Man With Super Medical Skill (Matthew)

After a long while, the previously silent cave echoed with the sound of footsteps.

Crunch, crunch...

The crunch of snow underfoot reverberated in the quiet.

Dorothy's gaze remained fixed on the small entrance to the cave. An elderly figure emerged, dressed in ice-blue robes, with silver hair, a face marked with age spots, and leaning on a staff with a dragon's head carved at the top. Seeing the elderly woman, Dorothy hurried forward to support her.

"Young one, whose disciple are you?" Elder Wynter's voice was raspy, likely from years of disuse.

"My teacher was the former head witch doctor, Colton Yale," Dorothy replied respectfully to the nearly 400-year-old elder.

"So, you're that rascal's student, huh? Time flies, and even his disciples are all grown up now." Elder Wynter's voice was filled with nostalgia.

She was a peer of Colton's teacher's teacher, making her three generations removed from Dorothy.

"Now, what is your reason for awakening this old bag of bones today?"

"The new queen of Montiria was nearly assassinated during her pregnancy and almost miscarried. Now, she's only hanging on by a thread," Dorothy explained.

Elder Wynter nodded, understanding Dorothy's intentions. Over the years, she had been awakened two or three times, the most recent being to treat King Gawain I.

As the sun gradually set and dusk settled in, Gadel sat anxiously outside Fiorenna's chamber.

Didn't Clementine promise she'd return before nightfall? It's already evening!

Gadel still bore the bloodstains from the traitor he had personally executed that day. He hadn't bothered to change clothes, fully intending to wear the bloodstained royal robe to future court sessions. Finally, two figures appeared in the distance. Dorothy was carefully supporting Elder Wynter, whose silver hair gleamed in the fading light.

Gadel quickly approached them, the anxiety in his eyes giving way to relief.

"Greetings, Elder Wynter. Please, save my queen."

"Alright, young man, if you keep shouting like that, you'll shake these old bones of mine to pieces," Elder Wynter waved her hand, motioning for Gadel to calm down.

Gadel chuckled awkwardly, realizing he had let his emotions get the better of him.

Elder Wynter approached Fiorenna's door, about to enter, but noticed Gadel still trailing behind her. "What, do you intend to come in and watch?" Gadel quickly realized the impropriety. "No, no, of course not. Please, go ahead."

As Elder Wynter stepped inside, Gadel thought he heard her mutter something under her breath. "This generation's king doesn't seem too bright." Gadel fell silent, then turned to his bodyguards.

Jaylen... better skip over him.

"Arnold, did she just say I'm not too bright?" Gadel grabbed Arnold's arm, seeking confirmation.

Arnold smiled, replying diplomatically, "You must have misheard, Your Majesty. Elder Wynter is kind-hearted; she wouldn't say something like that."

Arnold's quick thinking provided

Gadel with the excuse he needed.

Had he asked Jaylen and received a

blunt confirmation, Gadel would

have had to swallow the

eľn

embarrassment and pretend he hadn't heard it.

"Your Majesty, that old-mmph!"

Jaylen had barely opened his mouth when Arnold, anticipating his blunder, swiftly pulled out a piece of jerky from his bag and stuffed it into

Jaylen's mouth with perfect timing.

Seeing Jaylen mumble incoherently, Gadel gave Arnold an approving look. Well done.