painful death."

"Oh? Would you like a more painful death?"

Muiri had told her the story when Noela had asked, and the summary was that Alain was an ex-lover that had gotten close to Muiri to rob the Shatter-Shields of Windhelm, Muiri's close friends.

Noela didn't press beyond that as the story didn't matter to the job. But Muiri had also asked her to kill Nilsine Shatter-Shield, if she wanted extra coin.

"This is taking too long," Noela complained. "Why aren't you dead yet?"

Alain had collapsed to the floor, and was convulsing from the poison, his mouth frothing. She noticed he was no longer able to talk.

Walking over and picking up the warhammer, she turned over the heavy weapon in her hands.

"Frost damage, huh?" The enchanted hammer gleamed in her hands. "It's a nice hammer, but a bit heavy. Too bad I'm just going to leave it here with you, but I've got a long journey back. So…"

She raised the warhammer and, taking a last look at the writhing man, brought it down on his head. It fell off cleanly.

"There, now you're out of your misery. I could've drawn it out longer, but honestly looking at you is repulsive."

She dropped the hammer and left the chamber.

Outside Raldbthar, Noela shivered in the night. It had taken a day to get here, and now it would be another day back to Markarth to report back to Muiri and collect the money. She knew Windhelm was nearby but, with so many people around…

She didn't need the coin, and the longer she was out here the longer she was away from Falkreath. The mission was complete, so she decided to skip killing Nilsine.

Lucky you, she thought as she stalked off.