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Gage sat in the middle of the floor of the tent. He had discovered the back section of the tent that was Hye-jun’s quarters. Once more he had been surprised by the size of the tent his teacher had managed to acquire for the healer’s hut. The back section had only three rooms, the first being an actual bedroom. The other two were a private common room and a small study. Gage had been surprised by the amount of scrolls, brushes, and inks that Hye-jun had in her study.
He had also refamiliarized himself with the healer’s hut during the gaps between patients. Thankfully, and cursedly, it had been a slow day. It meant there were only a few injuries that needed to be treated, but it gave him far too much time to think. Now it was just after dusk, and most people had returned to their homes. The only ones who should be coming by at this point were real emergencies.
Exhaustion threatened to swallow a bone-weary Gage. One leg was tucked under her while she held the other knee to her chest, head resting atop it. Gage’s eyes were closed. No thoughts crossed his mind as he sat there. He had relied too much on his power throughout the day. First a very major transformation, then letting Ma’tuk borrow some. Then the healing works, while none had required any major expenditure of power, the constant use had strained him. Never before had he used so much in a single day.
“My Lord? Are you unwell?” Ma’tuk’s voice echoed in his head, the orb-now-pendant’s warmth pressed against her chest.
“Jus’ tired s’all…” Gage mumbled. He barely registered the tent flap opening and raised his head to look. “Faelenor? Aeliana? Elfric? What are you all doing here?”
“Pardon the interruption of harmony, Daja Hye-jun,” Faelenor started, “Is Gage here? He came to speak to you earlier today and he has not returned.” The three stepped into the tent. Elfric had two backpacks hoisted on his back.
Gage-jun blinked and it clicked. Seeing his friends, he had forgotten he was Hye-jun to the world now. It had been easier with the strangers in and out of the tent all day, but these were people he knew. Gage felt tears start to well up in her eyes.
“Daja? Are you alright?” Faelenor moved closer and offered out a handkerchief. Gage-jun took it and wiped her eyes.
“Oh, I am fine, Faelenor, thank you. It has been a very long day and… and… I can’t do this!” Gage-jun cried. “Ma’tuk, use what power you must. I don’t want anyone outside this tent hearing anything.”
Elfric, who had looked angry a few moments before, stood just inside the tent with confusion across his face. Aeliana next to him kept a blank look while Faelenor showed surprise. Ma’tuk began to glow, and Gage felt the pull on his power once more. A translucent swirling green and pink film spread itself out along the interior of the tent, covering the ceiling, floor, and walls. Gage-jun was panting at this point, struggling to keep her eyes open.
“I’m tired. I’m so tired. Hye-jun…” Gage-jun began to sob and weep, a small pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders. “Hye-jun was dying. She knew of my shapeshifting abilities and had me take her place. I am Gage!” There was a crack of thunder high overhead, making each of them jump. Catching his breath, Gage struggled to calm himself as he was torn with grief and anger.
After he managed to get his breathing under control. “I’m sorry. I know this is a lot. She thinks that if I leave, the people will think Kin has abandoned them. She wants me to stay to protect them from the Son of Sand.”
Gage-jun looked up at each of them with her tired eyes, puffy with grief. She ran a sleeve across her face in an attempt to dry it. Elfric dropped the bags to the ground and walked forward. When he reached Gage-jun, he crouched. His eyes searched Gage-jun’s for a few tight moments. Then he scooped Gage-jun up into his arms and held her close. “I am here for you, my friend.”
Gage-jun almost started crying again, instead he clenched her jaw and hugged Elfric back. When Elfric put her down, Aeliana stepped forward as well. “This one agrees with Hye-jun. It may not seem like it, but Kin’s presence here has made things better for the refugees. Without it, things would be far worse. The Son of Sand would have gained more influence and I doubt the Respected would be little more than a figurehead.”
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The alajin clapped their hands together before continuing, “This one will not dictate to First of Kin, but here is what this one suggests. Elfric, you will stay here with… Hye-jun. If anyone asks, you are here to help assist with the rowdier patients and those who lose control of themselves from pain. Those who harmed Hye-jun will know the truth, it is for her protection. Hopefully it will deter them attempting to do so again.”
Aeliana’s eyes hardened a little before speaking again. “Even with you still here, with ‘Gage’ disappearing faith will waiver. We need to find a solution that will ease people’s fears about being abandoned.”
“If… if this one may?” All eyes turned to Faelenor. The child bit their lip before taking a deep breath and straightening their back. With all their confidence, “Officiate this one as a devoted of Kin. This one speaks to the people already for Kin, it will tell them they are still heard and by one they already know.”
Gage saw the proud look on Aeliana’s face when Faelenor looked away from their parent. It was gone by the time Faelenor looked back, a stubborn set to their jaw. “This one understands, Aeliana, that this one has found their calling. This one is no longer a child.”
Aeliana looked amused, “This one is well aware of what this means and will smooth things over with the family later, before holding an official ceremony for coming of age.” Faelenor went from stubborn to astonished at Aeliana’s words. “As the sapling casts aside its first leaves to flourish under the canopy’s embrace, so must you shed your childhood name. Embrace your calling with the name that honors your growth. This one names you Rajan. Let this change be as natural as the forest’s cycle.”
As Faelenor, now Rajan beamed, Elfric and Gage-jun were stunned into silence. The significance of the event was not lost on them, but both were surprised with the speed with which it had gone by. “As Eshu once said, ‘For moons, all lay still; yet, in the turn of a day, the world dances to chaos’s tune.’” Gage-jun said, leaning against Elfric and glad for his support. Everything felt weighted down and heavy with fatigue.
Elfric frowned, “Eshu can speak?”
Gage-jun stared blankly at the elf before breaking down into near hysterical laughter. It was nearly a few minutes before Gage was able to control himself once more. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” She wiped a tear from her eye. “Eshu, my dog, is named after Eshu, a god who-came-before. He was worshipped on the western side of a continent called Africa. He was a trickster god but also a messenger between mortals and the gods of that area. I, uh, studied theology, the study of religions. Not really helpful at the moment.”
Elfric looked thoughtful for a moment, though he still looked troubled, and Gage was certain he would have to speak with the elf later, when they had some privacy. Gage-jun let out a sigh. “Alright, Rajan, sit with me.” Gage-jun hobbled to a sitting position and Rajan sat before him. “Now, I haven’t ‘devoted’ anyone before, so I apologize for any lack of pomp. I also might pass out from this. If I do, Elfric, lay me out on one of the patient mats. If anyone comes in, help them clean and wrap the wound and tell them to come back the next day. Wake me for any emergencies. If anyone asks, I had to do a big healing on someone and wore myself out.” Turning back to Rajan, “Ready?”
Rajan nodded, eyes glistening with excitement. “Okay then.” Gage-jun took Rajan’s hands in her own. He began to Breath. In and out. Falling into his power he found his Breath to be very faint. His Nimbus was drained as well but held stronger. He remembered the lessons he had received on those who followed the Path of the Soul from Hye-jun. Too much power, especially for those who were not ready, could seriously harm the devoted. A god would usually demand oaths and pledges from those who wished to gain more, in the process tempering their bodies to actually be able to contain the power granted to them.
Reaching into his Nimbus Gage pulled out a drop of his green power. A small candlelight of flame. He cradled it in his Breath. As he did, he reached with his power into Rajan until he found their own Breath. To his mind’s eye it was a vibrant teal, thrumming with vigor. As their Breath touched, they began to sync their breathing together. In and out. Carefully Gage guided the green flame forward, directing it to Rajan’s center of power.
As his Nimbus met Rajan’s Breath, the alajin drew in a sharp breath. Their hands went rigid, clutching Gage-jun’s like a vice. Gage did not hesitate, nor did he pull his Nimbus back. Instead, he nestled the little ball of Nimbus right in Rajan’s Breath. A shudder ran through the alajin, and they began to convulse. Gage kept his inner gaze, watching as Nimbus and Breath struggled against each other. He kept his breathing and used his Breath to guide Rajan’s, bringing them back into sync. In and out. Together.
They opened their eyes at the same time and Gage-jun smiled. “I, phew, I think we did it.” Gage was panting hard, and she slumped. “I need to rest. I’m sorry, I need to rest.” He was repeating himself. “Ma’tuk, drop… drop the thing. Elfric, help me to bed. Aeliana, Rajan’kin, thank you.”
His vision was blurry, and Gage couldn’t tell one blob of person from another. Sweat drenched her. He was asleep before Elfric even began to move him.
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Elfric moved Hye-jun to a mat to rest, carefully laying his friend down before turning back to the alajin. Confusion, anger, concern, and even some fear raged inside him as the storms of deep winter had above his village. Aeliana stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on his arm.
“He is still your friend, Elfric, and he still cares for you deeply. You are bound together by survival, and together you shall survive this.”
Elfric nodded and watched as Aeliana and Rajan’kin left the tent. He turned back to his friend, who looked so different. But he had seen it, deep in her eyes. Past the grief and the fear. He saw the determination, the same determination he had seen back in that quiet hole in the ground that had been his friend’s home. The determination to survive.