"Good. I'll stay through the first poultice change. After that, you can manage the rest."
"You're not staying?" The question came out before Marron could stop it.
The Champion's expression softened slightly. "I'm afraid I'm needed elsewhere. You'll be fine. Armed with tools, knowledge, and a surprisingly strong will." She paused, and gave her a rare smile. "And you have the wisdom to know when you need help."
Nestled inside the cart, Marron felt all four tools pulse in unison—not quite warm, not quite welcoming, but definitely acknowledging.
She's right, they seemed to say. You're learning.
Aldric, who'd been standing silently in the corner throughout the entire process, finally spoke. "That was... that was extraordinary."
The Champion barely glanced at him. "That was basic emergency medicine. Any competent healer could have done the same."
"But the way you used the tool—the power—"
"No." The Champion said, gentle but firm.
