She awoke with a cool breeze on her back and Maryam’s soft fingers working their magic, knitting her flesh back together.

The Vaasarians sat around a fire, huddled together, warming their hands. She saw Farouk the boatbuilder, and Dhabat the farmer, Laila the baker and the famous butcher, whose name Tamza couldn’t recall in her hazy state. They have a new life, no longer prisoners.

Tamza could sense her bears. They surrounded the little Vaasarian camp, at a distance, out of sight, but watching, noses high to sniff out any danger.

Rae-bear grunted from the shadows and she managed a faint huff in reply. He emerged from the woods, followed by Fir-bear. The Vaasarians parted respectfully to give the bears plenty of space, only Maryam didn’t move, intent on her healing. Rae paused in front of Tamza and dipped his head so she could see what was there. Between his teeth was Sumear’s precious skull, and Fir-bear carried his mother Ursah’s huge paw.

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They padded to the fire and flung the bones into the flames. A proper send off to the Bear-God. The huge brown bear roared, and Fir joined in with his little voice. Unseen, eleven more bears roared from the forest. Tamza’s lips twitched into a weak smile.

“Thank you,” she clicked, as the bears withdrew back to the shadows.

Tamza drifted in and out of consciousness, but heard the urgent words from Maryam.

“She’s lost a lot of blood… too much blood… Knife wound, head wound, broken bones and ribs, possibly some internal injuries. If I had my herbs and tools here…”

Tamza groaned and Maryam leaned in to her. In her soothing voice, the healer repeated, “You’re going to get better, my love. You’re going to get better, my love…”

Tamza’s awareness of the world darkened. I may have taken three lives tonight, but I have saved plenty more.

And then, it darkened still.

I finally got up on that stage on my own, Papa. And what a show.