CHAPTER THREE (A)--THE HELP

Soft lighting cascaded in harmony as two twin robed figures popped into view. One held a limp cold young male, the other a trunk and caged owl. The council members stared in pity and sorrow at the state of the young man. "Is he?"

A husky tone answered in haste, "Not yet. He can barely breathe."

Three lithe figured elves swiftly shoved aside the comfortable sterile blankets of one hospital bed. "Put him here!"

The three golden-eyed elves approached the frail child, whose breathing laboured even more. One gently placed his hand upon the cold forehead and immediately jumped back. Eyes wide in pure fear, he turned to the occupants, "There's something inside him, encouraging his death. His will to live weakens with each tug from this being."

The other elves moved away, "We cannot help him with this being in possession. The connection must be broken."

The twins quickly moved away, "We know someone who can help." In a lone corner they resided, silently calling out to their old mentor.

A bright flash announced the arrival of a new occupant. A small woman tumbled from the flash. She smiled sheepishly at her unbalanced arrival, "Sorry about that. Never had the balance and grace of my mother's side."

They could see the pointed ears detailing elfish heritage but her height requested that she was of dwarf heritage as well. Bright blue eyes smile up at the taller elves, "Hello there. I'm Lyra, Mentor's of the spiritual ones. The twins say that you need a connection broken."

The elves are shocked to see one of their own relating to spirits, as well as the leader of the dwarves, "It has been known that no elf or dwarf commune with the nature of spirit's the twins are."

A warm smile graced them, enhancing the elfish beauty. Slipping around the taller figures, Lyra quickly clambered onto the sterile bed. "Mother was of elfish heritage while father had a connection to the spirit world and dwarves in his family. I inherited that connection. Elves and dwarves commune with nature in many ways but the spiritual side of my family have been known to speak with or for all those who cannot. My latent ability is the power to break that connection at will."

One elf stood by her side, "He is possessed by something encouraging his death. He cannot be healed by us with this being."

She nodded, placing delicate tiny hands onto the cold forehead. Eyes closed, Lyra concentrated her latent ability to connect with the boy. Her mind's eye could see the cloudy connection. Upon closer inspection she saw the scaly covering, just beneath laid a dull emerald. Gently tugging, she felt a backlash of pure hatred and anger. Shock almost caused her to let go and flee but stubbornness and faith allowed her to continue. Then a warmth stretched out, tentatively, towards her. She felt the fear, the hope, and the youth within this warmth. Instinct told her this was the child. Keeping a tight grip on this connection, she fed him energy and strength. The dull emerald glowed brighter as the scales slowly began to erode. A scream of rage frightened her as a darkness reached out to swallow her being. But then a small child appeared, glowing with a golden color of pure love. Tiny arms wrapped about her, keeping the connection tighter. A red flare brightened around the thread she meant to break. Then nothing. She could only feel one being, the warmth of a hopeful child.

Weak with exhaustion, Lyra fell back into the waiting arms of the nearest elf. His fellow healers swiftly hurried to the boy's side as the tiny woman was forced into a separate bed. "He's strong. The warmth of him can grow in power with our help."

As the council watched, the elves pulled a grey curtain about the bed. The waiting had now begun. Lyra allowed sleep to overcome her, knowing the boy was in good hands. During the long wait, one elf came forward.

"The injuries are long." With a concerned group listeninghe began to list the injuries, "Three broken ribs, two of which punctured the left lung. Both lungs were filling with blood. Two other ribs are cracked. A ruptured kidney and spleen. Significant blood loss. Over 70 of his body is covered in bruises and cuts. His throat was almost crushed, the larynx almost ruined. He won't be able to talk without a rasp for a few days but his voice will be fine. A shattered wrist, fractured ankle, dislocated shoulder, and swollen jaw. It'll be a few weeks before he can even healed completely, possibly months. Thankfully, we are able to save his eyes."

"Eyes?"

"Yes. There was a cloudy look to them. He would have been blind with no way to help but we are able to heal them. We did find shards of glass about the eyes. His bodymalnourished but strong. It seems he has been able to survive on little food."

"He'll be fine then?"

"He'll have to sleep off the potions and spells for the first couple days. Then little physical movement and plenty of rest for the first couple weeks. Afterwards the training required can be added. Once we heal the major injuries and set the ruined bones, we've decided to give him a boost of vampire then elfish blood to help with the healing even more, speeding up the healing process. When he wakes, he'll be a little dizzy and possibly sick. Otherwise he'll survive."

"Have Lexi come to his side in a few days. She'll be his mentor during his stay."

"Stay? Won't he remain?"

The council members shook their heads at the elf. The spokes-person explained, "He's human. We have no reason to keep him here. But beneath our care he will be trained. Then when we feel he is ready, he may leave to help his world."