Not that it mattered. The more migratory orcs would be gone within weeks; those that were permanent residents like him knew how important it was for a healer and druid to be present in the city. That was what made all this bearable, sometimes the only thing. The city needed him. He was important to its function, even if he rarely felt that way.
King Zorvut and Prince Taegan lived in a tower that had been constructed just for them; the lingering elf military presence was housed in barracks beside the tower. He could see it, like a beacon in the distance, as he walked. The weather was becoming colder, and a few trails of smoke rose lazily into the cool midafternoon sky. He pulled his cloak closer. Hopefully he’d be back home before nightfall, when the cold really set in as the days were growing shorter.
When he reached the barracks, the elf soldier standing guard motioned for him to enter, clearly expecting him. Still, Korik paused at the entrance, and the soldier gave him a questioning look.
“Where can I find,” he started, then glanced at the parchment again, “Commander Varen Petkas?”
“He should be in the commander’s office,” she replied, turning to point out the doorway on the other side of the training yard. “If he’s not there, his attendant probably is and can direct you to him.”
Korik nodded, mumbling his thanks and stepping out into the yard. Only a few elves were present, practicing swordplay, and barely gave him a glance as he strode through. The door was unlocked when he turned the handle, so he stepped inside. The room was warm, and he hastily closed the door behind him to keep the chill out.
“Healer Korik,” a male voice came from the other side of the room. “Thank you for your prompt response.”
Korik scanned the room quickly. It was relatively small, all things considered: one large wooden desk, a few chairs around it, a few more shelves pushed up against the walls, and a fireplace crackling away on the far wall. A tall male elf stood behind the desk, facing him. Korik gave a slight start when he realized there was a second elf in the room—this one a female sitting facing the desk, who had twisted in her chair to look back at him.
He glanced between the two. They looked almost identical, with fair skin, black hair, and hazel eyes. The only difference was the man wore a more decorated uniform and had his hair down; the woman’s uniform was more plain, and her hair was pulled back in a smooth, tight ponytail.
“Hello,” Korik finally replied, eyeing the man. “Commander Petkas?”
“Yes,” the elf replied, then gestured toward one of the open chairs. “Please, sit.”
Korik glanced anxiously at the room’s setup—he did not want to sit too close to either of them, but none of the chairs were an ideal placement. In the end, he went for one of the chairs closer to the female elf. He carefully slid it a bit further away from her as he pulled it out from the desk. They were made for elves, so he had to perch cautiously on the small seat; the commander seemed to realize it as Korik sat down, but said nothing.
“Thank you for joining us on such short notice,” he repeated, clearing his throat. “I discussed this matter with Prince Taegan, who advised me of your expertise.”
“Expertise?” Korik repeated with uncertainty. The two elves glanced between each other, then the commander spoke again.
“This is Captain Enriel Petkas,” he said, gesturing toward the woman. “We have a request of you. Enriel is with child, and I would ask that you join me as I accompany her back to Aefraya, so she is safe and amongst family when her baby is born.”
Korik turned to look at the woman, Enriel. He had only glanced at her before; but now that he observed her from this angle, he could see the small swell of her belly against the belted sash of her uniform. From what he had learned of elves, he doubted that she was so far along that she risked giving birth while traveling.
“I see,” Korik replied slowly, looking back over at the commander. “Why do you ask this of me?”
“I told you, Varen,” the woman hissed, but the commander—Varen—held up a hand, and she turned her face away with an irritated huff.
“The baby is not due for another few months,” he said. “But the roads are unsafe and unlikely to become any safer in the coming weeks. I can handle protecting her, but we would feel far more comfortable traveling with someone well-versed in her condition. Suffice it to say, you have the most expertise of anyone at my disposal, hence my request.”
Korik considered it for a long moment. In the past months, there had been a number of raids and attacks from orc tribes that rebelled against the unification; so the roads, while not outwardly hostile, were not entirely safe for a pregnant elf to travel alone. He was not particularly inclined to make such a journey. He did not like to leave home, and from this brief interaction, Korik guessed this commander was pushy at best, and an arrogant bastard at worst. He assumed they were a couple, and the thought of being an awkward third party to whatever dynamic they had going on was equally unappealing.
Still, since he had attended to the prince during his own pregnancy, he had gathered as much information as he could about the unique factors of elven reproduction. He could not deny that they were unlikely to find anyone better qualified to provide medical care to the woman on this side of the border. Or where the border had once been.
“You will, of course, be paid well for your assistance,” Varen said. Korik realized with a start that he had been silent for an uncomfortable length of time. “If there is no trouble, gods willing, we can be there in two weeks and back in two weeks. Anything you should need for the journey will be provided for you as well.”
Internally, Korik bristled at his presumption. He turned to the woman, Enriel.
“What were you going to say to him before?” he asked. The woman’s head swung over to look at him, eyes wide. She stared at him in surprise for a moment, then cleared her throat self-consciously. From the corner of his eye, Korik could see Varen fold his arms across his chest, letting out a faint huff of irritation, but he ignored the other elf.
“I... I assumed you would deny the request,” Enriel replied. “When I asked Varen about bringing a healer, I hadn’t realized there were so few… So I thought asking you would be a waste of time.”
“If I refuse, would you go alone?” he asked, then added, “Or the two of you?”
She glanced over at the commander briefly, then nodded. “Yes. It would be just the two of us. There aren’t enough medics stationed here to spare one for a full month.”
Korik considered this for a moment, then asked, “Do youwantme to come with you?”
Enriel’s brows furrowed as one hand came to rest lightly on her stomach. While they differed significantly from orcs, he had learned to read elf faces well enough now that he could tell she was worried, no doubt thinking of what would be best for her baby.
“Well, yes,” she finally replied. “I mean… That is, I do share Varen’s concerns about something happening on the road. A healer would ease my mind considerably.”
