Episode 3: Hospital Prayers

Behind the back door and up the worn, smooth stone steps, I eventually reached the second floor. It was more of an attic than a floor with its pitched, low ceiling, but at least there was enough space you didn’t need to crouch as you walked. Passing large storage areas and a bathroom that functioned more like the privy chambers of the old days, with waste falling into the stables manure pile down below, I was silently grateful I had not been assigned to work with the horses.

Towards the back of the floor were the nun’s dorms. They were tiny compared to the storage rooms beside them but had the necessities; bunk beds dangerously close to the ceiling, lopsided lockers that protested staying closed, and many crosses adorning the wall to remind us of what we fought for. Though, everything was hard to make out. There were no windows and only an occasional flickering candle to light the room, but at least it was enough light to see the chalkboards at the foot of every bunk. Every board carried a name and in the farthest corner with a missing top bunk, I found mine; Violet.

‘I guess they didn’t want to force anyone to share a bunk with me… It worries me that every name is in chalk. So easy to wipe away and replace… How dangerous is this place?’

Stuffing my single briefcase under the bed, I tried to accept my new life. Laying down on the dirty sheets, I stared into the darkness. I wanted to bathe and get the dirt out of my hair, but with no running water and a questionable well, I felt it would only dirty me more.

‘At least my black hair can hide dirt and my tan skin only slightly shows it.’

Curling up on the bed, not bothering to change my clothes, I let a pitiful sorrow wash over me and silently cried myself into a dreamless sleep.

What felt like minutes later, I was shaken awake. Opening my eyes, I found only shadows and a blurry figure in candlelight.

“Get up,” a young woman’s voice ordered. “Mealtime is over already, and Mother Superior is asking for you.”

‘Seems they made skipping my meal mandatory instead of a suggestion… It doesn’t matter. The extra sleep is more useful for my first night, anyways.’

Getting out of bed, I straightened up my clothing and hair as the woman who woke me left the room; unwilling to wait for me. Quickly, I headed to the Medical Wing and found chaos waiting for me. Severed limbs, stab wounds, deep sword cuts, missing fingers and eyes. My empty stomach revolted, but with nothing in it, I only gagged.

“Quit your bellyaching and come here,” Mother Superior shouted, noticing my arrival as she stood at a soldier’s bedside, trying to tend to his broken arm. Not wanting to anger her, I rushed over and did my best to conceal my disgust.

“You’re gonna help me with this patient,” Mother Superior informed me. “I’ve got the splint ready to go, but I need you to muscle the arm into the right position the best you can.”

“This injury requires surgery–” I protested.

“We don’t have that luxury. Best we can do is set it with a splint, clean the wound with boiled and blessed water, and bandage it up. Maybe do a little stitching if needed. Now, stop whining and do as you’re told,” Mother Superior ordered.

“Shouldn’t we numb it first or give him pain meds?” I pleaded, cringing as I looked at the man’s pain-filled face.

“We don’t have any of those supplies. He’s been given some vodka. Get to work, girl,” Mother Superior demanded. With shaking hands and a queasy stomach, I twisted the man’s broken arm into the correct position, his screams of agony shredding any calm facade I tried to muster. Tears streamed down my face as I held steady against his weakened thrashing, allowing Mother Superior to get the splint into the correct position.

‘They don’t want me using my powers, but I also know holy magic. I’m not the strongest with it, but it should be enough to ease his pain.’

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and mentally reached into my core. Envisioning light and–

“Stop, you damn fool!” Mother Superior shouted, slapping away my glowing hands, forcing my eyes open from shock as the soldier between us howled in agony. “His wounds are infected with demonic curses from those beast's weapons. All you’ve done is made his condition worse.” Panic pounded against my heart as the man’s screams shredded my thoughts.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I thought it would help. The church says holy magic can heal most wounds,” I sputtered, backing away in shame and fear as Mother Superior tried to flush the now inflamed wound with water.

“Did they tell you nothing of this place and of the war?” Mother Superior growled, as she picked up some unknown powder from the bed’s side table and tossed it on the wound. “Holy magic can only be used for attacks here. It has been years since we were able to use it for healing thanks to their damn weapon advancements. It’s been a dog's age since cursed blades became common.”

“They just ordered me to come here,” I replied, feeling angry glares from the other nuns in between the treatment of soldiers. “They didn’t tell me anything else. Everything I know was gleaned from others on my trek here.”

“Of course, the higher ups send me babes with no knowledge,” Mother Superior grumbled. “We don’t use magic here and you will not use your abilities. We have no idea how they will interact with these wounds. Now, make yourself useful and boil more water. The bucket is near the cauldron and more wood is outside near the well at the far-left side of the courtyard. Afterwards, you can wash some bandages for us to use.”

“Yes, Mother Superior,” I squeaked, rushing over to the fireplace to fetch the bucket and start my new assignment. Grabbing the wooden bucket, I tried not to cry as whispered insults reached my ears and spurred my footsteps toward the courtyard. It was going to be a long, harsh first night for me.