‘Preventing starvation,’ Ponderosa thought. ‘It might have worked, but it was one of the last stones embedded into her flesh. So any prevention of hunger pangs or the detox of the sweet, earthy, putrid sludge didn’t happen. Krissy doesn’t even mention if it could help reverse such either.… Expansive awareness, she certainly has that.’
Ponderosa turned the page to see if there was anything more written about the Ruby. She flipped the page back and forth a couple times to make sure she hadn’t missed the name of a different stone since there was only a single line at the very top of the page.
‘Aids one in resisting self-destructive patterns.’
So, did that mean that Lady Iredys was resisting the activation of the runes? That the seizures were actually her resistance to keep a possibly destructive rune from activating? It seemed plausible. Just as plausible as her seizures being caused by visions or malnutrition. Then again, the Ruby might be helping Lady Iredys heal so the rest of the runes could activate. Tipping her head back, Ponderosa found herself back to the question that would continue to haunt her until the burns smoothed out, if they ever smoothed out. What runes were used?
She set the book down and grabbed her burn gel and scar oil. She applied more to Lady Iredys’ face and chest before her mind registered that the skin around the Jet and the Ruby was smooth. Ponderosa shifted her position so the flames could help her see the skin in a better light. A few silver flecks seemed to be painted onto her skin. She pushed around it to see if anything would come out, but the silver shifted with her attempts. She inspected the silver a little more closely to see if there was a pattern, but there was only a small flake on either side. Nothing definitive.
Ponderosa sat back on her heels. The metal clasps that allowed the stones to hang on Lady Iredys necklace had been silver, hadn’t they? So, was she seeing the melted clasp? Did that mean that these two stones didn’t have runes? If they didn’t have runes then why hadn’t her healing started to push them out of her skin? She didn’t understand. She also knew that she wouldn’t be able to get answers while Lady Iredys slept and a good majority of communication between them was still non-existent. Would knowing what the Jet could do help?
She made sure to apply more gel and oil since Lady Iredys’ skin had absorbed it all. Then she returned to her research regarding Lady Iredy’s stones. Ponderosa scanned the pages of Krissy’s book, but didn’t see an entry for the Jet. She scanned again. Slower this time to make sure she hadn’t missed it. As she neared the end of the book, she wondered if it was one Krissy had even used before. If she hadn’t then…. Ponderosa turned another page and saw the tiny entry.
‘Jet is worn for protection. It clears impure energies, draws off negativity, and is an excellent grounding stone. It is said to be able to heal traumatic injuries and help the victim see the lesson by bringing clarity through varying perspectives.’
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Ponderosa gripped her dress just above where Dagaz and the Pearl rested against her skin. If it had been the Jet that helped pull the Pearl and Dagaz from her flesh then it definitely drew negativity away. She hoped it was doing the same for Lady Iredys. Not only for the trauma of the physical wounds she had sustained, but, also, for the mental and emotional trauma that ensued while she was held captive. Nodding her head, Ponderosa turned back to the book to search for the Alexandrite.
‘The Alexandrite stone is a guardian stone. It purifies and renews. It realigns the mind, emotions, and the spirit. It enhances creativity and change, and soothes inflammation.’
Another healing stone, but one that actually mentioned renewal. So then did this mean that the rebirth rune was coupled with the Alexandrite? That would make sense since it was one of the active runes. Plus, none of the other runes would have been active were she no longer alive, but which of the three was it? Jera? Berkano? Laguz? Even though her skin had healed more, the runes continued to remain hidden.
She shifted the book to look for the Peridot when Lady Iredys’ stomach growled loudly in the silence. Ponderosa jerked at the sound, nearly dropping the book, as she realized how late it was. She had not realized her reading and pondering had taken so long. Setting Krissy’s book down, Ponderosa mixed up another couple glasses of meal then brought one over to Lady Iredys. She supported her and helped her to drink. While she accepted the meal, Lady Iredys’ eyes opened part way and rolled around.
Ponderosa wasn’t sure if she was trying to wake up or if she was having a vision. Lady Iredys finished the glass before her head tipped back. Ponderosa lay her down once more. Lady Iredys rolled to her left side and continued to sleep. Pulling the blanket up a little higher, Ponderosa left her to sleep. It was possible she was dreaming. Hopefully they were good dreams. She returned to the table to drink her own meal. Once she was done, Ponderosa took the glasses over to the corner to wash them.
She then shifted the curtains aside to look outside. The sky was cloudy and the wind felt warm. A storm was coming. A storm that would not let up for several days. If she continued to use the logs wisely, they would have just enough wood to make it through. Ponderosa turned to leave the house to gather the firewood when the back door opened. She stopped when she noticed the door was open and log after log entered the house and piled themselves neatly under her table.
Lady Iredys stretched her legs then curled up a little as the back door closed. Her eyes were closed fully and her breathing deep. Ponderosa hung her head. Would she even be able to add any logs to the hearth now that Lady Iredys had moved them? Or would it be better to get some out of the shed? She turned to look at the sky. The clouds were rapidly darkening. Even if she transformed so she could clear the snow in front of the doors and bring a larger load back, she risked being exposed as she tried to reduce the amount of time it would take to get more before the storm started.
Rubbing her eyes in concern and mild frustration, Ponderosa knew she would just have to do her best with the calming herbs if the convulsions came. She made sure both doors were closed tight before she blew out her lamp and joined Lady Iredys on the cot. She tried to rest, but found it difficult. She was troubled by the lack of visible runes, despite how much the skin had healed. She was troubled that there was little she could do to help Lady Iredys recover, aside from providing her body with as much nutrition as possible. The sound of the wind increased. Ponderosa focused on the sound and let it sweep away her self-doubt in an attempt to finally be able to sleep.