Touch of Flame

Ravina got to meet maid Mara’s husband who was more enthusiastic about the project. She explained to him her vision, motivating him by challenging his skills.

“It shouldn’t be difficult. I can do it. There is no problem,” he said.

“Good. This is only my first sketch. It might not be successful but by making it we can see what works and doesn’t work and then we can try to improve it. If it doesn’t work at all, I will compensate you for your work.” She assured him.

He nodded. “Alright, then I shall go make this first try.”

Ravina was excited to see how it would turn out. She realized just how much she missed being home and inventing her weapons. She wondered how things were back home. Was Ares well? Was her uncle well? What about Ester and Bram?

As she sat at the table, already with a pen and paper she scribbled down her thoughts. Her worries. The words she never spoke, because who would she complain to when she had put herself in this situation?

The words poured out of her easier with pen and paper and so did the tears. She was surprised she was crying again. These days she was crying too much. Wiping her tears away, she decided to go to the kitchen. She stood up, grasping chairs, tables, and walls she helped herself to the kitchen. The maids’ Mara and Erina were busy.

“What are you making? Malachi won’t be coming so it is only me.” She told them since they seemed to be working hard.

“I know. Malachi told us to make you good food. You need to eat.” Mara said.

Nako came to offer her arm and help her to the table. “Thank you,” Ravina said as she sat down.

Both of them didn’t talk much and tried to focus on their work. Maybe Malachi told them too but Ravina could sense that they were not fond of her.

She offered to help them, although they were reluctant she needed to keep herself busy. When lunch was ready she got a visit. It was Georgia and Kayla.

Ravina was happy they came and ordered to have lunch served for them all.

“What happened to your leg?” Georgia asked.

“Did you kick Malachi?” Kayla wondered.

“No. I fell. Join me for lunch.” She told them.

“I never say no to food,” Georgia smiled.

They all looked so well shaped. “Do dragons gain weight?” She asked, curiously.

The women looked at each other thoughtfully. “We don’t need to.” She said surprising her with the answer. “I have never had that problem.”

The problem of being thin? How about the problem of being fat? She could eat as she wanted?

The women here were just as sculpted as the men. Mostly tall, nice hips, flat stomach, and toned arms, while the men were all hard muscle. Perhaps they didn’t gain weight.

“Well, we actually came because we have another sick person who needs your help.” Georgia began.

“I would love to help,” Ravina said.

“Well then, since you hurt your leg, I will bring him here instead if that is alright.”

“Of course.”

After they had lunch, Georgia and Kayla left to bring the man, but they came back with three people. Alright?

“We met them on the way and they also need help,” Kayla said apologetically.

“Oh, it is fine. Let them all come in.” Ravina said.

The two others waited in the hall while she took care of her first patient. Now that sounded strange. She was no physician. It was an older man complaining about having joint pain. Often a normal thing for older humans, but he said that shouldn’t be the case with dragons. Interesting.

She gave him suggestions of what to eat to help with his joints and to be active. She suggested anti-inflammatory food and reminded him that it was normal with age.

The next patient was a sleep-deprived woman, with constant headaches. That sounded just like herself. Ravina had to sit and talk to her about the cause and suggest changing some habits to see if it would help. She also informed her that she would need to look into it more to suggest better medication but the ones she knew she told her about. Certain teas were good. She told her to drink a few hours before sleep.

The patient after was a child with her mother. Again, Ravina found herself talking to the little girl and liking her smile. Children were curious. They also asked many questions that the adults perhaps wanted to ask but didn’t dare. Of course, they were curious about her hair and skin.

Ravina explained that she was a different species and the little girl knew about humans. What made her sad was what she knew about humans.

“You kill dragons.” She said.

Ravina didn’t know what to say and her mother interrupted to make the situation better. The little girl had the same problems as Nelli which made her more curious. She suggested the same treatment that helped Nelli but this thing about not healing was worrying the parents. Ravina wondered why there was a sudden change. Was it truly generations?

She thought that she could learn more while helping these people. Georgia and Kayla were there to assist her with the things she needed. Now she wanted to make a stethoscope. She would like to listen to their lungs and see what was wrong.

“Please, help her. She can’t sleep at night. She keeps coughing and as soon as she runs around and plays with her friends it gets worse. She almost suffocates.”

“It is scary,” the little girl said.

“Well, give her the things I said and we will see if she gets better. I know it helped Georgia’s son.”

Georgia nodded, reassuring the mother.

“I hope so,” the mother said desperately.

“It will be alright,” Ravina assured.

Once they all left, she sighed realizing just how much she had spoken today. From inventor to a physician. What was happening?