The Blood Witch Chronicles

by L. A. Stinnett

  Air moved around it, blowing it back and forth. It liked this feeling of movement. It studied the area around, but found no others like itself. There was nothing but it and it was sad to be all alone. As it grew larger, it was able to see beyond the hard solid area surrounding it. An impossibly large body of wetness moved back and forth upon the solid area. Over and over again, the wetness flowed, never seeming to stop rolling back and forth over the solid.

  Many more cycles of light and dark passed while it continued to grow. The unchanging sameness of its surroundings made it wonder if there was anything else out there. It wanted to know more about the areas outside its immediate surroundings. It sought to move from the spot it’d been in for so long.

  Gradually its lower half split down the middle until it separated into two parts. It tentatively moved one part forward, releasing itself from deep underground roots. Moving one side, then the other, it stumbled a bit until before figuring out how to balance on two separate parts. It liked this new ability, so it took a few more tentative steps over the surrounding area.

  Each step left a patch of green like itself when it was a seedling. Every light cycle it walked farther and farther, spreading green life whenever it went. The solid areas became less and less barren. It liked this.

  It went out each light cycle, spreading as much of the green life as possible. The green grew more and more complex. Standing in one place, digging tiny roots from its feet into the ground it felt connections to every place the green life grew. It returned to the spot where it first emerged from the solid before darkness came, feeling secure here.

  For many cycles, it spread the green life far and wide over the solid until one day it strayed so far away it would not make it back to the secure place before darkness came. The roots on its feet dug into the solid, feeling the connections far and wide to the green life. It found its secure place and thought about how much it wanted to be there. The air shimmered around it; there came a sense of fast movement. The next thing it knew it was back in its secure area, safe for the night.

  After many, many cycles it spread the green life to all of the solid. The green life grew bigger and bigger until it dominated the solid. Happy for many cycles, it watched the green life grow and change, but yearned for other green life like itself that was self-aware and could travel upon the land. It put out its thoughts to the land. At first, no reply came from the green life, but after many cycles, it picked up senses of when a green life was in the light or shade. It felt when the green life had enough wetness or when there was intense dryness. It put out more thoughts of how it perceived the areas surrounding it; how good it felt to move upon the land and interact with everything around it. It did this for many cycles with no real response from the green life which now covered all of the solid areas.

  It basked in the warm sunlight when it heard a small whisper. 'I am here.'

  It followed the thought, appearing before a large rock covered in thick leafy green life. Reaching out, it called that life forward. Thick leaves twisted together, taking on a shape similar to itself, yet different and stepped forward from the rock. Her eyes were dark green just like his. She reached out to its mind. ‘I am Ivy. What do you call yourself?’

  He thought for a moment. It felt strange to now need a name to be called. ‘I am Teek.’

  2

  Nallah and Ash stepped forth from the Green Ways into the Lonely Hilltop Outpost. She did not recognize this place and turned to Ash with a puzzled look. "Where are we? Aren't we going back to the camp?"

  Ash directed her towards the injured men and women lying on cots outside the Sanctum. The Green Jyll, Ayrshire, came to meet them.

  "You are needed here, Healer. We have tended to them as best we can, but some still suffer," she said, gesturing to the injured men and women.

  "I'll be happy to help, but I want some answers first," Nallah said, turning to Ash.

  "U'ka sends her apologies. She has other tasks to attend to. You are to help here until she calls for you again," explained Ayrshire.

  "So I don't get a say in the matter? My life hasn't been my own for a long time. I'm tired of being controlled like this," said Nallah in frustration.

  "You can do much to help people here. Many come through who need healing. We do what we can, but not always enough," said Ayrshire.

  "Seems I don't have much choice in the matter," Nallah said to Ash. "Tell Teek and U'ka I don't appreciate them dismissing me like this. I'd have been happy to help out here if U'ka just asked me."

  Ash nodded and gestured toward the injured.

  "Yes. Yes. I'm going."

  "I will tell the Magus you are here," said Ayrshire before heading into the Sanctum.

  Nallah sat next to a man staring off into nothingness. His arm was missing the elbow; the stump still red and raw from where he endlessly scratched at it.

  "He say arm very painful." said one of the Green Jyll attendants. "But as you see, he has no arm. So how can be in pain? We keep him drugged; otherwise, he screams all the time."

  "It's called phantom pain," explained Nallah. "Some people who lose a limb experience it."

  "Can you help him?" said a man in a simple cotton robe. Nallah looked up at the sandy-haired stranger with green eyes and freckles all over his face.

  "Aren't you a little young for a Magus?" Nallah said, smiling.

  "The former Magus did not survive the war. I was his acolyte and took over the care of the Sanctum."

  He smiled back at her, leaving her feeling a little flustered.

  "I . . . Uh. . . Yes, I can help him. I’m a Touch Healer. I should be able to relieve him of the phantom pain he is experiencing and get him off the numbing medicine you've been giving him."

  "It is a blessing U'ka sent you to us. The curatives she made us have been of great help, but this poor fellow continues to suffer despite our best efforts."

  I just wish I'd been asked first. "I'll do what I can for him," she said, laying her hand on his red, swollen stump, pouring her healing magic into the area.

  She calmed throbbing nerve endings, working her hand up his arm to his spine and the side of his head. Knowing pain signals began in the brain, she directed her healing energy there. The man sighed in relief before passing out.

  "That was a true miracle," said the Magus putting his hand on the man's shoulder.

  "Don't give him any more pain medication. Let him wake on his own and I'll check on him again."

  "We are blessed that U'ka arranged for many of our injured to return home to Forlorn. These men and women have nowhere to return to. Their villages were destroyed. We continue to care for them since they have no one else who can. Let me show you to the potions room," he said, holding out his hand. Nallah took it as they walked into the Sanctum. He held her hand the entire way; she found she did not mind.

  Nallah looked around at the various gods worshipped there, noticing Eyr, the Goddess of Healing, was not among them.

  "What’s wrong?" said the Magus.

  "I hoped Eyr to be among the gods honored here. It's been a long time since I paid her tribute."

  "I am sorry," said the Magus. "We don't get many from the Healers guild through here."

  "I'll make do. Is that the potions room?" she said, pointing toward the side room.

  "Yes. Yes. Follow me, please."

  Inside the small room, the Magus went to the cabinet and opened it. "Here are all the curatives and notes U'ka made for us before she left."

  Nallah carefully looked over everything inside. "She left you well-stocked. There are a few more medicines I’ll need based on what I saw of your injured."

  "I'll have Ash send out one of the Green Jylls to collect the plants you need," the Magus replied. "And I’ll have a cot with fresh linens brought in. Feel free to explore the grounds."

  "Thank you," she said as he left.

  At the Iron Oak potions counter, she bent to take in the spicy smell of the wood. It’d been a long time since she'd seen a potions counter
of this quality and she looked forward to mixing medicines on it. A Green Jyll entered carrying a couple bottles of wine and her defensive amulet.

  "These are from U'ka. She sends her apologies for dispatching you so abruptly."

  "Just set them on the counter."

  Nallah told the Green Jyll what plants were needed then picked up her wooden amulet. She immediately felt the renewed power and examined it closer, seeing new offensive and defensive magic symbols carved into the back of the amulet. It would allow her to defend herself better than before. She laid on the table and went outside to check on the rest of the injured patients. Using Touch Healing, she cleared the lungs of a few of the injured and helped another with a persistent infection. The day was starting to cool, so she decided to take a walk around the outpost and check out the various vendors there.

  Nallah stopped at a booth with a wide assortment of perfumes, scented oils and beeswax candles and picked up a small bottle to smell the rose-scented perfume.

  "Can I help ya with something, dearie?" said an older grey-haired woman.

  "Oh, no. Just admiring your wares. Unfortunately, I have no coin."

  The old woman grunted before turning away to attend to another customer. Nallah saw a red, raw rash on the woman's elbows. She knew it to be a chronic condition many people suffered from.

  "I'm a Touch Healer. I can clear up the rash for you in exchange for this bottle of perfume," she said, holding up the bottle.

  The old woman turned, scratching at her elbow. "If ya really can cure this, the perfume's yours."

  She held her out elbows for Nallah, who laid her hands on the rash, letting her healing magic flow into the woman's arms. The redness and rash retreated under her touch.

  "There. You should feel much better now. Give it a few more days for the redness to completely disappear."

  The old woman looked at her elbows in disbelief. "Tis a true miracle ya have performed. The itch's gone. Please take whatever ya like," she said, gesturing at the table.

  "The perfume is fine for now. Glad we could make the trade," Nallah said, placing the perfume in her small bag.

  She continued her exploration of the Outpost; men eyed her uncomfortably but said nothing. After a little while, she felt the sickening sense of being followed. Nallah turned to see two large men staring at her intently. She wandered too far from the main part of the outpost and there weren't many people around.

  Her hand went up for her amulet, realizing it wasn't there. She cursed at herself for her stupidity. Why didn't I put it on when I had the chance? She tried to turn and go back to the Sanctum but the two men blocked her way.

  "Listen, guys, I don't want any trouble. I need to be heading back now, so if I could just get by, that’d be great."

  One of the men lunged forward, grabbing her arm. Nallah struggled against him, but his grip was too strong. The other man grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth with his large hand, preventing her from screaming. They started to drag her towards an overgrown field. She heard a roar as Ash appeared out of the Green Ways behind them. He grabbed one of them by the back of the neck, tossing him across the field like a rag doll. The other man pulled his knife, swiping futilely at Ash's impenetrable bark. Ash backhanded the man, sending him flying before he hit the ground hard. The Magus and a few Green Jacks came running through the outpost towards her.

  "Nallah! Are you okay?" he called out, putting his arm protectively around her.

  "Yes. I'll be fine. I've been in the wilds for so long I'd forgotten what men can be like."

  "Get them out of here. They are banned from the outpost," the Magus ordered.

  The Green Jacks picked up the struggling men and disappeared through the Green Ways.

  "They won't bother you again," he said, touching her face, looking at her with deep concern in his eyes.

  "Thank you. But how are you going to keep them out?"

  "The Green Folk have declared the outpost neutral territory. Anyone who breaks the rules will never be able to find their way here again. The forest won't let them back."

  "Good," said Nallah as she went to Ash, laying her hand on his trunk. "Thank you for saving me."

  Ash nodded, motioning them back towards the Sanctum. The Magus kept his arm around her as they walked back to the safety of the Sanctum. Ash followed a little ways behind them, keeping guard. She felt a sense of security she hadn't experienced in a long time.

  3

  Nallah stood at the potions counter, mixing up the new medicines to add to the Sanctums inventory. The Magus came in, carrying a tray of food. She quickly cleared off the counter so he could lay the tray down and grabbed one of the bottles of wine.

  "Something nice to go with the meal."

  He clasped his hands. "Wonderful. I'll be right back with a corkscrew."

  When the Magus returned he opened the bottle with a soft pop. Pouring the wine, he raised his glass to make a toast. "To better days."

  "Absolutely," said Nallah, clinking her glass against his. "You know, I never got your name. It seems odd to keep calling you Magus."

  "Jurdon," he said, taking a sip of wine. "This is an amazing vintage, by the way."

  "U'ka gave it to me. She got it from a small fishing village."

  "I did not know things like this survived the war," he said, holding the glass up to the light. "I've been making some pretty harsh Moonbrew in an old still. To honor the god Suenyus, of course," he said with a wink.

  "Of course," said Nallah, smiling back.

  "I've been honoring him a little too much as of late. It's good to have something which doesn't burn all the way down."

  She laughed in response. It was almost a foreign sound to her ears, it'd been so long.

  A Green Jyll named Aster came into the room. Delicate purple flowers covered her head. A couple of orange butterflies sucked nectar from her blooms.

  "Please to excuse intrusion. We are settling down for the night. Ash want me to tell you not to try sneak off. The forest not let you leave."

  Nallah sighed. "Yet another prison. I'm tired of being controlled by the Green Folk."

  "No prison. It for your safety. You are too important to lose," said Aster before leaving.

  Jurdon reached out to touch her hand. "Please don't think of this as your prison. You can do a lot of good here. You can set up a Healers hut, trade for your services. There is much we still need to do to care for the injured."

  Jurdon's hand was warm on hers. She liked the feeling of his touch. "You're right. I'll try to make the best of my current situation. Things could be worse."

  "That's the spirit." He looked deeply into her eyes. "Know that I will help you in any way possible."

  He gave her hand a small squeeze before withdrawing it. She immediately missed his touch.

  "I’ve never seen Touch Healing before. That is quite a gift," said Jurdon.

  "Thank you. I just hope I get my Healers caravan back soon."

  "I'm sure it will return to you in time."

  They continued to talk well into the evening. Nallah laughed at his stories of life before the war. It felt good to be happy again. As the night wore on she decided she wasn't sleeping alone that night.

  4

  Nallah woke up the next morning with her head on Jurdon's back. He lay on his stomach, head buried under the pillow, lightly snoring. She breathed in his musky scent, enjoying his warm body next to hers. It had been a long time since she’d been with a man and it felt wonderful to have that intimate connection with another person again. The sun was already up and as much as she enjoyed laying with him, she wanted to check on the injured outside. She silently slipped out of bed and dressed. Aster was waiting in the central area of the Sanctum with a bowl of food and cup of tea.

  "I was just about to wake you," she said.

  "Thank you," Nallah said, sitting on one of the benches. "I'll be out to check on everyone after I eat."

  Aster nodded before going back outside. She picked at her food, watching
the people sitting before the altars of their patron gods. Sunbeams shone through the windows, bathing the statues in golden light. It’d been a long time since she'd been in a Sanctum and she enjoyed the peacefulness of it. Maybe it won't be so bad here. She finished the last bit of boiled oats and berries and sipped her tea to ready herself for the day.

  Outside, she checked on the injured. Ash and a few of his fellow Green Jacks and Jylls emerged from the woods arm in arm, covered in a heavy dusting of pollen. Ash embraced them before they parted ways for the day. Nallah chuckled to herself. She wasn't the only one to get lucky last night

  The one-armed man she healed yesterday was awake. "How are you doing this morning?"

  "Better. The pain is almost gone."

  Nallah gave him a quick examination. The redness and swelling in the stump were fading. "I didn't get your name."

  "Jahn," he said, looking up at her.

  "Jahn. Once the redness goes away completely, you should be pretty much pain-free. Some of the pain you are experiencing is in your mind. It hasn't completely accepted the loss of the limb. Now that you’re awake, you need to work on your mental acceptance of your missing arm. You need to heal both your body and mind to fully get better."

  "Thank you. I'll try my best," said Jahn.

  Nallah spent the rest of the morning attending to her patients' needs. Feeling a tap on her shoulder, she turned to see Aster.

  "Please to excuse, Healer. Word has gotten out about your healing abilities. Some of merchants from outpost in need of your services. They have coin and other things to trade."

  She looked over at the group of six men standing just outside the infirmary area. "Alright. I'm almost done here, then I'll check on them."

  The perfume merchant must have talked to the others about the healing she did.

  "I will tell them," Aster said before going to the waiting men.

  Nallah finished up with the injured and met with the merchants. They were all experiencing various ailments of old age. Some she Touch Healed, others she provided medicines for chronic conditions. At the end she had a full pouch full of coins for her efforts. This was a place where she could start life fresh and do her part to help rebuild society. After living in the wild for so long, she’d forgotten what the comforts of civilization were like. The outpost had a real chance at rebuilding and becoming a thriving cultural center, especially now that so many cities were left in ruin. More and more people would gravitate to this area. She could be a part of that rebuilding process.