| Board : | |
| Author : | |
| Subject : | |
| Date : | |
|
*The Great One The old woman, withered hands clutching a staff sculpted from a twisted tree branch, stands alone in a small wooden hut. Her gown, once a vivid hue of green, has dulled over the years and has been patched one too many times. Her body is weary, mind feeble - yet her eyes are still shining. The villagers come and go from her small, humble home, bringing with them their ailments and injuries for healing. Confining bleeding wounds in bandages, applying herb-infused balms to rashes, even guiding the departed back to the realm of the living - the old woman tends to the afflictions and physical sufferings of her people on a day to day basis. When they come -be it a young, ignorant warrior pressing his hand to a deep gash across his arm, or a child running in with a scrape on his knee- the old woman takes great delight in listening to their stories. They tell her of vicious monsters, threatening beasts, sword clashing upon sword, and she laughs delightfully as she hears each and every experience. The woman, as old as she is now, was once young, and would embark on many an adventure herself back when her body was strong and healthy. Defending her kingdom with youthful determination and an honorable heart, she would fight for peace and justice and to protect those of the city she greatly admired. It has been many moons since she rested her sword and left the cities for a more quiet village life, yet to this day she keeps it sheathed beneath her bed as a perpetual reminder of the life she had experienced. Oh, she was great in her day! The villagers know nothing of this, of course, but think her to be great in a much divergent way- this old woman uses her ability in herbal lore and healing magic to selflessly help the people around her, never asking for anything in return and always requesting to hear stories of their adventures. The old woman smiles widely as she glances out of the window and notices a young man limping up the stone path leading to her front door. With surprising agility for one of her age, she bustles about readying potions and balms and all sorts of things, and by the time a knock sounds on the wood, she is ready to begin healing. The village healer was great, and continues to be great. In both past and present, this greatness is attributed to her efforts working for the benefit of others, and as such is respected by all those to come in contact with her. Avienda. | |