Kosuke had soon located the town's hospital. It was a pleasingly lively and cheerful place despite the the various illnesses and conditions plaguing its residents. He'd found the doctor in charge of the place and politely waited until his urgent matters had been attended to before addressing him.<br/><br/>"Sir!" Kosuke called, hurrying over to the man.<br/><br/>"Hm?" the man turned to him. "He was an older man and slightly on the larger side, but his eyes were kindly. He knelt down to Kosuke. "What's the matter child?" he asked, mistaking his reason for being there, "is someone injured?"<br/><br/>"No sir, not that I'm aware of," Kosuke replied. "My name is Kosuke Ataru, and I'm a traveling healer. I've stopped in this village and I'd like to aid wherever I can."<br/><br/>The man looked at him doubtfully, "You're a healer, you say?"<br/><br/>"Yes sir," Kosuke assured him. "I was apprenticed to Aldan Toryu."<br/><br/>The man's eyes widened, recognizing the name. "Well, I'd heard he took on an apprentice several years back. Is that really you?"<br/><br/>"Yes sir," Kosuke said, holding up his necklace so the doctor could better examine it. The symbol of the golden leafless tree was well known throughout the medical community. There were six necklaces made depicting the crest, and the crests were enchanted. Only a benevolent healer could wear it, if anyone else tried, the gold would rust. That was the legend at least. And for that matter, the crest was an extremely difficult shape to craft, so no more had been made after the original six. It was common for master healers to pass their crest on to their apprentices, so the man had little reason to doubt Kosuke's words.<br/><br/>The man's mind was reeling. A master healer would only give up their crest once their apprentice had become a master healer themselves; the crest was absolutely precious. But this boy was so young... Still, if he possessed the crest, given to him by Master Toryu no less, he was above the man in both skill and rank in the healing community. Feeling a surge of shock and respect, the doctor bowed down to the boy. "Forgive me for showing you such disrespect!" The doctor said in awe. "It is a great honor to have someone with your wisdom and skill here in our humble town!"<br/><br/>The other nurses and patients looked in shock to see their head doctor bowing to a child. Kosuke blinked in surprise, then gave the man a sheepish smile. "Please, there's no need for that. I'm not used to it. I'd just like to help out here if I can."<br/><br/>The doctor looked up at him, "Oh, yes of course! There are many here who your magic could heal far better than the meager herbal skills I have."<br/><br/>Just then a soldier burst in the door. He looked to have been running at top speed to get there. "Lord Farwulf!" He called, "Doctor, come quick!"<br/><br/>The man's speech was inconclusive, but his meaning was clear. The doctor was immediately on his feet. He took hold of Kosuke's hands, "Please, sir. Come with us. We could use your help."<br/><br/>Kosuke nodded seriously and the three ran to the giant gray fortress. The guard called for the people inside to open the gate and they were lead inside to this Lord Farwulf's room. There was a collective gasp at the sight. The doctor ran over to the dead man, desperately feeling for a pulse, reaching into his bag for supplies.<br/><br/>"Stop, there's no need," Kosuke said, but there were tears in his eyes for the death of this person he didn't know. He could sense that there was no trace of an aura, or life, coming from this body. "He's already dead. He has been for hours." The boy tilted his head down. "There is nothing anyone can do for him now."<br/><br/>The atmosphere in the room was heavy and grave. Far away, Kosuke could barely hear one of the guards calling: "Someone go wake the archer! Where<span style="font-style: italic">was</span>he when this was happening?!"