Knock, knock

With a terrible frown, Noetys opened the door for you. That deep look on his pale, thin face already showed that he hated the work he did. How ungrateful. The only thing you liked about him was that he didn't smile when he saw you like most men his age did.

"Hum... Koby... you around here? What do you want, sissy?”, He teased you, in a thin, hoarse and irritating voice.

"Don't call me that", you said decidedly. "I came to see Maester Avamys".

"He is busy. Get out”, he started to close the door, but you put a hand to stop him.

"Wait! It's important."

"Who's there?", You heard Maester's voice ringing through the doorway.

"Koby Snow", replied Noetys in a tone of boredom.

"Let him in", Avamys ordered, and at last that annoying man unlocked the door and allowed you in. He closed the door as soon as you entered.

In addition to Maester and the annoying Noetys, there was one more person there, whom you didn't expect to find: Donquio. He had the hem of his trousers up to his knee, and he wasn't wearing boots. Avamys was sitting in a chair, with the boy's leg on his own thigh, finishing closing a blade cut on Don's shin. You came closer, and Noetys was leaning against the door.

“Donquio?”, You were surprised. “When did… did you get hurt? At Haunted Forest?”

"...Yes. But it is nothing. I came here because I didn't want the cut to infect.”

"Damn it. You... I didn't even see that cut”, you leaned over to watch Maester's work, hands on your knees.

"I told you, it's nothing."

"You should be more careful, boy", suggested Avamys. "You're right. It is nothing, but a little deeper and it would have scraped your bone, and this situation would be somewhat more serious.”

“But it's not the case, so... I repeat, it's nothing. I thank you for your concern”.

"You are tough, huh?", You smiled at Donquio, and he just shook his head, with a modest little smile.

Maester sutured the wound and wrapped a clean cloth around Donquio's leg and then dismissed him. He didn't even hobble. Donquio was an enviable man. He left with pride and masculinity.

"So, my dear, what brings you here this time?" He asked, going to pack his medical supplies slowly. Wanting to demonstrate usefulness, you offered to pack the materials for him.

"Is there a task you need me to do for you?", You asked without looking at him, just organizing Avamys' things on his desk and in his cabinets. Noetys didn't move a finger, he didn't even notice what you were doing.

“Oh, someone took your position while you was away and now you needs a job. I understand, I understand”, he sat in a lined armchair, and let out a grunt. He seemed to be thinking. You finished packing everything, and then he said in a faint tone: "Come here."

"...Okay", and you went.

"Take off the glove.", You did. "Give me your hand".

"...My hand?"

"Yes, dear, your hand", he gave you a gentle smile.

You flexed your fingers on your right palm and then slowly laid it on Maester's gentle palms. The old man drew a line in your hand with the tip of two fingers. He seemed to be analyzing you. He squeezed it with two thumbs, and smiled.

"C-Can I ask what you are doing, Maester?"

"I finished. You can put on your glove again”, he let out a light sigh, and smiled again. He kept smiling. “I was determining what task I would give you. Considering that you are young, I would send you to cut some wood for the fireplace, but, I realized by your hand that it is a mistake for you to be here, on the Wall. You are not a man born for this. Not here. Your hands are fragile, I bet you never had a real fight using a sword... a hand free of calluses. Hmm..."

"...W-What's the task, Maester?"

"Go to the kitchen, and get my meal."

"Eh... easy like that?"

"Yes. It should be ready by now."

"All right", you got excited.