CH 7 – HEALER'S JUDGEMENT
I can't believe it! Chirari's thoughts built up in indignation. No such thing! No SUCH thing? But we saw it. How could they tell me there is no such thing, when I saw it? She shuddered as she recalled the previous events. Had it only been yesterday? It certainly didn't seem like it. "How did it go?" The water adept jumped. Why did Retsu have to always startle her like that when she wasn't keeping a close eye on him? A sigh peeled forth and her soft voice revealed how hurt she felt, "Not well. No one believed me when I told them what happened. They said that they required proof."
Retsu approached her from the statue he had been looking at. One of the natives had told him that it was called the "Weeping Maiden". It depicted a young and beautiful woman holding a vase. She seemed to be trying to catch something with it, but he had been unable to figure out just what. The life-like mannequin had a strange blue tinge to it; he assumed it was from age. Just how old the sculpture was though, nobody knew for sure. Several "stone artists", as they preferred to be called, had been recently trying to replicate the solemn figure. It would just be a matter of time before the things were all over Weyard. So far, no one had been able to make a perfect copy.
"What kind of proof? Did they want you to bring what was left of the corpse all the way here?" Healers indeed. Won't even believe one of their own. "Perhaps we should pay them a visit." Retsu cracked his knuckles and began to walk in the direction of the House of Healers. Oddly enough, it was placed right next to the House of the Senate. "Retsu wait!! What are you planning?" The young fire adept afforded himself a quick glance over his should at the woman who was hurrying to catch up. She barely caught the mumble from under his breath, "They want proof. I'll give them proof." Chirari's eyes widened. What was he up to? Surely he wouldn't, no…would he? Her pace quickened, but he had already thrown open to door to the House of Healers. A circle of a dozen women all turned to him with agitation. Nearly all of them had blue hair. Each of varying shades. There were even a few sprinklings of white among them.
Retsu's eyes narrowed as Chirari came up just behind him, still short of breath. So these are the old hags Chirari was talking about. Even though the majority of them were old women, there were a few here and there that were closer to his own age, and younger. One of the older women spoke up, "This place is for healers, not brash young men." Chirari attempted to pull him out backwards, but the man wouldn't budge. His voice sliced through the air with heat enough to begin it's own fire. "What proof do you require?" Each of the women started and then turned to peer at the blue-haired adept tugging on the man's arm. Had she come back to defy them? Their decisions were final! "We will accept no proof-" A ball of flame rose in Retsu's hand. "She has an eye witness. Just because none of you has ever seen it, doesn't make it untrue. I saw, just as she saw. So now I ask you once more," his voice reached a dangerously soft tone that Chirari had heard once before, "What proof do you require?" The youngest of the group stood up to answer him. "So now you threaten us with violence? Really Chirari, I had expected better of you!" Long strands of hair covered Chirari's face in shame and she looked at the floor. Why had she ever gotten involved with Retsu? He was just bringing more trouble again. "Don't you witches try to make her feel guilty! I came here on my own!!" With this, a blackened hole was newly smoldering in the center of their table.
Every woman at the table rose. This was too much! First Chirari came with an unrealistic story and pleaded for help, and then she brought back someone to make them listen? Chirari fled from the room before another word could be said. How could he do this? I can't believe it! A crash behind her caused her to turn around. The sound beforehand resembled something of a tidal wave. She quickly found the source of the commotion. Retsu stood up, drenched and began marching back in the direction he had been washed from. "Retsu! Wait! Just stop it!" He ignored her. Flames cracked and burned in his eyes. I will NOT be beaten by a bunch of old wenches!! I WILL NOT! Once more a tidal wave rose from the door just as Retsu reached it. People gawked at the scene. What was this man doing? Trying to take on the house of healers one-handed? Chirari pulled up her robe and ran to Retsu as he got up for the third time. A gloved hand wiped the water off his face as he prepared for another assault. "Retsu! Listen to me! Retsu!"
He pulled his arm away from her as the twelve healers made their way out of the building. Now we'll see who washes away whom, now that they've stopped hiding in their little hole. A firm slap across his face temporarily startled him out of his concentration. "Retsu stop it! Don't you know what you're doing? Look around you! This isn't a battlefield!" For the first time Retsu noticed all the people staring at him. Not that it would have bothered him anyway, if Chirari hadn't mentioned it. "Are you leaving young man? Or do we have to drive you all the way out of Lemuria?" Chirari stared at the group she had consulted ever since she first began healing. She had never seen them use force against anyone, of course, Retsu was a first… A sharp tug on her arm nearly caused her to fall over. "Come on woman." She looked around her in confusion as the crowd began to dissipate. "Where are we going?" The young healer regained her footing and started at him as he answered.
"To find the Black Wall, if they want proof, we'll give it to 'em."
DR: I've been working on a story for FictionPress lately; so sorry it took so long to get this chapter up! He he he he…a stupid title. Oh well. It's not like anyone is going to be reading this anyway.