Chapter 3
Nearly a week had passed since Luna had started her wand, and eventually, she had it properly made. She, along with Lindel we're back on the cliff they had first had her try and use the wind on before. Luna stood there much more confident this time than last time, and the woman held out her wand, closing her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she muttered the words once more. "The sky, my father… the earth, my mother… answer my voice and grant me thy divine blessing." The wind picked up from around her as Lindel watched, and she willingly let herself fall backward off the cliff, only dropping for a moment. As she ended up floating back up and landing on her feet, Lindel and Merituuli clapped, applauding her success, and Luna wobbled.
Lindel reached out and steadied the woman saying, "Good job though you might have used a little too much magic that time around. Using such a spell, you should be strong enough to fly for short reaches and distances. Are you feeling alright though you look a bit under the weather?" Lindel asked. "I think I'm just tired," Luna said. "Feels like you have a fever, and our necklaces are telling me you've exhausted yourself doing so much in a small time frame," Lindel said, feeling her forehead concerned. Paulina came over, and Lindel got Luna on before he followed.
Once they got back, Luna's fever had taken her to sleep, and Merituuli tended to the woman laying a cool washcloth on her forehead. Lindel had returned with some medicine he made into a tea before he helped Luna up, dripping it in her mouth slowly, making sure she took it down. "I wonder what sort of life she came from, Lindel. So much to take in during such a short time. I am surprised she didn't collapse sooner," Merituuli spoke, looking at his master. "She's tenacious and gentle with a good heart, and it's not our business to know where she came from," Lindel said, helping Luna finish the medicinal tea. He lay her back down and pulled the blanket over the woman. "I'll sit with her you can tend to your chores," Merituuli said. Lindel nodded his thanks and ended up leaving. Luna's eyes opened, and she said, "Merituuli… can I tell you a secret… But you can't tell Lindel."
"You can tell me anything, and I promise not to speak a word," Merituuli said. Luna's face turned pink as she said, "In my opinion, Lindel is quite a looker, given his age, and I love how kind he is." Merituuli grinned, saying, "Are you getting a crush or something?" "D-Don't be ridiculous, you weirdo I barely know him, but I can admire someone's looks can't I?" Merituuli laughed again and said, "You're so funny for a human, but I think you're good for my master." Luna blushed, asking, "Really, you think so why, though?" "Well, he's always been alone, and while he won't be the first to admit it, even he wants to find someone to keep close despite disliking humans. The loneliness is painful for him, even without him saying otherwise. Can you make me a promise, though?" Merituuli said, looking at her.
"I...I can try, but it depends on what you need me to do?" Luna asked as she rolled over on her side, looking at Merituuli. "Promise you'll break that wall he has up around his heart. In other words, keep being you, melt that ice shell, and ease his loneliness. I want him to be happy he deserves it after being alone for so long." Merituuli said as he tossed a log into the fire pit. Luna blushed just thinking about getting so close to the man, but she held up her fist, saying, "You got a deal let's fist bump on it to seal the promise it's what humans do." As the two bumped fists, Luna settled back down and fell asleep to ease her fever.
Luna's fever spiked again during the night, and she threw the heavy blanket off herself. Her coughing fit woke Lindel, and the man lit the lantern before pulling her over and feeling her forehead. Luna said her body was burning up, "It's so hot… Why does it feel like an inferno?" "Would you like to shed some clothing and get back under the blanket? You do that while I get some water to brew your medicine." Lindel said, leaving the tent.
Luna's cheeks went ripe red, and she did want to but was unsure. Merituuli sat up with a yawn and stared at her remembering their chat earlier Luna sighed deciding to the hell with it. Shedding her shirt and pants, she wrapped the blanket around herself, trusting Lindel not to do anything indecent.
The man returned and saw Luna set her folded clothes aside, and she started coughing once more as she felt miserable. Lindel got to work boiling some water, and Luna fought back her urge to cough. Lindel prepared something, and he handed her a strange-looking leaf and said, "Under the tongue with this for three minutes. It will help relieve your cough afterward you can spit it into this dish here." Luna took it and put it in her mouth, only to nearly gag at how strong it was, but she kept herself from spitting it out.
After three minutes, she was glad to have it out as she spit it into the dish. The water was at a boil as the tea kettle whistled and Lindel prepared her next set of medicine before giving her the fever reducer. Luna took the herbal tea down slowly after blowing on it to cool it off. Once the cup was empty, she felt hit with severe drowsiness, and Lindel helped her lay back down. Luna passed back out, and Lindel ensured she was fully asleep before cleaning up the stuff and cutting out the lantern. He lay back down after that and was back to sleep.
When morning came, the man had woken up and immediately went to Luna's side. Placing his hand on her forehead and neck to check her temperature, he saw her fever was gone, and Luna squirmed, opening her eyes. "Lindel….?" She asked in a groggy tone, and she sat up. "Take today to have a rest day and go take a bath you've been sweating all night don't forget to get dressed before wandering outside the tent. Merituuli can show you the spring I wash in." Lindel said. Luna nodded, and Lindel left to give her privacy to change. Before leaving, the woman pulled her clothes from yesterday on and grabbed a clean set.
She got caught off guard by how bright it was outside, rubbed her eyes, and followed Lindel's familiar. They walked for a few minutes before Merituuli pointed, saying, "Right here, I'll grab you some soap don't worry, the water isn't cold it's a natural hot spring." Seeing the hole, Luna nodded, and Merituuli wandered off. The woman stripped and sunk it and was in bliss in hot water. Eventually, Merituuli returned with a bar of handmade soap and a towel for Luna. He was about to leave, but Luna grabbed him, making him fall in as she said, "You don't need to be shy join me, silly. It's better than being alone." "Not cool, give a warning next time you!" Merituuli whined, and Luna laughed. "Payback for the time you scared me and caused me to fall into some ice-cold water." She said, smirking, and Merituuli huffed. "Yeah yeah, but does this mean we're friends now?"
"Very much so I feel like I can use a friend, and you're the only one here aside from the dragons, and my teacher now scrub my back I can't reach that far, will you please," Luna said, and Merituuli was happy to help her. The two of them ended up spending a good hour there till Luna was done, and she dried off getting dressed. Returning, she saw Lindel hauling a basket out of their sleeping area. "Laundry time, I take it?" Luna asked. "Yes, you were sick, and it's good to clean the bedding once a week," Lindel said. "Good, I got more." Luna tossed her dirty clothes in the basket and picked it up, saying, "Which way Merituuli." Lindel hadn't expected her to take on such a boring task but was happy as he watched her follow his familiar.
The man felt a sense of comfort having her around, and Merituuli liked her now, too, so there was that. He laughed as the baby dragons called out, wanting to play with Luna, and she said, "Not now, kiddies got a huge load of clothes to watch." The noises of protest followed, and Luna got to work washing everything with Merituuli helping her. Lindel came to help, and they soon hung everything on the lines to dry using clothing pins to hold it in place. Lindel pinched his finger with a clothing pin by accident, wincing and Luna could only shake her head rolling her eyes. "Don't you start being clumsy that's my job, Lindel." Luna pointed out with a laugh. "Hmm, now, if only you got paid for all the times you've hurt yourself." Lindel teased. A wet sheet slapped his face, and Luna said, "Eat that." "Hey, hang the laundry, not fling it around, Luna!" Merituuli scolded her. "He started it, Merituuli," Luna said, pouting. Lindel then hung the sheet he got assaulted with, saying, "Such a child I see," "This coming from the old fossil who acts half his age at times?" Luna asked, and Merituuli snickered. Lindel pouted and hung the last item before saying, 'I told you to rest today. By the way, Luna, you're free to sit around, you know."
"But then, who's going to handle the chores alongside you I'll be bored if I don't keep busy now that the wash is out to dry I think I'll start breakfast now," Luna said, walking over and grabbing the axe to get some wood. Lindel sighed, saying, "She won't learn one bit, will she… At this rate, she'll exhaust herself and relapse." "But you like that she's so helpful, don't you? I think you like her here more than you will admit, is it, love?" Merituuli said, snickering. He got dunked in the water nearby by Lindel, who shook the moisture off his hands afterward. Merituuli shot him a look as the man walked away, and soon, the smell of food was wafting through the area.
Luna didn't like to brag, but even she had to agree she made a damn good meal. She sat there eating with Lindel and Merituuli while her nose was in a book she had been given. She saved her spot before setting it down and finishing her meal, looking at Lindel. She asked, "Was the meal to your liking?" Lindel smiled, saying, "Yes, it was thank you, leave the dishes to me." "Sure, I want to go practice some more magic anyway," Luna said, standing up and stacking all the dishware. She placed the lid back onto the cast iron pot and stood up before grabbing her book. Lindel watched her walk off, a smile on his face.
He then prepared to wash the dishes, and Luna was by the water bank, her wand in front of her. The woman was using the same method that Lindel had taught her to possibly walk on water. Closing her eyes and concentrating, she stepped forward and continued walking. Soon she was standing in the middle of the reservoir and saw Lindel by the sandy shoreline. She laughed and called, "Lindel look at me I've managed to do another trick!" Lindel looked up, and suddenly, he panicked, jumping up and yelling, "You need to come back right now, Luna!"
Luna looked confused and had no idea what was going on and why he panicked before she could ask why long fingers shot up from under where she stood. The woman was abruptly yanked down into the water. Luna struggled to surface and was yanked further underneath by a dozen little green creatures. The woman screamed, terrified, and struggled her voice went unheard in the water. Merituuli appeared by her side and used some form of a water torrent to blast them off the woman. The woman was set free as she sank deeper. Merituuli grabbed her, swimming back up quickly.
Lindel was waist-deep worried as he stood there waiting he still could feel Luna's fear as his heart was pounding in his chest, and he saw Merituuli surface, and Luna gasped as she was finally able to get air. Guiding her over to Lindel, he quickly grabbed Luna in his arms. The man used a spell to extract the water from Luna's lungs and got her to dry land. Luna was shaking, absolutely terrified, and she sobbed loudly, hugging Lindel. Her cries were loud, and she was hysterical as Lindel rubbed her back, saying, "It's okay… you're okay… just breathe, Luna It's going to be alright now let's get you dried off in some warm clothes." Merituuli came back up with Luna's wand after he had retrieved it, and the woman's sobs died down as she was being carried back to the tent.
Lindel had Merituuli help Luna get into dry clothes and comfortable before he came back in and saw her curled up under the blankets. Lindel rubbed her back, saying, "You feeling better now? Don't blame yourself you had no idea of knowing there were those kinds of creatures in such a safe area." "What were they exactly I've never seen such vile little things?" Luna asked, looking at Lindel. "They are called Grindylows, and they are often lurking in the bottom of cold reservoirs and lure children to their death by dragging them under," Lindel said. "I'm so sorry…." Luna said as she hiccupped, crying again, and Lindel wiped off her face with a cloth. "Now you know to be careful around open bodies of water don't cry I'm not mad. Thanks to our pendants, your feelings are overwhelming for me right now." Lindel said, and he patted her back. Luna suffocated another sob, and she was still in shock she almost died back there.
After a good amount of crying, the woman had fallen asleep with her head resting in Lindel's lap. He sat there stroking her head, keeping her calm and relaxed and Merituuli said, "We need to exterminate those vile creatures and purge our camp area of them as soon as possible, Lindel. Thankfully those are the only dangerous things in our home, but I'll help you eliminate them for her safety. Once they taste blood, it's all over they won't stop if she comes near the embankment again, even in the shallow zone." "Yes, that might be for the best," Lindel said, carefully moving Luna's head off his lap. He stood up and ensured she was comfortable underneath the blanket before he left.
Making quick work of the creatures, Lindel showed no mercy and left no one alive. He returned dripping wet a while later and entered the tent only to find it empty. Concerned, he came back out and found Luna up on one of the previously planted trees hugging her knees to her chest as she sat on the branch. He walked over and said, "I assure you you'll never deal with those creatures again, Luna. Merituuli and I exterminated them to avoid you being hurt again by them you alright?" Luna looked down at him, and she nodded before she got up and slowly climbed down. The woman suddenly slipped and lost her grip, and Lindel bolted forward and caught her as she landed in his arms just in time.
The man sighed in relief, saying, "I think you need a serious break, no magic, at least for a couple of days. You're very studious, and I think that's your best trait but your biggest flaw because you're neglecting yourself in the process." He set her down, and Luna was quiet as she nodded. "I'm sorry." The woman said before she walked back to the tent. Lindel could only stand there in silence he had dealt with many people before, but Luna was a whole new degree to him. He felt bad for pulling her away from the learning she so much enjoyed. Merituuli said, "Don't beat yourself up, Lindel you did the right thing. She needs to learn a bit of self-care and not overwork herself. It's for her good, and she may be mad for a bit, but she'll come to understand over time."
Lindel sighed, unable to argue with Merituuli on that one, and he was hoping she'd stick to her word and take a couple of days to rest. Going back to the tent, he saw Luna reading again, and he came and sat across from her, saying, "You're not mad at me, are you, Luna? You've become much quieter than you normally are." Luna turned the page of her book and, looking up at him, said, "I get you're trying to protect me, and you said you're not mad, but I feel like I'm still being punished for what I've done. What's wrong with me experimenting and leaving you to help me with the heavier stuff? I don't make the same mistakes twice, and I could keep my guard up and be warier."
Lindel sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose, saying, "Luna… I'm not punishing you in less than forty-eight hours; you got sick, recovered, and have not stopped to rest only to be nearly drowned at the hands of those vile creatures. And you need to realize that while it's not your aim, you're doing too much to yourself in such a short time. All I wanted was for you to rest today, and I made the mistake of not saying you cannot practice or experiment. Your body will break at this rate, and please believe me when I say this, not because I'm being bossy but because I've been there and done it myself. My words are advice based on my experience, and I care about your well-being."
Looking at her, Lindel said, "You're gifted, and I couldn't ask for a better student, but please, if anything for me, gives yourself a break and relax for the next two days. I'll have Merituuli get you some more books and return the ones you've finished. I see no harm in you reading as much as you want. And I promise you, eventually, all your hard work will pay off if you listen to me." Luna set her book down and said, "I'm sorry… I guess I was being selfish I don't want you not teaching me."
Lindel rubbed her head, smiling, and said, "Good now, what books have you read so far? I'll have Merituuli collect them and bring you some more." "I'm on my last one here; the stack over there is complete," Luna said as she pointed to the other books. Lindel picked up the stack and took them to Merituuli before Luna came out, saying, "Collect more on spell casting if you don't mind, Merituuli. I figured I could spend the next couple of days taking those in to kill some time." "You got it I shall be back in a flash," Merituuli said before he left. Luna sat by the campfire while Lindel cooked, and the man stirred their meal in the pot. So much time had passed it was already a little past lunchtime.
Seeing Luna watch him looking bored, Lindel felt another wave of guilt. Luna could feel how the man felt thanks to their pendants, and she just set out their bowls. The silence was awkward, and Luna knew he wanted what was best for her, and she had to listen, being his apprentice. "Hey… I have a question concerning something I read a while ago, Lindel. I know most mages will make a pact with a familiar at the peak of their training. But wouldn't it be wise for me to do that sooner than later to have more protection on me? I hate to admit I've never trained for a situation to fight off creatures, and if Merituuli had not gotten those Grindylows off me, I'd be dead now." Luna said, looking at Lindel.
"That's a very good question, and while you make a valid point, I'd like you to learn some more magic before I take you down that path. Thankfully Merituuli and I are on top of things, and with the two of us, you won't be in too much danger if you stay close. But I have mulled over a few ways to get you familiar. It'll require the help of the college, and you'll need to go with one of the people there that I can trust. Just be a bit more patient, Luna you're doing well for yourself." Lindel said as he served her food up to her.
"I sure hope I am learning from the best," Luna said as she stirred her food to cool it down. Lindel tried not to turn red as he coughed, saying, "The best hardly my own master outdoes me any day. I wonder what she'd say, seeing as I took another student in…" Lindel said. "Huh, your master… If she's that old guess, you must be ancient as well." Luna said. "Hey, now I suggest you take those words back, Luna," Lindel said, flushing, and Luna laughed. "You better teach me some good stuff for making me sit on my ass bored for the next two days," Luna said, staring Lindel down. The man shrugged, and by evening, Merituuli had returned with a load of books which Luna settled down to read.
