Leaves crushed under Chet's foot. Cracking against the silent night as he walked in the direction Kira was said to be in.
Eoman words lingered in his mind but it was pointless. For one who looks like he is on a minute dose of dopamine. One in ten knows what he is thinking.
'Which leaves me bothered on why he let Eoman near this girl. Especially when she is his blood, her blood'
Chet thought to himself as he remembered a friend. But she had left way earlier before he gained his rank.
His thoughts dissolved away as he reached the designated spot. He began scouring the area.
Then he saw her, her small body hidden by shrubs. Laid in between the bends of the tree's roots.
Hands wrapped around her shoulders, legs brought closer chest as she laid down. Hugging herself tightly, shivering.
'So cold' were the only thoughts she could say right now.
But her eyes didn't open. barely. Too weak. Strength gone.
Chet squatted before her and gently slipped his hand underneath Kira and picked her up.
Her body, hot as burning coal, breathed shallowly. Hair matted with blood and dirt, some sticking to her face. Her open head wound had been covered by forage leaf.
Sensing the newly found heat, Kira sank deeply into his hand, her face pressed against the chest as she tried to salvage heat from Chet.
With her in his arms, he began leaving the forest.
_____
From a heated argument to a pair of four eyes staring at Famir.
"And to what do I owe this unexpected visit?" Famir said, rhetorically, not really expecting any answer. He passed them all.
Reaching his table, he unraveled his long top coat and neatly placed it to the side.
Then proceeded to put away herbs and scripts displayed on the table. The children watched him without saying a word.
Could they?, after they heard everything. They weren't sure if they could hold their tongue but still, it looked like the healer Famir didn't seem to care.
Sensing the stiff atmosphere, Famir turned around, resting partially against the table. He decided to ask another question entirely in order to divert their thoughts and lighten the atmosphere.
"So how did the three of you manage to escape the eye of the warriors?"
Hehe, to lighten?, correction. meant to darkened.
Their complexions turned grey, the atmosphere becoming worse than it was already.
Famir gave a light chuckle before grabbing a tray containing a bowl with liquid of some sort, gauze and other things then walked up to Sapphire's bed.
"Let me check the state of your wound but it should have gone by now" Famir said, Sapphire nodded, adjusting himself as he sat up.
Famir unwrapped the gauze in layers till Sapphire bare skin was open for all to see.
Kealor and Nirro came closer to view the wound.
It had healed almost completely. What was left was only a small gash. Someone would hardly remember a bone protruding out of the skin in the first place.
Famir brought his hand over the small wound, green glow erupting from his fingers. The wound began to seal followed by the skin sewing itself shut. The end result was clear skin, free from damage.
"So cool and so fast."Kealor commented, eyes shining but his brows immediately furrowed,
"Wait, if you could heal that fast why was Sapphire still on bed?" His head looked up at Famir who was beside him, rolling up the bloodied gauze for disposal. "why didn't you use your powers to heal him?"
Sapphire looked at Kealor like an idiot who had said something wrong but was oblivious to it. Nirro at the other side of Famir maintained a fair distance.
"I see no reason to use my power as the magical herb can carries out the same function. Otherwise slow it's still effective. My powers are reserved for cases where a life needs to be sustained" Famir answered monotonously like he had been asked the very same question since his time as a healer.
"Oh Okay" Kealor answered, Famir turned around, bloodied gauze in hand, and walked towards the basket to throw it.
"So Sapphire, if we ever come back here. we have to be almost dead so the healer can heal us fas—" Kealor was cut of mid sentence as a bloodied gauze slammed into his face. His world flipped. The force of the impact flung him causing him to roll over Sapphire's bed, hitting the next bed with his back.
Kealor didn't have time to gasp from pain as a green light enveloped him, healing him. He got up from the ground, stretched, the green light faded leaving him feeling refreshed, energized.
His injuries were healed, all of them. And so was Nirro and Lucian's. Except they didn't need to be flung.
"Don't play with life, boy , because it will cost you," Famir said calmly. "Now clean that up. After, you guys can leave" pointing at the tray for Kealor to dispose of its contents, while Sapphire dressed up. Nirro helped Kealor. Lucian slipped out, not waiting for any of them.
Lucian walked, angry. He and Sapphire had never argued until now. And all this was because of Kira.
'It's not her fault.'
'Its not her fault?'
"Hey! you there. What are you doing outside of your quarters" A voice called out to him,
Lucian stiffened, not daring to move.
"Turn around" The voice commanded
Lucian did as he was told, eyes still looking down.
"Why are you outside?" The warrior's voice was imposing.
"I am just coming from the healers bay sir" Lucian uttered in one full burst.
"The healer's bay is on the other side" The warrior commented. He started thinking Lucian was lying.
'Huh, what is he saying?' Lucian thought to himself. He looked up, around. The healer's bay was truly nowhere near he was.
Where was he?
"Boy are you lying to me?" The warrior asked, voice gaining a deeper tone. Lucian, hearing this, rapidly shook his head.
"N…no sir. I just got lost sir"
Before the warrior could say something. he paused then viewed the back of his palm.
An intricate ruin was fused with his. Lucian involuntarily looked at his own. It was not quite the same. The warriors one was more complex and seemed to be glowing a deep shade of blue.
The warrior turned his attention back to Lucian. Lucian straightened.
"Return back to your sleeping quarters and don't wander off " The warrior warned, Lucian nodded once more, and gave a small bow. Heads slightly down he began walking in the direction the warrior was pointing to.
When Lucian was far away. The warrior disappeared, answering the call.
Lucian walked briskly, not daring to look up until he reached the sleeping quarters.
Pushing the door a little, he stepped in. Not minding the stare from the others, he walked straight to his bed. Placed his shoes by his side and laid down.
He touched the pillow and a sigh escaped his lips. Too much had happened and now he seriously craved sleep. Even though he knew what mostly awaited him there.
His eyes dropped till they eventually closed.
Dusk had fallen once more. By the time Chet had appeared in front of the Famir's tent with Kira tucked away in his arms.
Famir was seated on a rocking chair while flipping through his book when he walked in. Covers closing behind him.
"You took quite a long time," Famir said as he got up, directing him to place Kira on one of the beds.
"That is to be expected, when dealing with Eoman and his twisted fun," Chet said, gently placing Kira on the bed.
"I could have gotten here sooner but his crafty barrier posed a serious problem. I had to destroy it or she wouldn't leave alive" Chet said, while Famir began removing Kira's wet training clothes.
"Makes me wonder why he didn't finish, very unlike him but neither the less. no truly know what to expect from him" Famir said.
With the wave of his finger. herbs were brought forward. He selected the ones he wanted to use. Extracting its properties he combined it with his healing power and directed it to Kira.
Kira's body began to heal, the gash on her head closed up. Her body regained some of its colour.
"Only the fever still remain but she is out of the danger zone, the variety of the herbs I added will help sustain her until she wakes up" Famir said,
Chet nodded, "Thanks. I will take my leave"
"Are you going to relay the news to the master and clan leader?" Famir said, Chet paused.
"I don't think there would be any need as what happens here doesn't escape their eyes" Chet said before disappearing through the covers
"Well you are right" Famir said, then looked at the unconscious Kira.
"Sophia… Sophia… You left only for your child to come back. A strange coincidence or fate is playing a cruel joke"