The Last Empath of Doctsland

by Leah Putz

  She nodded before moving to do as he requested. Wobbling a bit, she almost lost my balance trying to lower myself to a seated position, but I grabbed her arm to save her from disaster.

  As soon as I was sure she was secure, I murmured, “I hope it’s not, but this may be painful. Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” she whispered back, squeezing her eyes shut.

  The process took a while. First we poured the warm water over the length of her back and arms where it was needed. Then we soaked a clean cloth in it and used that to do a more thorough and specific job of cleaning each wound individually. Lisalya was strong, wincing or whimpering only every once in a while. She squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lip as we went over a particularly deep slash.

  “We’re almost done,” I said softly. At long last, we were finished and I breathed a sigh of relief. Or at least I was about to, until Siofra came running up.

  “Viktor!” she shouted. “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be bothering you right now, but I completed the roll call you requested. It took all day due to the number of people out hunting, fishing, gathering water, etcetera, but we’re done. And we have a problem. We’re missing two people.”

  I winced and swallowed, chewing my lip before making my reply. “Let me guess, two people from Cessam?”

  Siofra cocked her head. “Yes. How did you know?”

  I turned to look at Lisalya, who fixed me with a pointed glare. Of course the two people she had suspected as spies were gone now that they had sold us to Carthoc and Siglind. I was not surprised in the least.

  I sighed. “I’ll explain in a bit. Lis, do you need help getting back to bed? This is the longest you’ve been up in days, you could probably do with some more rest.”

  “No,” she said. “I’ll be fine. It’s a short way, and grandmother’s tonic has not worn off yet.”

  “Okay,” I replied, turning back to Siofra. “Meet me in my cabin in a few minutes, and tell Jion. We have quite a bit to discuss about what’s happened, and Lisalya informed me of a few things that I’ll need to pass to you.”

  “Yes sir,” Siofra said, turning to hurry back to the main area of camp.

  “Are you sure you’ll be alright if I leave you for a bit?” I asked, looking back at Lis. I hated the idea of leaving her alone, even if my duty to inform my companions required it.

  “I’m just going to be sleeping. You don’t need to be there for that,” she said, pushing myself up off the log and heading in to bed without another word.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lisalya

  I dreamt of magic, not the twisted magic I’d encountered in Bushand, but rather the wholesome magic of my family. Passed down through countless generations, our magic was as natural to us as breathing, as pure as fresh white snow. Sure it was harder for some of us to tap into than others, and some were much stronger in certain areas, but the gift flowed in the blood of each woman of the Manyeo line. The gift of magic, and the gift of healing.

  As soon as I opened my eyes, a spell was on my lips. One I did not recall Grandmother teaching me- it felt as though I knew it based on instinct rather than memory. Pushing myself up off my bed, I was saddened to find the effects of the tea had worn off overnight. It was to be expected, but still it pained me.

  I moved slowly, crawling out of my bed at a snail’s pace. I need to get to Viktor, I thought, and let that notion propel me when my physical strength wanted to fail. The spell required the assistance of someone I loved. I wasn’t sure yet what my feelings towards Viktor were, but I knew I cared for him deeply, and that his presence was a comfort. As angry as I was with him after our fight and for dismissing my warnings, it did not change how I felt for him.

  I knew I would need to dress, I didn’t want to walk around the camp topless with naught but a blanket to cover my front, so I made my way over to my pack in the corner. To my surprise, I found that there was a large tunic laid on top of it. Much too large for me, but upon closer inspection I realized I recognized it as a shirt I had seen Viktor wear on occasion. I pulled it on, relieved to have something baggy available that would allow my wounds to breathe. I noted that it smelled of him, though I wasn’t sure why I cared.

  Once dressed, I pushed open the door and made my way out into the world. It was dawn. It seemed as though I had slept all through the day and night after Viktor and Jaeboc helped to clean my back for me. A slight chill was in the air, though the balmy climate here meant it wasn’t even close to the cold that Doctsland has during the winter months. Silence blanketed the camp and it appeared I was the only one up at this hour, though I suspected that appearances may be deceiving.

  Moving gently and deliberately, I walked over to Viktor’s cabin. I was careful to avoid tree branches or roots, not wanting to scrap my back on anything or fall and worsen my injuries. It took time, and I was quite tired by the time I arrived, this being the most I had moved in days. I knocked quietly, not wanting to wake him up on the off chance he was sleeping. However, just as I had suspected, the door opened only a moment after I had knocked. His hair was tousled and he tried to rub the sleep out of his eyes. “Lis?”

  “I’m sorry, were you asleep?” I said, moving to turn back around and leave him to sleep in peace if so.

  “No, not at all. I was trying to, but there always seems to be too much on my mind as of late,” he replied before opening the door wider. “Please, come in.”

  As I entered I noticed a candle burning on the center of his small table illuminating the map we’d received from Ailee. I glanced around the room, taking note of how disorganized it seemed in comparison to how it had looked just a few days ago when our four original crew had met here. “Are you… alright?” I asked, stopping when I reached the center of the room.

  “Uh, yeah,” he said, though he seemed distracted as he sat down in front of the map. “I’m fine. How are you?”

  “I’m okay, considering,” I replied. “I think I may have remembered, or found, a spell. A healing spell. It might help to speed up the healing process. I’m not certain, but I thought it may be worth a try.”

  Viktor nodded eagerly. “Absolutely. Whatever could possibly lessen your pain or help you to heal is worth a try. What do you need to perform this spell?”

  “Well, you see, that’s the issue. I’ll need a few herbs, all of which I know we have or can find here, so that’s fine. But also a lock of hair from a relative.”

  He sighed. “I see. That does pose a problem. I don’t suppose you brought a lock of hair from someone in your family as a keepsake?”

  “No, I did not. I wonder, however, if it would work with someone I care deeply about. I don’t know if it will work, but I feel as though I have to try at least.”

  He stared at me, looking the epitome of tired and confused, dark bags under his eyes.. “Someone you care deeply about?”

  I forced a smile through my nerves. “Um, yes. I’m hoping perhaps that will work in the absence of family.”

  Viktor cleared his throat, seeming a bit uncomfortable. “Okay, so shall I wake Siofra? I know you two have grown to become close friends on this trip.”

  “No,” I said, shaking my head. “I, um, I think a piece of hair from you should do.”

  “From me?” he repeated, looking quite startled. It was nerve-wracking enough to admit I didn’t hate him the first time round, I didn’t have the gumption to say it again, so instead I nodded my affirmation.

  He appeared to process the information for a moment, a range of emotions flickering across his face that I couldn’t quite discern. Part of me wanted to open my mind to get a read on him, but I chastised myself for the temptation as it would be a gross invasion of privacy. Finally, he offered a tender smile.

  “Of course, I can willingly give you such a token.” He stood and moved about the cabin. To my surprise, he pulled Gaisgea from under his bed. I had assumed the blade had been lost in our capture and the ensuing struggle.

  Guessing my confusion, he explained. “While I was in
terrogating Carthoc, looking for you, I found Gaisgea in his tent. He must have kept it when they stripped us all of our weapons. I’ve been holding on to it for safekeeping until you’re well enough to wield it once more.” He set this down on the table before grabbing a quill and a piece of paper. “Write down the other herbs you need here. I’ll send someone out to retrieve them.”

  I did as he requested, and waited while he went outside to find someone to complete the assigned task.

  He returned shortly. “Alright. I have someone working on it. Hopefully she will be able to find everything quickly. She’s going to collect them all in one bowl. Will that work?”

  “Yes. We can cut the lock of hair and add it with the other items once they’re here.”

  “And then what?”

  I sighed. “I’m not entirely sure to be honest. I don’t remember Grandmother ever doing this spell. It...came to me somehow in a dream, and I’ve just been listening to what my gut tells me to do as it comes, so I’m hoping once the ingredients are all in front of me I’ll know what to do. I’m not sure it will even work.”

  “Well, healing magic is in your blood, right? Perhaps you don’t remember because your grandmother never taught you this spell. Maybe it is coming to you because it is your birthright to know such things.”

  I looked at him, doubting his words even though they made sense and Grandmother had said such things had happened to her in the past. Somehow I just couldn’t picture myself to be that powerful yet, at least not in the art of healing.

  He laughed at the look on my face. “You don’t seem so sure, but after everything we’ve been through, I have faith in you. It will come to you. And it will work. Now, how much of my hair do you need? And will you help me cut it?”

  “Absolutely,” I said, standing and picking up Gaisgea. Viktor had his long silver hair tied back, though strands had fallen out and were framing his lean face. I reached up to his hair tie, asking, “May I?”

  “Of cour-” he began, though he turned to look at me and our eyes met, faces close and the word died on his lips. We stared at each other, both startled, and the strangest feeling was whirling around in my gut, like a thousand butterflies. And then, an unexpected knock brought silence.

  Viktor immediately jerked back, looking as startled as I felt. Without a word he stood and went to the door, opening it and greeting the knocker. They shared a few words that I couldn’t quite hear and before long Viktor was returning to his seat, now carrying a small bowl with plants sticking out over the top.

  “Here are your ingredients,” he said, seeming a bit sheepish and with a pink hue to his cheeks.

  “Thank you,” I said, bowing my head slightly. He reached back and pulled the hair tie from his hair, allowing it to fall freely to his shoulders. Gently I wielded Gaisgea with my right hand and picked up a small lock of hair no wider than my little finger. “I’ll take a piece near the nape of your neck. Hopefully it will be less noticeable.”

  “Okay,” Viktor murmured.

  “Be careful not to move,” I said as I lifted the blade, placing it against the soft string of hair. The hard cut sliced through effortlessly, and the strands fell into the awaiting bowl. “Done,” I whispered, afraid to break the fragile silence that had filled the cabin.

  “Now what?” he asked, turning to face me.

  I slumped sideways into my chair, dejected. “I don’t know. I thought I would know by now.”

  “Try not to panic. You won’t be able to think clearly. It’s more likely to come to you if you remain calm.”

  “That’s easy for you to say!” I wailed, desperation taking over me. “You haven’t been in pain for days!”

  Viktor’s eyes were downcast, and he seemed overcome with a sadness that made me regret my words. “I know,” he sighed. “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry?” I repeated, not expecting that response.

  “I’m sorry that we didn’t listen to you… all those times that we should have. I’m sorry I brushed you off and in turn caused you to go through all of this. And I’m sorry I didn’t apologize yesterday. You were right, and deep down I knew it though I tried to deny it because the truth is so hard to bear. I’m just…. So sorry.” A tear streamed down his cheek, and I was surprised at how much the sight of it pained me.

  “I’m sorry too,” I replied. “I lashed out at you yesterday, and it was unfair. I’m upset, yes, but I’m upset at the situation, and at Carthoc, but not at you. Not anymore. I know that obviously if you had known what was to happen you wouldn’t have chosen the course of action that you chose. You had no idea, you couldn’t have.”

  He lifted his eyes to mine, and there was a tenderness in them I had not witnessed before. “Truce?”

  “Truce,” I said, smiling softly. “Now, back to the task at hand.” I reached forward and gathered all the items in the bowl into my hand, molding them together in my fist.

  “Have you figured out what to do?” he asked, eagerly leaning forward.

  “Not exactly…” I said, gazing down at my hand. “I’m basically just operating on instinct right now, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen.” I shut my eyes, squeezing my hands around the gathered items, and words began to flow from my lips that I had never heard before.

  ‘All that is and all that was

  Healers of my blood from past

  Hear me now and forever last

  Body, soul, and spirit harmed

  But not forever as was warned

  Help me now with these tools

  That with my love I may be whole’

  My eyes flickered open just as my hands did, and to my shock the herbs and hair in my grasp had transformed, making a rudimentary brush with Viktor’s silver locks as bristles. Looking up, I found that Viktor’s mouth had dropped open and he was staring at me in awe.

  “I have no idea where that came from,” I said, feeling just as shocked as he looked, if not more. I lifted the brush, turning it over in my hands and examining it. It appeared to be a hand-crafted tool, and if I had not witnessed it as a bunch of herbs and hair I wouldn’t even believe it had been so only a minute ago.

  I handed it to Viktor and instructed him. “Brush this over my wounds.”

  He stood and nodded before speaking. “You’ll need to remove the shirt. Perhaps it will be more comfortable if you lie down on the bed. There will be less of a chance of you being accidentally exposed that way.”

  Viktor assisted by helping to strip the fabric of me without it touching the wounds on my back. Once the shirt was removed I laid face down on the bed. “I’m ready.”

  He hesitated. “Are you sure this won’t hurt you?”

  “No, I’m not sure. I can’t be. But we have to try. Just… be gentle, please.”

  A look of determination passed over his face as he knelt on the bed beside me. I hardly even noticed when he began sweeping the brush over me, he was being so delicate that it felt as though the bristles were barely touching me. However, I knew where he had been because a calm numbing effect settled over the skin wherever he moved the brush.

  A few minutes passed before he spoke. “Is it working? It seems as though the redness is dying down a bit.”

  “Yes,” I sighed, basking in the comfort of it and feeling my eyes grow heavy. He continued working, covering every inch of afflicted flesh, and before he was finished I drifted off to sleep.

  ***

  This became somewhat of a routine. The magic of the brush helped to take away a lot of the pain, and helped to soothe the wounds, but it was not able to heal them immediately after only one session. Therefore, each morning I awoke and made my way to Viktor’s cabin, and he brushed over my back. Doing this continually helped to speed up the healing process, and what should have taken several weeks or even months to heal was nearly there after only three weeks. However, even three weeks was too long for our mission to be stalled.

  It was after one of these morning sessions that Viktor finally brought up the inevitable. “The wounds hav
e closed, and the scabs are nearly gone. All that remains is a bit of redness and scars. Do they still pain you?”

  I shook my head. “Not really. Sometimes the area seems tender, but for the most part it is back to normal. I have my full range of motion back as well.”

  “Good. I suppose that means we should begin moving once more then. We didn’t want to risk it while you were recovering, but I’m afraid we’ve been idle too long.”

  “Do you want me to reach out, try to find another town of sympathizers?”

  “No,” he replied, sitting down at the table across from where I was seated on the bed. “There will be nowhere closer than the last town, which was a two day journey round trip. I’m not sure yet what we will do.” He gazed down at his hands, and I knew it was hard for him to admit that he was at a loss. He took his role as prince so seriously, and anytime he was unsure or the path was unclear to him, he felt as if he was failing in that role.

  “Have you spoken to Jion or Siofra? Perhaps they have an idea,” I suggested.

  “Yes,” he replied. “We’ve had quite a few discussions throughout your recovery, and though they haven’t helped me come to a decision their input is invaluable to me. Jion wants to make straight for Nul. He says we don’t have time to go out and rally more people before our fleet arrives, and he is correct there. Siofra calls for the opposite. She says it's too dangerous to attack Nul with the amount of people we currently have. She wants to try to go on one more excursion to add at least a bit to our numbers before we make our way to the city.”

  I bit my lip and ran over the options in my head, realising that neither one seemed to offer an ideal outcome.

  Viktor continued. “I’ll have to make a decision soon. We can’t linger here much longer now that we know Siglind is on to us. By now he probably even has a rough idea of where our camp is, considering Carthoc would have known Siofra escaped, made it back to camp, and back for a rescue all in one night.”