Kapitel 16: A possible ray of hope

The black-haired self-proclaimed healer was different from anyone Nicole had ever met till far. But it did not mean much when the most healers that were occupied by Oreta belonged to the commission.

In fact, every healer in Rivendell belonged to the commission.

But not this one. This one had proclaimed herself as someone who was independent and their claim of being a healer also held true. The bones of those poor people had mended under seconds.

This healer was not a normal one and Nicole was impressed by her skills.

But she was also worried.

No one this talented escaped the council's eyes. These people could end up spelling trouble for her beloved city and Nicole wanted no part of it.

That was why she had agreed to take them to the Vizier. There were ways to make sure that this trio was not a threat to them and one of the ways was through the Vizier.

Not to mention, the impossible claim made by this healer. A healing center in Oreta? The commission would have a fit if they even caught wind about it.

But the lady had seemed so sure of herself that Nicole had not been able to look away from her.

And now they were out in the street, the trio being lead behind her back.

Travelling Oreta as a potential predator was different from being eyes as prey. Even the general attitude of the people around them had shifted as the trio walked behind Nicole.

The silver-haired female was a symbol of power and authority in the city and anyone walking behind her was had to be of importance as well. There were not a lot of people allowed at her back and especially not the ones whom she trusted.

As for Iris? Nicole had a clear reason to trust her.

The other would not be able to meet the Vizier if Nicole did not help her. No one knew who the Vizier was except her and once she died, so would the secret.

The Vizier was powerful and resourceful. They did not need to show themself visibility to convey their orders and maintain order.

Since the city of Oreta was built at different levels, there was a difference in authority and status among the circles as well.

Moving from the upper and well-to-do circles to the lower part was easy but the reverse was almost impossible for normal people.

But the first two circles were easy to pass through. No one even asked the group anything, too intimidated by Nicole's presence alone.

The third circle was different and much more secure. It held some of the highest-ranking members of this place after all.

"Lady Nicole, you are back. And these people are?" the guard asked, his body tensing at the presence of unknown danger.

"My guest. Take the two in the back to the guest quarters and have someone attend to them. I will take the other one up to my lady" there seemed to be too many questions on the guard's face but he folded under a glare.

A few more guards arrived pretty soon and circled the couple to lead them away. The couple looked uncomfortable as well as uncertain but a few well-placed words from the healer relaxed them.

"It's not noble of you to keep them as prisoners. What if I don't care about them and cause trouble for you anyway?" the healer asked, her tone frosty.

Nicole did not what to make of her and that was why she had sent a message to her lady beforehand.

Also, there was one thing Nicole was sure of.

"You can try but I assure you that you would not be able to best me in a fight. Neither in magic nor power" Nicole could not make out the other's muscle mass under all the fabric but she could make out a few things.

The other had a good curvy body which generally indicated that the other had next to no fighting experience. Also, since the other was a healer, it was likely that her ability to wield offensive magic was also limited.

Of course, this was all but a guess on Nicole's part but she felt pretty confident in her assumption.

"I see. It is a good assessment but how sure are you on it? Are you willing to bet your Vizier's life on it?" the lady asked and it took everything in Nicole's body to not react to those words.

The tone was different than before. It was filled with power and it pressed down on her for just a second….

…. And it was enough to make Nicole second-guess everything she knew about the other.

Maybe the other was a threat.

"But you do not need to worry. My interests line in with your higher-ups and this city. I have no intention to see it come to harm anytime soon" that one line broke the tense atmosphere.

The healer was looking down at the town with an almost-fond expression and it softened that beautiful face even more.

Nicole found it difficult to look away from that eternal scene.

She had seen a lot of beautiful faces in her carrier. Many had been sent as gifts to her, the others trying to seduce her and even kill her but she had never felt anything quite like this before.

The healer seemed as if she existed only at that moment, someone divine who was generally hidden behind a mask and it took Nicole's breathe away.

"I-that is…" Was Nicole speechless? How could it happen? And to her?

"My lady, let us not keep the Vizier waiting. The sooner we finish this meeting, the sooner we can get to the important stuff. Oreta is good but it can be great once it's people become healthier. Let us work toward that goal"

Those words felt like a long-awaited wish coming true.

For Nicole, a low-born orphan from Oreta's lowest parts, it had been a dream to see someone do something about this place. There had been no Vizier, no Sultan, no security when she had been younger.

It took a century after her birth before any kind of control came back to this place and it had been a ray of hope. Something to strive forward.

That was why Nicole had tried hard to be the best, to make a change but the commission was as big a thorn as any and there had been no one here to oppose them.

But now it looked like a change was coming and Nicole wanted to be a part of it.

But she could not. Not yet since the other had not proved herself.

For all Nicole knew, the other could be full of empty words and promises as well. She could be one of those who wore masks of kindness, only to stab you in the back.

Just like the Vizier.

People might have thought of Nicole as loyal but she was as much a slave here as anything else. After all, even the Vizier had to bow down and make compromises in front of the council to get legal medical health to this place.

But maybe, just maybe, she could tip the scale a little in the upcoming negotiation.

"Before we go in, you need to know something. The Vizier. They are already in the commission's grasp so it would be difficult to get them to agree to your terms" Nicole breathed out, almost regretting letting the information slip.

But the next words of the other surprised her even more.

"I already knew that. After all, that is why I chose to approach her instead of any other authority here" what a mad woman this person was.