Legends Born: Tahir Edition (History's Shadow)

by K. Dzr

  * * * * *

  Sara was worried about Mary. Since Mettal brought her and their three children to her home, she had not spoken a word or moved a muscle. She slumped in the chair, staring out at nothing, and was unresponsive to any of Sara’s efforts to comfort her.

  “Hello? Sara?”

  “Oh, Ezria,” Sara replied. “Come on in. I knew you’d come sooner or later.”

  “As soon as I could. How are you?”

  “I’m all right. But Nahorim has injured his leg and Mary is out of her mind.”

  She led her friend to Mary. The woman seemed not to notice the presence of her two friends. Ezria examined Mary’s head. There was no bleeding, and no bruises or lumps. Aside from a few minor scrapes on her arms, she seemed to be in good physical condition.

  “Where is the boy?”

  “Sleeping on a pallet in the back. I sent the other children out to see if they could be of any help. Better they don’t see their mother like this. I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “You did the best thing. I’ll check on the boy first, and then we will see what we can do for Mary. I’ll call you if I need any help; otherwise I think it best if you stay with her.”

  Ezria found Nahorim asleep on a sheepskin blanket. She got down on the floor with him and gently shook his shoulder.

  “Nahorim, Nahorim, wake up.”

  The boy woke from a sound sleep. As soon as he started to turn over, he let out a cry of pain.

  “Be still now. I know it hurts. I’m here to help, but you’ll have to show me exactly where it hurts. Will you do that?”

  “Yes.” the boy replied with a grimace, allowing Ezria to help him sit up.

  “It hurts mostly right here,” he pointed to his left ankle, “but sometimes it hurts up here too.” He showed her how the pain radiated from his ankle to his shin.

  “That’s good. Now just lie back down and let me look at it. This may hurt a little. Are you ready?”

  “Do you have to make it hurt more?”

  “I’ll try not to, but I have to feel it. Try not to move or it might hurt more.”

  Nahorim nodded his understanding. He closed his eyes tightly and clinched his teeth.

  Ezria didn’t find any broken bones; just a great deal of swelling.

  “There. I’m all finished. That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

  “No, it wasn’t bad at all.”

  “It might hurt for a few days. Stay off of it for a while and it should heal nicely on its own by harvest time.”

  “You want me to stay in bed that long?”

  “No, no, no,” she chuckled. “You don’t have to be in bed. I’m going to make a splint and we’ll get a walking stick to help you get around when you have to. You could even hop around on your good foot. By harvest festival you’ll be the best hopper in the village. Remember how we always have silly races and competitions? You’re sure to win. How would you like that?”

  “I can hop pretty good now, so I know I’ll be the best for the festival!”

  “I’m sure you will be. And what prize do you think you’ll win?” she asked, opening her pack of medicinal supplies that she always carried on her belt. She continued talking to the boy as she wrapped his ankle, trying to direct his mind to happier times. When she was satisfied with the splint, she rolled a blanket underneath his ankle to keep it elevated.

  “Now you try to go back to sleep. There are other things I need to see to. I’ll check on you again later.” She made Nahorim comfortable in his sheepskin before going out to see about his mother.

  “How is he?” Sara stood up to meet her.

  “It’s not bad at all. Nothing is broken; he’ll be fine. I guess we should be more concerned about his mother.” Ezria nodded toward their despondent friend.

  “I don’t know what else to do,” Sara said. “I’ve tried to talk to her and comfort her, but she doesn’t even seem to hear me.”

  “Let’s start by getting her cleaned up. Do you have a garment she can wear?”

  “I’m sure I can find something.” Sara replied.

  “Good, I’ll fetch some water. We’ll bathe and dress her, try to get her to drink some hot tea. I know a nice herb with a refreshing aroma and invigorating taste. I make it for myself sometimes when morning seems to come a bit too soon. Maybe then, she’ll start to come around.”

  While Ezria and Sara gave Mary a sponge bath, they talked to her about rebuilding a home for her family. Ezria offered extra cooking utensils she could have. Sara would make some clothing for the family. They dressed her in one of Sara’s nicest robes, then combed her hair and oiled her skin. They sat her at the table and offered Mary a cup of hot tea. At first, Ezria had to force her to drink, but soon Mary began to sip from the cup without Ezria’s help. They continued to talk to Mary while enjoying their own tea, just as they have done many times before. Mary slowly became aware of her surroundings. Her eyes focused on Ezria and Sara. She looked around the room.

  “Where am I?” she asked.

  “You are at Sara’s house. How do you feel?” Ezria reached out and held her hand.

  Ezria and Sara exchanged glances as they watched Mary come back to life.

  “Where are Mettal and my children?”

  Her two friends smiled at her.

  “Mettal is out cleaning up the wreckage. I suppose Benjamin and Cara are with him. Nahorim is asleep in the back. More importantly, how are you feeling?” Sara asked.

  “Like I’ve been asleep for a long time—that I had a bad dream.”

  “No, I’m afraid, not. I wish it were but a dream.” Ezria said. “Netiro attacked the village in the middle of the night. I’m sorry…your home was destroyed. Everyone had to jump from a window to escape the fire. Nahorim injured his leg but it’s not too serious, nothing broken. He’s in good spirits and will be up and around in no time. We’re not going to dwell on the negative though. You and your family are safe, Mary. It could have been much worse.”

  “That’s right,” Sara added, “We should all count our blessings and give thanks to the Lord for sparing our lives. I was afraid you were lost to us forever. I’ve never seen anyone in such a condition before.”

  “I’m sorry for giving you such a fright. I suppose I should also thank the Lord for giving me such good friends. I’d hate to think what might have—

  “Hush now, no need for all of that. You would have done the same for either of us. I’m just happy you are better. You certainly look much better,” Ezria said, with a reassuring smile.

  “How do you like the robe? You can keep it if you like. I can always make another one,” Sara offered.

  “Oh, it’s lovely,” Mary said, as she looked at the beautiful cloth. “You both are so kind. I, I don’t…”

  Sara reached across the table to pat Mary’s hand.

  “Ezria is right, Mary, you needed us and we were there for you. What kind of friends would we be if we didn’t take care of each other?” Sara got up to get the kettle hanging above the fire. “Would anyone like some more tea?”

  “Yes, just a little please,” replied Mary.

  “How about you Ezria, more tea?”

  “I’ll have one more cup. Then I suppose we’d better get to work.”

  “Netiro certainly made a mess of things this time, didn’t he?” Sara shook her head and refilled their cups.

  “Well, when I went out to fetch the bath water, I saw everyone working so hard to put the village back together and I had a thought. It might be a good idea if we prepared one large meal for the entire village. That way, each family would not have to stop their chores to prepare their meals. It would give us all more time to get this place back in order. Afterwards we could help with whatever work is left to be done. What do you think Mary? Are you up to doing some cooking?” Ezria asked.

  “I feel a little tired. But when are we not tired? It’s a great idea. Of course I’ll help,” Mary answered.

  “It might even help lift ou
r spirits a bit,” Sara added. “We can all pull together and gather from our neighbors’ crops, and…Oh, Nahorim is an excellent fisherman, isn’t he Mary? We can sit him down at the stream and I bet when we come back for him, he’ll have enough fish for all of us.”

  “That might be a bit ambitious for my son, Sara, but I’m sure whatever he catches will be a big help,” Mary told her with a smile.

  “So it is settled. Let’s finish our tea and get started. As soon as Nahorim wakes up, we’ll take him to the stream. I will send word of our plans through some of the children.”

  As daylight broke, the women began preparing the meal that would feed the entire village. Nehemiah and several other men cleared away the rubble where Mettal’s house once stood. The rumors, so it seemed, spread as fast as the night’s fires. As he rifled through the wreckage for salvageable goods, he heard whispers about the proposed war against the dragon.

  “Is he crazy?” he heard some say.

  “It’s about time someone decided to do something,” others mumbled.

  “How is he planning to pull it off?” many wondered.

  Nehemiah continued working as if unaware of the eyes following him. From what he overheard, about half the village supported the idea. He had to choose his words wisely. No one would trust a fool to lead them into battle with an enemy as formidable as Netiro.

  “Is there truth to the rumors, Brother?” Bakuk chewed a stick—as he often did when deep in thought—and his eyes shifted back and forth over the village. He worked beside Nehemiah, but never so much as glanced in his direction, so as not to draw attention to their conversation.

  “Would you consider me unwise, my friend, if I told you there was?” Nehemiah asked, following his friend’s technique by avoiding eye contact.

  “Some would.” Bakuk rolled the stick in his mouth. “The fires burn hot. It is easy to allow the smoke to cloud our judgment.”

  “So you think it’s foolish?”

  “I think if you intend to take on such a task, you better have a good plan and a lot of strong men.” His eyes finally met Nehemiah’s. “So far you’ve got one.”