Soul Healer

by J. A. Culican

  Soul Healer

  Legends of the Fallen Book 3

  J.A. Culican

  H.M. Gooden

  Soul Healer © copyright 2019 J.A. Culican

  All Rights Reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the express written consent from the author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in critical articles or in a review. Trademark names appear throughout this book. Rather than trademark name, names are used in an editorial fashion, with no intention of infringement of the respective owner’s trademark.

  The information in this book is distributed on an “as is” basis, without warranty. Although every precaution has been taken in preparation of this work, neither the author nor the publisher shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book.

  The characters, locations, and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarities or resemblance to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  ISBN-13: 9781093295924

  Dragon Realm Press

  www.dragonrealmpress.com

  Created with Vellum

  To our beta readers.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  About the Author

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  “Full speed ahead!” I called to the giants that helmed Captain Rose’s ship. The wind whipped my hair hard as we flew to our destination. I held on to one of the masts to keep my balance. My heart pounded proudly at what we had just accomplished.

  Stepping onto a box, I lifted my hand to my eyes, shielding them from the sun. My nerves eased as we cleared the main island after raiding an ur’gel nest. We’d lost two crew, but there were more signing up for our cause each day. We managed to keep the ur’gel at bay, but it would only be a matter of time before they found their way to the Islands. These raids bought us time while we figured out how to deal with the prison.

  Captain Rose had granted me permission to use her ship in our war. She wouldn’t make the crossing—it was at our own risk, which was fine by me. I had found my purpose again. To protect the Islands and fix the rip in the prison so Dag’draath could never escape. We raided the mainland shores and were able to keep the ur’gel from making a move across the water.

  Once I restored the peace, I would leave quietly. I’d assume another name and live a simple life as a healer in some remote village where no one had ever heard the name Aria Trevil. I’d only tell Sade when I was ready to leave.

  I held back tears. I’d have to leave Beru behind. My presence was a constant reminder to him of how his family was murdered. He remained in a silent sleep because of what I had put him through. His pain was so deep, he was unable to live.

  I mentally shook myself as I wiped away a single tear that rolled down my cheek. I couldn’t let the others see my weakness. They needed me to be a leader. With that reminder of what I’d promised everyone, I held back any emotions that broke through to the surface. I’d deal with them later, if at all.

  “Aria, we've cleared the mainland’s water,” one of the crew reported to me.

  “Let's pick up our pace. The sooner we get back, the sooner we can feast. I want everyone to celebrate.” I stepped down from the box and made my way to the wheelhouse. With my hand on the doorknob, I watched Sade maneuvering the ship as if she’d been born to it. She had been a quick study of Captain Rose and had commanded the ship on each crossing since. It meant she’d had to remain on the ship because we couldn't risk losing her in battle, which had been a struggle for her.

  “Full speed ahead, Captain.” I stood at attention and saluted her with a goofy grin.

  “Oh, please. I get enough of that from everyone else. Is it so hard to believe I could run this ship?” She smiled coyly before turning her attention back to the wheel.

  “Of course not. But we're not going to let that stop us from teasing you.” I jumped up on the wooden dash and sat down. “It was a good raid. Even with our losses. I think they’re beginning to find us a nuisance. Have you noticed they’ve been staying further back from the coast?”

  “If only all of the ur’gel would follow suit. We've got to find a way to put an end to this. Before Dag’draath breaks free. It won’t be easy to fight them with him in command.”

  She was right, but finding a solution was proving to be more difficult than we’d anticipated. We knew Beru was supposed to be the key, but he was barely alive, let alone conscious. We hadn't been able to come up with anything to wake him, or another plan that didn’t involve him. We were basically in a holding pattern, needing him to wake up and be a warrior again, but it didn’t seem to be happening anytime soon.

  “Has he made any improvement?”

  “No. Slight eye movement. A twitch here and there. There’s a nurse with him when one of us isn’t.”

  Sade didn't respond, nor did she look interested in my response.

  I'd leave it at that. I walked over and watched as she used a string to determine the fastest way home.

  “We’re here—just past these islands.” She pointed out the window. “We should let the crew rest before our next raid. Do you think we’ll have time?”

  “I hope so.” I left the wheelhouse, watching as the crew released the ropes to slow the ship so we could safely pull into port.

  Captain Rose pulled herself up the ropes and flew over the railing with ease. “About time. I've got to move some cargo. How soon can you turn the ship over?” Captain Rose’s voice was rough as she walked past me to the wheelhouse.

  “Sade will hurry,” I called back to her, but she’d already closed the door. I flipped my legs over the side of the railing and began to climb down. It wasn't long before I heard Iri in the distance, arguing and I turned my head to see who he was talking to.

  A lone priest stood before him and appeared to be trying to convince him of something.

  “And why do you believe that? Just because you read it in a book?” Iri crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Are you not a believer?” The priest raised his eyebrows and held both of his palms up to the sky.

  “I don’t believe everything people tell me. I'm not a follower.” Iri smiled at the priest, teeth bared as if he were challenging him.

  I climbed down the rope faster in hopes of interrupting their conversation before it got out of hand. The last thing we needed was to draw attention to us. The ropes slipped through my fingers as my foot missed a rung and I hissed with pain. With burning hands, I ran toward the duo.

  “Iri. Can I get some help?” He smiled as the sounds of my voice reached him. When I came within arm's reach, he pulled me close.

  “You know he’s safe here. I should be able to go on the raids with you,” Iri grumbled under his breath as he looked up at the ship.

  “It's not on my command you have to stay
with Beru,” I reminded him. It was hard for him to watch us fight while he stayed and babysat.

  “No, you’re right. But it's still not fair.” Iri walked beside me as I headed back to the temple.

  “Any improvement today?” I asked, changing the subject.

  Iri’s shoulders slumped. “No. He’s the same. Astor sat with him this afternoon and tried a few spells, but nothing produced a reaction.”

  I offered him a small smile, but had nothing to say to that. . I knew what had to happen. I needed to push past all the negative thoughts and free Beru from his new prison in his mind. The raids wouldn’t end until we were in control of the key. My mood shifted as I focused on what had to be done. So far, nothing we tried had worked. We needed to activate the beast in him.

  He was a fighter to his core. If we awoke that power, he would come back to us. I had to believe that. With each step, I could feel my heartbeat pounding, ready to invoke the new power.

  “Where are you going?” Iri grabbed my arm.

  Determination took over. “I'm going to wake Beru.”

  “If you could do that, wouldn't you have done it already? I have every bit of faith in you, but I can't watch you fail at something because it's out of your control.”

  I knew I was the only one who could wake him. It always came back to Beru and me. “I've got to try something new. Something different from anything we have done. Nothing has worked so far. But he's in there, and he's waiting for us to free him. We can't let him down. He saw something so traumatic he hid himself away from the world. I need him to remember the fighter he is. I'm not sure how to do that quite yet, but I've got to try something.” I took a deep breath.

  Iri wasn't an emotional man, so I wasn't sure if he would be on board with any tactics I would be ready to use.

  “Just holler if you need me.” Iri walked off to the side of the temple.

  “Aria.” Someone called my name as I was about to enter the temple. My hand hovered on the doorknob, and I was tempted to ignore whoever it was. Against my better judgment, I stopped and looked back over my shoulder to see Sade run up behind me. She threw a bag at me, which I deftly caught.

  “What’s this?”

  “Our bounty. Bad news. Just got word of a large attack on the mainland. Captain Rose has given us the go-ahead to take the ship back. The crew’s loading new supplies, and we should be ready to go soon.”

  I looked back at the door and hesitated. I was finally ready to face him. To anger him enough to come back to us. If I left now, I may lose the will to do it again. I didn't have to explain it to her. She understood something was different—that I had a new plan.

  “I have something I need to do first.”

  “Whatever it is, just do it. Wake him up. We need to move.” She took off.

  I watched her go, almost losing my nerve. I glanced back at the door and hesitated. I wanted to do this later, but something in the pit of my stomach screamed to do it now. We needed him. The longer he slept, the more people would die. There would be no end to the battles until the prison was finally ripped apart and Dag’draath was free. Then the real horror would begin.

  Exhaling a harsh breath, I pushed the door open and forced myself to walk directly to his side.

  He lay in the exact same position as when I’d left hours ago. His dark hair sprawled in a mess around his too pale face as his chest rose and fell at uneven intervals. I leaned over the bed to take his hand. As my fingers brushed against his, I felt how cold his hand was..

  With just a hair’s breadth between us now, I gently kissed his cheek, thankful he couldn't feel my touch. It was about the only positive thing about his deep sleep. So many nights I’d sat here, watching him. Memorizing his face like I couldn’t before, when I’d been trying so hard to keep myself apart from him, confused about my feelings.

  He needed to know how the world had changed since he’d fallen into his deep sleep. The Beru I knew couldn’t sit by while innocent lives were lost. Lost because of what we had done.

  My mind raced, wondering how I would convince him to come back to us. To leave his own misery and help us fight and gain control again. The High Priestess said he was the key, but our time was almost up for figuring out exactly what that meant and what we were going to do about it.

  I threw the bounty bag that had been wrapped around my hand onto his lap. An ur'gel head rolled out of the bag and off the bed onto the floor with a clunk. “It's time to get up,” my voice whispered next to his ear.

  Chapter 2

  Beru’s arm swung out reflexively, barely clipping my side, and missed capturing the bounty bag completely.

  “Beru, can you hear me?” I lowered myself to the edge of his bed and grabbed his arm, my fingers tangling in his shirt. My heart raced at the thought of him coming back to us. To me.

  He moaned, moving his head back and forth, appearing to be caught in some sort of inner turmoil. His body stiffened and a look of pain crossed his face. Sweat poured down his cheeks as he began to thrash around in the bed. . I panicked, uncertain what to do.

  “Iri!” I ran screaming toward the door.

  He came barreling toward me, wide-eyed and with a hand on his sword.

  “He’s awake.” My hands shook as I tried to say more, but my voice gave out.

  He grabbed my shoulders and spoke calmly, like I was a child. “It’s okay. I'm here now. Let's go welcome him back.”

  I gulped and nodded as he led me back into Beru's room. I closed my eyes closed as we entered, part of me afraid it was all a mistake, and part of me terrified it wasn’t.

  “Beru?” Iri propped his heavy body over the bed and placed his hand on Beru’s shoulder. “Have you come back to us?”

  I remained by the door, my hands covering my mouth as I shook, watching desperately for any sign he was indeed awake. His foot moved under the blanket, and I couldn't stop myself from jumping up and down. I pointed to the spot for Iri. “His foot.”

  He lifted the blanket to see for himself. “I think you're right. He's ready.”

  My body felt tingly as I tried to control myself in front of Iri. All my healing knowledge was forgotten in that moment and I ignored the fact I should be preparing for his return. The butterflies in my stomach overtook any adult thoughts of healing him. I knew it wasn't his body that needed healing. It was his soul and his mind that I’d broken. I had no knowledge of the soul, although it was often said that many healers were old souls. I never fit into that category, wanting nothing more than to be a warrior, not a healer. I blamed my parents for that, even if it hadn’t been their fault.

  “What should we do?” Iri turned, arching his eyebrow as he waited for direction from me.

  My mind went blank. My first thought was to take him to Mother Ofburg, but that wasn’t an option. No one would agree to that. She was too far away, and there was the slight problem of her not speaking to me. Again, something that was my fault. I knew she would put her differences aside to help him even so. She was a true healer. It didn't matter to her what side a person was on. She would give her all as she had given her life to healing everyone.

  “Water. We should get him water. He’s dehydrated and probably feels nauseous.” I nodded repeatedly.

  I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince myself I could handle the situation, or Iri, but he seemed to take the bait and left the room in a hurry.

  I immediately took his place beside the bed and held Beru's hand in mine. It was still too cold. Color returned to his face with each passing moment. I thought he seemed to be stronger now, even as he struggled with fits. Every few minutes, his body would stiffen out straight, and then relax. His breathing was still labored and I knew if he woke up in this state. His confusion would be overwhelming. I needed to keep him calm.

  “You're okay. Just relax. Try to let it happen naturally,” I whispered in his ear. As I pushed his sweat drenched hair out of his eyes, his body relaxed and his breathing eased..

  My fingers combed through his hair
as I waited for Iri to return. Anxiety poured over me about being in his presence alone. The last time I’d been with him was in the market with his family. Ever since that time, whenever I closed my eyes, I relived the death of his wife and the screams of his young children as the ur’gel killed them. The love he’d had for his family was palpable, and. I had used that love to break him.

  I’d thought I’d known about love and loss after my brother had died and Gavin had been captured. I hadn’t been able to stand losing him as well, and had freed Beru in the process of trying to rescue him. But as a consequence, the prison had been ripped and I’d been left with this connection to Beru

  Guilt suddenly enveloped me for daring to compare his feelings to my own. Beru had lost his whole family. Mine was safe and alive, even if they didn’t want me around anymore.

  Iri entered the room with a pitcher of water and a glass. “You should do this part.” He held the items out to me.

  I took them with a nod of thanks, and poured some of the water into the glass. “Can you sit him up on the pillows a bit?”

  Iri moved Beru's blankets and pulled him up by the armpits so he was sitting at a slant. “This good enough?”

  “Yes, thank you.” I took the cup and placed it at Beru’s lips. I had to be careful not to drown him in my enthusiasm. “Open your lips if you can.”

  Beru parted his lips, and I slowly tipped the glass for him to take a sip. He moved his head away after one small gulp, and I sat back with the glass. I watched intently as he opened his eyes for the first time. He looked around the room but didn't appear to see Iri or me. His eyes were glazed and unfocused and roamed around the room as if he was blind..