A to Z Challenge. CHAPTER NINETEEN -- TIÉN

           He woke to a warm hand on his forehead.  He tried to grab it.  Only his muscles trembled in his arm and did not move from the bed.  His watery vision cleared as he blinked.  The hand left his forehead, and he forced his head to turn and suspired when he accomplished that monumental task.  

            Golden honey hair flowed like shimmering water as it fell off her shoulder to hang freely as she knelt to retrieve something on a low shelf.  It hid the woman’s face from view.  

            Nándor opened his mouth to speak when she moved away from his limited vision, but his sere throat made it impossible.  He tried to rise from his supine position but could only groan in agony.  The lancing pain across his ribs burned his sundered skin. 

            “Do not move,” admonished the woman as she scuttled back to the bed.  “The wounds were deep and the healing of them has been slow.  It took a long time to stanch the wounds.”

            “Wh-ere?” he forced out in a harsh, rasping gasp.  

             Thin eyebrows knotted, barely wrinkling her fair skin.  She poured water into a small chalice and brought it his lips, slaking his thirst.  “You are in my village.  Our warriors found you near dead and brought you to me.”

            “Who are you?”

             She moved her hair away from her face and exposed the pointed tips. “I am Tién, healer of the Sylvan.” She set the chalice down. “The men you defeated have plagued my kin since they have entered the forest.”

             Nándor’s interest perked. “What of their campsite? Can they find it?”

             Tién frowned. She hesitated. “Yes, they know, but you cannot leave here yet. Your wounds are too –”

             He jackknifed up, cutting her off. “I can’t stay here. Those men took a lady in my care. I have to get her back.” He fell back onto the bed with a groan, sweat breaking out on his brow. “She’s from the Aerie. She told me of the thing that lies in Phaeris. My treacherous brother travels there as we speak. Your people have long memories. You know what hides there. I have until the full moon.”

             Tién said nothing. Her eyes burned.

             “I need to stop him.”

              She did not look at him, but her voice was steel. “You are certain of this?”

              Nándor closed his eyes. There must have been something in the water because he could not keep his eyes open. “As sure as an augural vision can be,” he slurred. “Have to save her . . .”


©djinnia 2014