Marianne's eyes widened. "Are you Lady Liora? The one who used ground fennel to ease Lady Cecelia's cough?"
"I am," Liora replied cautiously.
"You're like a legend in the healer gossip circles!" Marianne exclaimed, eyes sparkling. "They say you saved a noble's child with nothing but thyme and dried plum!"
"That's not exactly how it happened…"
"I'm Marianne, by the way," she said quickly. "I was supposed to study under Master Gilbert, but he retired to live with sheep, and now I'm here!"
Liora blinked. "With sheep?"
"He said they were quieter patients," Marianne explained earnestly. "Anyway, I'm good with stitching, bad with blood, and I faint at the sight of frogs. I hope we can be friends!"
For the first time in days, Liora smiled, genuinely.
"Let's start with helping me repack the supply shelf. And no fainting."
"No promises," Marianne grinned.
