Healing Magic.
An incredibly powerful ability. Any living elf who has a magic spirit within them can perform healing magic.
The Sylvians are the only known family that can perform incredible feats of healing magic without fatal repercussions.
For the average caster, learning how to heal a simple cut or scrape can take over a hundred years.
Repairing bones can take a millennium.
Bringing the dead back to life is a feat only a handful of mages, mostly the Sylvians, have been able to perform.
The Sylvians are regarded as the only protection against the elves' extinction during the Thousand-Year War.
Excerpt from Gwyn's history textbook - unread, as of yet.
-----------
Gwyn's face went white.
"What?"
No, no! Is she dead? All because she healed me?
Artero lifted the woman. She was limp in his arms.
"I… I don't know what's happening."
"S-should we tell Rodrick?"
"He can't heal either."
"Who do we contact?"
"Maybe the—"
Elise then jolted upright, as if nothing had happened.
"Gods." She adjusted her neck. "How are you feeling, Gwynevere?" She then made eye contact with Artero. "Why are you holding me? Is everything alright?"
"How am I feeling? You just…"
She freed herself from the Prince's grasp, who seemed to be frozen in shock.
"I didn't really want to explain. It was easier for me to show you."
"Show us what, exactly?"
"My curse. You know, the thing I spend all my time researching? My heart just… stops sometimes. Not for long, but long enough to scare people."
"Elise, I had no idea."
Artero was aware of her condition, but not to its extent.
"No one really understands it, including myself," she said, dabbing her nose with a handkerchief she had wetted with a little water magic. "Did I get everything?"
Gwyn pointed to her ear.
"There is still some blood by your…"
"Ah, thanks." Elise finished cleaning herself. "How are you now, Gwyn?"
"I'm fine, but… that was terrifying, Elise."
"Gods, can we not talk about this all day? I'm cursed. I'm sick. I'd rather not parade my condition. More importantly." Elise grabbed Gwyn's arm. "How did this happen?"
When Gwyn finished explaining the exact situation to Elise, she only nodded.
"I see. Anastasia." Elise sighed. "Well, I suppose this isn't totally unexpected." Elise paced around the basement. "I have an idea, but I wouldn't reveal the details just yet, especially if she can pull memories from your mind."
Artero crossed his arms.
"I'm assuming you can share the information with me."
She looked at him and, with a straight face, said.
"I'd rather not disappoint anyone if my plans fail, so I'll stay silent for the moment." Elise grabbed Gwyn's hand. "I'd like you to be patient, for now."
Gwyn nodded as she felt the warmth of Elise's grasp. The elven woman looked resolute and confident.
"I'll trust you."
"Now go back to class, I can't have my healing be for nothing."
I get my arm broken in front of a whole classroom, and now I have to go back to school? This is some bullshit.
"But what about—"
"Ah, no, no. You must go." Elise kissed Gwyn's hand. "Please."
Gwyn nodded, and Artero followed her out.
"We're going to get Anastasia for this," he said through gritted teeth.
"But… Archimedes."
"To hell with the old bastard," Artero said. "I'm going to kill her."
Gwyn grasped Artero by the chest. Pulling herself close to him.
"Please don't, we have to be careful, we don't know what she's planned."
They stared deeply into one another's eyes. They were but a breath away. Artero leaned in, but Gwyn backed away before his lips reached hers.
"I'll see you after my next class," Gwyn said quietly, running off to the Teleportation Sanctuary.
He just stood and watched her leave him. An aching in his chest seemed to be more familiar than not.
This was all easier when it wasn't a competition. When his feelings weren't so muddied.
He glanced to where Elise was, just a few feet away, down the stairs. He thought of their conversation the night of the Ela Lunaris festival. He wondered if he was doing enough for Gwyn. If there wasn't some opportunity he was missing.
After all, did he still love Elise?
~
Lunch had already passed, and Gwyn reached her third class, Magical History.
To her surprise, Ana wasn't present in this classroom.
Maybe she didn't expect me to come back.
The class was uneventful, at least compared to the earlier events of the day. Some of the students actually thanked Gwyn for having later classes than normal, which was a nice surprise for the Chosen One.
The history they talked about was of events after the Wall was erected. Which was about five thousand years ago.
Gwyn thought about that and about how Artero's family had found a leak in the Wall.
How did the spell work? Did anyone know that the Wall can be damaged?
The Kosmairians most likely had some idea of how the Wall functioned, since they were able to contain the leak.
Her mind wandered until the end of class. Where there was no assignment, and truthfully. This class didn't seem important to her.
When the class was over, Anastasia greeted her after class.
"Grim, come here," Anastasia commanded.
Gwyn stopped and looked at Anastasia.
"Eat shit."
Ana grinned wickedly.
"Hey… that's not very nice. That was just a friendly sparring competition."
"We seem to have different ideas of what friendly means."
Gwyn started to walk away, but Ana stopped her.
"Hey, Grim. You seem to be misunderstanding me." Ana grabbed Gwyn by the shoulder and eyed her up and down. "That was a warning." Ana looked at where she broke her arm. "Apparently, you've already seen a healer." Ana gripped Gwyn tighter. "I will do far worse if you get in my way ever again." She pushed Gwyn away. "See you in class tomorrow, Chosen One."
Gwyn flipped Ana the bird and walked away. She didn't know how she would do it yet, but she was going to get back at her.
When Gwyn teleported back to the Gilded Towers, Artero was pacing in the Teleportation Sanctuary under the dragon's skull.
"Oh! Gwyn! Fancy meeting you here," he said nervously.
Gwyn narrowed her eyes at him.
"How long were you waiting here for me?"
Artero laughed nervously.
"Waiting for you… nonsense! I was just… I mean… I just got back!"
Gwyn narrowed her eyes.
"After the only other class just left the Academy? The class that you aren't a part of."
"Y-yes?" He asked, as if looking for approval.
"Alright, so what do you want? I was going to read some documents and prepare for my inevitable expulsion tomorrow."
"Expulsion?" Artero exclaimed. "Why would they expel you?"
"My sparring teacher said she would fail me. I didn't want to go back, but then I figured I should at least stick today out and if they string me up, they string me up." Gwyn shrugged. "Not a big deal."
"Gwynevere…" Artero frowned and hugged her tight. Her soft body felt so weak in comparison to his own. "I know what we can do."
Gwyn didn't mind him being so close. He smelled like a field of flowers.
"What is that?"
She wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice whispered in his ears, and his hair stood on end.
Artero suddenly felt his mind go to inappropriate places, losing his train of thought.
"I just…"
He leaned in to kiss her.
This time, Gwyn reciprocated, and they embraced one another lovingly. The kisses shared were soft and passionate, less sexual than the elf was expecting.
When they pulled away, Gwyn was the first to speak.
"I'm going to go see if I find anything in the basement, start some organizing."
Her cheeks were flushed. She didn't actually want to stop, but feared where this might lead if she spent more time with him.
Artero stopped her from walking off. Her eyes met his, and she had to resist the urge to kiss him again.
"We can… spend some time together, if you'd like." His eyes kept darting between her eyes and her lips. "Maybe get something to eat. Then… I can train your magical ability."
Gwyn chuckled.
"Is that a euphemism of some sort?"
"Do you want it to be?"
He pulled her close, getting a handful of her ass.
She bit her lip, eyeing him lustfully.
I mean. I can spend some time with Artero. He came running the moment I called for him. And he seems a little desperate. I can humor him at least.
"Maybe…"
It wasn't long until they were back at the Kosmairian Estate.
Artero had Gwyn's hand in his.
"I have a sort of crazy idea."
"What's that?" She asked. "Like some weird, magical sex position I've never heard of?"
His face turned deep red.
"What?! No!" He shook his head. "Gwynevere… I mean… You can have dinner with my family."
Wait... is it too soon for that? What if his grandma is there and asks what I want to do with my future?
"Oh…" Gwyn laughed to herself nervously. "Sorry, I guess… my mind isn't in the right place." She grabbed his arm tightly. "Or maybe it is."
Artero had to fight his desire and stay on track.
"So… would you like to have dinner then?"
"I mean, if you think I'm ready to meet your parents."
Gwyn was almost a little embarrassed. This suddenly felt like a real relationship for the first time.
Artero pulled Gwyn close.
"I would show the world to you, and they would cry out in envy."
Gwyn hadn't known what to say; she politely smiled.
"I guess I'll… change?"
Artero led her to the guest house.
"If you feel you must."
Gwyn smiled, but then nervously touched her hands. Something felt off.
"Shit. Shit! Fuck!"
Gwyn began frantically looking all around her.
Worry overcame Artero. Was she about to reject him? Did he do something wrong?
"What? What is it, Gwynevere?"
"My ring! Shit, did Anastasia take it? Fuck that's my mother's ring!"