Chapter 13: Ch. 13: Gratitude

Waking up felt like clumsily crawling her way up a tunnel lined with cobwebs that kept snagging her and trying to pull her back under. But finally she got her eyelids to obey her and open, only to shut them again as sunlight streaming in through a nearby window struck her right in the face. She could tell she was in a bed-- one much more comfortable than the one Gren had loaned her. And there were a lot of people talking just outside, though she couldn't dredge up the will to focus on what was being said. She could feel a tug on her brain, like something was trying to get her attention. Instinctively she sensed it was an information window, but ignored it. The feeling faded.

Something important had happened. Something potentially very very bad. Why couldn't she remember? She struggled to sit up, but every muscle in her body ached with exhaustion, and she slumped back against the pillow with a sigh.

Kate! Io came zipping over from where it had been circling fretfully by the window. You're awake! Didn't this one tell you not to do anything foolhardy? You are without question the most foolish, stubborn Hero this one has ever been forced to--

A chair squeaked as someone lifted their weight from it. “She lives.”

Kate turned her head at the familiar voice. Gren was coming over from where he'd clearly been keeping vigil in a chair by the door. He leaned over her and frowned at her darkly. “Your little firebug spent all night spinning around like a top. Just what did you do out there?”

“Hal.” Even her voice sounded weak. She tried to sit up again. “I didn't hurt him, did I? Is he all right?”

“Marla will be in soon enough to talk to you about that.” His grim tone made her shrink back. “You've been out cold since last night. It's five hours past sunrise. It looks like your trip is put on hold. You're clearly too weak to travel.”

“I'm sorry,” Kate whispered. “I just wanted to help.”

She realized Io was still muttering sullenly to itself. Idiot Hero. Determined to die, apparently. No one ever listens to Io. No, surely Heroes know best.

The door burst open abruptly, and Marla stood framed in the doorway, her expression a little frantic.

“Marla, I--”

The woman was across the room in a blink. She leaned over, seized Kate by the shoulders, and pulled her up into a rib-crushing hug. “You healed my boy,” she mumbled in Kate's ear, her voice thick with tears. “My baby. Thank you. Thank you.”

Peeking over her shoulder, Kate was just able to see the small figure that stood in the doorway, grinning from ear to ear. A moment later his father appeared behind him, beaming.

“Go on, Hal. Go in and thank the Hero.”

Marla released Kate, wiping hastily at her face as she moved aside to make room for Hal. He came up to the bed and solemnly extended his hand, looking put-upon when everyone laughed.

“Did Granny Yala teach you that?” Kate giggled, trying not to cry herself.

“Yes. Granny said it's a sign of respect.”

Kate lost her battle with her tear ducts, but she reached out and shook his hand. “You look much better, Hal.”

“You look bad.” At his mother's sharp look, he quickly added, “Papa said you fixed my back even though it almost killed you. Thanks, Miss Hero, ma'am.”

“Anytime.”

“Hopefully not,” Gren muttered under his breath. “Reckless fool.”

“Come on, darling, let Kate get some rest. There's too many people in this little room and your brother's going to bring her a special breakfast in bed.”

The happy family hastened out of the room, leaving Kate alone with Gren. Io was busy sulking on the windowsill.

Gren tactfully looked away and gave Kate a few moments to wipe her face. “I won't ask what you did to heal that boy, as I assume you won't answer. But judging by how close to death you looked and how frantic your firebug's been, I'll just assume it was something stupid that you shouldn't have tried.”

“Yeah, well. I had to try something.”

We discussed this! Io zipped back towards her, and she had to lean back to avoid a collision. You could have easily helped Hal-- when you had leveled more! Instead, you used a spell you barely understood and nearly got yourself killed. And what if it hadn't worked? You'd be dead and he'd still be crippled! On top of that, this one would be banished for good. I hope you're satisfied! I hope you've learned a valuable lesson! And that lesson is: LISTEN TO YOUR GUARDIAN'S ADVICE.

“All right, all right, I'm sorry.” Kate held up her hands in protest. “Could you stop harping on it? I didn't know that could happen, you never said anything about--” she shot a glance towards Gren, “--er, the possible side effects of using the spell like that.”

This one did not know, Io said huffily. This one was only informed of the danger during debriefing with this one's superiors. As this one has already informed you, it has been a long time since any Hero had your particular subclass.

Gren shook his head. “Well, it looks like your scolding's already in full swing, so I'll leave you alone for now. By the way, Granny Yala will want to talk to you later when you're feeling up to it.” He left, closing the door behind him.

“I can't believe it actually worked.” Kate rubbed at her arms, wincing at how bone-deep her weariness was. “I feel bruised all over, and wrung out. Did I seriously give Hal some of my own lifesource? Why? The tree still had plenty to give, didn't it?”

This one does not know. This one's knowledge of your subclass is... not nearly as thorough as other classes. Some of it we must learn together. This one can only assume you pushed yourself past your limits and the spell obediently tried to oblige the only way it could. It was, frankly, a bit of a magic miracle. And it has made some of the gods... rethink your position.

“What does that mean? What exactly happened when you told them about me when you went away during dinner?”

This one can not go into much detail. But suffice it to say, this one was roundly reprimanded. For being late to get to you after your arrival. For bending the rules to ensure your survival. And for even tacitly encouraging you to use your new spell to try and help the boy. There was talk of stripping you of your subclass and replacing it with your initial choice of Potion Master.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Kate stared. “I never said Potion Master was my first choice.”

They are gods, Kate. Assume they knew.

She swallowed hard and pulled up her character screen. Breathing a sigh of relief, she saw that her secondary class was still Necrotic Healer. “All right. Obviously they didn't do that. You said healing Hal made them rethink things. In what way?”

The Giltarians are their people. They are touched that you risked yourself to save one of them you barely know. And some of them are intrigued. Enough of them to be a majority. They wish to see what you'll do next. They wonder if you'll stick to your principles and avoid pulling life from people. This would be a first; apparently every Necrotic Healer before you has pulled lifesource from either companions or natives at least once. Sometimes in extreme circumstances, sometimes because of, well, flawed character.

Kate dug her fingernails into her palm, tightening her jaw. The gods didn't think she could keep her promise not to use her siphoning power on humans or Giltarians? She'd show them. “In short, they want to sit back and watch what happens.”

Yes. In short.

“What about you? Did they punish you for helping me? For bending the rules?”

No. Io floated over to land on her knee, sounding relieved. It was decided that this one's reasoning was sound due to the situation at hand: no Heroes, no Beginner's Bag, no weapon, no hope of meeting up with a party for quite some time. It was decided that this one was within its rights to help as it did. It sounded now just ever so slightly smug, and Kate had to hide a smile.

“Well, I'm glad. And thank you, by the way. I don't know if I ever remembered to tell you that I am grateful that you've bent the rules for me to keep me alive. I'm even grateful for your advice-- even if I don't always follow it.”

Yes. Well. Io seemed flustered, twitching about on her knee. It is this one's duty, after all.

There was a knock on the door, and it opened to reveal Marla's younger son Kel struggling to balance a tray of food. He managed to carry it close enough for Kate to take it from him and settle it across her lap. She sniffed eagerly at the delicious smells. Suddenly she was ravenous. “Thank you, Kel.”

“ThankyouforhealingHal,” Kel mumbled shyly all in one breath, then darted out again.

Kate wolfed down the food, which turned out to be some leftover rabbit and beets from the night before, along with eggs and a cup of tea much smoother than the bitter stuff Gren had made her. Still no sugar, though, she noted. Did it exist in Giltar, or was it just a rare commodity? When she was finished, she found herself tired again.

Your body needs to heal, Io said softly. After all, you tried to kill it. Rest. Tomorrow, if you're feeling better, you may begin the next step of your journey.

Putting the tray aside, Kate burrowed under the comfortable quilt and was out like a light in moments.

~*~

The next time she awoke, Granny Yala was seated at the side of her bed, quietly dozing. She came awake with a snort when Kate reached out and shook her shoulder gently.

“Ah. Do you feel refreshed, young Hero?” Yala gave one of her broad smiles that made her eyes disappear under her wrinkles.

“I do feel better,” Kate admitted. The food and rest had done her good. She glanced towards the window. It was still light out, at least. “I think I could use some fresh air, though. But first, Gren said you wanted to speak to me?”

“Actually, I could do with a walk.” Yala got to her feet and reached for her colorful cane. “And you probably need to stretch your legs. Come along.”

Again Kate felt that slight tug at her mind, and waved it aside. Whatever the information window wanted, it could surely wait. She got to her feet slowly, with only the slightest hint of dizziness that quickly faded. With unsure steps she followed Yala out of the cabin-- Yala's own cabin, she realized as she stepped outside, blinking in the afternoon sunlight.

She felt stronger by the time she got down the five steps, which was good, because she was immediately swarmed by nearly the entire Peltin family. Io quickly hid under her hair, which felt decidedly odd, like a warm mouse pressed up against the back of her neck.

Hands reached out to slap her on the back or pinch her cheeks or ruffle her hair, and a dozen thanks and well wishes and other words of gratitude washed over her, making her acutely embarrassed. She couldn't help but notice that two or three of the adults hung back and watched her with solemn suspicion.

“All right, all right, enough, let her breathe,” Yala croaked, waving her cane threateningly until they backed off. “We are off for a little walk, leave us be a few minutes.”

Face burning, Kate ducked her head down and followed Yala on a slow circuit of the property.

“Your secret's out, now,” Yala cackled. “The whole family wants to convince you to stay and live with us as one of us.”

“Because they know I'm a healer.”

“Because you saved Marla's boy. And yes, because you're a healer.” Yala cut her a sideways look. “I'm sure Gren was smart enough to warn you about those who would want to use you for your incredible gift. But that's not why they want you to stay. And none of us would pressure you. You have much more important things to do out in the world.”

Kate nodded mutely.

Yala stopped, leaning on her cane and jerking her chin towards the woods. “Look there. Tell me what you see.”

Kate followed her gaze and felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. What she hadn't seen at night stood out starkly in the day, standing out at the edge of the treeline like a diseased finger jutting out of the earth.

It was easy to spot the tree she'd used to heal Hal. The whole bottom third of it was stark white like marble.

“Dead trees don't look like that,” she whispered, unnerved.

“Apparently they do when touched with magic.”

Kate very carefully didn't look at her.

“We'll have to cut it down before it comes down on its own on top of someone's head,” Yala mused. “But it will be good firewood for the winter. And we can't have any visitors seeing it and asking awkward questions.”

Kate stared at the tree, still unable to meet the old woman's keen gaze.

Oh no, Io whispered.

“I know what you are,” Yala said quietly. “I've heard of your kind before. There was once one with your abilities when my grandmother was a girl, though none since. That was long ago, but I remember the stories. I remember hearing about what that Hero did to Giltarians in order to keep her own party members alive.”

“I won't do that,” Kate said, strained.

“No. You don't seem the type.” Yala leaned on her cane, tilting her head back to watch a flock of birds pass overhead. “You seem more the type that's willing to sacrifice their own life to save a child she just met. To ease the heartache of a mourning family. That doesn't seem like the type of person that would use such a dangerous gift in an evil manner.” She reached out suddenly, poking one crooked finger into Kate's chest hard enough to make her grunt. “But you are reckless. The results of your power are plain as day for anyone to see. Anyone who still remembers the stories will realize what you are. Aside from that, you are too quick to put your own life at risk.”

“I didn't know I'd end up using up some of my own lifesource,” Kate said, rubbing at her chest. “It was an accident.”

“And yet you didn't stop when you realized something was wrong. If you had, I don't think my great-grandson would be running around with his cousins in the grass as if nothing had ever happened.” They both turned to watch the crowd of children racing around the yard, shrieking in play. Most of the adults had returned to their chores, but Marla and Yasu were watching their son race around, both of them smiling so hard it looked like it hurt. “I do not approve of your magic. It's a dangerous path you walk. But you have the gratitude of this entire family, Kate. Mine most especially. None of them realize what you did, exactly, to save the boy. And they don't know what your power is because I've never spoken of it to them before. Nor do I intend to tell them. But they've seen the tree, and they wonder. Some may suspect what you are, but for the most part I think they will be content to let the mystery lie. They have Hal back and no one was hurt, and that's all that matters in the end.”

Kate reached under her shirt and hooked the necklace out from under it with her thumb. “It's also thanks to you, you know. This necklace gave my healing a little boost. I wouldn't have tried it without this.”

Yala grinned. “My old friend would be pleased, I think, to know his parting gift had a role in such a deed.” She sighed quietly. “I will have to have faith that you are a good person. But be wary, Kate. If others realize what you are, they will not trust you.” She turned her gaze towards Io, floating near Kate's shoulder. “As for you, Guardian, please continue to look after your charge. I suspect it may be a bit trying, but also worth the effort to keep her alive.”

Io bobbed once in a silent nod of acknowledgment.

“And now, if you're up for it, I think the children would like you to join their games.” She laughed at the surprise on Kate's face. “You're no child, but it would make them happy. And the exercise will be good for you. Enjoy life when you can. That's an old woman's advice. Tomorrow you begin your real journey. And you'll have all the hopes and prayers of the Peltin family at your back.”