Embers of Destiny

Chapter 2

My father's unwavering faith in his daughter's vigor did not hold true. My master was well versed in magic, but healing spells were not something he was gifted at. The ones he did know were unstable, and could potentially take her life. The best thing to do was wait.

But Beth grew weaker each day, and the atmosphere of the household sank with it as well. Each day, my father returned from his meetings with more news of children catching the fever and dying. Even when the herbalist had returned, there was not much he could do to treat the illness. The whole village was engulfed with mourning with each passing day, as children and even some adults had passed away. We all wondered what we had done to deserve such a tragedy.

I sat near Beth's bedside, listening to her labored breathing. She was too weak to cough. I stroked her hands, looking down at her with tear-stained eyes. I now knew what it was like for my family all those years when I'd been bedridden with weakness and illness. "Please Beth," I squeezed her small hands. "You have to fight. You have to get better."

I had thrown myself into studying and training to take my mind off of things, as most everyone had done. We busied ourselves as best as possible. Sereme was out with the goats all day long, and Mother and Jania spent nearly all day tending to Beth. When Jania started to show signs of illness and fatigue, we took care of her too, and Magnus threw himself into training and work.

While Jania's condition improved after a few days, Beth's had only worsened. As I held her frail hands in mine, I felt she could slip away at any moment. "Please," I whispered, tears rolling down my cheeks. "You can't die... you have to get better."

I closed my eyes, grasping her hand with both of mine. Suddenly, I felt power leave my body, flowing into hers. A flame stretched out from my hands across Beth's body, from her arms to her head to her feet. She was engulfed in a warm, golden flame. At first, I felt panic, and then I realized neither she nor the blanket was burning. In fact, she hardly stirred at all.

My mother entered the room, and the bowl of hot water she was carrying dropped with a loud thud. I glanced over at her with wide eyes, unable to explain what was happening.

My mother had no words either, and we both watched in silence as color returned to Beth's face, and she stirred. I drew back my hands from hers and the flames dissipated, and then her eyes opened. I felt her forehead, taking the cloth off. The warmth from the cloth was still there, but the fever was gone.

"M-mom? Aster?" Beth asked.

My mother was at my side in an instant. She felt my little sister's forehead. "The fever... it's gone!" She cried out for joy, embracing me in a warm, tight hug. "Aster! But how?"

I held up my hands and looked down at them. "I-I don't know... I just... It just happened."

My mother tightened her hug. "Aster, you're truly amazing."

____

Word of Beth's recovery traveled fast. On Jania, who was in a much better condition, I was able to replicate the same results. It took some time, but I did exactly as I'd done with Beth, holding her hand in both of mine and willing for her to get better. In the same fashion, golden flames enveloped her body and the fever was gone.

In a short amount of time, visited nearly every home, until all of the children were cured of the crimson ague. People were bringing gifts to our doorstep every day, with words of gratitude and tears of joy. I think we received at least twenty chickens and five more goats, which I tried kindly to return.

My master was elated with my new discovery. I had finally broken past the barrier that I'd reached with my training, and discovered a new property to my flames — healing.