Entrance to the Song (completed)

Chapter 13 - Sing Dear Flower

       

All things are made of energy

I was curious to see what lay behind those walls. Moisture clung to my skin and the earthy wet smell of mud invaded my nostrils. I took a deep breath allowing the scent to move through my lungs. A greenish blue slick material of small rectangles covered the walls; they gave the room an iridescent look. There was a window in the center of the ceiling letting in natural light and low light reflected from the walls. The floor was smooth dark-grey hard clay with pictures of trees carved into it.

"There's a showering area through there." Sol pointed at a door panel indention to our right. We stood in an open area that led to a dark bubbling pool.

I nodded, feeling drawn to the bubbling warmth.

"You have two hours before you meet with Mistress Vega in the library." He cocked his head to the side. "I don't think you'll have a problem figuring out how to heal yourself in the mud, but Entrance will be here to help if you need him."

The silver-haired man popped onto the wall and waved. I nodded again itching to peel off my sweat soaked clothes. I didn't feel self-conscious in front of Entrance because he was a book and not really male or female.

"You will need to finish your soak and eat within that time frame. I'll see you tomorrow in the library." He gave me a small bow and gazed around looking awkward. What else did he want?

    "Er, you did well today." He patted my sore shoulder, and I winced. "Sorry." He turned and sauntered out.

    That was odd – most of the time he proved more smooth and cheerful than I could stand; he almost seemed human this time. I shook my head and discarded my clothes right where I stood, cringing with every movement. My skin was slick with perspiration and humidity as I made my way to the edge of the mud pool.

    Instant relief permeated my foot when I stuck it into the almost too hot liquid. I eased into the mud hissing with every motion. The thick mud surrounded me and filled into my pores. I breathed the mud into my body and allowed it to replace the soreness. It felt so natural to dip my head under and allow it to take the sting out of the scratch on my cheek.

    The dark surroundings were home to my senses hugging me like a mother hugs a child. I could almost hear Ajala's song of healing and comfort calling caressing away my fear and anxiety. The realization I could stay under the mud forever, filtered through my mind. But the weight of having a goal to accomplish before I joined the earth urged me to rise from the pool.

    Mud flowed from my nostrils, ears, and out of my lungs. Humid air permeated the small room. It seemed awkward and foreign to breathe air again. I allowed the earth to stream off of my skin realizing that I felt better than I'd ever felt before.

    "Amazing," I whispered.

    "Indeed," Entrance said appearing on the wall. "It's been a long time since there's been a natural healer."

    I made my way out of the pool and toward the showers. "What does that mean?" I asked.

    "There have been Earth Singers since the Earth birthed man. She gave each, one of four special talents aside from the ability to move earth. One of which is healing."

    "Hmm, what are the others?"

    "Digging, strength, and intuitive invention." He floated along the wall beside me.

    My eyebrows went up. "Fascinating. I'm guessing Benin is intuitive, right?" The shower door panel slid open and the far wall turned into a large mirror. My curls were heavy against my shoulder and neck; they appeared even darker than usual. I tried to run my fingers through them only to find snarls of resistance, so I left the tangle alone. My skin felt soft and smooth to the touch; I could almost see a glow coming from my pores. Wow, that mud is great.

    "You are correct, Benin is intuitive," Entrance said bringing my attention back to him.

    I nodded and stepped into the shower letting the water run over me. "He's always coming up with new ways to use the energy we have. What is the usefulness of being a healer? Can I heal other people?"

    "Yes, at full ability you can heal yourself, others, and the earth."

    I blew out a heavy breath. "We don't have an ample amount of time for me to train to do all of that now do we?"

    "No, but we'll do our best to equip you to complete your task, and then afterward you'll have more time to train."

    I scoffed. "If there is an afterward."

    Entrance gave a solemn nod. "You have forty-five minutes before your meeting, Mistress Pendra."

    I frowned. "Please just call me Pendra."

    "As you wish."

    Time seemed to pass so fast–I'd just come to the mud spa. I finished washing and found that new clothes awaited me of the same color black. The other clothes had disappeared. I brushed the snarls out of my hair and braided it, and then went to eat before heading to the library clutching the Songs of Healing under my arm.

    Mistress Vega stood gazing out of a window overlooking the garden. Her posture was stiff and perfect as usual. She turned when I pulled out a chair at the table. I shuttered when I glimpsed the depth of her unwavering eyes. Why couldn't Sol be the one that teaches me everything? Sure, he shot me with an arrow, but he let me heal afterward. Mistress Vega seemed like the type to enjoy making you suffer. She would get a kick out of torturing baby kittens.

    Her eyebrow went up. "How was your training this morning?"

    My eyes flicked to the window, and I wondered if the practice grounds were visible from here.