The Oreans

Chapter 20

Chapter 20
A Night Visitor

Feeling heavy and sore all over, she lay awake, unable to sleep. She was resting on her side as she could not on her back because of her wounds. Though she had always recovered from injuries fast, she guessed it would take another day for the latest ones to completely heal and one more for her to regain enough strength to stand up. She had really exhausted all her energy this time.

She had not been told how she had got back here, but she was sure that her friends had something to do with it. She knew she had to be grateful that they had heeded her request not to be brought to a healer, but something about her mentor's demeanor told her that she had some reason for concern. He had looked positively troubled when she awoke after hours of being unconscious, and she sensed it could not be due to her injuries. She had had worse during her training, and she was able to cope with them. There could only be one other reason. Had her friends already discovered her secret?

If they had, then she would have to convince them that it was necessary for her to remain in the guise. She did not see the prospect appealing, but there was no other way. She could not leave especially now that her sister's life was at risk. She just hoped they would listen to her.

She looked out the window, through which she could see that dawn was already breaking, and remembered the past afternoon's incident. It only happened a few times that she was visited by visions. Often, she only sensed things coming. Thankfully, yesterday, both had helped her to get to her sister in time.

What she could not grasp, however, was the vision of Leinardei when she looked straight into the eyes of the masked stranger. Was it a message from him saying that the right time for her to avenge his death was drawing near? Could it be that the man had something to do with his death? She had to get to know him better.

A light suddenly shone from the corner of the room. Then, a voice that said, "Your Highness, what have you done to yourself?"

She did not bother to look at the source of the voice as she spoke: "Anehta, you don't really know how to take a hint, don't you?"

The prophecy bearer ignored her words. She came to view, knelt by her side and said, "I wish you'd let somebody else do the job of rescuing your sister. But don't worry.... I'm not here to reprimand you or ask you to reconsider... Well, I have here something that may help you get going at once. Take this."

And she handed her a tiny purple fruit.

"What's this?" she asked with mingled surprise and curiosity.

"The fruit of life. Eat that and your wounds will be healed instantly. That's what has kept me alive for so long."

A little doubtfully, she swallowed it whole and unusual warmth crept over her. She felt well in an instant. Incredulous, she got up and felt her back. Her mentor's remedies had fallen off from smooth new skin.

"This—is amazing," she murmured then met the prophecy bearer's eyes.

It had been coming in the past several weeks as she witnessed the terrible state some parts of the kingdom were in, had uninvited visions of worse disasters, felt her conscience prickling as a battle waged on inside her. Maybe she was indeed the chosen one, and much as she wanted to escape from her destiny, she could not without undesirable consequences and undermining others' life. Anehta was not to blame for it. After all, she was just the prophecy bearer. The way she had treated Anehta was nothing short of unfair. Even with that, here she was showing concern for her condition.

"Thank you, Anehta."

"My pleasure, Your Highness... I know your healing powers don't work on yourself so here I am, and I have brought some—"