239 Stubborn

Morning came mercifully slow the next day, and the sun seemed more lazy than usual as it peeked over the mountains edge. Its light pouring over the treetops causing a green stained glass effect to ripple across the ground. With that beautiful glow, came Kyera's consciousness, returning to her for the first time in several days. As was normal, her senses came to awareness before her mind or eyes opened. Touch, taste and smell seemed to bombard her, having been in silence for so long.

Warmth spread over her from beside her as well as the light weight on her body. A blanket… she realized after a moment. The lack of taste and the dryness in her mouth made her want water but her sense of smell dominated. Warm fae like woodsy scent mixed with the fire and essence of medical herbs filled her mind. It was familiar but oh so out of place.

As her eyes opened she noticed a man sitting nearby, focused on a little bowl in front of him. He was muddling together herbs that she could have recognized, but she didn't try. Details were not her focus at the moment. She was more surprised to see Half Eye sitting so stoically beside her, a smirk on his face. She shifted. It hurt and she stopped.

"Kyera, I believe I warned you last time to pay more attention and be careful. How on this earth did you allow yourself to get to this state?" Shaman Half Eye demanded, settling his eyes on her. Kyera sighed looking back at the old man. He was genuinely concerned and Kyera knew that but just now… she didn't feel like being scolded like this.

"Half Eye. Please remember in public I am your student but in private I am still the daughter of your Master." Kyera reminded him as she shifted back into place. "that being said, any sign of his shadow?" she asked glancing up at Half eye almost hopeful.

He hesitated to respond. She needed closure and that sliver of doubt to be pulled from her heart, but he didn't want to lie. "No… I am afraid neither body or soul has appeared since. It is possible he chose to cross over."

"No… he wouldn't do that. He wanted to dance in the moonlight here, as a guardian of the forest." Kyera replied shaking her head. Those long night talks and gentle lies were something she was certain of. In death, he would walk the earth.

"I see. I will keep looking. However, you really need to stop getting hurt. Your father is going to falay me alive." Shaman Half Eye warned her as he poured hot water onto the medicinal paste. Kyera's nose wrinkled at the acrid and sour notes. She has a feeling that cup was going to be bitter and sharp with no way to avoid its flavors.

"Yes but your oath is not the law. If you bend it a little nobody will care." he replied with a deep sigh. Sometimes she was just too stubborn to understand.

"That isn't true, I would care and my opinion matters most." Kyera replied as the medicine began moving through her system. The infused shadow energy mixed into the healing properties of the paste took away the sources of her pain. Within fifteen minutes she could sit up and stretch.