Chapter 2: Episode 2: Fort Assignment
I stayed behind after disembarking and watched the horse drawn passenger cart trot off into the distance, allowing the other passengers to enter the fort first. I had no desire to be around judgmental gossip and I wanted a moment for myself. To mourn my old life and watch the only vehicle capable of escaping this place fade away under the late afternoon sun.
‘It’ll be dark in a few hours. I should get inside and try to find some way to survive the night.’
Turning my attention to the fort, I was overwhelmed with despair. Chunks of the stone wall are missing, every other window was broken, charred wood for doors, rusted chains barely holding the drawbridge, a dry moat full of bodies, and soldiers in various states of healing.
‘I doubt this place has ever passed inspection. Those guys probably just pass everything to get back to their lives of comfort and discard those struggling to survive here.’
Slowly crossing the old drawbridge, avoiding the rotting holes, I did my best to ignore the whispers.
‘Seems rumors about me have reached even this desolate place…’
Standing at the back of the newly formed line to enter, I waited for my turn. One by one, entrance permits, and identification documents were examined and approved.
“Why the hell do we have to do this?” Someone in front of me griped. “Not like anyone would actually want to break into this place.”
“Rumors of demon spies have heightened security. Just be thankful I researched what items we needed before we got here. Otherwise, you’d be in for a rough time,” their companion sighed, annoyed.
‘Strange. I wasn’t given any documents to come here. All I have is the priest's letter… Will they let me in? Maybe I’ll get lucky and get sent back. Though if they’re gossiping about me, I doubt they’ll need to check any documents…’
“Next person, please have your papers ready,” a guard called out as they finished with the travelers in front of me.
Coming to the front of the line, I set my heavy briefcase on the ground and rummaged through my pockets for the letter Father Izah gave me. Pulling out the crumpled envelope, I handed it over to one of the confused guards. Their confusion turned to discomfort as they scanned the contents of my letter. A heavy sigh left the guards' lips before addressing me.
“We have been expecting you. You will need to report to Mother Superior in the medical wing. You will be on night shift most likely, but the use of your powers is restricted until told otherwise,” the guard explained, handing back my letter.
‘Great, I’m sent to heal soldiers and I’m restricted from using my life-saving abilities… Whatever, I just need to survive long enough to go home.’
“How do I get to the Medical Wing?” I probed, putting the letter back in my pocket.
“To get to the Medical Wing, go through the Courtyard to the back double doors. That’s the entrance to the Great Hall,” the guard replied, gesturing to the barren, debris filled courtyard behind him. “Then go through the Great Hall into the main hallway. Once in the main hallway, you’ll pass a few offices and the church entrance before coming to another set of double doors. That’s the entrance to the Medical Wing. It’ll have a red cross on it.”
“Thank you,” I said as I waltzed past them into the old medieval-esk fort. Following the directions closely, I strolled through the slightly dilapidated Great Hall, that held a few lunch stragglers; down the dusty, cobweb-filled hallway; and stood in front of the blood splattered doors with the red cross.
‘Nothing about this place seems safe or welcoming. Just by looking at the bloodstains on this door, I can tell it won’t be easy to live or work here…’
Taking a deep breath, I shouldered open the door; gripping my briefcase tightly from nerves. Nothing could have prepared me for this.
The stench was the first thing I noticed. Rotting, diseased flesh mixed with sweat and blood perfumed the air and churned my stomach. Sobs of pain and screams of despair assaulted my ears. Dried blood and soiled hay littered the floor as soot stained the ceiling. Melted candles rested on old wooden tables beside rusty instruments and foul-smelling water. Washed, yet stained bandages lay folded on shelves, ready for the next patient. In the corner was a small fireplace heating a cauldron full of water. Nothing here could be considered sanitary, let alone sterile and yet every nun I saw was using these items to care for the injured and sick soldiers. It was a miracle any of them still drew breath after this kind of treatment.
“Who are you and what are you doing here,” a rough voice called out, pulling my attention to an aging nun with a sour expression that sat at a desk doing paperwork.
‘That must be Mother Superior.’
“I’m here on assignment,” I quickly answered, pulling out my envelope once more as the old nun strolled over to me. Snatching the envelope from me, she roughly pulled out the letter and perused its contents.
“Ah, yes, I’ve been expecting you. I’m sure you’ve been told, but don't use your powers unless I tell you. Got a lot of folks that are wary of magic and will kill you on sight out of suspicion of you being a demon spy,” she warned, stuffing the letter back in the envelope and then in her pocket. “You’ll be on night shift in this Wing to learn the ropes. Once you’ve got a few months of skills, we will let the General decide if you are to stay here or become a field medic.”
“Don’t you need combat training to be a field medic?” I squeaked, panic stabbing into my heart.
“Normally yes, but we’re shorthanded. If we lose another field medic, we're gonna do a lottery to choose the new one. Now, let me fill you in on a few things,” Mother Superior explained. “First, we rarely get medical supply deliveries, they are typically attacked and scavenged before they reach us, so try to save what you can. Second, we have no running water, and the well isn’t the cleanest. Boiling water is all we can do. If you get thirsty, you’re better off having watered down alcohol or a hot drink. Expect some stomach trouble in your first few weeks here.”
“I see…” I replied, shell-shocked.
“The dorms for the nuns are upstairs, use that door in the back. It’ll take you straight there. You can get a few hours rest before your shift,” Mother Superior advised. “I would recommend skipping your meal. First night can be rough on the newcomers.” Nodding a simple thanks, I headed to the dorms, doubtful I would get any sleep with these butterflies in my stomach.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone