Red Skies: Ruby Heals

“How are you feeling today, dear?”

Ruby looked up from her picture book and smiled at the older woman as she entered the room. “I am better. Look!” She reached over and touched a piece of tree bark beside her. “I can feel it and my fingers don’t hurt! It’s rough and dry,” she exclaimed excitedly. Levara smiled down at the child, her heart full of joy at the little one’s progress. She leaned over to kiss Ruby’s forehead, a test to be sure that no fever was present. Her dark brown braids streaked with gray fell over the child’s face, causing them both to laugh as the girl pushed them away, exclaiming as she giggling, “That tickles!” The old woman sat down on the chair next to Ruby’s bed. “Are you ready for your treatment?” Levara asked as she reached into her satchel for the needed medicine. Ruby nodded eagerly. “Oh, yes please! My arms hurt when I woke up today, and my legs don’t like to move.” 

Levara smiled and helped Ruby lie down flat on the bed. The girl could move some on her own, but someone still needed to lift the seven-year-old child if a change of placement was needed, such as sitting up or laying down. She reached down and took the plant she had brought with her in her hands. Slowly she opened up the stiff leaves and squeezed what Ruby called “goop” out of the Burn plant. This spiky plant was very useful in healing any burns, especially when mixed with other ingredients. But this morning, Levara was only going to use the Burn plant on its own to wake up Ruby’s skin and muscles. Being as gentle as possible, she took Ruby’s hand in both of hers and began the massage routine. Ruby grimaced at first because of the coolness and the pain when Levara touched certain places of her skin. After a few minutes, Ruby relaxed and began to enjoy the sensations.

Levara had been doing a variation of this her whole life, but never had she seen someone with as much fire illness as Ruby. The girl had been found outside of a burning cave lying next to the dead body of a man. Flames were shooting out of the cave’s mouth, making it too dangerous for the hunters of the village to attempt any rescue. Some stayed to try and put out the fire while one hunter carried Ruby back to the village. The child was barely alive, so Levara had been sent for to heal her. Being from a family of healers and herbalists, Levara was very knowledgeable and had seen many sicknesses and injuries. But upon seeing Ruby, her heart almost stopped. The child’s arms and legs were completely red from fire contact, her face also red but only in places. Her hair was gone and pink patches were all over her scalp. Where she had worn clothes, her skin was pink with heat exposure and was already starting to peel. The child was barely breathing and her eyes were closed as if in sleep.

Levara had worked diligently day and night with the girl, using every herb and natural remedy she knew of that might help heal the burns. This was one of the times she and everyone in the mercenary village wished one of them had a Healing Gift. Sadly, no one did and it was weeks to the capital where one was certain to be found. Levara’s herbalist and healing knowledge were Ruby’s last hope. It had taken weeks before Ruby had woken up and many more before she could open her eyes and speak. Now almost eight months later, she was sitting up in bed reading any book she could and looking at the pictures of the ones she couldn’t. She even had a chair made especially for her by one of the men that could be pushed so she could go outside without having to be carried. Her skin was looking more human, with white patches forming where the reddest places had been.

Presently, Levara had worked down to Ruby’s feet and was massaging the left foot when someone knocked on the door. “May I enter?” A rough voice asked from behind the closed door. “One moment!” answered Levara as she finished. Then she pulled the girl’s dress down over her body and covered her with a special blanket made out of leaves. The leaf blanket was used with people who had sensitive skin, and Ruby’s was definitely still sensitive. She glanced at Ruby’s face and the child looked like she might be asleep. Moving quietly, Levara walked to the door and opened it. Thomas, the leader of the mercenary village, was standing there, looking very tired. He had a few small cuts on his face, but looked to be unharmed overall. “You may enter now. Did the trip go as planned?” she asked. He sighed before he answered, “We were paid. That’s about the only thing that happened as expected. But we all safe, though Allec broke hurt his shoulder again. How is Ruby?”

Before Levara could answer, Ruby’s sleepy voice carried through the room. “Uncle, is that you?” Thomas stepped inside the room and Ruby’s face lit up. “You’re back! Did you bring me anything? Did you beat the bad guys? How long are you staying?” Thomas laughed as she fired questions at him. “First, yes I did bring you something. And yes, we beat the bad guys, and I don’t know how long until I will need to leave again.” Hopefully not for awhile, he thought. He was tired and hoped to spend some time with Ruby and his family. Levara left the room and closed the door as Thomas told of his adventures to the enraptured young girl.