Mira walked along the edge of the arena against the tall marble walls. The next contestants began their fight as she got to the door. She forced it open and saw the impromptu infirmary. Multiple beds lined a wall with teams of healers swarming the two injured combatants. Mira saw the sapphire eyes find her immediately and she closed the door behind her. The older healer eyed her suspiciously and walked towards her.
“What brings you in here? Shouldn’t you be watching your competition?”
“I would like to make sure my arm was set correctly, now that you are not as busy.”
He knew it was a pitiful excuse to check on her friend but said nothing about that.
“Why would you think we aren’t as busy?” He chuckled, “Come, sit.”
The old man patted a nearby cot. She hopped onto it and flopped her arm towards him. He gripped her arm firmly and she felt a magic spell flash through her veins.
“This arm has been broken and healed many times. But it is set and healing at a remarkable rate,” He drummed his fingers on her arm and moved a hand to the back of her neck, “That brand still lingers. Would you like me to take care of it?”
Her eyes widened, “What?”
“It’s not quite gone yet,” He moved her hair, “Though, you can’t see it. Would you like me to finish removing that for you?”
“If you can.”
“Pardon the touch, Lady Mira.”
His calloused and wrinkled hand settled onto the back of her neck. She felt an icy cold spell wash over her. The hairs across her body stood on end as his magic flushed it from her system.
“Whoever took the mark off did a good job. You would have lived fully,” He grunted and pulled his calloused hand back, “I’m sure you only got some side effects from it. It may take more time before they are gone completely.”
“Side effects?”
“Most experience a tarry substance at times,” He grunted, “Or bouts of breathlessness. Many feel the phantom pains of their brands. I suspect you may be in one of those categories. Should it bother you again, come find me.”
“Thank you,” She rubbed the back of her neck, “I did not know it lingered.”
“I have dealt with enthrallments before. I will continue to do so until I pass from this cycle into the next.”
The healer pricked his thumb and placed it against her forearm. Her skin greedily drank in his blood. The blissful energy washed through her injuries in an instant. Mira looked up at him with narrowed eyes.
“I may be old, but I’m not senile. I saw your bone. I know that it couldn’t have healed so quickly any other way,” The dwarf chuckled, “I have dealt with a few of your kind. It’s of no business of mine to judge. I only heal as Goddess gifted me to do so.”
“How are they?” Mira eyed Joraem and Jonen.
“They both breathe fine now,” He grunted, “Though, only the elven one is awake. The dwarf will live but it will take some time to heal him completely. My students are not adequately trained, and I only have so much energy in the day. I already did my best to stabilize him.”
“Can you tell me what happened to him?” Her eyes wondered to the unconscious dwarf, “I do not understand how he fell.”
“I believe one of the rocks from the wall struck him in the head,” He pointed to the head bandages, “It is hard to protect yourself from further damage when you’re disoriented like that.”
“Do you work at the temple?” She continued after the man nodded, “A younger human that was taken to the temple after the battle yesterday. Do you know anything about him?”
“Ah yes,” He nodded, “I did not work on him. One of the other master healers took his case. From my understanding, he woke not too long into the morning.”
“Thank you, Healer…” She looked at him to give her a name.
“Kragbreaker,” The dwarf smiled proudly, “Thank you, Lady Mira, for saving my grandson.”
He let another few drops of blood land on her. She stared as the red beads slowly sank into her pale skin. When his small wound naturally healed, he clasped his hands together.
“May I speak to my friend?” Mira looked over to Jonen.
“Sir Jonen will make a full recovery. He should not talk the rest of the day to let his throat heal as naturally as possible, but I’m sure he will listen,” He pointed to a chair next to Jonen’s bed, “I doubt that will be a problem for either of you. Make sure he drinks his potions to soothe any unnecessary aches or pains.”
Mira pursed her lips. Her status as a blood mage was not known outside of those dedicated to her.
“Thank you, Healer Kragbreaker. But–”
“Your secret is safe with me,” The old man winked, “This old man can be quite forgetful.”
She slowly walked over to Jonen and grabbed his hand. He smiled at her and squeezed softly. Mira sat next to his bed and looked at the bruising on his face and neck.
“Are you okay?”
Jonen opened his mouth to speak, but she interrupted him.
“Healer Kragbreaker says you should not speak for a while,” She placed her free hand on his arm, “I will sit with you.”
Jonen leaned his head back against the pillow and sighed. It frustrated him that he couldn’t talk to her. Her worried amber eyes stared at him with regret. He cupped her face in his hand. She leaned into his touch.
“This is my fault,” She whispered, “I’m sorry.”
His thumb brushed against her cheek Mira moved the chair closer to him. She leaned over the bed and moved her hair behind her.
“I want to tell you everything, after the tournament,” She hesitated, “I don’t want to hide anything from you anymore.”
His hand caressed the back of her neck and pulled her to him. She resisted him and he looked at her with sadness.
“Not here,” Mira shook her head, “I do not want to get you in anymore trouble.”
He frowned and pulled her into a hug. She smiled softly and rested her head against his shoulder as he squeezed her in his arms. Jonen rested his chin on the top of her head and kissed her dirty hair softly. He didn’t care if he got in anymore trouble. He already knew that Commander Grimson would berate him for restraining himself during the duel today and allowing Bobabano to embarrass him like that.
“Love…” His raspy throat tried to say the words.
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“I love you too,” She placed a finger on his lips, “Now, quit talking or else I may never be able to hear you say it again.”
Jonen blushed but nodded to agree. As she pulled away from his hug, he brushed the dirt from her hair. Mira wanted to open up to him. That’s all he needed. He wanted to be a part of her story and her life, whatever that may entail.
“You sound better than I did after I fought Isaan,” Mira chuckled wearily, “If that makes you feel better.”
Jonen liked the way she smiled at him. Mira was icy, cold, and calculating when they first met. He saw her thaw into this woman he adored. She laced her fingers between his and he squeezed her hand softly. Jonen never imagined Mira to let him touch her this much. After the few months they spent together, he was honored to even kiss her. The auburn curled, amber eyed beauty that captured his heart was not warm to many, but she loved him. She showed him that the previous night. He remembered the gentle arch of her back and gleeful sounds she made because of him. His face turned a deep red at the memories.
“What is it?” Her brow furrowed and she placed the back of her hand to his forehead, “Are you too warm?”
He shook his head furiously. She looked at him with confusion and tried to figure out what caused his face to redden so quickly.
“I do not believe he is ill,” Encante clarified, “He may not be able to speak on what he is thinking. From his reaction, I do not think he wants you to guess aloud. It could be from your mating.”
“Oh,” She blushed at the dragon’s words, “You are well, though?”
Jonen nodded and reached out to touch her face again. He wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her against him. They should have woken up together that morning and he felt robbed of that experience. He wanted to bring her breakfast to their bed and see how she felt after their first night together. Instead, he had no idea where she went or how she was.
“Thank you for not hurting him,” She squeezed his hand, “I cannot apologize enough for what he’s done to you.”
Her voice wobbled as she looked at him again. Jonen shook his head and smiled. He placed a finger against her lips.
“Then, I will be quiet as well.”
Mira pulled her hands back to dust more of the dirt away from both of them. They sat in comfortable silence together and she imagined the cozy cabin with the roaring fireplace against the frosty glass. She loved the softness of his dreams that felt so tangible.
As she bathed in his warm gaze, she daydreamed about the happy life they would have. Her face reddened when she remembered the night before. She wondered how often that happened between normal couples but felt it wrong to ask aloud.
“As often as they want,” Encante chuckled, “Your mother and I—”
“I do not need to know that,” She spoke under her breath with a grimace.
Jonen tilted his head at her but she smiled brightly to avoid answering his silent question. He gently stroked her hands in his.
The healers shuffled about the room to check on the incoming patients and left to see oversee the remaining fights. Mira poured some of the fizzy concoctions next to Jonen’s bedside into a glass and placed it in his hand. He sipped the bitterly cold drink until his face contorted in disgust. She chuckled at his reaction.
When the door to the infirmary slammed open, Mira stood protectively in front of him. Amethyst grabbed at her side as she stumbled past the door. She collapsed onto the floor in an unmoving heap.
“Get her on a bed!” Kragbreaker yelled as he followed her.
Mira looked frantically as the healers threw Amethyst on the bed. Jonen pushed her and she ran to assist. The orc clawed at the slash on her arm. Black liquid oozed from the cut and Amethyst looked at Mira.
“Poison,” She hissed, “It’s strong.”
“I will try to purge it,” The healer placed his hands over the wound.
Amethyst yelled and grabbed his arm. Mira jumped on top of the orc and pinned her to the bed as she struggled. As the dwarf’s magic flashed into the wound, black lines spread up her arm. She screamed in pain and tried to throw Mira off of her.
“Focus!” She slapped the orc and turned to the dwarf, “What are you doing? That spread the poison further!”
“I haven’t encountered that many–”
“You!” Mira pointed at another healer, “Fetch Skymara immediately. Tell her I sent you.”
The healer fled and Mira watched the pulsating poison crawl up the orc’s arm. Healer Kragbreaker grabbed a piece of cloth and made a tourniquet high up on her arm.
“Mira,” Amethyst’s eyes flashed in and out of focus, “The kid – I don’t know how –”
“Shut up,” She placed a hand over her mark, “You’ll live.”
The orc barked into laughter, “I can’t promise that.”
The healers swarmed around them as Mira pinned Amethyst to the cot. Their words swirled around her as she tried to think of what to do.
“What will happen if she doesn’t get an antidote?”
“We might have to amputate –”
“We don’t even know what type of poison!”
“Everyone, quiet,” She growled.
The last healer at least gave her an idea.
Mira summoned a knife to her hand sliced above the line of the growing black lines. Blood splatter against the confused healers. Black oozed out of the orc’s arms, and she placed a finger against it. She put the finger in her mouth and tasted the ooze. Her eyes grew as she recognized the taste.
“What are you –”
She snarled, “Nightshade.”
“What?” The healer looked at her, “Why would you put that in your –”
“Where’s the antidote?”
“I don’t just have an antidote sitting around!”
“Is this not a competition sponsored by the royal family of Zrud? Are you telling me they have no antidotes for poison you can use in cases of emergency?” She grabbed another healer by his collar, “Go get an antidote. Now.”
“She won’t have long,” Healer Kragbreaker put his hand on her shoulder, “That plant is especially deadly to orcs. We can help her ease between cycles–”
“We are not amputating her arm. We are not letting her die,” Mira yelled, “Understood?”
Amethyst scratched at her, and she saw foam in the corner of the orc’s mouth. Mira searched through her memories for anything that might help.
“She’s a blood mage, youngling,” Encante’s voice echoed in her mind, “You are resistant. I can filter it if you take it in.”
“Let me help you,” Mira looked to Amethyst, “Master Healer, cut just above the wound as deep as you can.”
“What –”
“Do it.”
Mira sliced her hand and placed it over the orc’s mouth.
“You’re making me reveal a terrible amount of secrets, you horrible woman,” She looked down at the orc, “Keep yourself together. This will hurt.”
As the healer cut deep into the woman’s arm, she clawed her fingers into to the wound. Unlike the wonderful undertones of absorbing blood that boosted her energy, the tainted liquid burned as her skin drank it. The healers watched in horror as the toxic lines traveled up Mira’s arm from the orc’s wound.
“Keep it open,” She commanded the orc as she felt the cut stitch itself together, “Drink.”
The barbaric way she was silenced wouldn’t allow her to fight against her Vessel. Amethyst gripped the offered hand, and her tusks punctured it. She always felt a slight boost from absorbing the blood from her enemies, but Mira’s offering felt phenomenal.
Amethyst felt as if she fell through a delicate dew, rolled through the softest furs she ever imagined, dove into a lake of pure sunshine, and embraced by her loving wife all at once. With each swallow, the fiery power raced through her, and she could not control the intensity of how it thrashed about her. She closed her eyes and groaned as it threatened to burst from her skin. If the poison itself was painful, this energy was addictive and deadly as it danced on her bones. If this is how the young Vessel always felt, Amethyst would have to give her more credit for holding power so firmly.
“You are going to pass out if you continue this,” Encante warned, “She is absorbing more energy from you than your body can spare. You have not fully regained your strength from your fight.”
“We will stop when she is safe,” Mira grunted and looked to the orc, “Keep my wound open.”
Although Mira had immunity to it, her vision blurred as the poison crawled up her arm. She felt a hand press against her arm and another source of energy flowed into her. She blinked to see the older healer placing a hand against her.
“Let me guide you,” Kragbreaker nodded, “It will help.”
Mira watched the crawling black lines drain from Amethyst’s arm. The details around her tunneled away until the orcs teeth unclenched from her hand. The puncture holes from her tucks began to close.
“Lady Mira,” Amethyst panted as the violent magic ripped away from her, “Thank you.”
Mira removed her fingers from the wound and watched it close completely, “How did he –”
“He had a vial he broke against my arm,” She sat up, “I didn’t know what it was until he already cut me. I forfeited when I felt it enter my veins.”
Amethyst threw her arms around the woman and hugged her tightly. Mira hesitantly and awkwardly hugged her back. She looked over her Vessel and saw the poisonous lines burning away as Encante forced her blood to boil like fire. Amethyst studied her pale face and she winced.
“Never do something that stupid again,” She leaned against the bed, “You could have died!”
“Me?” Mira threw her head back in laughter, “You nearly did!”
“I can see you overexerted yourself,” She rubbed black ooze from under Mira’s nose, “You need to rest.”
She looked around the started healers with an expressionless stare, “I don’t think I need to mention that whatever happened here will stay here, correct?”
The dwarf quickly caught on to what she was suggesting and spoke to the other healers in a cool, confident voice to reassure her. Her terrifying gaze froze the others in place with the subtle threat.
“We just saw someone help with dispelling poison,” Kragbreaker cleared his throat, “I’m sure that the other healers don’t know about those strange ritual orcs have with such things. Quite fascinating to experience firsthand.”
“I would hate for it to get out and people get harmed for trying it,” Her amber eyes scanned the quickly nodding heads, “My good friend tends to visit those that are too talkative as well.”
The door flew open and Bobabano rushed into the room. He saw Mira on top of his elder and looked between them in confusion. She moved from the bed and stumbled until Kragbreaker grabbed her. She batted his hands off of her and looked towards Bo.
“Find Val,” She ordered him, “I have a hunch that my former master had something to do with this.”