Marachius Ainsley

Unlucky Breaks

Marachius sat in a plush chair near the front door of Madame Eva’s tavern, holding a book in one hand and a drink in the other. Taking a sip, he would then hold the book closer and read another page before moving his thumb to turn to the next.

“You seem quite focused tonight.”

Marachius glanced up to see Madame Eva looking over his shoulder at the book. “Yes, ma’am,” he replied, tilting the book slightly to give Madame Eva an easier time to see what was on the page. “Commander Larethian loaned it to me.”

“Paladin histories?”

“Yes, ma’am. He thought…” but the young paladin didn’t get to finish his thought.

From the other side of the inn, a series of thuds rolled down the stairs until something finally slammed into the wall in front of it. Almost immediately after the last thud, someone shrieked in pain. Marachius set his book and cup down and followed the inn’s matron as she quickly moved to the stairs. At the bottom sat a young boy, whimpering and cradling his right arm.

“Oh my dear,” Eva said compassionately, kneeling down next to the boy. “Did you fall down the stairs?” The boy continued to whimper and nodded a little, tears running down his face. “Are you hurt?” 

The boy held his arm closer and continued to cry. Eva reached out and brushed the boy’s hair out of his face. Then she turned and looked up at Marachius. “Can you check, please?”

“I..” Marachius started to reply. Then, looking at Madame Eva and the poor boy, he nodded. “Of course.” He knelt down next to the boy and gently put his hands on the injured arm. With his eyes closed, Marachius concentrated as he held the boy’s arm at the elbow and the wrist.

“Its broken,” Marachius said as he opened his eyes and looking at the boy. “I can fix it, if you’ll trust me.”

The boy looked at Eva, who simply nodded to the child, before he looked back at Marachius and gave a meek nod as well. Taking a deep breath, Marachius closed his eyes and lowered his head slightly. After a few moments, a glow formed around the paladin’s hands and slowly spread across the boy’s arm. The paladin kept his concentration for several moments before the light began to subside. Finally opening his eyes, he looked at the boy.

“Better?”

“Yeah,” the boy answered, still whimpering. 

“Good,” Madame Eva said with a smile. “You should take it easy. Go home and let your mother know what happened.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the boy responded. Gingerly, he stood up from the floor and made his way to the door.

“Nicely done, paladin,” Madame Eva said, standing and turning to face the paladin.

“Thank you,” Marachius answered slowly. “I’m glad I could help.”