The delegation arrived three days later on a clear autumn morning. First came the outriders—six royal guards in polished armor, their purple and silver tabards marking them as Crown soldiers rather than mere provincial militia. Behind them rolled an ornate wagon pulled by four matched gray horses, its sides painted with the royal seal and the emblem of the Healing College: a hand surrounded by rays of light.

  Villagers gathered along the main road, watching with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension as the procession moved toward the village square. James stepped forward as the wagon came to a stop, straightening his tunic in a small gesture that betrayed his nervousness.

  The wagon door opened to reveal a distinguished man in his sixties, his silver hair contrasting with deep blue robes trimmed in silver. Despite his age, he moved with easy grace as he descended. Behind him came two younger men in similar but less ornate robes—one tall and handsome with an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance, the other slightly older with a practical, unassuming demeanor.

  "Welcome to Riverside," James said, offering a respectful bow. "I'm James, a member of our village council."

  The silver-haired man inclined his head. "Master Thaddeus Merrick, Senior Examiner of the Royal College of Healing Arts. These are my assistants—Garrett Voss and Edmund Halloway." The younger men nodded in acknowledgment, Garrett with barely concealed disinterest, Edmund with a polite smile.

  A woman in the practical leather armor of a royal guard captain approached, her movements fluid and precise. As she took her position beside Thaddeus, her gaze swept over the gathered villagers, pausing momentarily as her eyes found Elaine. Something flickered across her features—a slight narrowing of her eyes, a barely perceptible tension in her shoulders—gone so quickly it might have been imagination.

  "The perimeter is secure, Master Thaddeus," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the subtle shift in her stance that placed her slightly closer to her charge than before.

  "Thank you, Captain Riona," he replied before returning his attention to James. "We've come regarding reports of a healer with...unusual abilities."

  Before James could respond, Mary arrived with Elaine. The crowd parted to let them pass, whispers following in their wake. Captain Riona's hand briefly moved toward her sword hilt before settling deliberately at her side, her eyes tracking Elaine with an intensity that differed subtly from her professional assessment of the rest of the gathering.

  "This is Healer Elaine," James said, a note of pride in his voice. "She's been caring for our village these past months."

  Thaddeus studied Elaine with keen interest, his gaze both professional and penetrating. For her part, Elaine met his eyes steadily, offering a respectful nod. Her attention briefly shifted to Riona, noting something curious in the captain's watchful gaze.

  "Master Thaddeus," she said. "You're known even in remote villages like ours. Your work during the Ash Plague saved thousands."

  A flicker of surprise crossed the elder healer's face, quickly replaced by a gracious smile. "You're well-informed, Healer Elaine. Indeed, that was many years ago now." He gestured to his assistants. "We've received quite remarkable reports about your abilities. The Royal College takes great interest in healers of exceptional talent."

  "We're required to verify all registered healers in the kingdom," Garrett interjected, his tone making it clear he found the task beneath him. "Especially those practicing without formal certification."

  Edmund cleared his throat. "What my colleague means is that we're eager to observe your methods. Professional courtesy between healers, of course."

  Elaine glanced at the gathered villagers, noting their concerned expressions. "I'd be happy to demonstrate my work," she said. "My clinic is this way."

  As she led the delegation toward her cottage, Elaine heard Captain Riona instructing two guards to accompany them while the others secured accommodations. The captain herself followed at a discreet distance, her gaze attentive in a way that seemed to go beyond mere vigilance.

  The clinic was spotlessly clean, with neat shelves of herbs and remedies lining the walls. Sarah was arranging fresh flowers in a vase, her eyes widening at the entrance of the distinguished visitors.

  "My apprentice, Sarah," Elaine introduced. The girl curtseyed awkwardly, nearly knocking over the vase in her excitement.

  "Perhaps the child should wait elsewhere," Garrett suggested, his tone dismissive.

  "Sarah stays," Elaine said firmly. "She assists with all my treatments."

  Thaddeus settled onto a chair, observing the clinic with evident interest. Captain Riona positioned herself by the door, her posture relaxed yet alert, her eyes occasionally lingering on Elaine with a thoughtful expression.

  "You've established a proper healing space. Good. Many village healers work from their kitchens," Thaddeus noted. He nodded to Edmund, who produced a leather-bound journal and began taking notes.

  "How would you prefer to proceed?" Elaine asked.

  "We'll observe your normal practice first," Thaddeus replied. "Then, if you're willing, we have a few specific cases to evaluate your methods."

  As if on cue, a farmer arrived with his wife, who suffered from persistent headaches. Elaine had them sit comfortably while she prepared a mild herbal tea, explaining each ingredient to Sarah as she worked. Only after the woman had drunk the tea did Elaine place her hands gently on the woman's temples. A soft golden glow emanated from her fingers for just a few seconds.

  From her position by the door, Riona straightened almost imperceptibly, her attention sharpening as the golden light appeared. Though her expression remained neutral, her eyes followed the glow with an intensity that suggested she perceived something beyond what others in the room could see.

  "The pain should be gone now," Elaine said. "The tea will help prevent its return."

  The woman blinked in surprise. "It is gone. Completely." She looked to her husband with amazement. "Three years of pain, just... vanished."

  Thaddeus leaned forward, his interest sharpening. "May I?" he asked the woman, who nodded her permission. He placed his own hands where Elaine's had been, closing his eyes in concentration. After a moment, he sat back, expression thoughtful.

  "Fascinating," he murmured. "No trace of the pressure that was causing the pain." He turned to Elaine. "You didn't just mask the symptoms—you corrected the underlying condition."

  Several more patients arrived throughout the afternoon. Elaine treated each one methodically—a child with a rash that disappeared under her touch, an elderly man whose joints moved freely after decades of stiffness, a pregnant woman whose dangerous early contractions calmed immediately.

  With each demonstration, Garrett's expression grew darker, while Captain Riona's attention grew more focused. She shifted her position occasionally, always maintaining a clear line of sight to both her charges and Elaine, her experienced eyes missing nothing.

  "That's not how contagion theory works," Garrett insisted after Elaine explained her preventative treatment for red fever. "The College protocols require isolation and graduated exposures over weeks, not... whatever this is."

  "And yet, not a single child died," Elaine responded calmly. "In fact, those already infected recovered completely within days."

  Edmund, who had been quietly taking notes, looked up with genuine curiosity. "How did you develop these techniques, Healer Elaine? They're unlike anything in the College archives."

  Before she could answer, Thaddeus raised a hand. "Perhaps it's time for a more specific evaluation." He nodded to Edmund, who set aside his journal.

  "I've suffered from a lung condition since childhood," Edmund explained, removing his outer robe to reveal a thin chest. "A fever damaged my lungs when I was seven. I've been examined by every healer at the College, including Master Thaddeus himself."

  "The damage is extensive and considered permanent," Thaddeus confirmed. "Edmund can function normally most days but struggles with exertion and is vulnerable to winter illnesses."

  Elaine nodded. "May I examine you?"

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  Edmund sat on the examination table while Elaine placed her hands lightly on his chest. She closed her eyes, sensing the scarred tissue, the constricted airways, the weakness that had plagued him for decades.

  "This will feel warm," she said, and golden light flowed from her hands, spreading across his chest and seeming to sink beneath his skin. Everyone in the room watched, transfixed, as Edmund's breathing changed, deepening and smoothing. Color rose in his formerly pale cheeks.

  Riona's hand drifted toward her sword, resting lightly on the hilt as she observed the more intense manifestation of Elaine's power. A brief frown crossed her features—not fear exactly, but the look of someone encountering something that defied categorization within her experience.

  After about thirty seconds, Elaine stepped back. "Take a deep breath," she instructed.

  Edmund inhaled deeply, his eyes widening in shock. He exhaled, then inhaled again, filling his lungs completely for what might have been the first time in his adult life. "I... it's..." He looked to Thaddeus, speechless.

  The master healer approached, placing his hands where Elaine's had been. His expression shifted from professional assessment to undisguised amazement.

  "The scarring is gone," he said quietly. "Completely regenerated tissue. Perfect bronchial function." He turned to Elaine, his composure momentarily broken. "In thirty years of healing, I've never seen anything like this."

  Garrett pushed forward, his own hands replacing Thaddeus's on Edmund's chest. His face flushed with what might have been anger or envy. "This is impossible," he muttered. "No healing technique can reverse decades-old scarring instantly."

  "And yet," Edmund said, taking another luxurious breath, "here I am." He looked at Elaine with undisguised gratitude. "Thank you. Truly."

  Sarah, who had been watching wide-eyed from the corner, grinned triumphantly. "Told you she was magical," she said to no one in particular.

  Thaddeus recovered his composure, though wonder still lingered in his eyes. "I believe we've seen enough for today. Healer Elaine, we'll need to continue our discussions. Are there suitable accommodations in the village?."

  Elaine nodded, noting the calculating look that had replaced his earlier amazement. "Of course. Mary has invited you all to dine at her home tonight. We can continue our conversation there."

  As the delegation prepared to leave, Captain Riona lingered behind momentarily, her gaze meeting Elaine's with quiet assessment. Something passed between them—not quite recognition, but a silent acknowledgment—before the captain turned to follow her charges, her movements carrying the careful precision of someone newly aware of uncertain terrain.

  Sarah waited until they were gone before bouncing with excitement.

  "Did you see their faces? Especially the fancy one with the perfect hair? He looked like he swallowed a lemon!"

  Despite her concerns about the delegation's true purpose, Elaine couldn't help but smile. "I don't think Healer Garrett is accustomed to seeing his assumptions challenged."

  Sarah helped tidy the clinic, chattering about how the royal visitors must find Riverside terribly small and dull after the capital. Elaine let the girl's enthusiasm wash over her, a welcome counterpoint to the undercurrents she'd sensed during the examination.

  Whatever the delegation's intentions, their arrival had changed something. The question was what would happen next.

  * * *

  Mary's cottage had never looked so fine. She had spent the afternoon polishing her mother's silver—the family's only heirloom—and arranging wildflowers in clay vessels. The best tablecloth, saved for special occasions, covered the worn oak table, and every surface gleamed with the effort of her preparations.

  "Is it enough?" she asked Elaine, smoothing the cloth for the fourth time.

  "More than enough," Elaine assured her. "Remember, they're here to evaluate me, not your home."

  Sarah darted around the table, making final adjustments to the place settings. "Will they take you away?" she asked suddenly, the question hanging in the air like a storm cloud.

  Before Elaine could answer, Thomas appeared in the doorway. At twelve, he was already developing his father's serious demeanor. "They're coming," he announced. "Father's walking with them from the village square."

  The delegation arrived moments later—Thaddeus leading with dignified grace, Garrett and Edmund following, and Captain Riona bringing up the rear. As they entered, Riona's gaze immediately found Elaine, a flicker of something crossing her face before her expression reset to professional neutrality.

  "Welcome to our home," Mary said, performing a small curtsy that somehow managed to be both respectful and slightly ironic.

  "You honor us with your hospitality," Thaddeus replied with practiced courtesy. His eyes moved appreciatively over the carefully prepared table. "Especially on such short notice."

  As they settled around the table, Riona positioned herself slightly apart—close enough to participate but with clear lines of sight to both the door and Elaine. Something about her posture seemed unusually tense, her vigilance extending beyond mere professional caution.

  "The stew smells wonderful," Edmund said, inhaling deeply—the action clearly a novelty to him after years of restricted breathing. "Being able to smell properly again is... remarkable."

  Mary beamed at the compliment. "It's venison with autumn herbs. Thomas helped hunt the deer."

  Thomas straightened at the mention, pride evident in his young face.

  "Impressive," Garrett commented, though his tone suggested he found little truly impressive about their rustic meal. "I suppose hunting skills are essential this far from civilization."

  James cleared his throat. "Riverside may be small, but we're hardly uncivilized. We maintain trade with three neighboring provinces."

  Sarah, unable to contain herself any longer, burst out: "Have you ever seen a dragon? There are stories about dragons in the northern mountains."

  "Sarah," Mary admonished gently, "let our guests eat before your interrogation."

  Thaddeus smiled kindly at the girl. "No dragons, I'm afraid. Though there was a fascinating creature discovered in the western swamps last year—rather like an oversized salamander."

  The conversation flowed around mundane topics as they began the meal—the recent harvest, weather patterns, news from the capital. Throughout, Riona remained unusually alert, her eyes repeatedly drawn to Elaine despite her efforts to maintain a professional scan of the room. Whenever Elaine moved suddenly or gestured while speaking, Riona's hand would drift subtly toward her sword, only to be deliberately returned to her side.

  Thaddeus noticed, sending questioning glances toward his captain that she either didn't see or chose to ignore.

  As they finished the main course, Thaddeus steered the conversation in a new direction. "Healer Elaine, I'm curious about your training. Your techniques are... unusual."

  "I've traveled extensively," Elaine replied, the vagueness of her answer deliberate. "My methods developed through experience rather than formal instruction."

  Garrett leaned forward. "That's precisely the problem with unregulated healers. Without proper training, how can you be certain your techniques are safe?"

  "I measure safety by results," Elaine said simply. "No patient I've treated has suffered harm."

  "On the contrary," Edmund added, taking another deep, luxurious breath. "What college-trained healer could have accomplished what Elaine did today?"

  Garrett's expression soured. "Exceptional results require exceptional scrutiny. There are protocols established by the College for good reason."

  "Where exactly did you practice before coming to Riverside?" Thaddeus asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

  As Elaine began another deliberately vague response about "various communities," Riona shifted suddenly, her chair scraping against the floor. Everyone turned to look at her, and she froze momentarily, seeming surprised by her own movement.

  "Apologies," she murmured, clearly discomfited by the attention.

  James used the interruption to change course. "What brings a Senior Examiner so far from the capital? Surely village healers don't normally warrant such distinguished attention."

  Thaddeus dabbed his mouth with a napkin, setting it carefully beside his plate. "You're quite right. Which brings me to the purpose of our visit." He straightened slightly. "Are you familiar with the Royal Decree on Exceptional Healing Gifts?"

  The question hung in the air. James and Mary exchanged glances.

  "I can't say that I am," James replied carefully.

  "It was established during the reign of Queen Liora the Wise," Thaddeus explained. "The Royal Decree on Exceptional Healing Gifts stipulates that healers with extraordinary abilities must serve at the Royal College, where their gifts can benefit the kingdom as a whole rather than a single community."

  The implications settled over the table like a shadow.

  "Surely that applies to registered healers," James suggested, "those formally trained at the College."

  Thaddeus shook his head. "The decree is quite clear. It applies to all healers whose gifts exceed ordinary bounds, regardless of their training or registration status." He turned to Elaine. "Based on what we witnessed today, you certainly qualify."

  Elaine set down her cup with deliberate calm. "I understand your position, Master Thaddeus, but I won't be leaving Riverside."

  The words were simple, delivered without heat or defiance, yet they seemed to make the air in the room thicken. Across the table, Riona tensed visibly, her face showing a flash of something that might have been fear before she controlled it.

  "I don't think you understand," Garrett said, leaning forward. "This isn't an invitation that can be declined."

  "What my colleague means," Thaddeus interjected smoothly, "is that the decree carries the force of law. Compliance isn't optional."

  "And if I choose to remain here?" Elaine asked.

  Thaddeus's expression cooled slightly. "Then we would be forced to compel your cooperation. For the good of the kingdom."

  "You can't just take her," Sarah blurted, her young face flushed with indignation. "She belongs here!"

  "Sarah," Mary said softly, placing a restraining hand on her daughter's arm.

  Edmund cleared his throat. "Perhaps we could discuss some arrangement—periodic visits to the capital, perhaps? Sharing of knowledge without permanent relocation?"

  "The decree is quite specific," Garrett said, his tone leaving no room for compromise.

  Riona shifted again, the movement drawing everyone's attention. Sweat had beaded on her forehead despite the cool evening air. When she spoke, her voice carried an urgency that surprised even her.

  "It's been a long day for everyone," she said. "Perhaps we should continue this discussion tomorrow, after we've all had a chance to rest and reflect."

  Thaddeus studied his captain with surprise, noting her unusual demeanor. After a moment, he nodded. "A sensible suggestion. We can resume our discussion in the village center tomorrow." He turned to Mary. "Thank you for your hospitality. The meal was excellent."

  As they rose from the table, the tension in the room remained palpable. Riona positioned herself between Elaine and the rest of the delegation, maintaining a careful distance from both. Her expression showed confusion at her own behavior, a soldier accustomed to facing danger now inexplicably unsettled by a village healer.

  The delegation departed with formal thanks, leaving James, Mary, and Elaine alone with the children.

  "What happens now?" Mary asked quietly after the door closed.

  Elaine's gaze lingered on the door. "Now we prepare for tomorrow."

  Outside, Riona walked slightly apart from the delegation, her hand resting on her sword hilt. She glanced back at Mary's cottage, a shiver running through her that had nothing to do with the evening chill. Something about Elaine triggered instincts she'd relied on her entire career—instincts that had always helped her identify threats and opponents of superior strength.

  But this was different. This was overwhelming. And she couldn't understand why.