Healer's Journey

The iridescent blue glow consumed the room as Ardel’s arms swirled over the near corps that lay on the table, spotting and coughing blood. Her eyes darted to the small leather black book on the stool next to her. Ardel’s whispers heightened as the pages turned to the right incantation for her need. Lira peered around the archway. Her hands burned as blue sparks began to emerge. She clenched her fights, shut her eyes and plopped to the floor. The room's heat intensified as she heard screams from her father. The cottage shook as her mothers’ whispers of incantations grew to a boisterous bellow song. Sweat poured down Lira’s back as she shook. Not now, She thought. I am not ready. This only means one thing. I can not bear it, I don’t . . . I - I want to be normal.

Lira’s pain swelled and the wallows of her heart could not be soothed. Mist and cold damp settled in, as if the land knew Ardel was gone. The wails from those around her swelled up through the bleak air, as the fire roared. Lira grimaced as her whole body tensed. Time had not helped. The healers did not help. Her mom had given her last. Now, it was her turn to take up her place in the family's gifts passed from one female to another. Ardel lay there stiff as the fire consumed her body. Lira memorized until the last of the flames danced away.

The Healers planted in a circle seven strong in the moonlight. They extended their arms and seven blue arrows shot toward the moon. The eldest Healer bowed to the burning embers, initiating the black book to circulate from healer to healer. Each whispered, as a blue circle of smoke sucked out of them and into the book.

The eldest Healer regained the book, whispering her own incantation. She heaved the book high in the now frigid air. A raspy voice announced, “May this book of old bring healing to all who need it.” She stretched out her arms gifting Lira the black book. “Lira - this is from the generation of mothers, the Healers give it to you, with all our souls this gift has been given. We call upon the power of the book for you. All hail Lira, The Grand Healer.”

All seven chanted. “All hail Lira, The Grand Healer.”

Lira's eyes darted to all seven of them. Could they really be serious. She was 16, and would be the youngest healer even. Let alone a Grand Healer. She had not spent enough time studying. She barely knew the names of common herbs. Lira did not reach for the book. The eldest Healer still bowed, arms out with the book in front of her. Stretching up tall, Lira proclaimed. “For my Mother the Grand Healer. I am not worthy, nor chose this path. A healer’s heart I have inherited. This healer power I must reject!”

The eldest Healer crumpled to her knees as if the proclamation spat poison onto her. A gust of wind blew. Lira had thought about this since the moment the soldiers brought father home. That fear and dread in her Mother’s face. I don’t want to feel like I can fix things - and then can’t. I can’t bear anymore heartache, she thought. The wind whistled a sweet tune. Lira did not know if the nature around her agreed with her or was trying to send her a warning call. In the distance a rare night dove sang as if it beckoned Lira on. Lira shivered as the embers had mysteriously died down. Perceiving she needed to speak again.

“I Lira, the daughter of the Grand Healer, do not deserve this gift you bestow. I am yet young and unlearned.” Lira’s body shook as she spoke. The wind died down and the Healers hushed all still.

The eldest rose from her knees and staggered over to Lira. She drew back her hood and reached for Lira’s hands. “We understand this fear, dread and loss. Let it not stop you from all you are worth. From your transformation.”

This did not change Lira’s mind. “I have decided - This is not my path.”

“Oh - what path do you take then? The forest and all of nature has spoken. You are a Healer. The grandest time will give.” The elders' voices trembled with age and a glint of wisdom. She snatched Lira’s hand and began tracing her palm in small circles. Blue sparks emerged and small trails of blue smoke with light glittered. The glow reflected on her face and the elders’ eyes. “See - It is part of you. From a very young age, we all knew. You were to be the one. Let us encourage you and train you - for this is your path.”

Lira squeezed her hand out from the elders’. “No! I want no part of this! It could not save my parents so why should I try and live this way. Think that I can fix things, change people. No!” Lira roared, shaking the elders next to her. The forests’ crisp air stung in Lira’s nose and lungs.

“The forest cries for you. You must accept the book.” The elder’s deep dark eyes peered into Liar’s soul, speaking to it and not her. A whisper of an ancient chant streamed out.

Lira threw up her arms into an x and cried. “That will not work on me.”

“No? Why not Lira?”

“Because - I am - I am the daughter of the Grand Healer.”

“That is right! You are that. You are a daughter of a Healer - all daughters of Healers are Healers. You can not stop the path that is chosen for you. The book and you are one. It is part of your soul.”

Lira collapsed at the foot of her mother's burial fire. Tears rolled down her face. Mom - why - like this? The wind deluded to a whisper. Lira said just loud enough for the others to hear her. “Fine, I will take the book. But I will not use it. It will lay where Ardel left it.”

It had been two months since their mothers death and Simion could not stand the merger life they were living. Without the healing work they amounted to beggars. Simion knew he needed to make this choice for them both. He needed to be the eldest, this time. The warmth of the cottage filled his soul. Scanning around he took a long slow deep breath. As he breathed out he whispered “For us both.”

Simion reached into is satchel. His left hip ached from the fiery sensation coming through the bag. He was glad to get rid of this pain. A small black book emerged. His hand rubbed the worn surface and dense pages. A blue spark connected his hand and the book. The abandoned chapel’s chill reached him to the bone as he stretched out his arm, book in hand to the man in front of him. “Here - take it - please.” Simion spouted as he shook all over. Shadows danced around as the wind blew the candle flames. He could not see the stranger's face. A tall strong clocked frame stood before him.

“Uh, yes. You are sure you are ready to hand this over.”

“Yes - I - We don’t want it anymore.”

The man snatched the black book with a golden sack cinching it tight. The book shot off small blue lighting bolts and it wriggled in the bag. “Yes - this should do - Oh yes, very good my boy.” His voice lifted up. A sharp cackle filled the vaulted Chapple echoing throughout the space. He slipped his hand into his pocket, pulling out a small ruby sack. The sack clicked through the air as the man tossed it to Simion. “For your troubles, boy.”

A howl and crack of wind blew through the chapel blackening the cold stone space. Simion froze daring not to even whisper. He could not see or hear the man. The weight of the sack pulling on him. Crumpling to the ground Simion clutched the sack close to his heart. A chill absorbed into every inch of his body, he began to whimper. Tears rolled down his face. He had just sold his sister’s soul. For what? Maybe 20,000 kingstones. A lifetime of wealth. No, this did not feel like he thought it would. The soul of his sister, mother and generations before them. What had he done? Money may provide comfort that he longed for. It would never heal a man. Bring him back from near death. Simion’s wail grew and sorrow filled the chapel.

Lira awoke to pounding at the door. Streaks of gold rays filled the small cottage. "Lira, it is Enann. I have news, let me in." Lira stretched, instinctively touched the small of her back were an ache emerged from her slumber in the chair. The door creaked open and Enann burst in.

"What is so important in the early light?" Lira spouted.

Enann passed in circles around the cottage, shaking his head back and forth as he stammered. "Lira, I fear you are in danger! The high general demanded of the King that all healers must turn in their books of craft. You must hide and take it with you."

Lira raised both her hands whispering as a single blue spark shot over to Enann piercing his heart. "Sit down, tell me more slowly what is going on." Lira said in a calm sweet voice.

Enann collapsed on a chair. "The King - all healing books!”

“That has got to be wrong!" screeched her brother. "We must flee!!" Simon jumped down from his loft bed and darted about the cottage throwing items into a sack.

Lira glared at her brother, through her long wavy jet black locks that covered her face. He is so eager to leave this life, she thought. She charged over to the healing table, she could not see the book. Lira rushed around the cottage pulling items from shelves and chairs. "Simion, where is my book? What have you done with it?"

"I --!"

"It is normally there!" Lina pointed to a small stool. The room began to spin around them. Blue Sparks emerged from her hands, throwing items about.

"Lira! - Simion I have got to get her to calm down. I hate seeing her like this."

Items whorled around her creating a blue tornado. Simion and Enann clutched with all their might to the timber beams that made up the cottage. The whole building shook and filled with blue smoke.

"Lira!!” Enann screamed. "Close your eyes and try to remember the sweet smell of rain." Lira did as Enann urged her to do. Enann continued to encourage her, with every word Lira loosened. Items began to fall to the floor, and the tornado slowed as she began to lift off the ground. Each word enchanted her with thoughts of nature. Lira's head lifted towards the sky arms out. Then her body collapsed on the floor.

Enann's chest heaved, whispering to Simion, "I had . . . seen your father . . . do something similar once. . . Remember, only nature . . . can sooth a healer." The whole cottage grew still. Enann and Simion dared not to move.

In a sweet clam voice Lira crumpled on the floor, uttered. "If it is stolen, we must chase after it."