The Fall of Eden

Chapter 14

Méria sat alone in Bray's hide out, an unused watch tower along the wall. It sat above a cliff-side that no human could climb, and anyone could just look over the wall to see if anyone was trying, so there was no reason to actually man the tower. It was used as a beacon in Stormthrone's younger, more elegant years. It was once a place where she could go to find conversation with her friend, but now it was her place of regret and silence. Four days had passed since Bray was banished from Stormthrone.

"I should have gone with you," she said to herself. "I need to know you're okay. I wish I was like you. You're the only reason I feel strong."

"That's sweet but I'm fine." A familiar voice echoed from the window.

"Wha-" Méria turned to the window and Bray had climbed in.

"Y-you're back!" She ran to Bray and embraced her. "What are you doing here?" Méria was suddenly on edge. "If they find you they'll kill you!"

"I know. I know. But I need your help."

"Anything. What is it?" Méria realized she was too loud and hushed her voice to keep from alerting anyone.

"I need a Healer now."

"You're bleeding! What happened?" Méria was horrified.

"No not for me. I mean I probably do, but that's not it."

"You brought someone else?" Méria backed away confused.

"They aren't Natives. They're refugees from Eden."

"Eden? What are they doing here?"

"There's no time to explain. Will you help me?" Bray looked at her begging.

"Okay. I can get the healers, but they know your face."

"No. No one can know I'm here. I'll manage on my own." Bray knew she couldn't trust anyone. After being outside of Stormthrone for so long, it had cleared her senses. Something just seemed off, like an odor she had never noticed until now. "They are walking towards the gate now. Just tell the guards to let them in."

-

Damien sat beside Femi's bed. She was still unconscious. Her clothing had been stripped since much of it had been torn or burned. Some of it had been melted to her skin. Now a fur blanket covered her body. Her bed was placed in a tent near the wall, far from the palace.

"Her wounds are great." The male Healer said as he placed his hands over her head. The female Healer sat across from Damien and Areli, and lifted her blanket partly so she could see Femi's wounds while still preserving her dignity. She had her hands placed over Femi's body to mend her cuts and burns. Then she spread a greenish powder over her skin and began to wrap her wounds in cloth.

"Shouldn't her body recover faster than normal?" Damien asked. "I mean, can't she just heal herself?"

"Healers can only help those other than themselves," The woman answered. "Healing relies on outward compassion. When healing a person, you have to care for someone more than you care for yourself. A strong mend requires great care, to the point that many Healers actually fall in love with the person they are helping."

Damien blushed a bit when he thought of when Femi saved him. "Will she recover?"

"It's hard to say." The male Healer's face was gloomy. "Her head has internal injuries. It's difficult to heal a wound I can't see. And even if she does recover..." The man pulled away and looked at Damien. "She might lose some of her memory."

"How did you say she got these injuries?" asked the female Healer.

"Natives." Areli answered.

"That's strange," she replied. "Natives around here don't normally travel with Kinoses."