First Day

The first day on the "job" was daunting even from the moment of waking up. She had always dreamed of being a doctor. Healer as they called it here. She had studied long and hard to be the best possible student and surgeon. However knowing the worlds take on female surgeons she had hidden that part of herself behind an anvil and hammer.

As she dressed all she could think of was "How do I fill Ashley's shoes?" Looking at her reflection in the polished gleam of a mirror, she saw the second thoughts replaying themselves in her eyes. She knew so very little of healing with herbs. Magic was so far over her head she realized she had turned a blind eye to it. The raven haired blacksmith was from a totally different world. A world of modern concepts, who lived in and survived on the denial of Old ways. Ancient remedies were scoffed at. Mages were something of bedtime stories. Dragons were used to scare children into obedience and fairies were just plain cute.

Meren screwed her face up in the mirror and shook her head. Had her mentor not told her from day one that the best Teacher was forever a good student. He would say, "Meren my girl, you are great big screwed up mess. Learn by example and teach by giving back." nods to herself then mutters. "and don't spread yourself so thin you can be read through"

Heeding her own advice and that of Elspeth her beloved housekeeper, she donned a dress. A Duchess and Healer does not go around looking like a stable hand. She did keep the dress simple, and her hair braided back and in her bag of medical wonders, was a change of clothes. She figured she would have to break herself in slowly to the wonders of femininity.

The day was bright, cold and full of promise. Her step light and lively and she only had to turn around twice to find the Tower instead of the stables. Some habits needed to be broken. Being afraid of new things was something she would have to give up as well.