As quickly as everyone came and set up, it seemed to take longer to take everything down. The trials were over, and the last of the participants were exiting the rooms. Cots were being emptied, the occupants being assisted back to Sihajja for additional healing and rest. Remaining herbs were packed, supplies gathered and accounted for. The hectic noises were no longer filled with the injured moans and groans, but items being shuffled around. Hundreds of voices spoke simultaneously, giving orders or soothing transported injured.
Raziel merely sat there on her stool beside a child’s cot. Her hand ran wearily over her forehead. How many dislocated sockets had she set, cuts stitched up, and countless other tasks? Many would recover soon enough. One man might never regain full use of his fingers, which were so mangled, they had to be individually set then bound as a single unit. The child, however, had proven to be the worst case. She had regained consciousness a couple of times, fleetingly brief for each. A few syllables were muttered, and out she was again.
Nerine had provided the angle with a name of Akira, a foxling child full of curiosity. It was to her understanding that the child was quite powerful in the arts of healing. But there was more to the child, a powerful underlying current to the child’s aura. Raziel couldn’t place it, and doubt she ever would. Akira clutched a white fox, a stuff toy, tightly, despite her unconscious state. Zander had found it. Apparently, this was what the child kept asking for during her moments of lucidity. Neither angel nor Nerine could determine why she was out here all alone. Where were the guardians that adopted her?
There was also the matter of her father. Akira had said “Ring daddy bell.” What would the bell have to do with anything? The child was nothing but a mystery, and the angel refused to leave her side until it was certain that the foxling was alright. ”Ready to go, Miss Raziel?” One of the healers had inquired, pulling Raziel out of her swirling thoughts. ”Yes, I dare say I am. With the trials over, there’s still so much to do.” Raziel had been waiting for the crowds to thin, so that she would not be too much of a bother in her blind state on the return. ”All we require is a little rest.”
”But should we truly use magic to do much of the healing? Things require time, and should not be rushed.” It was the same debate they have had during a slow moment, and no one could argue against her. Nerine had agreed, but that it was necessary to accelerate the growth of the herbs to continue healing. The angel stood, Zander stretched with a mighty yawn before taking his place by her side. Akira would be lifted by a couple of the other healers, so as to not jostle her, or further injure the child. Before she stepped through the portal, Raziel hesitated. Her staff was lifted, and struck the floor hard. Vibrations splashed through her vision, granting her the image of several people still packing the last few items, others procrastinating to ensure everyone else made it out before leaving themselves.
Still, there was about the place. Odd how one could be here for so short a time, yet departing was such sweet sorrow. How many lives would have been here if not for the generous gift of Angela’s intervention? As the angel stepped through the portal, she just prayed to the goddess that the child would survive the injuries. Akira was destined for great things, she believed. Twould be a shame to see it come to a screeching halt so soon. On the other side of the portal, Sihajja had been transformed to accommodate many of the injured populus. Yet, even with the fact that they were on the back of a giant whale, there was not going to be enough for room for everyone.
Mages were casting and maintaining portals to certain key cities, allowing people to return home, injured or not. Taverns were bursting with boastful people of their exploits. Many more were praying to the goddess, thanking them for her mercy during this crisis. Others were chastising their mates for being foolish. Raziel shook her head with a smile. Some things will never change.
