Medice Ceres

Chapter 30

Alden cradled Ceres in his arms as he lowered her on the flat granite rock. Waithe leaped up and knelt at her side. The color drained from her face as her breath became shallow. She looked up at the men beside her, those who cared for her. "Alden... Waithe... I am so sorry." 

Waithe tried to sound optimistic. "Hold on, my dear Ceres. We have come through much peril before and we shall come through this."

Alden's eyes watered from the same cold fear that twisted Waithe's gut. Battlefield experience told Waithe that such wounds were usually fatal. He resisted the urge to immediately pull out the damned bolt that violated her since, if not done correctly, that would only hasten death.

A hot wave of shame came over him. As her protector, he failed. He should have taken the bolt himself. And his failure was not just to her, but the whole of the Realm. He mentally shoved those thoughts aside. There must still be a way to save her, but she seemed much too weak to heal herself.

Eira... Could she?

Eira sat among the rocks trembling, her knees drawn into her chest. Waithe jumped down and scooped her into his arms, holding her against his chest. Silent sobs shook her as he stroked her dark hair. The battle must have touched a deep dark memory, something that before left her mute and alone. And now with Ceres being so near death, she must fear becoming alone again.

He spoke gently. "My dear Eira, the battle be over and you be safe now. But Ceres be hurt. Would you help make her better?"

Eira's tears dripped down on Waithe's torn shirt as she nodded her head.

Waithe carried Eira and set her down next to Ceres. Waves of tears and shudders came to the little girl. Her despair cut deeply into his heart. This little one had seen far too much death in her few years. Waithe chastised his thoughts - not this time! 

Ceres' head rested in Alden's lap and blood from her wound stained red the rock slab under her. She put on a weak smile.

Waithe sat down next to the little girl and took up one of her hands. He spoke with all the confidence he could muster. "Enough crying, little one. We have Spirits to call and a fair Lady to heal! Together we shall. Would you call Anu as you did for me? And Phy, she would surely want to come too."

Eira sniffed and nodded. She closed her eyes and began to hum, mimicking Ceres' usual methods. But nothing happened. A silent sob wracked her again.

Ceres reached out a stroked Eira's cheek. She spoke faintly in a breathy voice. "Relax, little one. Think about how you like to play with Phy. The Spirits will come."

Eira slowly nodded and closed her eyes again. Her breath slowed and deepened. In a moment Phy's green light appeared and hovered above them.

Ceres smiled. "Good, my little girl. Now think about Anu. Imagine reaching to the sky to bring her to you."

Eira took a deep breath, her eyes still closed, and reached up with both hands. Anu's silver light pulsed above her. Phy and Anu began to chase each other in an expanding circle.

"Good. Now tell Phy and Anu to behave. Be firm with them."

Eira furled her eyebrows and tightened her lips. The Spirits stopped their chase and settled on either side of her.

"Wonderful, little girl. Now reach out to them with your mind and think about fixing me, making me better. Like you did for our friend, Waithe. You can do this."

Eira reached up again and let her arms swing wide. The Magic, as shimmering white lights, appeared as a mass above each hand, disappeared, then appeared again. Eira lowered her arms slowly. The shimmer descended and enveloped Ceres.