Sunlight hit Lyra's face, and she groaned and pulled herself up from her bed.

She watched the peasants already working outside. She was just above a peasant; the town's healer. Lyra clicked her tongue. Time to get to work.

She changed into a simple black skirt and a white blouse, with a pair of goggles, and a trench coat, pockets filled with different herbs and rosins.

Lyra put her black hair in messy bun, and then set to her job.

She began chopping herbs, making different medicines, checking off people's needs. Business was slow today. Only an old man came requesting she soothe his aches. Lyra sighed as he left, rubbing his back in jubilee.

She was about to set to work again when a screaming came from outside. A soldier was dragging a girl who looked no older than twelve, while her little brother was begging the soldier to let her go. He pushed the girl down on the execution box. "I'm gonna get myself killed," Lyra muttered, grabbing her violin, and exchanging her trench coat for her winter coat.

The girl screamed as the man raised the axe above her head. "Stop!" Lyra cried, holding a gloved hand up between the executioner and the young girl. Need a plan, need a plan. There was hair silence for a moment.

Lyra coughed. "This girl is...sick! Yeah, and the illness spreads...very fast! Even in death. So, you don't want to execute her. Allow me to heal her, and you don't have to worry about any more deaths from the illness!" The soldier squinted his eyes. Even though it was cold, Lyra felt herself sweating. "How do I know your telling the truth? Why don't I just execute her now, and then burn the body? Huh?"

Lyra suddenly felt a bubble of rage. "What about the people who are forced to cremate the bodies of the executioned? What if they get sick? It'll spread to their families, and then to their families' friends' and then it'll just keep spreading until all of the workers in the town stop providing for the king. I'm sure you don't want to be part of the king's wrath. You wiped out a whole town, just because you interrupted me before I could heal a little girl. What would you feel then, hm? Who would be the fool then, sir?"

Just before Lyra thought her fib went to far, the soldier pushed the girl away. He seemed to be scared, or mad. "One more time..." He made a slicing motion across his throat, and then walked away.

The girl, who was crying now, kissed Lyra repeatedly on the hands. "However could I repay you?" Lyra just chuckled, and suddenly grew serious. "Stay away from any soldiers. Don't ever get too close, do you understand?" The girl quickly nodded, and then took her brother's hand and waved goodbye.

Lyra smiled. Suddenly she felt a hand around her throat. "Lying vixen," the soldier's voice growled. Lyra struggled to breath, and slowly pulled out her bow. "It was a child, you heartless monster," she wheezed, trying to distract him. "Child it may be, but no one, interrupts an execution." He squeezed her throat higher. "No one." Lyra managed a smile. "Except for me."

She ripped a chord across her violin, knocking the soldier backwards. The soldier yelled, and swung his sword at her. Lyra played fast, deflecting the sword quickly. She ducked as the soldier swung his fist, and she played a high note, and then finally kicked him hard in the head. The soldier fell to the ground, unconscious.

Lyra felt happy at first, and then she gasped. What had she done?

---------------------------------------------

Thanks for reading loves! Comment for good, and vote for great!

-Clo