Unlifting Mist

The Healing

Knock. Knock. Knock. I tapped on the ancient, creaky wooden door to Taro's cottage. I had brought him some more rags and ice for Kaelan. The faint sound of feet scuffing along the wooden floor reached my ears and the looking hole slid open.

"Ju! Come in, come in!" Taro exclaimed happily.

The looking hole closed and I heard a series of locks click and slide to unlock as Taro invitingly opened the door and beckoned me in. I stepped inside and looked around the small but roomy cottage. There was a faint snore from the back room where Taro usually slept. The kitchen was tidy as usual with it's clay oven and wooden counter tops.The oak table was set with a bright red tablecloth and a few fall daffodils in an intricately carved silver vase.

"Simone sent me with some more herbs and a soup. He also told me that Kaelan should take a walk around the house twice a day. It will improve his leg and his strength." I smiled.

Taro gave a thankful sigh. His brother was very weak and had had his leg broken by a beast. Kaelan's arm had been very badly scratched and was on the verge of a mild infection. Luckily Simone had the herbs and remedies for all of Kaelan's injuries and more.

"Can I see him again?" I asked shyly.

Taro had introduced me to Kaelan the first time I was over to give one of Simone's deliveries. Only Simone, Taro and I were allowed to see Kaelan at the moment since his condition wasn't very well.

"Yes, of course! He was waiting for you, Kaelan finds you very interesting." Taro nodded enthusiastically.

Taro seemed to be happy all the time, even in situations like this.

He led me up to the loft and down a short hallway. There was a wooden door there equally as old and creaky as the one in the front so Taro opened it slowly as to avoid too much loud noise. Kaelan was sensitive in this state.

"...Hello?...Brother? Ju...?..." Kaelan's weak voice asked.

Taro opened the door all the way. "Brother! You are awake, did we rise you?"

Kaelan shook his head, "No! No! No! I could sense Ju's presence. She has a very unique aura."

I smiled and felt the heat rush into my cheeks. He thought I was unique?

"Hm... Interesting. How are you feeling? Anymore pain in your arm...?" Taro questioned, concerned.

"No mother I feel amazing. My arm is alright, minor pains." Kaelan joked.

We all laughed at the cheeky joke Kaelan had made and then set to work. I set down my basket of herbs and mixes and removed the napkin on top to check the ice. Ice was still thoroughly frozen and the herbs were still in their containers. I took out the avacado-green powder and grabbed the wooden grinding block. The block was like a miniature baseball bat, it was rounded and large at one end and smaller at the other where the hand would go.

I reached in and removed the clay bowl and shook in the correct amount of green powder. Then I took the cedar ice-bowl and poured in the water from the ice that was melted. Using the cedar grinder I mixed the powder into a green paste and added in a few spices as Simone had instructed to make it taste better.

I put a cover on the paste and turned myt attention over to kaelan's broken leg and the ice. Looking around the room I spotted a puffy goose-feather pillow and walked over to pick it up. I placed the pillow gently under Kaelan's mangled, discoloured leg. I saw him wince in pain as I ever so gently tried to lay the ice on his leg.

"Sorry!" I tried to apologise as he tried to tell me it was okay.

"No, don't apologise Juliette it isn't your fault those beasts damaged me. You are doing fine!" He smiled.

I smiled back at him and glanced over at Taro. He was cleaning out Kaelan's wound with some dis-infectant water and rags which were now stained red with his dear brother's blood.

I felt so much sympathy towards Taro as I saw a single tear slide down his sun-softened cheek.