When a seemingly lifeless boy is saved by a girl.
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Ma'vona was once a beloved member of the Kame'tire clan, known for their profound understanding of Pandora's flora and unparalleled healing skills. Their expertise was so great that they could heal...
A/N: Republished this chapter since a change was made. Please re-read to the ones who already read it once. :)
♪ Happiness is Simple by Simon Franglen ♪ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Chapter Twenty-One: Echoes of Laughter
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As I knelt beside the woman, carefully feeding her the herbal paste I'd just prepared, I watched her eyes close with a sigh of relief. Her body was feverish, hot to the touch, and I could feel her shivering despite the warm air in the hut. Her young daughter, one of the two kids who often got into trouble, sat beside me, wide-eyed, observing every movement I made with a look of awe that made me smile. I whispered to her mother softly, reassuring her, “These herbs will bring down the fever soon. You’ll feel better before you know it.”
The woman nodded, her gaze grateful yet guarded, the kind of wariness I’d grown used to from some in the Kame'tire clan. I knew the whispers, the murmurs that spread whenever I walked through the village. They hadn’t forgotten the shadows of my past—of my parents and their choices. Though this woman seemed thankful, a flicker of mistrust crossed her eyes. I understood, even if it stung a bit. But I didn’t let it show; I simply returned her nod with a kind smile.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice faint yet sincere, breaking through the quiet of the hut.
I was about to respond when I heard my name. “Ma’vona?” Neteyam’s voice was soft but clear, carrying into the hut as he approached. His tall figure filled the doorway, his eyes quickly taking in the scene. He looked at the woman lying on the ground, then at her daughter sitting close by. His gaze softened, and he gave me a small nod, gesturing that it was time to go.
“We’re due for guard duty,” he reminded gently, his eyes lingering on the mother and daughter with a look of understanding.
I turned back to the woman, returning her grateful nod before rising to my feet. “I’ll be back to check on you later,” I promised, giving her daughter a small, reassuring smile. But just as I took a step, the girl’s voice piped up, stopping me.
“Are you going with the search party?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with a longing I recognized. "A'tok!" Her mum yelled through a whisper to which the little girl ignored. “I bet it’s so nice to be outside. I get bored here sometimes…” She trailed off, glancing shyly at her mother, as if guilty for admitting it. Her mother's eyes softened as she remained silent.
I crouched down to her level, smiling at her playfully. “Next time, maybe I’ll take you with me, how about that?” Her face lit up, before I looked at her with a serious expression, playfully, “Only if you take good care of your mother and make sure she’s all better.”
Her eyes widened with excitement as she nodded eagerly. “Yes! I promise.” She said as her mother smiled at the view in front of her.
With a last grin, I gave her a small wave and turned to join Neteyam outside. He was waiting near the heart of the camp, where Ayura and Sayura, our ikrans, were already saddled and ready. Neteyam adjusted the straps on Ayura’s saddle, and when he looked up and saw me, a slight smile crossed his face. His eyes took in my new hairstyle—the braids neatly woven by one of the elder women who had offered to help me. It felt strange, in a good way, to have someone care for my hair for the first time in years, each braid a gentle reminder of the clan’s neutrality.
