ToA: Novice

Chapter Five

Author's Note: Pointing out any grammar/spelling errors is much appreciated! Constructive criticism is welcomed too.
---

"Leeanna."

She heard her name and breathed deeply, taking in the distinct smell of fire. A nasty headache sat lodged in her skull, intensifying as incoherent thoughts collided with one another. Her heartbeat was sluggish, and little by little she became aware of this as she slipped between a conscious and unconscious state.

All awhile, memories of Daath clung tightly to the edges of Leeanna’s mind, begging her to rejoin them. Her eyes felt too heavy to open and escape the never ending flashbacks.

Lying still and flatley on her back, Leeanna focused on making her body become more responsive. She concentrated on twitching her fingers, the rest of her limbs operated like they were full of lead. As she did this, she felt a soft pair of hands resting against her shoulders. Their warmth seeped through her shirt and warmed her cold skin. Leeanna slowly rolled her head to the side, bits of dirt and rock sank into her cheek. Her eyebrows drew together.

"Leeanna, wake up.” She heard.

The set of hands curled around her tightly, their owner’s fingernails dug into her skin. A dull pain pulsed through Leeanna’s body. She heard shuffled movement and commotion happening around her. She wanted to know what was going on. The right side of her body now burned with warm, sweat beaded her brow.

"Leeanna." The voice said again, but in a quiet, persistent manner. Somehow, she slowly managed to open her eyes just enough to see in front of her. Leeanna found herself staring up at Tear, who gladly stared back.

Tear’s one eye was dark blue, gleaming brightly from the fire's reflection as it danced in her irise. The other was hidden behind her long brown bangs. Tear’s pale face relaxed when Leeanna opened her eyes wide and blinked "Good." she sighed "You're awake." Tear sat back comfortably on her knees, no longer hovering above Leeanna, and waited for her to sit up.

Her abdomen was sore, but this was the type of pain that Leeanna could handle. When she struggled to sit, Tear reached out to help her, but her hand quickly faltered. She rested it on her thigh when Leeanna looked at her sharply.

Sitting with her legs crossed was too much for her muscles to bare, so Leeanna sat hunched over with one leg outstretched and the other drawn in. Her hands sat out beside her for support. She looked around. Night had fallen. While she was out, the rest of the group must have made camp.

She looked at Tear, who still sat diligently beside her "How are you feeling?" She asked. Leeanna sighed "I've had better days." She confirmed. Out of the corner of her eye, the sight of her own bare and scarred arms immediately drew her attention. Leeanna realized that her shirt was torn at the elbows, and her gloves were gone. Her eyes widen.

Frantically, she looked at Tear for answers "I had to use fonic artes to heal your wounds.: She said "But Natalia had to cure your body of poison."

Leeanna's mind reeled. She clawed at her mind for an answer. She remembered the fight; the griffin's white ashes, the casters, Jade's cold stare. Then she remembered the burly looking man she had fought. His axe must have been fused snake poison; that was the only thing strong enough to seep through her clothes and pierce her leather gloves.

Leeanna looked from Tear to Natalia, who stood on the other side of the low riding flames of the small fire. The sparks illuminated half of Natalia’s face, throwing eerie shadows across her seemingly ghostly white skin and intensifying her already sun gold hair.

Natalia looked much older than she actually was sitting there. She wore such a concerned look that it wrinkled her eyes and the corners of her mouth. She smiled meekly at Leeanna when they held each other's solemn gaze. Leeanna then turned back to Tear "T-thank you." She murmured "Both of you." Tear smiled "It's no problem, just don't go picking fights anytime soon." She replied.