It’s been almost two weeks since you used the Merge spell. During the day, you are okay. Healings, schedules, and updates to the Chronicles all help to keep you focused. While doing those things, “you are you”. Nights are different and you try not to think about them while you are working.
Recently there have been more skirmishes on the border. Instead of you jumping in and healing the wounded, you remind yourself that you are one of the Senior Healers. Let the junior healers do the work. The herbalists and the surgeons are good at what they do, so you use this opportunity to teach the junior healers how to work better as a team. Sitting at the Senior Healer’s desk at the end of the Recovery tent, you update the Chronicles with the day’s events.
‘Members of a cavalier unit were brought in. Most were treated for minor wounds. Their armour protected them from the worst of the damage. The exceptions were a rider whose leg was crushed and another whose spine was damaged. For the crushed limb, two junior healers worked in tandem. Healer Esme’s job was to use Pleasure charms to counter the pain, and Healer Heath’s was to evaluate the damage to the bones.’
You place your pen down and grab your teacup. You sip the warm herb infused liquid. It is nearing the end of the day, and you just want to relax. But you are the Lead this shift, and you don’t want to turn things over to Georgina, incomplete. You glance at the long shadows cast by the setting sun. You’d better finish writing. It’s easier to brief her what happened if you can also hand her the completed daily log. You set down your cup and pick the pen up.
‘For the spinal damage patient, junior healer Okal was used. They did the initial evaluation and treatment.’
You leave a space on the page and write ‘Treatment results, observations, and recommendation: Shattered leg — Use of two healers in conjunction with an herbalist and a surgeon was good. Healer Esme kept the patient calm and relaxed by focused use of the Pleasure charm, boosted with an Emotional Bonding spell. Healer Heath focused on the bones of the leg. Working with the surgeon and the herbalist, they straightened the leg. Heath Looked at the damage, ensured the bones were aligned and used a Joining spell the fuse the broken ends together.’
You think how you oversaw what they did. You didn’t need to do anything aside from minor recommendations, but that’s not needed for the log.
‘The surgeon stitched closed the wounds on the leg and the herbalist wrapped the leg in infused bandages. The patient’s leg will continue to be immobilized until it heals further. It will have to be evaluated later to determine what follow-up treatments are needed. Both Esme and Heath did excellent work along with the herbalist and the surgeon.’
You take another sip of tea. “I really should get the names of the people working with our healers.” You say aloud to yourself.
“What’s that Mistress Healer?” Junior Healer Diana asks.
You shake your head. “Nothing. Just finishing up the Chronicles. Is Mistress Georgina here?”
“Not yet Mistress. Shall I get her?”
“No. I’m almost done with the Chronicles. I’ll brief her when she arrives. Are there any changes to the patients I need to know about?” You ask
“No Mistress.” She turns, “If that’s all, I’d like to get some dinner. They started serving the evening meal.”
You nod. “Go eat. Tell the other healers on shift to get some food too.”
She gives you a pleasant smile and leaves.
You continue writing about how Junior Healer Okal evaluated the spine, used magic to see the bones and nerves, and with the help of a surgeon and two herbalists, ensured the spine was straight, while strengthening the nerves. The spine hadn’t been severed, thank the Creator, but there was damage. Rest and daily treatments of healing magic will be needed to ensure the nerves repair themselves. You write that Okal also did an excellent job and only required minimal assistance from the Senior Healer.
“Anything interesting?” a familiar voice asks as Mistress Healer Georgina walks into the tent and sees you finishing your updates.
“A few things.” You say and then give her a quick briefing on the day’s activities.
She nods and grabs a clean mug off the nearby shelf. She pours herself a cup of tea, then pulls up a chair. “Marge, how are you doing?” she asks in a quiet tone.
You know what she’s talking about. Almost every day she or Helane ask about lasting effects of the Merge spell. “Today, I’ve been focused on work. I didn’t feel any echoes, and nothing distracted me during my shift.” You answer with an almost bored tone.
She takes your hand, “We are worried about you. Sometimes you still show lingering effects. They really should be gone by now.”
You think about it for a moment. “We haven’t heard anything from the Collegium. Maybe there is something I forgot or did wrong.”
Georgie leans closer, “Have you had sex with him again?”
You shake your head. “Every time I’m close, I want him deeply inside of me. But I know it’s wrong. He’s my patient. Until he’s returned to his unit, I’m responsible for him.”
“Hasn’t he recovered yet?” She asks.
“Almost. The tightness and pain are almost gone. Most of his strength has returned.” You pause for a moment and reflect. “Maybe I should have returned him to duty already.”
She gives your hand a friendly squeeze. “If you need a second opinion, either me or Lanie can help.”
You give her a smile and a nod.
“You aren’t having physical sex with him, but are you still having those dreams?” She asks.
You knew she was going to ask but you still feel the warmth rising in your cheeks. “Yes. Some nights stronger than others.”
“But they don’t feel like dreams?” She continues, “And you have physical reactions?”
You lean in closely and keep your voice low. “Yes, my vagina feels like it’s been vigorously fucked and my nipples are sore. My clit feels like it’s been pulsing and throbbing, as I gush fluid in waves of orgasm.”
“Your bedding, its wet from ejaculation, and not urine?” Her tone is professional again.
You nod. “When I finish, I wake up and have to void myself, so it’s definitely not urine.”
“Marge, I think we need to still keep an eye on you. That doesn’t sound right. The sex is right, but I mean the fact that it’s ‘dream sex’.”
You hold her hand for a moment. “Georgie, It’s not like any sex I’ve ever had. I’ve got a vagina and a penis. My nipples are on my chest and also on a chest with small curly hair. I’m fucking and being fucked at the same time.”
Georgina has a strange smile on her face. “I’ve been to seasonal gatherings like that.”
You shake your head. She grips your hand reassuringly. “I’m trying to lighten the mood. I know this is serious.”
You both stand up and hug. “Now go get some dinner. I’m on shift and you’ve been relieved.” She says in a professional tone. “I have to brief the junior healers soon.”
You head for the dining tent and see Helane talking with Diana as you fill your plate with whatever the cooks made tonight, some sort of stew, cooked vegetables, and the ever present travel bread. By the time you head to the table, Diana has left.
“Greetings and Good Evening Mistress Healer, how fare you?” You ask formally. Lanie smiles and dismissively waves at you. “Just sit. You’re coming off shift and my shift doesn’t start for hours.”
“You don’t want to know the status of the Recovery Tent?” you ask.
She shakes her head and sips her tea. “No, I’ve already heard as much as I need.”
You cock your head to the side, thinking about Diana. “Oh really? She’s your source of information?”
Lanie leans in closely to you and in a low tone says, “If I don’t ask her now, how her day went, then she’ll be up half of the night telling me about it. I’d rather engage in more pleasurable pursuits before I start my shift.”
You knew Helane was sleeping with a female healer, but you didn’t know it was Diana.
Both of you spend the rest of the mealtime updating each other. You give her a more detailed report about the day’s healings, and she tells you a little of what she has been teaching Diana, both as a healer and a lover.
In your tent, you do some relaxation stretches before meditating. Your body has been giving you some subtle hints that you’ll menstruate soon, so you put on your absorbent underwear.
As you drift off to sleep, you feel that strange double heartbeat. You try to clear your mind and relax your body. Soon there is only one heartbeat but your body has that strange yet familiar feeling to it. Your hand caresses your breasts. But is it because you miss Tomas rubbing your nipples or because Kerry enjoys the feeling? Neither of you are awake, but you feel his thoughts and desires as much as he feels yours. That empty feeling left by Tomas is trying to be filled by Kerry. You want him to pleasure you as much as you want to pleasure him in return. You feel a hand slowly move down your body. When you get to your pussy, your fingertips slowly rub your clit. But is it your clit you feel or the tip of his hard cock? Fingers rub and circle around the mushroom head. It feels so good. Fingers stroke the length of the shaft as fingers thrust into your wet, hungry pussy. That weird double pleasure feeling echoes in your brain. As the shaft is stroked to the base, your pussy is filled completely. This strange mirror ‘in and out’ feeling continues until he/you thrust deeply. You feel it pulse inside of you as your cunt pulses around it. Your fingers are wet. The orgasm is intense. You wake up, with your hand in your underwear. That strange double heartbeat is in your chest, and you gasp for air as you catch your breath.
You sit up, and inhale deeply. “I need you with me.” is Kerry’s thought in your head. You feel desire and longing you haven’t felt all day.
“It’s not me” you tell yourself and force your mind clear of Kerry’s thoughts and emotions. The second pulse fades, and you feel alone in your body again.
Waking up in the morning, there’s a familiar but unwelcome cramp. “It’s that time of the month again.” You think, as you get up, wash, and put on fresh absorbent undergarments. “I’ll pay a little extra to the laundry workers to make sure they clean them well.” You don’t always get cramps, but when you’ve been under stress, they seem more noticeable. Once you are dressed, you head to the Recovery Tent to relieve Helane and start your shift. On your way, you are stopped by Kerry, who is doubled over, with his hand on his lower abdomen. “Mistress Healer.” He groans.
“Kerry, what’s wrong?” you ask, moving close but not touching him.
“It hurts. I’ve never felt anything like it.”
Helane comes from the Recovery Tent. “What’s going on?”
He looks at her. “It hurts Mistress Healer.” He repeats.
“Lanie, can you check him? I have a thought, but if I touch him..” you start to explain.
She nods and Looks at him. After a moment she says, “Wow! I’ve never felt that on a man before.”
“What? Make it stop.” He whines a bit.
You bite your lower lip to stifle a laugh. His pain isn’t funny, but the situation is. “Should I have the herbalists make some menstrual tea and a warm compress?” You ask your colleague in a professional tone.
She slowly shakes her head in amazement. “Yes, I concur. If he was a woman, I’d ask how often she feels this and if this one is out of the ordinary, but..”
You nod. “He’s feeling mine. It’s not the most painful ones I’ve had, but I was going to have some medicinal tea before shift change brief and try to relax during breakfast.”
“I’ll take him back to his bunk. Go fetch the tea for both of you, and a heated pad for him.” Helane directs.
“Of course, Mistress Healer” you respond in a professional tone to help hide the ironic laughter you want so badly to let out. “A Strong, tough, manly scout, doubled over with a light case of monthly cramps.” But you keep this thought to yourself. Then realize “Something must have gone wrong with this spell. He shouldn’t have felt it, or he should have been able to block it and clear his mind.”
You bring a heated cloth, and a small tea pot and cup. Helane stands by the entrance to the Scouts’ barracks, as you mention “After he drinks some of this, and places the pad on his abdomen, try to have him sit up, and clear his mind. Remind him that he is separate from me.”
“Do you want to do it? You’ve had to do it multiple times.” She asks.
You shake your head. “I think you should. I have a feeling he wants us to be closer. To be lovers and joined. I think it is the spell that is pushing that. Me being close to him, just makes things worse right now.”
She nods and enters the building. “We need to read more up on the Merge spell. I think you’re right. Something went wrong.”
In the Recovery tent, you look at the Chronicles and flip through a few journals, but nothing has what you want. What you need is one of the Healer’s Texts. You haven’t used one in years, and your old one is leagues away at your cottage. During breakfast you ask both Helane and Georgina but neither have their texts. Once you are a senior healer, you trust your knowledge and experience.
After you finish eating, Helane asks “Have you talked with Diana? She is fresh from the Collegium. She hasn’t even finished her first year.”
“If things are quiet during our shift, I’ll talk with her.” You respond.
After you checked on all of the patients and ensured that everyone is doing their part to help with their recovery, you call Diana over to the small Senior Healer’s desk.
“Is there a problem Mistress Healer?” she asks nervously.
“No. Please pull up a chair.” You say as you set out a pair of mugs and a pot of medicinal tea. “You’ll have to excuse me, but I’ve been cramping today, and the tea helps. Would you like some?” You politely offer.
She looks at the empty mug and the small teapot. “Can I fill this with water instead? I don’t need any tea right now.”
You smile at her honesty. “Of course. Go fill it and return. I have some questions for you.”
She takes the mug to the large communal waterskin, fills it, and returns. Sitting on a small chair, she tries to hide her nervousness. “What are your questions Mistress Healer?”
“How long were you at the Collegium before you came here?” You ask as you tap a small graphite stick on a sheet of paper.
“Not long. I was there a few months before Head Mistress sent all of us to field hospitals. She said that we would learn more after a month of fighting, then we could in years of simply studying.”
You nod and take a sip of tea. The warmth slowly moves down your stomach and softens the dull pain in your lower abdomen. “Do you think you have learned a lot?” you ask.
She holds her mug with both hands and tries to keep them from shaking. “I’ve learned some. But there is so much I still need.”
“Is Mistress Helane helping with your studies?” you ask in a relaxed tone.
She looks nervously at you. “Is this what this is about? Is she in trouble?”
You set down the graphite stick and place a reassuring hand on hers. “No. Actually it is appropriate for a Senior Healer to find a Junior Healer to mentor and train. If you were both on the same shift, I’d worry about favoritism, but you work on my shift.”
She looks relieved. “She is teaching me how to feel the magic. How to slowly apply the power.”
“Has that been helpful during your rounds?” you ask as you pick the graphite stick up again and make a couple of notes.
“Yes, Mistress. When working with the surgeons, as they are doing follow ups to the patients, I can put a trickle of power to slowly help the tissues heal. I also can feel when infection is trying to enter an unhealed wound.”
You write down a couple more notes. “Have you consulted your texts since you’ve been with Mistress Helane?”
She nervously chews her lower lip. “No Mistress.” She lets out a sad sigh. “I’ve neglecting my book work.” She takes a sip of her water. “When I watch you and the other Mistresses, I never see you consulting the Texts. You write in the Logs and Chronicles but not the Texts.”
You give her a smile. “A good observation. Do you have your Texts? Can you bring them here?”
“Of Course Mistress. It will only take a moment.” She says, standing up.
You try to estimate how long Lanie has been asleep and comment, “Be quiet about it. Don’t disturb Mistress Helane if she’s still asleep.”
She nods and leaves.
In a few minutes she is back with a small stack of books. She brought everything that a first-year student is given. Good.
She sets them on the desk. You look at the titles. You don’t need “Anatomy”, nor “Biological Processes”, so you set them aside. “The Power of Healing” and “Power flows in the Body” are the ones you are looking for.
The books look almost brand new. You open “The Power of Healing”, and ask. “Have you read this one?”
She looks embarrassed, “I opened it but it didn’t make much sense.”
You notice that she is still standing, so you have her sit again. “As a Junior Healer, you need to have a good understanding of what Healing spells do and what they can’t do.”
You point to the basic ‘Repair Torn Tissue’ spell. You have her read when to use it. “Do you see what it’s limitations are?”
She shakes her head, then she stops and reads “This should only be used when a surgeon is unavailable, and the Healer has time to rest and recover afterwards. The energy for this spell uses the Healer’s life essence to direct what will be repaired. If the wound is too large the Healer can use too much of their own life force to repair the tissue, causing them to be weak and depleted.” She pauses and thinks about it. “Oh, is that why you and Mistress Helane keep having us use small amounts of power?”
You nod. “That is part of it. Learning to ration your power is important, especially when there is battle going on and people are getting wounded as fast as you can treat them.”
You take the book from her and flip through some of the more advanced spells near the back.
“Mistress, is that why when you healed the Scout, you were exhausted? You depleted your resources?”
You slowly nod. “That is part of it. I used a spell that I probably shouldn’t have. It took too much power.” You pause and take a sip of tea. “I overreacted.”
You find ‘Merge spell’. “Good. This is what I’m looking for.” You scan through the initial warning “This is a spell of last resort and should only be used in conjunction with a Separate spell.”
“Oh Shit.” You say aloud.
“Is there a problem Mistress?” Diana softly asks.
“Let me borrow this for a bit.” You hand her back the books you don’t need and hold on the two you do. “When you come back, please make the rounds to check on the patients.” You don’t hear her response as you read warnings you had completely forgotten.
(Come back tomorrow to read what ‘You’ forgot when you did the Merge spell. And see how you are going to fix things. If you enjoyed this, Leave a comment. )
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