The Threadbound series : Unraveling

The Healer and The Hunter

Frin

I love my work but on days like these, I find myself longing for something more. It was moments like these that tested the limits of my abilities as a healer. I couldn't save everyone, no matter how much I wanted to.

With a heavy sigh, I reached out to touch the golden threads of life hovering around the little girl lying on the bed. All I could hope to achieve now was to make her departure from this world as painless as possible. Her heartbeat slowly waned until it finally ceased. The silence that followed was stifling, broken only by the loud cry of the girl's mother.

The distraught woman clutched her chest, her dress stained with the blood that had flowed from her child's wounds. She knelt beside the cot, and her grief reverberated through me like a thunderous storm. In that somber moment, I silently manipulated the threads of her emotions, easing the intensity of her pain.

The child's father, equally shattered, held his wife tightly, offering what little solace he could.

Turning away from the heart-wrenching scene, I approached their neighbor, a weathered farmer in his late forties. "I did what I could," I murmured softly, "but the wound was too severe, and she had lost too much blood." I hadn't told him that, if they were a little faster or if they called me sooner, the girl might have been saved. I didn't want to highlight the stark contrast between the thread bound and their non-magical existence. In this unfair world, I was trying to be fair the only way I knew how, by offering solace in a moment of profound loss.

The man's eyes, etched with sorrow, met mine, and he offered his gratitude. He extended a few coins as a token of appreciation, but I gently declined. It wasn't about money; it was about alleviating suffering in a world where magic couldn't weave a different fate.

Stepping out from their humble home,I hailed a Veil carriage to transport me to the town. Upon arrival, I entered Mabel's tavern. As I made my way inside, I placed an order for a soothing whisper leaf tea.

With practiced ease, I set my bag of equipment and medicines on the worn wooden table and claimed a stool.Without delay, a cup of the fragrant tea appeared before me, its steam rising gently into the air. I sent a two finger salute to the old lady, her portal weaving skills never failed to amaze me. She gave me an answering smile.

I inhaled the comforting scent, allowing it to envelop me like a warm embrace. Raising the cup to my lips, I took a measured sip, letting the delicate flavors wash over me. A few people in the tavern were concentrated on The Grid where highlights of yesterdays Skybound Ball game highlights were being played.

"Looks like the Sylvanwood Sentinels are gonna make it to the finals. You think they're gonna win the Championship?" Sru glided onto the chair next to me."Heyyy" she cooed, sensing my downheartedness.

"I couldn't save the girl."

Sru's blue eyes brimmed with empathy. "I know you did your best, but life"

"Isn't fair," I interrupted.

"Is beyond us," she countered with wisdom that belied her years.

I studied her as she sat there with grace, her tan skin complementing her striking blue eyes, her black wavy hair neatly braided. She wore her Elemental uniform in the distinctive blue that represented her water power.

"We caught the criminal- he was a rebel sympathizer," she continued. "He stole from the Lark Mansion and was escaping. When he was surrounded, he threatened the child. The threadhunters..."

"They didn't care about the human child; she was just collateral," I finished my thought.

"It was a tough call, Frin."

I couldn't help but dwell on our past dreams of becoming healers, of helping people in need. "And you had healing power," I pointed out, "but you still chose to be a threadhunter. How does it feel to become everything you ever hated?"

Sru looked stunned by my words. "Frin, The threadhunters you hate? We maintain law and order. We risk our lives daily, plunging into unknown dangers the day throws at us to ensure your safety. So the next time you sleep soundly without fearing the rebels attacking your house or rogue veil weavers killing you, take a moment to think of the threadhunters you seem to despise so much," she spat out, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and frustration.

However, I couldn't help but relish in her newfound fierceness. Sru had toughened up over the years; she couldn't even say "no" to someone back then. I admired her newfound strength, even if I didn't always show it.

After a tense moment, I sensed that she might be on the verge of apologizing. To cut her off, I changed the subject.

" Your best friend is a candidate for the Elder Senate? Is she any good?"

Sru didn't hesitate, her loyalty shining through.

"Yeah, Ash is the best," she stated matter-of-factly, and then nonchalantly took a sip of my tea.

"Yuck" she stuck out her tongue.

I chuckled, despite the pang of jealousy that surged within me when she didn't contradict my assertion that Sashelle Dantes was her best friend. I had always cherished that position in her heart. It seemed that the bond between elementals ran deep, and healers like me had no place in their world.

"You need to have good taste to like the flavor," I teased.

"Also, it's good for calming your nerves and making you feel relaxed."

Her answering "Huhuh," was laced with sarcasm.

Sru's expression shifted to seriousness, and she leaned in closer.

"I'm going back to the Senate tonight," she said, her voice filled with a sense of responsibility. "There's the formal announcement of candidates for the election and trial preparations. I guess they're sending some hunters from each district for increased security, considering the increased rebel activity."

"No matter what, you stay safe," I urged

"I will," she reassured me, giving me a parting kiss on the cheek before making her way out of the tavern.

On the grid was displayed the election news, the reporter went on .... "live from the Senate, where the anticipation is running high as the nation eagerly awaits the candidates for its newest Elder Senate member. This position became vacant following the passing of the esteemed Elder Taluleya Bhama.The candidates after their formal submission of application, will give out speeches.."

The droning voice of the reporter continued to fill the air with talk of noble families, governors, trials, and elections.

I rose from my stool, leaving a few coins on the table to cover my bill, and made my way towards the exit. The world of Veil weaving nobles and politics and power struggles wasn't my concern today.