Notes: Chapters one and two were written because I need to warm up first, I can't plunge directly into a joining situation, I need to get a feel of the characters first... the only connection between the chapters is the theme of Skywise and Leetah embracing - I do not intend to suggest that there is anything sexual in the first two "canon" situations.
Have you ever wondered what is it, the thing that Leetah can do, of which Skywise asks "Does se do that every time?" and Cutter answers "If she did, I could hardly walk, let alone be chief." (Approximate quotes, I have a bad memory). Well, this is my guess:
The Thing About Healers
Chapter One: Choice
Leetah sobbed in his arms.
**It is true, Skywise..! We are in another time. Tam and the wolfriders… are not part of it! They are behind us. Far… far behind!**
He was not sure what she meant, or rather, he did not allow himself to understand.
**But…**
**Don't you understand? By now… they are dust!**
**Dust!**
He shuddered, and a tear rolled from his eye. But he had no time for mourning yet. Maybe something could be done.
"Raeyk!" He screamed his name as he ran into the Palace.
Rayek sat in a corner, rubbing his eyes as if he had just woken.
"What have you done? Take us back!" Skywise demanded and repeated the demand for good measure. But Rayek smatted him away like an irritating cub.
"Back? Then the thing is done?" Rejoicing, he glided away before Skywise could stand up.
As he followed the self-proclaimed Master of the Palace on foot, Skywise thought of Leetah. How she had held onto him, and how he had held onto her. Like lost children in a snowstorm they were, cold and afraid. Without Tam, all they had was the grief that united them.
And what was the cold wind his soul had felt, the wind that made him hold Leetah as if to anchor himself fast against it?
Skywise realized it was death. And Leetah was his only hope.
He was therefore doubly afraid when Ember told him Rayek had taken her, and pointed to the sky, where they glided together. He feared for Leetah, but also for himself.
Then Rayek dropped her.
