Soul Healer

by J. A. Culican

  I nodded and tried to get everyone else’s attention without being obvious as they gabbed and talked about food.

  “Meet me out back when I bring the next round of water. Stop asking questions.” She placed my water in front of me. “Don’t give anyone reason to follow you when you leave.”

  She continued around the table and took everyone’s orders as if she was bored and acting slightly put out when Sade asked to substitute one of the ingredients in the house special.

  I glanced at Iri, sitting on my right, but he didn’t appear to have heard her warning. My left side was open to the room. Sade sat across from me, and she was looking at me with narrowed eyes. I knew she’d overheard the barmaid.

  “I’ll be right back with your orders.” The barmaid smiled and left, tucking the menus under her arm as she swept off.

  “What was that about? What did she say?” Sade questioned me as soon as the waitress was gone.

  “She said to stop asking questions and act normal. She’ll meet us out back on her cue.” I made sure my words were directed toward the table, in case anyone was close enough to read my lips.

  “Do we trust her?” Iri leaned in, his voice low in my ear.

  “Who else do we have? It’s the first time anyone has openly acknowledged that something is wrong in this town.” I took a drink of my water and smiled for the benefit of the room, in case anyone was watching us.

  “We can’t all leave the table.” Sade followed my lead and drank from her glass.

  I looked around at our group. She was right. I had to keep what the barmaid said between us three.

  “Just us three. The others will stay behind.” I nodded at Astor and Beru. The giants had joined us, and were sitting on cushions on the floor beside the booth. Astor Astor was being a clown again with the full attention and approval of the giants, based on the booming laughter echoing through the bar.

  Beru had his hands around his glass, and was sitting with his head down, still appearing to be in some kind of daze. I feared the activity of the day had worn him down. Each time he looked like that, I feared he’d slip away into the same perpetual sleep. I couldn’t lose him like that again.

  “Agreed. What’s the cue?” Iri leaned in again, so the others wouldn’t hear, bringing me back to the question at hand.

  “The next round of water. The back door is behind Sade, so we shouldn’t be too noticeable when we get up to leave.” I kept my head down, so no one could read my lips.

  “And here you are.” The barmaid and two other girls carried our food to us. She placed mugs full of wine with each plate. “Anything else I can grab for you?”

  “This is good. Thank you.” I smiled up at her.

  She acted like she had never spoken to me other than to take my order.

  I watched as they walked away from us and then dug into my food. I didn’t know when she’d bring back more water, and I was hungry. If I could finish before she returned my stomach and mindset would be the better for it.

  The barmaid finally returned, setting water down on the table. “Is there anything else I can do before my break?”

  We all mumbled no, as most of the group was still working on the large portions the pub served, including the two giants who looked overjoyed at the offerings they’d received, more than double our massive meal. The female was eating daintily, but the male was shovelling it in. I wasn’t sure who was faster- him, or Astor.“I’ll be back soon, then.” The barmaid walked to the exit door just off to the side of our booth and made eye contact with me, widening her eyes almost imperceptibly before walking away.

  I waited a couple of minutes to ward off any suspicions, and then turned to Sade. “Ready?” I slipped out first and waited off to the side. We were hidden from the rest of the bar.

  Sade followed, then Iri. Once they were behind me, I opened the door, and we all slunk out cautiously. I wasn’t sure if we were walking into an ambush or not, so I was on high alert..

  “Over here.” The blond barmaid waved us over. She was standing to the side of the restaurant where an empty smoking tent was set up.

  We made the short run in seconds.

  “What’s this about?” I pulled my hood down.

  “I don’t have much time. They’ll be looking for me. You’ve been asking around town about the children?” The barmaid looked behind us several times, and it made me uncomfortable, feeling like someone was approaching.

  “Yes. We noticed the lack of them.” Sade shivered from the cold.

  “They were taken by the ur’gel. They are being held hostage, and we must do whatever they ask of us.” Her eyes were wide with fear.

  I looked toward Sade and Iri, unable to speak. This was low, even for the ur’gel.

  “What are they doing with them?” I finally managed to ask.

  “I don’t know. But we are to sacrifice one person each night or else they will kill one child. I had to warn you, because they usually pick travelers.”

  “But by warning us, they will pick a townsperson.” Sade was quick to pipe up.

  “That’s our problem. I know who you are. You’re the only ones who can save us. I must go back before they look for me. Please wait here for a few minutes so they don’t know we were together.”

  Before I could ask her any more questions, she left. What were we going to do now? From a quiet town to being next in life for a sacrifice, the day had gone from bad to worse.

  Chapter 7

  “We need to free the people in this town. How could they do this? I mean, children!” I paced back and forth once we reached our supplies, having waited to tell the others until after we left the pub.

  “We don't have time to do anything. We should pack up and leave, now. This isn't our fight and we don’t need to get involved.” Sade surprised me with her comments.

  “How can you say that? They're not equipped to fight anyone. It would be almost as bad if we left as what’s happening now.” I had no idea what her problem was, but I couldn't let her talk the rest of the crew out of protecting the townspeople.

  “Let's put it to a vote, then.”

  “Fine. Who wants to protect the innocent?” My gaze turned to each face in our group.

  They looked back at me and hesitantly raised their hands.

  “We stay and fight.” I raised an eyebrow at Sade, willing her to deny what was right.

  “They're all too scared to say no to you.” Sade turned her back to me and begin packing the camp.

  “What are you doing?” I was shocked. Was she really going against what everyone had decided? .

  “I'm packing up because we’re leaving. We’re all here for you, but we aren't at your disposal to do whatever you want!” She yelled over her shoulder, but didn’t stop packing.

  “Okay, so what is it? Why are you so mad at me? What did I do?” I had no choice but to have the conversation now. I’ d wanted to wait until the pressure was off, or we were alone at least, but it needed to be done and sooner rather than later based on Sade’s actions.

  Astor dragged out a chair and placed it between us. “Don't stop on my account.” His head moved between us, eyes bright with interest.

  “Go to sleep,” I snapped.

  “Stay where you are.” Sade stood with her hands on her hips. “You can't order everyone around like that.”

  I stood in disbelief as I looked at my friend. Who was this person? What could I have possibly done to cause this reaction in my best friend.. She was always game for anything. “Why are you acting like this? What did I do to make you so upset?”

  “Ladies, that's enough. This isn't the time or the place. We have all been through a lot and have been living in tight quarters. We’re all friends. Let's not forget that. It’s time for us to get some sleep, not pack up and leave tonight.” Iri held his hands up as he approached us, as if trying to calm a wild animal.

  I looked over at Sade, who hadn't moved. She was still staring at me. I gave in and moved first. I walked over to the bed I’d be
en preparing and lay down, turning my back to the middle and to Sade. I heard them speaking in hushed tones, but I couldn't make out their words. After a few moments, they moved away and I could hear the rustle of cloth as they lay down in their beds.

  Her words had stung. It seemed to be yet another thing going wrong in my life. Another person I cared about immensely who was turning on me. . I rolled over onto my back, hiding my face in the night. Tears were trying to fall, and I couldn’t let her see them. I couldn’t let anyone see them.

  “Are you all right?” Beru’s voice broke into my desolation and I rolled to face him. He searched my eyes. .

  “I thought you were already asleep.” I wiped my eyes, embarrassed he’d caught me in a weak moment. The last thing he needed was to worry about me.

  “I can’t stop thinking about the barmaid and what she told you.” He handed me a handkerchief. “Here, take it.”

  I accepted it without comment, wiping my eyes with the soft material, inhaling his familiar scent without thought before quickly handing it back, hoping he hadn’t noticed.

  “Do you think I’m controlling?” I might as well get his opinion. If he was awake, I knew he’d heard her accusations.

  “I think she is tired. You have also stepped into her leadership role, which can’t be easy for her given all the time she’s been the one to call the shots.” He moved his hands, crossing them behind his head and leaning on them. .

  Perhaps he was right. I had looked up to her and relied on her guidance, but slowly, I had needed her advice less and less. . The raids on the Islands had likely hastened that, as she’d remained on the ship while I led our team in fighting without her at my side.

  “Just let her be. Maybe throw some responsibility her way,” Beru added.

  I nodded in agreement. How could I not have seen that? She had given up her life as a lone wolf to join my tribe. When was the last time I’d even seen her shift? “I’ll do that, if she’ll take it. Maybe when we free the townspeople.”

  Beru sat up, crossing his legs and resting his arms on his knees as he looked down at me. “I have to ask you to let this town be.”

  “Not you too.” I moaned and rolled back over onto my back. I knew we could help them, and it wouldn’t take much. The ur’gel had to be stopped, and it wasn’t like we hadn’t done it what felt like a million times already. Why was everyone fighting me on this one? Especially since it involved children, they should have been more worked up.

  “I know who the villagers are up against. It won’t be a battle easily won, and we can’t afford to lose anyone. We must keep focused on the prison.”

  He sounded convincing, but I needed to know why he’d made that decision, especially since he knew how awful it was to lose his own children. Something wasn’t right here, either. .

  “You say who. It’s a certain person?” I tried to pull as much information out of him as I could.

  “Yes.” He lay back in his bed, turning his face away.

  “Who?” It was my turn to sit up. I was ready to lean over to see his eyes if that’s what it took to know how he really felt and who the person was.

  “His name is Vinug.”

  I waited for him to say more, but he remained silent. I searched that name in my head for any reference in any conversation I had ever had before, but nothing came up. Beru had never mentioned him before.

  “How do you know him?” I’d start with easy questions.

  “I’ll tell you more in the morning. It’s too dark to tell if we are being watched.” He remained on his side, his face turned away from his body stiff and me.

  “You promise?”

  “Yes.”

  I laid back, annoyed at waiting but knowing I wouldn’t get anything else from him now. I wanted him to tell me everything he knew about Vinug, but I would have to be patient. He had a point about the darkness around us. I turned to my side and watched him sleep, his silhouette barely outlined by the moons.

  The sun beating down on my face woke me up the next morning. I jolted upright and looked toward Beru’s bed. It was empty. I could smell food cooking on the campfire and heard chatter. I hurried to get ready for the day and noticed I was the only one still in bed. I cursed myself and my abilities for causing me to sleep in. Even Astor was awake, which was saying something.

  I practically ran toward the campfire, fearful I’d missed Beru telling the others about Vinug and being the only person who didn’t know what was happening.

  “The sleeping beauty awakes!” Astor stood up, removing his hat with a flourish as he saluted me.

  “I’m sorry. I must have been more tired than I thought.” I took the last empty seat, which already had a plate of warm food on it. I watched as Sade cooked more bacon, but she didn’t look up or speak to me.

  I glanced at Beru, who had his head down and was shovelling food into his mouth like it was his last meal. He must not have been up much longer than me, and I relaxed.

  “You should eat before it gets cold.”

  Sade finally acknowledged me, but when I looked up, she kept her eyes averted, focusing on the bacon instead. Grateful she’d at least tell me to eat, I decided to take whatever she gave me. I just wanted our friendship back.

  I waited patiently as Beru ate his breakfast. I wouldn’t ask him about Vinug until he finished. He’d lost weight from being unable to eat while he’d been sleeping and needed to eat as much as he could. He glanced at me, and I looked away. I didn’t want to pressure him yet, even if I had to hold myself back from immediately leaping into questioning him.

  I finished my breakfast and took my plate over to the wash bin. I kept my head down, but my eyes were on Beru as I worked. When I saw him watching me as well, I dried my plate and went to sit beside him.

  “I don’t want to rush you.” I kept my eyes on the ground, hoping it would be easier for him to talk without me staring.

  “It’s time. Sade, Astor, and Iri, could you come over here?”

  They came over and grabbed some stumps to sit on, looking curious and confused.

  “I know who is tormenting this town and others.” Beru paused, but didn’t look at any of us as his eyes filled with tears. He blinked rapidly a few times and cleared his throat before continuing. “It’s an ur’gel called Vinug. Have you heard of him before?”

  Sade, Astor, and I shrugged, but Iri looked as if he was recalling something.

  “I thought he was in the prison.” Iri straightened his back, looking tense.

  “He must have found the rip. He was one of the people tormenting me in prison. Then, he freed me from the torture chamber and put me through something much worse.”

  “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” I jumped in, unable to bear the pain I could see on his face, even though he’d managed to fight back the tears. .

  “I have to tell you about him in order for you to understand.”

  His eyes pleaded with me to let him carry on, and reluctantly, I nodded.

  “How do you know it’s him?”

  “The children. I should have known sooner. That’s what he does. He takes their children to control them.” He paused as if it was too much to continue.

  “But I thought the prison only held Dag’draath and his soldiers.” Sade entered into the conversation, her voice hesitant and unlike her.

  “When the walls went up, others were imprisoned as well. The people who lived in the valley before the prison was built, they had no notice to leave. They were able to live better than the prisoners, but only so they would survive to create generations of soldiers for the ur’gel.” He stood and paced.

  I understood now why he didn’t want to stay and fight. He’d been defeated over and over by Vinug. He wouldn’t want to go up against him again, even with us at his side.

  “What happened to the children?” Iri finally broke the silence.

  “Their parents sacrificed their lives so their children would go free.” He’d turned so his back was to us, but his voi
ce quivered, betraying the torment he was feeling.

  “So then we have to fight them, Beru.” Sade stood and walked over to him, placing her hand on his shoulder, but he didn’t turn around.

  “There is no fighting him. He has an infinite number of ur’gel at his disposal. It would only mean more death.”

  “Sade is right. We have to help these people. We have to get their children back. We can’t leave this evil free to spread to other towns. Each child taken will only be a fighter for the ur’gel later as their army grows stronger, and we won’t be able to win then.” Iri stretched his back and pounded his fists together for emphasis.

  “We won’t win against him.” Beru turned back to us. “You don’t understand how he works.”

  “He’s a mesmerizer, if I’m recalling correctly?” Iri added.

  “Like no other.” Beru hung his head.

  I remained seated, rubbing my legs as I thought. They were sore from sleeping on a hard surface after the luxury I’d become used to on the Island I had to unite my team. Everyone was fighting each other instead of fighting for our cause. Beru would usually take on anything, but he wasn’t himself. The only positive I could see was Sade’s abrupt about-face when she’d heard why the children were missing.

  Iri had crouched beside Beru, and they were speaking quietly, most likely talked about Vinug, but I looked up as Sade sat down beside me.

  She looked troubled and as if she wanted to get something off her chest. I waited, and we sat in silence for a moment until she finally spoke.

  “I’m sorry about how I’ve been acting. Things are changing so quickly, and I feel like I’ve lost myself. My part in all of this, but also who I am.” She put her face in her hands, as if to hide from her admission.

  “I’m sorry, too. I need to listen more to hear the people around me. I don’t know everything, I mean, that’s obvious.” I half-smiled, more at how happy I was that we were talking than her change of heart. She was so important to me. I wanted her on my side, always, and I wanted her happy.

  “Let’s just start fresh today. We need to get him ready to fight this Vinug.”