Healer of Sakkara

Chapter 22 - Hollow

Galen looked away, and when he spoke his voice was soft. "I'd rather you were neither."

A coolness clouded Sev's heart, but he was not surprised; he could hardly expect the boy to like him after what he'd put him through. "I am sorry for the circumstances, Galen," he said. "You don't deserve—"

"I'd rather we were friends," Galen finished, surprising him. "I understand your duty; I've come to see it is mine as well. It seems trouble follows me—seeks me, even. I'm a danger to those around me, yet I know my friends won't leave my side. I will do all I can to keep them safe."

Sev nodded. He understood the feeling well enough, and from whence it sprung.

"You noticed, too; those barrowlings did not act naturally."

"I don't know what is natural for barrowlings," Galen replied, "but it made little sense for so many to swarm, in daylight, for so small and dangerous a prize. We must have killed two or three dozen of them—many times our number if they had managed to take us all—and yet they would not break off their pursuit."

"Indeed," Sev agreed. "They were drawn by more than the promise of a fresh meal. They were drawn to you."

Galen shivered. "Will they still follow us, do you think?"

Sev shook his head. "We are beyond their territory; if any had followed, we would know it by now. Here," he set his bowl aside and stood, offering Galen his hand. "If you want to look for herbs, we'd best go while there is still light to see by."

They made their way off among the trees, and Sev kept guard while Galen let his feet lead them where they would. He watched as the boy wandered from place to place, seemingly at random, picking leaves, flowers, and tender mosses, and even peeling strips of bark from young trees.

"You are well-versed in herb-lore," Sev remarked, as Galen washed a tapered root clean in the waters of a small stream. "From whom did you learn?"

Galen shrugged and gestured at the woods. "I didn't learn. I just know."

Sev's brows lifted. "How?"

Galen considered. "The plants...tell me, I guess. I can see their natures, in a way—whether they will help or harm, and what uses they may have." He rubbed the center of his chest and held up the root. "This one, for example, is good for the heart."

"Can you 'see' into other things, or just plants?"

"Animals, and people, a little bit," Galen admitted, almost shyly, as if it were something he didn't often share. "People are much more complex than plants, of course—they don't just have one nature. They may be kind in one circumstance, cruel in another; 'help' and 'harm' become subjective. But... overall, I have a sense of what lies within."

"What do you see in me?" Sev asked curiously.

Galen looked at him, head tilted a little to the side. "You're...different. You, and Rea. She's difficult to read—like a closed door. You're...hollow."

"Hollow," Sev echoed, and smiled ruefully. That was about right; it wasn't as if he had a proper soul, anymore. He decided he was sorry he had asked.

"Come on; let's get back."

He turned and led the way through the trees.

Behind him, he heard Galen whisper, as if to himself, perhaps thinking Sev could not hear.

"Hollow, and filled with fire; darkness, and light."

Sev shivered; perhaps it were best the boy not look too closely, after all.

- ✵ -

In the morning, Obi's hand had grown swollen and red. Rea swore as she helped Galen unwrap the bandages, apply a fresh herbal poultice, and wrap it once more.

"Barrowling scum. Who knows what shit they've got between their teeth—if not literal shit."

"It's another way they hunt," Sev said. "Ambush, bite, retreat. Wait for the prey to fall ill and grow weak. Then feast at leisure."

Obi shuddered. "Great. That's nice, Sev. Thanks."

They walked throughout the day, aimed towards the mountain pass. Obi kept up, but by evening he could no longer hide the fact he was unwell.

Galen frowned as he inspected the bite, cleansing it with a tea-like wash. When he finished, he rose and pulled Sev aside.

"I'd like to try healing him," he said. "The poultice isn't working as it should, and if the infection gets worse it could spread to his blood."

Sev hesitated and looked westward towards the slopes of the mountains, looming large and near. "What if the mage-sickness takes you again? We can't afford much more delay," he said. "The weather has held so far, but it can change in a day."

"And what if Obi gets worse?" Galen challenged. "Will you leave him behind?"

"Of course not."

"I don't believe you."

Sev flinched. Was it because of what he'd seen inside him? Or what he hadn't seen?

"All right; you can try."

Galen nodded and returned to where Obi sat, resting with a blanket draped over him. He spoke, soft and low, and then settled at his side.

Sev watched with the others as the boy slipped into the meditative state they had practiced together, and felt a surge of pride and wonder as the green glow of his magic flickered like soft flames in the palms of his hands. He placed his hands over Obi's wound and released a slow, steady breath. The green fire sank into the other man's skin, and Obi gasped softly in wonder as the punctures in his flesh sealed shut.

Galen released him and took several short shallow breaths as the green fire flared bright beneath his bronze-toned skin before fading once more; a light sinking beneath waves within. Finally, he opened his eyes, and—looking tired but otherwise unaffected—gave Sev a triumphant smile.

Sev helped him to his feet, and was about to congratulate him on a successful use of magic, when a distant noise distracted him. He paused, listening.

A few seconds later, the others heard it too.

"What is that?" Behn asked. "Water?"

The faint rushing sound grew steadily louder, increasing to a roar. Sev looked up and saw the tops of the trees tossing fitfully.

"No," he said. "It's wind."

"Sev?" Rea said, pointing upward. "This isn't natural."

The sky darkened rapidly, the air cooled, and something white drifted past Sev's eyes.

Snow.

"Fuck," he swore.

They were at the feet of the mountains; blizzards could hit this early in the year, and they could hit fast. But Rea was right—this change was too sudden. Had Galen's use of magic affected the balance somehow? Was this an attack? Or was it something else entirely?

There was no time to puzzle it out now; the last thing they needed was to get stranded in a snowstorm at night.

"Everyone up!" he yelled, shouting over the wind that now ripped and roared through the branches overhead. "Grab your things! Rea, help Obi and Zenír. Triss, stick with Behn. I've got Galen. We need to find shelter, fast!"