by Unknown
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Healed
"How long do you think it will take to get there?" Serin asked as she ducked under a tree.
Shaz rounded a large boulder to the side of the tree Serin had ducked under as Jagwynn padded quietly through the thick underbrush. A gentle glistening of sweat and mist from the persistent fog formed at their hairline. As he slipped his leg over a boulder, the ground beneath his other foot sloshed out from under and he fell backward onto a sharp edge.
"Blast!"
The rock tore his trousers and ripped through the flesh on the back side of his thigh. He slumped over and caught himself. He lowered himself to the ground and let the wounded leg stay elevated. Serin hopped a small boulder. Blood dripped from the wound and pooled in the deep brown dirt.
"Oh my." Serin exclaimed.
"Is it bad?" Shaz asked.
His head felt light and a little dizzy.
"Yeah, it's pretty deep. I need to get it wrapped and see if I can find some herbs to make a press." Serin said, looking around impatiently for the horse. She whistled and it came trotting from around a large tree. She searched through the satchel but found nothing. She remembered that the saddle bag had a cloth inside. Serin looked around on the ground for an herb she knew would help heal open wounds, but when she couldn't find it she returned to Shaz. "I can't find the herb. I’ll just have to wrap it," Serin pulled her long brown curls from her face, before leaning over his leg. “He’s going to be ok Jag.” She stroked her ear, and then tucked the ripped pants into themselves, and wrapped the cloth around his thigh. Crouched over, she collected a ball of water from the mist. Swirled it around and let it dance delicately, until it turned a deep blue-green. She set it carefully onto his leg. At first it stung and Shaz hissed. Then there was heat that softened the sting and warmed his whole body. It cooled to a comfortable cold and the pain eased. Shaz felt his body shudder from the energy. "Feel better?"
"Yes, thank you. It's quite amazing you can do that, you know."
He propped his leg then leaned against the rock and closed his eyes.
Serin situated herself on the other side.
"How do you do it?" he asked.
"Umm, well I guess I was born with it. Like you, but I learned some of what I know from the willow"
"Willow? You mean the tree?"
Serin blushed, saying it out loud did sound a little crazy, but it was true.
"Yes, like the tree. A form of magic that is deep in the earth. It manifests itself through the portrayal of a woman in a willow tree. She was amazing. She taught me what I am.”
"Sounds like Grandfather." Shaz said, nodding.
"You don't think it's crazy?"
"No, I don't think it’s crazy," he said, opening one eye. “Tell me about her.”
Serin bit her lip, "I met her one day when I had gone too far into the woods. I found shelter under a huge willow tree, which is when a tall thin shape emerged. I returned often and as I grew, she explained that I had not one but two special kinds of magic. She asked me what happens when I hear the wind brush by."
Serin knew by now that Shaz had changed his mind, and not only thought she was crazy, but knew she was.
"And what did you tell her?" he asked.
She was relieved he didn't think she was crazy, at least, he wasn't going to go nuts about her story anyway.
"It just rambles on mostly. Usually about things it sees and hears, most of it doesn't make much sense.” It was so nice to be able to talk to someone without judgment. It had been a long time since she felt she could trust anyone with her secrets. “She taught me how to wield water, to make it dance and sway. That’s when we had to move again and that’s when I met Mrs. Bailey." she said with sadness in her voice.
Shaz wanted to know why that made her sad, but figured she would tell him when she was ready. He certainly knew how she felt.
"That's how you were able to throw that water on the sqwall in town? And the air bubble in the dungeon?" he asked.
"Yes, I didn't think it would work, but I had to try."
"Well I am glad you did."
"Can you walk?"
Shaz managed to his feet and found that he could. It was a feeble attempt at first. Serin grabbed the reins of the horse and offered for him to ride.
“It would take too much to get on the horse. I’ll just walk a bit.” he said.
Serin walked beside him for a few minutes.
“I’ve been thinking.”
“That’s what that smell is.” Shaz said.
Serin shot him a glare and elbowed him in the ribs. Shaz laughed and played along as if it hurt when she elbowed him, then said, “Go on.”
“I wanted to ask you why you get those headaches."
"I don't know, I never used to. It wasn't until I met Ceros in the tavern and got my sword." He said tapping the hilt of the honor blade. "And they seem to be worse when I use magic."
"Interesting." she said tapping her finger on her soft pink lips.
“How so?” Shaz asked.
Serin didn’t answer. Shaz could tell she was thinking and let it go. The day slipped by them, the mist formed in the distance and the forest noises dimmed in the evening shadows.
“The bleeding isn’t stopping. We better stop and find shelter. I saw some large leaves back that way just a bit, we could use those." Serin said. Shaz didn’t want to complain but his leg had started to throb and was glad for the break. Serin returned with a large leaf the size of Shaz’s arm and about an arm in width. “Lay down so I can take a look.” Shaz lay down on his belly. The fibers of the cloth were now crusty. Not being able to feel the pain wasn’t good because the walking made the wound ooze worse. “I’m going to need water in order to get your trousers off the wound.”
“Can’t you do that thing you do and gather some from the air?” Shaz asked the side of his cheek mushed against the tops of his hands.
She nodded and placed a ball of water about the size of an orange onto his leg. A few moments later the crusty goo softened to where she could pull the fabric shreds away.
“I am going to start pulling the fabric off now.”
Taking in a deep breath, Serin removed the slimy ooze.
“How does it look?” he asked, lifting his head. A bright red mark plagued the center of his forehead.
“It looks better actually, I am surprised. You heal fast. Now how did you say that old man from the ship healed your chest?” She asked.
“He just waived his hands over me. He said it was because he looked with his heart and not his eyes.”
If only I had a needle and thread I could stitch it back together she thought. Then it occurred to her, maybe if I picture it mending itself back together I can use magic to sew it up. She figured it was worth a try. Serin closed her eyes and pictured herself with a needle and thread, sewing the deep red flesh together. Soft blue hues of light danced around Serin’s skin, in and around her fingers before moving to the wound.
Shaz felt the pulling and tugging of the skin accompanied with a hot heat originating from his thigh. Serin’s lips and brows pursed and puckered, as one might when thinking hard about the answer to a test. Over a half hour later, Serin opened her eyes. The open wound was pulled completely shut. A deep purple line ran about a hands length, mostly strait but with a slight curve to it.
“Oh, my! I did it! I used magic to sew you up!” She exclaimed, falling off her feet and onto her hiney, slumping with exhaustion.
Shaz sat up on his elbows, “Yes, you most certainly did.” he said, rolling over onto his back. He moved easily with little pain. He bent his knees and lay on the ground. Jagwynn licked his face and then lay down next to him.
Serin chuckled and said, “Just don’t do it again.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The Mural
Dank turf nearly sent him sprawling to the ground. He caught his footing in time to avoid the fallen tree. Shaz dug his foot into the earth and shoved off. Swinging on a branch at head
level he dipped below the old crackled wood.
"Get back here" he shouted.
Perspiration dripped down his back as he gained on the little creature. Serin leapt over a boulder and rounded the opposite direction, coming straight toward Shaz. She pointed to her right and Shaz veered to his left, and said,
"Over there" she skidded around a large tree trunk.
Shaz darted across the wet grass and jumped over several protruding rocks. It disappeared into the cavity of broken stone slabs and pillars. They had chased the rabbit like creature into some ruins.
"In here." Shaz mouthed, pointing.
Shaz motioned to Serin to move in on the right side and he would take the left. Serin saw a small gray tail sticking out on the other side, of the rugged rock wall and waved to Shaz. Shaz tiptoed around the broken pillars. Serin took hold of a branch lying by her foot and mimicked to jab the creature. Serin stepped quietly over the dried leaves scattered over the grass covered stone floor. The morning mist left the slabs slick so she took slow and calculated steps.
Shaz gingerly climbed into the perfect spot. He nodded that he was ready and Serin leapt forward and jabbed into the hole. Shaz reached for the tail. He snatched the long fur of the little critter and tugged, pinning its hide against the inside. The stones of the wall broke free and the little creature slipped out backward. Dust and crumbled stone trickled off the varmint as he twisted his pointed large ears back and forth. The small fur at the tip of his ears flicked forward and back as he shook his head in confusion.
Shaz held out his arm away from its sharp claws. He was desperately trying to hold on as it wriggled fiercely to get free.
"What is it?" Serin asked.
"I have no idea." Shaz said, struggling to get the silver and gold serpent emblem from his clutches.
"Give me my medallion." Shaz said, clenching his teeth.
"No, it's Nix's." the creature said back, his voice crackly and high pitched.
"It's not yours, it’s mine."
"I found it." the animal said, kicking out its long four toed paws.
"Yeah, in my pack."
"No, my shiny."
"Enough." Serin said loudly.
They both stopped and looked at her, but it didn't last long. Nix twisted at the waist to release the tentacles that held him and wriggled again.
"I'm not letting you go until you give that back." Shaz said, holding his arm out even more, dangling the creature in midair.
"Will you two stop?" Serin stated sternly, "Now, what is your name?" she asked, paused, thought a moment, and asked, "What are you?"
"Nix, and I'm a Gray Tailix." he answered.
"Well, Nix, that is an important medallion that you took from Shaz and we need it back."
"But it’s shiny." Nix said, twisting the cool metal disk in his paws while admiring the reflection in the morning light.
"I understand that, but it’s essential to our mission and we have to have it." she said in her soft and caring tone.
Nix paused, then gave it to Shaz, who snatched it out of his paws and shoved it into his pocket.
"Shaz?"
"What?"
"What do you say?"
"Nothing, he took it."
"Are we twelve?"
Shaz scowled and put the little creature down.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"He ringed my tail." he said, pulling his soft, fluffy appendage into his paws and stroked the fur.
"Yes, and I am sorry about that, let’s agree though, that you won’t take any more of our things and we won't hurt your tail." Serin said, squatting down eye level with him.
"Alright." Nix said and leapt onto Serin's neck in a hug.
Serin fell back, but laughed and hugged the little guy.
Shaz rolled his eyes.
"He's playing you ya know."
"No, he's not, he's cute." She said.
"Fine, you'll see." Shaz said.
Shaz hopped over the wall and studied the derelict structure "What is this place?" he asked.
Serin pulled Nix from around her neck.
"I don't know, wasn't here moments ago."
"That's because it’s magical" Nix said.
"Magical? How?" Shaz asked.
He stepped around scattered stones.
"It only appears once a day. I have lived here my whole life and never was here before." Nix said, half-crawling-half-walking.
"When did it first appear?" Shaz asked.
“Maybe a few weeks," Nix said, shrugging his thin shoulders.
"A few weeks?" Serin asked.
"About the same time I came through the portal." Shaz said.
"Hey check this out." she said, pointing to one last wall.
She stepped over a crumpled pillar and the old relics that hadn't been moved since their demise.
"What?"
A mural on the wall depicted a man wearing black armor. His long brown hair seemed to wave in an invisible breeze. The intricate fine points showed strength and power in his brows, cheek bones and jaw.
“This is beautiful. I wonder who he is." she said in a near whisper.
"Reinholt." Shaz said, "See." he said, pointing to the brass placket with engravings etched on the surface.
"All I see are scribbles." Serin said.
She stepped close enough to scrutinize the small print. Shaz turned to her and then back to the symbols. He could read them plain as day and wondered why she couldn’t. A mighty weapon was partly drawn from a scabbard which shared his sword’s markings. He gripped the hilt. He drew out the blade and twisted it in the sun light. Nix's eyes popped open, the polished sleekness fascinated him and he leapt forward. Shaz shoved his boot into his stomach and shot him the glare. Nix grabbed his belly and scurried behind Serin, putting his tail between his legs.
"He really likes shiny things, doesn't he?" Serin said. "That's not your sheath, though," she said turning her attention back to the mural and running a finger along the image. The broken glass shards were bumpy and sharp.
"No, it's not. That's the other half, they need to be reunited." he said.
"The sword and the sheath?" Serin asked. "I guess that makes sense though.”
"Why's that?" Shaz asked.
"Well any two things that were meant to be together would feel that way." She said, thinking about how she felt about him.
"True." he said, and nodded.
On the left corner of the image, the colors in the glass didn't match the surrounding shards. Serin’s touch as she moved toward the discoloration brought Shaz from his trance he seemed to be in. Serin tried to wriggle one of the pieces of glass. Even though it felt loose, budging was not an option. She stood back and searched for something more.
"Isn't that the same as yours?" she asked, pointing to the depiction of the medallion Reinholt wore around his neck.
"Yes, but I made this one at the witch’s booth. Unless-" he said.
"Unless what?"
"I don't know." he admitted.
"Look, in the center, the colors, they don't match." Serin noted.
Shaz found a broken column that was mostly flat on each side, propped it up and stood on top, balancing on the uneven surface. Now face to face with the man, he touched the glass. An electric zing shot up his arm.
"Blast," he called shaking his hand and arm vigorously. "It shocked me."
"Let's try pushing them like buttons and see what happens." She said, putting all of her fingers on the stone.
Shaz touched the cold exterior again, this time harnessing the electricity. He shoved the glass with his fingers. Serin pushed at the same time. Nothing happened.
"Was something supposed to happen?" Nix asked.
"Don't know." she said, shooting him and irritated glare. He sunk to the ground and folded his pointed ears over his eyes and hid.
"Try this," Shaz said, "I'll push then you."
Shaz pushed again, this time the piece of glass sank into the mural and made a click. Serin felt the leve
r shift with a clack. Shaz hopped off the column, rolled the stool back from the wall, and inspected the art.
"I don't see anything" Serin said.
"If I stand back here, I might be able to see something," Shaz said, scaling the debris. Serin met him at the edge of floor and crossed her arms in front of her. "Ah, look, here."
He pointed to a long rectangular shaped stone just above the brass plaque. Lying on the stone was a long brass plate with more symbols etched into the soft metal. Shaz picked it up.
"What does it say?" she asked.
"Sev-Rin-Ac-Lavah: the four elements of cosmic powers, created by the sages of time in an effort to perfect the Tooatha De Danann. Divided by greed, separated and sealed by the wise. Sev- cleaver-as Severah of Srinna Vossa, the elder of knowledge- the Scroll. Rin- in relation to ancient reed trees of Akraven- the Spear. Ac-base word in most dark magica of the Loig Na Tine in the volcanic mountains-the power to yield passions, appetites and addiction- the Cauldron. Lavah- a rare mineral found deep in the earth of Bairr Tiornect, used for its density for the building of indestructible weapons- the Sword."
"What does that mean?" Serin asked.
"It's what Gavin Rhill is seeking. It's what I have to destroy." Shaz said.
He inserted the end of the necklace the fang was on, into a chiseled hole, and tied it back around his neck. As they started back to their camp, Nix was padding next to them.
"Where do you think you’re going?" Shaz asked.
Nix stood on his hind legs, his little paws gripped together, "I be good." he begged.
"Ah, how cute." Serin said.
"Are you kidding?" Shaz said, "I don't have the time for this." Shaz stared down at him. Nix’s eyes became bigger and bigger as his ears hung lower and lower. "Fine, but stay out of my way." Shaz said. He kicked a stone out of his way and stomped forward.
Serin snickered.
“Where have you been Jag, we could have used your help?”
Jagwynn looked at him and licked her lips then yawned and curled up on the ground.