Soliyah held her hand down on Zerik’s neck with just enough force to keep the blood from oozing out, but not too much to affect his breathing. She’d been holding it for quite some time, what felt like hours. The battle ensued around them. They were lucky no Riggan had come upon them. Yet. Her arms were beginning to tire as she kept looking for someone to help. She needed to get Zerik to safety, to a healer. She kept a forced smile on her face as Zerik was always looking up at her. She kept repeating, ” It’s ok”, ”I’m here”, and ”stay with me” as she didn’t know what else to say.
BANG! There was a sudden thunderous noise behind her. Before she could turn, an abrupt and forceful wind knocked her several feet away. There must have been some sort of explosion. She shook her head as though to clear it and sat up. I have to get back to Zerik, she ordered herself. She crawled over to him to find a sizable amount of blood pooled on the ground, still oozing from his neck. She tried not to show her worry as she placed her hands back on the wound. She could feel his heart beating, but it was very weak.
“It’s ok,” she said and looked down at him. His eyes were closed. He’s only fainted, she tried to convince herself. Suddenly people were running passed her. “Help!” She yelled, but no one stopped. Riggans were in pursuit as more people ran past. She could hear the clash of weapons all around her. “Someone help! Please! I need a healer!” But no one responded. She stopped looking when her eyes met with those of a tall and lanky Riggan removing her sword from the belly of her latest kill. Soliyah’s eyes widened as she began walking toward her. She couldn’t leave Zerik. She was sure if she removed her hands again, he would die. Perhaps she could keep one hand on and fight with the other? She looked around for her sword, but it was nowhere to be seen. What was she to do? Her heart was pounding in her chest. She couldn’t recall ever having felt so afraid. The Riggan was getting closer.
”Please,” Soliyah yelled at her. ”Have mercy.” But she didn’t stop. In fact, Soliyah could have sworn she saw a small smile form on her face. Soliyah sighed and felt tears come on as she realized she’d have to let Zerik go. Without warning, the Riggan was knocked onto her back. Confused at first, Soliyah almost laughed when she saw Trig land on his feet between them, a short blade in his hand. He’d moved so fast, she hadn’t even seen him. The Riggan quickly got back onto her feet and smiled when she looked at Trig. Without hesitation, he ran toward the Riggan. She swung her sword to strike him, but Trig was too fast. He dodged it easily and climbed her body until he was standing on her shoulders. Before the Riggan could even react, he pulled her head back and slit her throat. Soliyah was shocked at how much blood poured out. It made her stomach turn so she quickly looked away.
”We must get you to safety.” He ran to her side. Soliyah wanted to answer, but couldn’t for fear she might vomit. When Trig looked down and realized it was Zerik, he gasped. Without a word, he ran away. Soliyah wanted to yell after him, but still couldn’t seem to open her mouth. Saliva was pooling inside of it and she was having to continually swallow in order not to choke. ”TRIG?” she finally yelled. She glanced down at Zerik and saw his pale face, much paler than it should be. His mouth was agape, and his eyes closed, and still. ”No!” she yelled. ”Zerik!?” She moved her hand only slightly to try and find his pulse again, but couldn’t seem to. ”Zerik!”
Trig was at her side again. He looked behind her, ”Hurry! Take him now.” He was rapidly waving his arms. ”NOW!” he yelled. Soliyah wanted to look behind her, but couldn’t seem to take her eyes off Zerik. He can’t be dead! A hand suddenly moved in under hers and pushed her aside. Soliyah felt weak as she watched three strangers carry him away on some sort of pallet. She could barely move and simply wanted to cry. But Trig pulled at her.“No time,” he told her. “Come. Now.” Soliyah knew he was right and somehow found the energy to follow him. Though small, he was hard to keep up with.
The fighting continued around them. Buildings were burning to the ground. Soliyah could hear screaming coming from all angles. She desperately wanted to find the sources and help them, rescue them, but she knew she couldn’t. She had to stay with Zerik. She had to make sure he was alive.
She followed the carriers and Trig out of the village. It seemed they walked for hours until they reached the forest. Empty. Soliyah was about to ask why they were there when the three carriers gently lowered Zerik’s body onto the ground. She wanted to take a closer look, but was afraid of what she may see and so remained still. She kept her hand on a tree so as not to fall or lose balance.
It felt like the darkness was enveloping them when she finally saw a flicker of light. She squinted to protect her eyes and allow them to adjust. The small light suddenly grew, and another sparked nearby. The carriers were lighting lanterns, she realized. She looked around and saw nothing but dirt, rocks, and trees. Trig quickly began ordering the carriers. They rummaged through a sack one of them had been carrying. They pulled out little bottles of liquid and pouches of powder, all talking over one another. Soliyah couldn’t understand a thing that was happening or being said. She just watched, hoping she’d witness some sort of miracle. One of the carriers began tearing Zerik’s shirt from his body, revealing his chest. It was hairy but clean. They quickly rubbed some sort of thick substance on it as one of the others stood by and watched, waiting. When they seemed satisfied, the one waiting placed one hand over the other, right in the middle of Zerik’s chest, and began pushing down. Rather hard. It almost looked as though his chest was about to break in. Soliyah stepped forward.
”What are you doing?” she asked, more fear and worry in her voice than she’d wanted to relay. ”You’re going to…” Trig pulled on her hand.
”They know what they do,” he chastised her. ”Let them work.” Soliyah turned to him.
”It looks like his chest is going to break,” she yelled at him and Trig nodded.
”Whatever it takes,” he told her and then moved toward the workers. Soliyah turned back to see the third carrier applying some sort of dark salve to Zerik’s neck. She moved closer to get a better look. There was still blood spilling from the wound, but it seemed to have slowed. She couldn’t tell if it was a good thing, or not. Perhaps he’d already lost too much blood. The two carriers at Zerik’s chest switched off as the third worked on the neck.
”Anything?” Trig asked, and the carrier at the neck stopped what he was doing to feel the side of Zerik’s neck. He waited and then shook his head, no. “Keep going,” Trig ordered them.
”What are they doing?” Soliyah asked, but Trig ignored her.
”More salve!” he yelled. The one at the neck kept applying and the blood finally stopped. Again, Soliyah couldn’t be sure if it was a good thing or not. She watched as they continued for a few more minutes and Trig yelled at them again. The one at Zerik’s neck felt the side of it again and then shook his head, no. Trig yelled out in frustration. The two pushing down on his chest stopped. The carrier at the neck stood, a despondent look in his eyes.
”He’s gone,” he told him and then glanced at Soliyah. Soliyah felt her breath leave her body. Her mouth filled with saliva and she couldn’t stop herself before all of the fluids and substance in her stomach were expelled through her mouth. She stood alone, heaving. For a moment or two everyone remained still and silent around her. When she stood back up, everything began spinning, the silence seemed to envelop her, and all warmth seemed to disappear. She was suddenly very cold, and weak. Her knees buckled and she fell to the floor. One of the carriers ran to her side to ensure she didn’t fall and hit her head, but Soliyah put her hand up to keep them at bay.
He can’t be gone, she thought. I’ve only just found him. He’s supposed to help me. He’s supposed to tell me what to do. She looked over at him. His eyes were wide open as he lay still, his chest exposed. His pale, now grey, skin made him look so unlike himself, almost alien. The room began spinning again as she saw Trig walking toward her.
”Soliyah,” he started but sounded very far away. She squinted, trying to clear her vision as things began to blur. ”Soliyah, I can…” His voice faded as she felt a sudden and blinding pain in her lower back. She brought her hand to the pain and winced when she touched it. She pulled her hand back and it was covered in blood. ”Soliyah…” Then all went black.
She woke sometime later, not knowing how much time had passed, still in the dark and musty forest. Her vision was blurry as she felt a coolness leave her forehead and be replaced with a gentle and comforting warmth. When her vision finally cleared, she could see one of the carriers looking down at her, smiling.
”You’re still with us,” she said. Soliyah tried to rise but the woman gently kept her down. ”You’re not well enough yet,” she explained. ”You were wounded. It’s a wonder you lasted as long as you did.”
”What? I don‘t…”
”I’ve almost healed it,” she assured her. ”You’ll feel good as new in just a few more days.”
”Zerik!” Soliyah remembered all that happened and felt her chest grow heavy. It suddenly became difficult to breathe again.
”Shhhh,” the woman smiled at her. ”Trig is working with him.”
”What? I thought…” She tried to move, but the pain was unbearable.
”Just breathe…” the voice told her, and all went black again.
She stirred to some strange noises around her. There were humming-like sounds filling the room, as though a vast choir of voices were singing in harmony with one another. Zerik, she thought. I must get to Zerik. She tried to move but could only seem to twitch her leg and face. She felt a hand on her arm.
”She’s waking,” a voice whispered harshly.
”What? That can’t be!” Another voice responded. She felt a hand on her forehead and another on her chest. She wanted to move away from under them but didn’t feel she could. Her energy was too drained. ”We must keep her under. It could affect what Trig is…”
”I know! What do you want me to do?”
”Have you any more of the tonic?” She could hear rummaging as the choral humming grew louder. ”Quickly!”
”There isn’t any more!”
”What? Oh no…” The humming grew louder and seemed to be inside Soliyah’s head. She could no longer think of anything but the melody and the thousands of voices humming in unison. She shook her head from side to side, as though trying to shake it out. ”It might be too late. It looks as though it’s reached her already.”
”What do we do?” they sounded panicked.
”Hope it doesn’t kill her.” The conversation continued, but Soliyah couldn’t hear anymore. The humming was too loud. A sudden pain took over her entire body. She felt as though she were convulsing, trying to survive it, when it suddenly vanished and a soft and gentle warmth replaced it.
”Soliyah?” It was Zerik’s voice, but she couldn’t see him anywhere. She was still surrounded by darkness. ”Soliyah?” She wanted to respond, but couldn’t seem to find her own voice.
A light suddenly came through and fell on Trig, as though a spotlight of some sort. He was sitting on his knees, his head up and chest out, eyes closed, hands on his knees. She could see herself walking toward him, though it didn’t feel as though she were moving.
”Trig?” she called. His eyes popped open and he gasped as soon as he saw her. He looked around, confused. The voices humming broke into more harmonies and grew even louder. Trig quickly closed his eyes, raised his head, and went back to whatever it was he was doing. Soliyah could only watch. Seemingly out of nowhere, Zerik’s body appeared behind him. Soliyah’s heart filled with sadness as she slowly walked over. His body was wrapped in some strange yellow fabric, tight, as though in a cocoon. She looked down at his face. His eyes were closed, making it look as though he were simply resting. She felt her lips curl up in a smile though her heart felt heavy. She moved her eyes down his body and was surprised to see his chest rising and falling. Confused, she knelt down to him. The humming seemed to hurry, as though pressured or stressed. She looked up to his neck to find it completely clean and healed. She gasped and brought her hand to it. How can that be, she wondered. The wound had been deep and obviously life-threatening. She gently rested her hand and laughed when she felt a pulse. Impossible. She closed her eyes in disbelief. She continued laughing when she felt something grab her hand. She looked down to see Zerik’s eyes wide open, a look of fear in them.
”Soliyah!” she heard him yell though his lips didn’t move. He squeezed her hand so tightly that it began to hurt. She tried to pull away, but couldn’t. He was trying to sit up but blood began spurting from his mouth. Soliyah watched in horror as blood poured down the front of his body. ”Soliyah!”
She gasped for air and bolted upright from lying on the ground. She felt scared as she tried to take in her surroundings.
”Shhhh, shhhh, it’s okay. You’re safe.” It was the carrier from before. She was at her side, holding her hand and keeping the other on her shoulder. ”You’re alright.” Soliyah couldn’t find words. Had it been a nightmare? Where was Zerik? What had Trig been doing? ”It’s alright,” the carrier gently pushed her to lay back down.
”Where is Trig?” she finally got words out. ”Zerik?” The carrier smiled and nodded as she wet a cloth in a bowl right next to her.
”They are safe. Don’t fret.” She squeezed any excess water out of it and rested it back on her forehead. It was warm. ”You need to rest.” Soliyah shook her head, no.
”Enough rest,” she told her. ”I want to see them, now.” The carrier took a deep breath, using her arm to dramatize her efforts, encouraging Soliyah to do the same.
”Deep breaths,” she finally said. ”Calm down, and I will get them.” Soliyah ignored her and tried to push her aside, but she was too weak. The carrier kept her smile and continued encouraging her to breathe. Soliyah finally acquiesced took a deep breath, and let it out. She looked for the carrier to finally let her pass, but she kept breathing. Soliyah took one more breath in but it felt different. There was a slight taste and smell to it she didn’t recognize. She was about to ask about it when all went black.
”You want us to wake her then?” a voice asked.
”No,” Trig answered immediately. ”We must flee, but keep her at rest. I will speak with Lao to acquire a proper wagon to carry them both.”
”Soliyah?” It was Zerik’s voice, but it wasn’t in the room. Her breath quickened in panic. “Are you there?”
“She’s waking again!” a voice broke through. ”Quickly!” And all went black.
The ground was shaking beneath her. She felt her head hit something hard and it immediately brought her back to consciousness. Her eyes still felt heavy, but she forced them open. It was dark, but there was a starry sky above her. She could feel fresh air enter her lungs as she breathed in. She tried to move and actually felt she had full control of her body. Unsure of what to find around her, friend or foe, danger or safety, she looked from side to side slowly and carefully. She stopped and gasped when she saw Zerik lying next to her. She rolled onto her side but kept low. They were in some sort of a wagon being pulled by horses. He was wrapped in the same yellow cocoon she’d seen in her dream. Or vision. Perhaps it had been real? She didn’t know. His eyes were closed, his face and neck clean, healed. How could it be, she wondered. She looked him up and down, unsure what to say, do or think. She saw his chest rise and gasped. Was he truly alive? She gently rested her head on his chest and felt it rise and fall. She could even hear his heart beating. Steady and strong. Relief flooded her entire body as tears filled her eyes to the brim. She wanted to laugh. She had no idea how it was possible, but he was alive.
”Soliyah?” she heard him say her name. She moved to speak to him, to see his face, but his eyes remained shut, his lips still. Perhaps she’d imagined hearing him, she thought. “Soliyah!” It was most certainly his voice, but where was it coming from? She gently pushed at him, but he didn’t stir. She tried pulling at the yellow fabric tying his body tight, but it wouldn’t come loose. She checked her body and her surroundings for something she could use to cut at them, but there was nothing. “I’m trapped!” The voice was in a panic. “Help me!”
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Ⓒ January 2023. Beki Lantos. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form by any means without prior written permission of the author.