Vyxara's voice woke Valentina before dawn, and Valentina was glad of it – she certainly didn't want to be late today

"There's no need to be nervous, little Weaver," Vyxara's voice sounded amused in her head. "Trust me, unlike the court, you'll be right in your element there among the scholarly Essence Weavers."

"I'm still a little nervous," Valentina admitted in her thoughts. Today was her first day at the famous Greystone Hospital. The idea of working under the supervision of Master Wilford made her heart beat faster. From everything she'd heard so far, he was a titan in his field.

A soft knock on the door announced Jenny. The young maid hobbled in with a tray containing a carafe of steaming herbal tea.

"Good morning, My Lady!" Jenny beamed as she hurried busily around the room and drew the curtains. "I've already prepared your clothes for the hospital. In the hospital they wear a practical gray robe with tight sleeves – it's simple but elegant and easy to move around in."

While Jenny helped Valentina get dressed, she chattered away. "The hospital is a very impressive place, you'll see! The healers there can work wonders." She hesitated briefly. "Well, it didn't work well on my foot, but the Weavers did their best."

"Didn't work out well?" snorted Vyxara. "What an understatement. This clubfoot is an absolute disaster. But even now I could correct it in a few minutes. Your healing skills are so limited."

Valentina didn't react, but resolved to ask the demon about it in more detail at a later date. Instead, she concentrated on braiding her hair into a practical knot. "Tell me more about the hospital, Jenny."

"Oh, it's beautifully built! All round, with the treatment room for the most severe cases in the middle. The Essence patterns in the walls are famous, I wish I could see them. They aid healing. Master Wilford is very strict. Sometimes he scares me a bit..." Jenny blushed. "Forgive me, My Lady, I shouldn't talk about him like that."

While Jenny served breakfast – fresh bread, honey and boiled egg – Valentina immersed herself in one of the healing books the duke had given her. The pages were full of fascinating Essence patterns for various healing applications.

"Primitive techniques," commented Vyxara. "But not bad for humans. Maybe you can persuade this Wilford to teach you some of the better stuff."

Valentina stepped to the window and looked at the hospital. The imposing circular building was connected to the palace by a covered corridor. Essence patterns shimmered subtly in the gray stone walls, complex and precise.

"Shall I accompany you to the hospital, my lady?" Jenny asked eagerly.

"No, thank you. I'll find my own way." Valentina checked her appearance in the mirror one last time. The gray robe was simple and functional, but of the best quality. Her hair was neatly tied back, her face fresh and alert. She looked like a serious young healer.

"A serious young healer with a demon in her head," Vyxara giggled.

"Good luck, my lady!" Jenny called after her as Valentina left the room.

~

Before Valentina had even crossed half of the covered connecting corridor, the heavy oak door of the hospital opened and a tall, gaunt figure stepped out.

Master Fredwick Wilford was an impressive man. His graying hair was cut military short, his posture straight as a die. Deep wrinkles dug around his eyes, which scrutinized Valentina with the intensity of a bird of prey. His gray robe was immaculately clean, the sleeves rolled up precisely.

"Ah." His voice was as dry as old parchments. "The new student." He pronounced the last word as if it were a dubious diagnosis.

"Oh, he's charming," commented Vyxara with amusement.

"Master Wilford." Valentina bowed respectfully. "It is an honor – "

"Spare me the pleasantries," he interrupted her gruffly. "Follow me. And don't touch anything."

He led her through the entrance hall, past busy healers in gray robes and servants carrying bandages and herbs. The smell of vinegar, herbs and something spicy – was that liqueur? – hung in the air.

"As you've already noticed, if you're not a complete moron, the hospital is set up in concentric circles," Wilford explained as they walked along a wide corridor. "The most severe cases are treated in the center, where the effect of the Essence patterns is strongest. The further out, the easier the cases." He stopped abruptly and pointed at the wall. "What do you see?"

Valentina looked at the fine lines that ran through the stone. The Essence patterns were of captivating complexity. "A resonance enhancement for Leb Essence," she said after a brief study. "But with an unusual modification. The patterns seem to reinforce each other."

Wilford raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"The basic structure is reminiscent of the Vanderlieu spiral, but..." She stepped closer to the wall. "The shape is different. Almost like... a wave?"

"A wave." Wilford folded his arms. "Interesting. And what is this 'wave', as you call it, for?"

"It doesn't just amplify the Leb Essence," Valentina said slowly as she studied the patterns. "It also directs it. Like water in a canal. The Essence flows to the center of the building."

A barely perceptible nod. "Not completely incompetent. At least you can read patterns." He started moving again. "These 'waves', as you call them, run through the entire building. They collect and amplify the natural Leb Essence of the environment and direct it to where it is needed most."

"The 'wave', as you call it," Wilford continued, sounding almost a little amused, "is actually a Greystone Cascade. An extremely complex construct developed after the Scorching. Look." He pointed to a spot where several of the Essence patterns overlapped. "While the basic structure is based on a similar insight to the Vanderlieu Spiral, the patterns are arranged in multiple layers. Like waterfalls that flow into each other. Each layer reinforces and refines the Essence flow of the previous one."

He traced an intricate line with his finger. "The outermost layer collects the natural Leb Essence of the environment. The second concentrates it, the third cleanses it of disruptive influences. Only the fourth level begins the actual channeling to the center. It's like a system of sluices, you see. Each level has to be filled before the essence can flow on to the next."

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"The real skill," Wilford sounded almost enthusiastic now, "lies in the perfect coordination of the levels. A single mistake in the geometry and the entire cascade would collapse.

"A house of cards," Vyxara taunted. "All it takes is one Weaver, if he's capable and mean-spirited enough, and everything is paralyzed."

They reached a wide double door. Two healers nodded respectfully to Wilford as they passed. The room beyond was ring-shaped and brightly lit with Essence-infused lamps. Several treatment tables stood precisely spaced, each surrounded by Essence patterns wrought into the floor.

"The outer treatment ring," Wilford explained. "This is where minor injuries and illnesses are treated." He pointed to a young man whose arm was being bandaged by a healer. "What do you see?"

Valentina watched the healing process closely. "The healer uses a standard Leb pattern for broken bones, but..." She frowned. "Something's not right. The Essence isn't flowing properly."

"Why?"

"The orientation of the pattern is wrong, the break is at the wrong angle to it," Valentina said after a moment's thought. "There should be more..."

"Show it," Wilford interrupted her gruffly.

Valentina hesitated only briefly, then stepped forward and drew a complex makeshift pattern in the air with practiced movements. "It should be like this. The altered angle here increases the flow of Leb Essence along the fault line."

Wilford looked at the pattern hanging in the Ambient Essence with narrowed eyes. Then he turned to the healer. "Correct your alignment accordingly."

The healer, a young woman with short dark hair, gave Valentina a surprised look, but followed Wilford's instructions. Almost immediately, the Essence began to flow more strongly.

"Hm." Wilford didn't sound quite as dissatisfied as before. "So you actually learned something in Bridgewater. Speaking of..." He pulled a small notebook from his robes. "Your water purification pattern. Explain it to me."

Valentina described the basics of her technique, especially the interaction between Leb and Wazzer Essence. Wilford asked her persistent and probing questions that revealed a masterful understanding. When she explained that her breakthrough in water purification came from recognizing an unsuspected interaction between the Leb Essence and something in the water, and the suspected that tiny creatures or plants invisible to the naked eye were in the water, Wilford's expression brightened noticeably.

"Really?" He leaned forward with interest. "So you also believe in the existence of these tiny creatures?"

"The Essence patterns clearly indicate that," Valentina said cautiously. "The Leb Essence is reacting to something living in the water, even if we can't see it."

For the first time, something like genuine interest appeared on Wilford's face. "Fascinating. We'll have to talk about that in more depth. Most people think my theory is nonsense. But the Essence doesn't lie." He made a note. "You will give a demonstration of your cleansing pattern later. And now..." He put the notebook away. "I'll show you the inner ring. That's where we treat the serious cases. Pay close attention – I'll ask you about it later."

As she followed him, Valentina could feel the Essence patterns condensing around her. The closer they got to the center of the hospital, the stronger the concentration of Leb Essence became.

"Not bad," commented Vyxara. "Clever of you to play on his pet theory. This Wilford may be a grumpy old codger, but you can learn a lot from him."

"This is where we treat the most difficult cases," Wilford explained as he led them through the circular corridor. "Burns, serious injuries, dangerous infections."

The concentration of the Leb Essence was now so strong that she could have seen the patterns even with her eyes closed. The air shimmered with the density of the Ambient Essence. She suddenly became fully aware of another immense benefit of the complicated and expensive architecture: it was possible to heal here with only a small amount of Distilled Essence.

They passed several treatment rooms. In one lay a man with severe burns, over whom two healers were bending. Their hands wove complex patterns while the Leb Essence flowed over the injured areas like shimmering water.

"Watch carefully," Wilford instructed them. "What do you see?"

Valentina studied the healers' movements. "They're using a modified version of a simple healing pattern, but..." She frowned. "The outer loop is unusual. Why does it lead so far away from the patient? I've never seen anything like it."

"This," Wilford said with a hint of pride, "is the Greystone Cascade in its purest form. Look." He stepped closer to the working healers. "The outer loop acts as a receiver for the Leb Essence, which is pumped inward by the cascades. Like a funnel."

"Fascinating," muttered Vyxara. "Primitive, but effective. These humans have actually developed a few useful tricks."

A healer with copper-red hair rushed towards them. "Master Wilford! I'm glad I found you. The patient in room three has a fever again."

Wilford nodded curtly. "I'll have a look at it." He turned to Valentina. "Come with me. Time for some practice."

The patient was a man of about forty with a weather-beaten face. Sweat stood out on his forehead, his skin glowed.

"What do you see?" Wilford asked curtly.

"Very high fever," Valentina replied and carefully felt the man's forehead. "Dangerously high."

"So?"

Valentina hesitated briefly, then began to weave a difficult pattern. She combined Luvt with a touch of Wazzer, and – on a sudden hunch, as she had never forgotten Vyxara's explanation that ice was not cold, but merely 'slow water' – she reinforced both with Zît Essence to slow the process. It was a technique she had used once before during the Greystone Competition.

The red-haired healer watched her with obvious respect.

When the patient's temperature dropped a little, the healer nodded approvingly. "Impressive. This combination of-"

"Both brilliant and completely idiotic," Master Wilford interrupted her harshly. He fixed both women with a stern look. "Why all this complicated Weaving when a simple cold calf compress is quicker and more effective? Claire, you should know better. And you –" he pointed at Valentina, " – will have to learn that the most flashy solution is not always the best. Go and get some water and cloths. And no Essence gimmicks this time."

"Oh, that's delicious!" Vyxara burst out laughing in Valentina's mind. "There you were trying to show off and he sends you soaking cloths! Old man, I like you!"

At that moment, another person entered the room. Valentina flinched in surprise when she realized it was Lorenzo. He was wearing a simple gray robe similar to her own, which looked surprisingly good on him.

"Ah, Lord Lorenzo," Wilford greeted him with far more respect than he had shown Valentina so far. "Have you come to continue your studies?"

"If I may, Master Wilford." Lorenzo bowed politely. "I hope I'm not intruding?"

"Not at all. We were just about to deal with an interesting case. Your father's new... protégée has taken a quite remarkable approach."

Lorenzo gave Valentina an appreciative look, which made her blush against her will. "Oh, how sweet," Vyxara mocked. "Maybe we need to treat two types of fever at once."

They spent the next hour treating various patients. Valentina quickly got to know the other healers: the energetic Claire, the thoughtful older healer Manwise, the shy young Sadie. They all showed different reactions to her presence – from Claire's open curiosity to Manwise's polite reserve.

Lorenzo proved to be an attentive observer. His questions were precise and showed a real understanding of the subject matter. More than once, Valentina found herself admiring his smooth hand movements as he wove simple Essence patterns.

"Concentrate," Vyxara admonished, amused. "As pretty as his hands may be, you're here to learn."

They reached another treatment room, where a young woman with a deep cut on her arm was waiting. "Try it," Wilford urged Valentina.

With practiced movements, she began to weave a healing pattern. The Leb Essence that filled the room flowed powerfully through her pattern and gathered around the wound. She felt Lorenzo's attentive gaze on her as she worked.

"Not bad," Wilford commented as the wound began to close. "But your technique is still rough. Watch this." He demonstrated a subtly different version of the pattern. "The Greystone Cascade allows us to control the healing more precisely. Less scarring, faster regeneration."

The rest of the morning flew by. Valentina felt like she learned more new techniques than in an entire semester at Bridgewater and had to try them all hands-on almost immediately. Wilford proved to be a strict but surprisingly patient teacher once his interest was aroused.

When they had finished treating the last patient – a carpenter with a broken rib – Claire approached her. "You're doing well," she said quietly. "Don't let Wilford's manner discourage you. He's always like that to begin with." She winked. "Besides, Lord Lorenzo seems very taken with your work."

Valentina raised an eyebrow in surprise, but at that moment a servant came rushing in. "Master Wilford! An accident in the mines! They're bringing in a seriously injured man!"

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