Orelie

*34*

*34*

We were given a week off for the solstice. Mystic rented a couple rooms at the local tavern, one for me and one for her and Fenin. Crae didn't join us, but had sent a couple gifts with Mystic to deliver. At the moment, we're enjoying a nice meal before opening the gifts. My room was provided with a small shrubbery, some twinkling lights gifted from the Fairies and some odd trinkets adorning it.

"Kyrene," I looked up, trying to focus back on the conversation. "You're spacing out again."

I sighed and pushed my plate aside. "I'm sorry, Mystic. I'm not really in the mood..."

"I bet we can change that." She smiled softly and set my plate aside. In its place, she set a small box before me. I carefully opened it and gasped.

Inside, nestled in some velvet fabric, was a pure white gem. I slowly pulled it out to examine it, feeling the soft energy it gave off.

"It's beautiful."

"It's a Healer's Stone," she explained. "From how it was explained to me, it amplifies the energy of healing spells. Of course, with your staff to help keep you from over exerting yourself, it can focus on providing a stronger healing aura."

"I'll add it to my staff as soon as possible." I set it aside as another box was set before me. A small oval disk sat at the bottom of the box. I pulled it out and examined it, finding a delicate latch. With a click, it opened. Two figures danced around a mirrored surface as soft music accompanied them. I stared, amazed, as the figures moved about the surface.

"That's one of the more popular songs composed in Fucrya." Fenin said as I lifted my gaze from the figures. "I was able to get it enchanted and put into a music box. So long as the lid is open, the song will continue to play."

"Thank you. It's gorgeous." I gently shut the lid and set it next to my gem.

"Um..." I looked up to see Mystic holding an object wrapped in plain brown paper. "This one's from him."

I hesitantly took it and looked it over. It's rectangular, kind of book shaped. I gently peeled the paper back and stared at the dark leather cover. The leather cracked as I opened the book to the first page.

"A Guide to Effective Healing: Spells, Potions, and Antidotes."

"Oh, that's a good one." Fenin leaned in to get a better look. "There were only ten copies made before the author passed. How did he find one in such great condition?"

I brought the book to my nose and sniffed. "It smells new, like it has never been touched before."

I clutched the book tightly to my chest. Erixsys was my teacher for healing when we were under the academy. Now that's he's gone, I can use this and the knowledge I already have from the healers to strengthen my healing magic. I might be able to get Striker's help with his new healing potions.

"Can you, um... tell him thank you for me?"

"Of course." Mystic said as I pulled out my gifts for them. I gave them each a seed from the tree I had been growing as well as a pendant forged with a small spell. I've moved up so fast in my magic lessons that I have been put into the second highest classes the academy offers. There, they've shown us how to infuse different items with magic to use for in case of emergency events. It's a long, taxing process, but I was glad to get them done before the break.

I've also been taught by Kriela that some Orelie are able to extract memories and in a sense copy the memory to keep on a smooth surface, be it a mirror or inside a locket of sorts. I held the small box to my person for a few extra moments, thinking about the memory.