It was a familiar road to the capital by stagecoach, Meti was just as curious as Arie had been. The roads may look familiar, but Ariellia can tell, the traces of time can't be mistaken. In Queen Meti's time things were still developing, major roads were still largely unsafe and unkept. As a healer, Meti's father makes a decent living in the village. His funds are enough to get them seats on a public stagecoach but that's far from luxury. They have to share the ride with other passengers, being jostled around by every bump. Meti sat in the corner holding her father's tool bag on her lap while he took the seat on her left, shielding her from the other passengers.
The tight space feels stifling, but no one strikes up a conversation, too wary of other strangers. Her father keeps glancing at his watch, double checking their travel documents several times to calm his nerves. Their itinerary is time sensitive, but the coachman can't be rushed, he still needs to make his rounds to the local villages along the way. It's normal for one or two of the passengers to decamp while a new passenger gets on. Meti's green eyes light up with interest each time this happens. Some passengers look richer than others, dressed in fine material and jewels, while others wear plain slacks and blouses without any adornments.
She spots a small child tightly wrapped in his mother's arms. He looks very sick, his fair skin is completely flush, and he often tries to muffle the sound of his coughing. Meti looks towards her father for permission, he understands this situation and nods his head in approval. He knows she can't stand the sight of others suffering if she can help it. With his blessing she stretches out her small hand towards the child, his mother looks perplexed but doesn't outright reject her approach. She watches carefully as Meti's hand begins to light up with a soft green glow, amazed to see her son's complexion return to normal a few minutes later.
"Oh my, the young lady is quite talented." Her magic impresses the rich couple in front of them. Their distant disdainful looks ease up a bit as they mentally reassess Meti and her father's worth. She blushes at the compliment and tries to retract her hand, but the boy's mother quickly grabs her.
"It's a blessing from Ollma, thank you, thank you little saintess. He's been burning up all morning, I was so worried we wouldn't make it to the clinic in time for treatment. I kept worrying that he might turn stupid because of this."
Meti smiles. "It's okay, he just had a fever. I've cured him so all he needs now is rest and food."
The relieved mother tries to wipe away her tears, but her gratitude runs very deep and her tears won't stop. She reaches for the worn purse at her side to fish out some money. From her old, outdated patched clothes it's easy to see her family is not well off. So, Meti shakes her head and refuses the few coins out of kindness.
"I did it because I wanted to, there is no need for repayment. It's as you said, take this as a blessing from Ollma and return home safely."
"Thank you ma'am, thank you so much."
It feels odd seeing a woman twice her age bowing and showing such deference to her. She's bashful and uncomfortable from her endless praise, but the rich couple of before sneer at the humble woman for her crude actions. The thought of them looking down on her for simply being thankful is unpleasant, to wealthy nobles like them it's like watching entertainment, so Meti quickly begs the woman to stop.
'She is genuinely a good person'.
The history books may not mention Queen Meti in detail because of the royal scandal, but from the few moments captured in this dream, Ariellia can tell. Meti was honestly a good person.
With her son cured, the mother and child no longer need to head to the city for treatment, they drop off at the next stop. Meti waves goodbye from the window as she watches the distance grow between them. She turns back when she feels the familiar weight of her father's hand on her head, her green eyes catching the look of pride on his face.
"You did a good thing my child, it is a healer's duty to heal those in need."
"You're quite right about that sir. May I solicit you and your beautiful daughter to visit my barony? We have many sick commoners, and I find myself at a loss, lacking a talented healer such as the young lady."
'Pig!' Ariellia's temper flares up again, her hands itch to strangle the skinny toad.
The rich old man's request sounds reasonable enough at first, but Meti's father frowns when he sees the man's murky true nature behind those gold spectacles. He politely declines on their behalf by restating they have a dire case to take care of at the capital. He carefully pretends to shuffle his documents again, purposely flashing the gold seal on the commission request. The baron's face instantly turns pale, abruptly getting off at the next stop with his confused wife.
"What's wrong honey, I thought you said you'd take me to Mrs. Berkin's boutique. Why are you so hesitant to hire a little-known healer like her, we have more than enough money to afford it!"
"Shut up woman, sometimes if you don't know what to say it's okay to pretend to be mute."
The quarrelling duo soon disappear from view as the coach begins to move again. Meti looks at her father, confused by what just happened. She's a smart child so she knows there is some undertone she missed, something her father did to dissuade the grubby old man from forcefully detaining them. She can't help but glance at the gold seal on the commission letter as well, not recognizing the highly embellished wax sigil of a sword embraced by two dragons.
'I wonder if Admetus is doing well? I didn't get to say goodbye.' The thought of dragons made her think of the black dragon she met just before leaving the village. She worries if his wounds are healing properly, subconsciously squeezing the crystal whistle in her pocket. Their travel continues for three days before they finally arrive at the capital. Meti feels overwhelmed and excited by the new experience, but the sight of the red city leaves a bad aftertaste in Ariellia's mouth. This is the same place where she ran into that crazy oracle who ultimately changed her fate.
"Who are we treating father?"
The young girl casually asks out of habit, her gleaming eyes never straying from the line of delicious looking food stalls parked along the street. She's always wanted to try food from the capital, all the village kids say it's like eating nectar from the world tree. Her intentions aren't hidden from her father's watchful eye, he buys a meat skewer from one of the stalls and offers it to her with a knowing smile. Blushing for easily being discovered, she takes the skewer and begins to munch on it with a satisfied glow on her face.
"We are here to treat the King."
"Ack!"
Her father's words promptly cause her to choke on a piece of meat, both Meti and Ariellia are taken by surprise.