The birds chirping sounded throughout the room. The red sun pierced through the window lit the entire room with a warm glow. Gabriel was lying on the patient's bed inside the apothecary.
The smell of burning logs filled his nostrils as his eyes began to stir. A low grunt alerted Mera, who was working at her alchemy station.
Gabriel opened his eyes fully, infront of his eyes was the ageing beauty with long blonde hair. Her face that close that he could feel the warmth of her breath on his cheek.
"Don't move too quickly, your stitches will burst," She said softly, her lips curling upward.
Gabriel still felt groggy, his eyes were open, but his senses weren't as keen as they usually were.
He attempted to lift his arms. They barely moved.
"You're heavily medicated still. Wait a couple of moments for your bearings to come back. If your awake, the potion should wear off very soon." She smiled as she turned her back "I'll go fetch you some water."
A sharp pain in his abdomen forced a grimace across Gabriel's face. He turned his head in disgust, injured by a lesser vampire, he scoffed. It's that woman's fault.
The pained look on his face flashed a concern as he remembered Tess.
"Did she survive?" A raspy voice escaped his lips barely.
"Yes", Mera spoke from across the room.
Mera chuckled as she continued pouring the water into a cup.
"You saved her life, although next time you could be a bit gentler"
She walked over to the bed, raised his head under her arm, and began pouring the water. Gabriel attempted to turn his head away, but his body was too weak to fight off the apothecary.
"You were unconscious for four days, drink Gabriel", she whispered.
Gabriel's eyes widened, a bit of water got stuck in his throat, forcing him to cough it up.
Mera pulled the cup away and gently rested his head back down on the bed.
Gabriel turned to Mera after his coughing fit died down.
"What happened?" His voice was almost inaudible.
"The claws nicked your spleen. I had to stop the bleeding. Once the stitches were in, I had to keep you unconscious to make sure you didn't reopen the wound inside and burst the stitches."
"Has Hanitz paid me yet?" Gabriel replied.
"Honestly, Gabriel you almost died, and all you think about is the coin?" Mera smiled as she set the cup aside "Yes, he paid you. And don't worry, I already took my fee." Her smile turned to laughter.
Gabriel didn't blink. His face was as stoic as ever. How much did she take?
"Go back to sleep Gabriel. I will go and inform Hanitz that you're awake." Mera stood up and began walking to the door. Before she reached it, she turned towards Gabriel, "and go spend the money you just paid me" She winked and left through the front door before the Paladin had any time to react.
Gabriel's eyes began to close. A grimace tightened across his face as the exhaustion caught up with him. The warmth of the fire and the chirping of the birds were fading slowly into nothing.
…
Not there, you fool! Put it in the back office. If you leave it on the guild desk, one of these scoundrels will take it and try and sell it back to us! Hanitz barked at Adan, the male guild attendant.
He turned around to three adventurers staring up at him. "Tell me I'm wrong, lads? Haha," his deep voice boomed.
"Ennu, train Adan!"
Y-Yes, master." Ennu retorted.
"Oh, for creator's sake girl, I'm joking".
The guild was bustling. Adventurers were queuing up to sell what they had hunted or collecting the bounty for the completed contract. It was always busy midday. Even those without a contract, bounty or corpse to sell were there at the bar sipping the subpar ale.
A small woman-shaped silhouette partially blocked the light coming in through the door. "Move you oaf!" the woman barked.
"Move out the way lads, she will hurt you, heal you, just to hurt you again! Haha" Hanitz's voice bellowed around the hall. "Ennu fetch my sword, I might need it".
The adventurers blocking the pathway in the guild moved to the side, letting Mera pass. Each adventurer she walked by greeted her with a low bow and a "Miss", a "Ma'am" or a "Lady Mera".
As she approached, Hanitz slightly bowed his head and placed his hand towards an empty table.
"How's the young Lad?" Hanitz said before Mera had even taken her seat.
"He's finally awake", Mera smiled.
That's no surprise, he's a strong lad, and you're a great healer".
"Tess told me – ". Before Hanitz finished his sentence, Mera turned her head slightly, her face soured, staring into his eyes.
Hanitz wasn't a mage, he didn't have the power of telekinesis, but he knew this look meant keep your mouth shut.
The two glared at each other.
"Master, I've got your sword", Ennu said out of breath.
Both Mera and Hanitz turned towards the attendant. "Girl, did your parents drop you out of a tree when you were born. Haha!"
Ennu froze solid, flitting between looking at the Guild Master and the Apothecary. "I'm so, I'm so sorry, Lady Mera". The young Elf turned away from them both and ran back through the office door with the sword.
"Forgive her, Ma'am, she really is a great assistant. She's just missing a few pages from the spellbook".
"I forgive her, she's a sweet girl working for a fool, you paid the boy 3 silver coins. How much did you pay Gilbert and Tess?"
"They had a party that shared the bounty and were paid by the Lord. I paid the boy from the guild for the Ironstingers". Hanitz replied defensively.
"And who took the corpse of the Vampire? I know how much that's worth, a full liver alone would cost 2 silver coins".
"You know I have the corpse. You and me are the only ones that can butcher the damn things correctly," Hanitz sighed. "Fine, I'll give him 5 more silver coins. But you need to buy the liver".
Mera stood up. "Deal, I'll have its heart as well".
She turned around and walked to the door. Leaving the giant sat there speechless.
Have I just been robbed, or have I made money? Hanitz sat for a moment, pondering.
…
Gabriel's eyes opened. The pain in his abdomen was back, but not as strong as before. He reached his arm out and stopped just short of grabbing it.
I can move my arms again. The potion must've worn off.