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Everyone slept in, the next morning. Krillgan, Ludia, and Diennu had made and said goodbye to many new friends. The Clan Mother told them that she would be sending some Sisters to escort them to the edge of their territory. Because they had to destroy their yellow silk flags when they were contaminated. She has also sent a runner to the Frenzied River Clan, to have Sisters waiting for them at the edge of their territory. Since the Frenzied River Clan are silk producers, hopefully they will make them some new ones, to replace the ones they had to destroy. She told Ludia, that the next time she sees her mother, she will let her know how honoured she was for her and her friends to come and visit them.
It was a strange feeling to see all the Sisters from the Frenzied River Clan waiting for them. They were certainly being given the royal treatment. They told them that the runner had told them how nice and special they were, and all the Sisters wanted to meet the male Sister from the Singing Mountain Clan. Especially when the runner mentioned how nice he looked without his shirt on.
The whole ride back to their main village, the Sisters tried to coax the embarrassed Krillgan out of his shirt. Mother Andriel, Ludia, and Diennu, thought it was funny at first, and also teased him. But when they saw how dark his face was getting, they felt sorry for him. They told the Sisters that Krillgan does not just do things because you ask. You have to inspire him. That turned out to be a mistake. Now the Sisters started inviting him to their place so that they could give him some personal inspiration. Now they felt really bad for him, and did not know how to help him.
When they came near the main village. Krillgan asked the Sisters where they would be keeping their Rancor, because they need to spend time with them, since they have been surrounded with unfamiliar Rancor since leaving that morning. The Sisters took that as more than a hint. Their Rancor's wellbeing was a very serious issue for all of them. Play time was over. They pointed out a small palisaded area. They told them that their Rancor knew not to go there, without a Sister. They left them to go there on their own. When they entered the simple enclosed area, the Rancor could smell that other Rancor had used it. But their smell was faint, and there were three of them, so their herd smell would dominate.
Krillgan lay down on the ground exhausted. Ludia and Diennu quickly came to his side to strengthen him. They apologised for teasing him earlier. He told them that it was alright. Their teasing he could take. It was when the red lady joined in that he felt overwhelmed. Now they knew he was teasing them back. Andriel came and knelt by his head, stroking his hair.
"You would think from your reaction that an older woman could not have some fun once and a while."
Krillgan took her one hand and kissed it. "Apology accepted."
Mother and son smiled at each other for a moment.
Strongman asked the other Rancor, if this was normal for the female humans from other clans to act this way towards Krillgan? This was the first trip where anyone but Aliyanna had ridden him. They said they did not know. This was their first trip beyond the town.
After Krillgan started feeling stronger, the three Sisters told the Rancor that they would be back later that day to go hunting with them. They left their main weapons with the Rancor, and followed Mother Andriel to the village.
At the main gate, a Sister that looked familiar to Krillgan, asked them to follow her. She told them that their Clan Mother would like to have a word with them. The Clan Mother was not an over imposing person. If they had never met her before, they probably would never have known she was a Clan Mother.
After they were seated, she thanked them for coming to visit their clan. The Sisters were so excited to hear about the topless dancer. Krillgan looked down at the ground, thinking, mother what have you done to me? The Mother smiled at Krillgan's reaction. She preferred seeing a modest male Sister than a flamboyant self-absorbed male Sister. She asked them if they enjoyed their visit with the Red Hills Clan. They all indicated that they had a very good time. She told them that she hopes their stay here is equally as enjoyable. Her own Sisters would like to have their own dance exhibition next evening, and were hoping they would participate.
They told the Mother, that they did not bring their outfits. They were lent some outfits by the Sisters in the Red Hills Clan. Mother Andriel did manage to get some nice pants made for Krillgan, because none of the Sisters there were his size. But they left those pants behind. The Clan Mother told them that she did not know anything about outfits for dancing. She thought that they could wear what they were wearing now. Mother Andriel told her that she would see what they could come up with.
Krillgan, Ludia, and Diennu, were confident that Mother Andriel would have costumes for them. When it came to clothing, she was a miracle worker. The Clan Mother than asked them, if they could tell her what they discussed with the Clan Mother from the Red Hills Clan?
Ludia came right out and said, "No!"
This brought another smile to the Clan Mother's face. Ludia is a lot like her mother. She asked if they can tell her how they managed to lose their yellow flags, so that they required an escort.
They told about their primary purpose for this trip. Visiting the settlements that still pay them tribute. Since it was intended to be a peaceful visit, they all left their weapons with their Rancor before entering the settlement. (Everyone but Andriel. She was too well trained by the Togruta to never give up your weapons.) That's when they discovered that the settlement was overrun by mold. So everything they had on them became contaminated, including the yellow flags, and had to be destroyed. They mentioned losing all their medicines, and clothes, and how the Red Hills Clan was able to offer them some assistance. They even offered to dig them a new settlement. But the people wanted to try and salvage their own. So it was up to the one person trained by the Builder to try and come up with a plan.
The Clan Mother asked them, which one of them had been trained by the Builder? Ludia and Diennu pointed at Krillgan. The Clan Mother was astonished, "So you are more than just a healer."
"Father wanted me to have a well-rounded education. He told me that many disciplines overlap, and other disciplines are complimentary."
The Mother was impressed with Krillgan. She asked him what he came up with. He outlined the problems as he saw them. Then explained the strategy he employed to overcome each problem. Then he told her that he was not there to execute the strategy himself, because he was called away. So Diennu was left to oversee its execution, and she did a remarkable job. The Mother wanted to know why he wasn't there himself, when the work was so critical for the settlement. He told her about the young girl that had come to them from the other settlement, because her father had been mauled by a predator. Since they had no medicines, he was the only one who could perform any sort of healing. He had to go. Ludia was better trained in dealing with the predator situation, so she was the logical second choice. Mother Andriel stayed behind because there was a pregnant young lady in the settlement about to give birth. Diennu had the Sisters from the Red Hills Clan available to back her up. Krillgan admitted that he was fortunate to find a plant that could be used as a painkiller. The Clan Mother asked him if there was only one plant, or were there others? Krillgan told her that he only found the one plant. He did not mention anything about scattering the seeds. The Clan Mother said that it was unfortunate that he only found one. The Red Hills Clan desperately needs to have access to their own source of this type of plant. Politics keeps her from assisting them, every time they ask for help. They were surprised to hear the Clan Mother indicate that she wished she could help her rival clan, whenever they needed assistance.
When Krillgan described the work Ludia had to do, before he started with the healing. The Clan Mother wanted to know why he could not do it himself, he certainly seems qualified. Krillgan told her that as soon as he touches someone, the body starts to heal right away. It would start joining bones that were out of place. It would completely envelope the dead flesh, which can lead to complications later. He has learnt to be very careful about touching someone, in case he makes a bad situation worse, in his desire to help someone. The Clan Mother commended him. Telling him that it showed great wisdom on his part to do so. He told her that he could not take credit for that. It took the other healers in the clan to notice this, especially their Clan Mother. He wanted to rush in and start laying hands on everyone. The Clan Mother said that it shows that he has received excellent training. After their talk, the Clan Mother again thanked them for coming. She told them that the Sister that brought them to her, will show them the accommodations they had arranged for them.
The guest house was a small two bedroom building. The Sister apologised that they did not have anything with more bedrooms for them. They decided that Ludia and Diennu would share the bed in the one bedroom. Mother Andriel and Krillgan would share the bed in the other bedroom. Mother Andriel could change in the girl's bedroom.
Mother Andriel left them, to go see what she could arrange for dance outfits for them. The rest of them decided to play tourist, and look at what Father Chitrah had built for them. Andriel found the seamstress shop, and found all of the women busy working on dance outfits for the Sisters. They told her that she could help herself to whatever supplies they have on hand, but none of them would have time to sew even one seam for her before the dancing takes place. Andriel was not discouraged, there was one source of people who could sew that might be able to help her. After working with the tailors in the Red Hills Clan, she was willing to see if they would be willing to work with her here in this clan.
When she found their shop, she gently knocked on their door. They had never had anyone knock on their door before, so the sound surprised them. They were even more surprised to find a red lady standing outside their door. Now they were shocked to find out that she was a seamstress looking for their help. When she explained what she would like them to do. They admitted that they had nothing to do and were bored. So they agreed to take on her projects. She made a quick drawing of the pants she wanted them to make, including the details of all the measurements. She told them that she would go get the fabrics from the seamstress's shop, because none of their fabrics would do. It did not take her long to come back with the fabric, then she went off to find the person they would be making it for. It did not take her long to find Krillgan, and she took him back to the tailors' shop.
The tailors knew the outfit was for the dance exhibit. They also saw that the design was for a man. For a quick drawing it was quite good. They assumed that she had drawn a man's pants because they were tailors, and obviously this seamstress had worked with tailors before. They were surprised to have her come back with a young man.
They checked all the measurements she had given, and found them spot on. They had given the red lady a desk to work at, to come up with the drawings of the other two outfits she had asked for. While they were working with Krillgan, they asked him what his role was with the dance. They had always understood that it was only for Sisters. He told them that he is a Sister from the Singing Mountain Clan. They knew that if he is a Sister that he must also be a healer.
They asked him if he knew the Builder very well, because he was from the Singing Mountain Clan. Krillgan told them that the Builder raised him, and the nice lady working at the desk is the Builder's wife.
One of the tailors suddenly remembered his manners, and asked Andriel if he could go get her a cup of tea. Andriel smiled at him, and told him that she would like that. As he was about to walk out of the door he turned back, and asked if anyone else would like one. They all told him they were good, so he left. In the kitchen he told the staff that the Builder's wife was in their shop. He is getting her a cup of tea, and wondered if they had anything that would go with it. They had biscuits that they made for themselves, for their tea, and had not shared them with anyone else. Because he said it was for the Builder's wife, they gave him a small plate of them. The Builder had brought fresh water into their village. The tailor made two cups of tea. He liked the way the biscuits smelt, and hoped that the Builder's wife would let him have one.
When the tailor returned with biscuits as well as tea, the other tailors were sorry they turned him down. Andriel insisted that he have some of the biscuits as well.
Krillgan complained about having to dance shirtless again. Andriel told him that the Sisters were expecting it. At least he had straps coming over his shoulders to help him keep his pants up this time. She asked the tailors if they could make a cloak for him to wear. To keep him warm, before and after, he danced. The tailor who was sharing the tea with Andriel, got up and had a nice light grey cloak made for him in no time. This made Krillgan feel much better. He did not mind not having a shirt when he danced, because he found himself getting quite hot, especially with a thin layer of fur. But having something to put on afterwards was a necessity. When they finished, Krillgan was happy with their work. They fit him quite well, yet did not interfere with his movement.
After he left with his new cloak and pants on his arm. Andriel showed the tailors the designs and measurements for the two young ladies. The tailors had a quick conference. They approached Andriel and told her that it was not necessary for the two young ladies to come to their shop to be fitted for their outfits, like they had just done for the young gentleman. They trust her measurements to be correct. They also don't know how they can explain to their wives, why they had to work with two lovely young ladies who were only dressed in their undergarments. Not to mention, that when the young men of the village found out, they would all look for excuses to come into their shop. Andriel told them she understood. They did ask if she could spend the day with them, in case they have questions about her designs. She asked if that would upset their wives. They told her that once they found out she was there, they would want to come by and visit. Andriel promised them she would come.
Krillgan showed off his new dance pants and cloak to Ludia and Diennu. Mother Andriel showed them a copy of the designs she made up for them. The girls were happy with what they saw. They won't be as complex as their outfits at home. But they should still look nice on them. They asked mother, if they would be getting cloaks as well? Andriel promised them she would look into it. She was hoping that they would have a couple of spare cloaks at the seamstresses' shop. At mealtime Ludia and Diennu were getting tired of acting like Krillgan's bodyguards, word was not getting around very quickly that Krillgan had pledged to marry.
Fortunately for them, Mother Andriel was able to get two medium gray warrior cloaks from the seamstresses, and the tailors were able to finish the outfits for Ludia and Diennu in plenty of time for Andriel to do alterations if necessary. All the while Andriel had a lovely time having tea with their wives.
When it came time for the dance exhibition, there were a lot more of the local Sisters who wanted to dance. For many of them this would be the first time they would dance before anyone other than their Sisters, so there was a lot of nervous energy in the air. The Sister co-ordinating the dancing, showed Ludia and Diennu the openings she had in their schedule for them. Ludia decided to take the first opening, since Diennu went first with the Red Hills Clan. Of course, they saw that Krillgan was marked in as the final dancer. Everything was going well, there were a lot of nice dancers. They were able to sit together as a group, with Krillgan sitting between Ludia and Diennu, and Mother Andriel sitting next to Diennu. When Ludia's turn came, the people rose to clap to show their appreciation. They did the same when Diennu finished her dance. The young lady who was to dance next was a little nervous as this was her first time. She was still in the first part of her routine, when she gathered herself to do a big jump. But instead of jumping she collapsed onto the ground in pain.
The healers came out right away to examine her. Krillgan and Mother Andriel stepped forward in case they were needed. The healers noticed a huge bulge in the dancer's groin area pushing against her outfit. They told their Mother that she had a hernia, and asked her what they should do. She told them to carry her to their guest's house and let the healers from the Singing Mountain Clan look after her.
The young lady was wearing a simple two piece dancer's outfit. The top piece came down only to just above the diaphragm. Designed to keep her mountains in place. There was an intentional skin gap before the bottom piece started just above the hips, going down to the mid thighs. There were two straps that came up from the bottom piece, over the shoulders of the dancer. The top piece and the bottom piece were purposely made from two different coloured material. Four healers carried her to the guest house. A lot of the crowd was disappointed to see Krillgan leave the area. They were all looking forward to watching the topless Sister dance. There were still a lot of Sisters scheduled to dance. So the Sisters asked the organiser, if one of them could be sent to the guest house, to see if Krillgan might still be able to dance, when his turn came near. The organiser agreed because she wanted to see him dance as well.
Mother Andriel directed the healers to place the Sister on their bed. After doing so, they removed the bottom of her dance outfit. Like many of the dancers, she wore nothing underneath, because sometimes the undergarments can bunch up in embarrassing ways. The large lumpy lump was clearly visible, lifting up one side of her forest of mysteries. Her intestines had come through were the abdominal wall attached to the pelvic bone, no doubt it was painful. Mother Andriel ushered the local healers out of the bedroom. They were quite disappointed because they wanted to watch what the two healers would do. She politely closed the door behind them. Two of them decided to go back and watch the dancing. The other two chose to stay, in case the healers working on their Sister needed something.
Krillgan accessed the situation, and asked the young lady to slide backwards off of the bed, until her shoulders touched the floor. She did as she was told, with Mother Andriel doing her best to help her. She did not like the position she was in, with her shoulders resting on the floor, her buttocks resting against the side of the bed, the bottoms of her feet resting flat on top of the bed, and her place of secrets fully exposed to the ceiling. She asked Krillgan if he was going to heal her or have sex with her. Andriel could see the tears in her eyes. She told the young lady that that was no way for her to talk to her son, when all he wanted to do was help her. The girl had been told that the red woman was the male Sister's guardian. Then it made sense to her that with all the time this lady had been looking after him. She would consider him her son. She apologised to Mother Andriel, telling her that she was embarrassed, frustrated, and hurting. Andriel told her that she understood. Then she asked her to look at things from their perspective. A mother and son having to deal with a half-naked strange woman in their bedroom. She started to laugh, then stopped because it hurt. She asked Andriel if she had done that on purpose to punish her. Andriel had sat down on the floor, right beside her. She pushed the hair off her forehead so that it would not get into the young lady's eyes. In a gentle voice she told her that she would never do anything to intentionally harm her. The young lady believed her, and did not complain, as Mother Andriel did her gentle best to try and persuade her intestines to return to their rightful place.
Mother Andriel found out her name was Gwenlath, and she told her that the reason they had her in this position was not for sex. But to have gravity help them in getting her intestines back where they belong. The young lady asked her if that was what the lumpy stuff was. Andriel told her that it was. Normally when she flexes her abdominal muscles they help food to move along the intestines. But this time when she flexed her abdominal muscles in anticipation of her jump. A rupture occurred in the abdominal wall where it is anchored to the pelvic bone. Because she was squeezing so hard, a good section of her intestines pushed through. Gwenlath asked her, what would happen if they did nothing about it? Andriel told her a lot of bad thing could happen. If they could not get the intestines pushed back in. The portion of her intestine sticking through might not be getting its blood supply and die, causing her to get a life threatening infection. If an entire section of an intestine came through. She would not be able to digest food, and she would starve to death. If they were able to get the intestines back in, and the rupture was not healed properly. It could reopen under the stress of childbirth, causing a painful situation to become much worse. Because childbirth is not a process that can be stopped in the middle. If she survived she might be permanently injured down there, and have to spend the rest of her life in bed.
Gwenlath asked her if she always gave such encouraging news to her patients. Andriel told her that she has not given her the encouraging news. She believes, that between the two of them. She will be completely healed, and not have to worry about any of the things she had mentioned. When she finished coaxing the intestines back in. Andriel pushed a bit of skin in the rupture to make sure there was no part of any intestine sitting in the rupture. She warned Gwenlath that this might hurt a little bit, as she pulled on the hairs from her forest of mysteries to pull the skin back out. Andriel got up and told Krillgan it was his turn.
For Krillgan this was a very stressful situation. He had never had his face so close to a young lady's secret place before, and he certainly did not want to disrespect this young lady that needed him to help her. Once his hand was in its place he closed his eyes. To Gwenlath it looked like he was concentrating, using the force to heal her. The tingling she felt in that part of her body was better than any sex she has ever had. What Krillgan was doing was forcing his mind to think of other things, as his father had taught him. He recalled the story that both of his parents shared with him from each of their perspectives, about the time his father was physically, and emotionally exhausted, and his mother innocently flirted with him, and the near disaster it caused to both of their lives. Krillgan appreciated how emotionally strong his father really is, and hoped he had that same strength in him.
When he felt the flow of healing oil stop, he opened his eyes and looked down in Gwenlath's face and told her he was done, she was healed. She saw the look of love in his eyes. He really cared about her. He used the force to lift her up and lay her on the bed and pulled a blanket over her, to cover her nakedness. She bonded with him in that moment. Not a Sister-Sister bond, more like she was now part of his family. She had always wanted an older sister in her life. Now she had an older brother, but because he was also a Sister, she found her older sister as well. She told him that she was very grateful. Andriel noticed the bonding between the two of them, and was happy for both of them. When Krillgan stepped out of the bedroom he told the healers she was healed. They both rushed in to check her. This was impossible. She would require at least a month of bedrest before she was healed.
A sister had shown up, just before he came out, to see if he could dance. He was feeling quite exhausted, but knew he could not say no, so he followed her. Both Diennu and Ludia were shocked by how exhausted he looked. They had never known him to be drained physically when performing a healing. They were both very concerned about him, but only one of them did something about it. When Krillgan started his routine, he felt a subtle flow of energy. He started his routine in a lackluster manner. But as he continued, he became stronger and stronger. He saw the look of concern on Diennu's face, but he saw a smile of encouragement on Ludia's. She was strengthening him, but she had to be careful, or others might think he was her puppet. Just like a Nightsister's slave. He gave them their ground shaking ending, then slowly made his way to where they were sitting. Wondering where he had left his cloak.
The dance organiser asked everyone to take their seats. They had one more dancer. The Sister that was injured earlier, has recovered enough that she wants to finish her routine. The healers have given their approval. When Krillgan sat between Diennu and Ludia, they both extended their cloaks around him. Then they started strengthening him, wanting to know what happened. He told them that it was a particularly difficult healing, but everything was alright. Mother Andriel showed up and sat beside them. She told Krillgan that he had left his cloak behind, so she lent it to Gwenlath, for when she finished her dance. The organiser told her that it was okay for her to start her dance routine at the beginning. Gwenlath appreciated that because it was easier to start at the beginning. When she came to the part where she was going to do her jump. Everyone held their breath, because this was where she was injured. She pulled it off flawlessly. Everyone felt that she did the first part of her routine better the second time than when she did it the first time. When she finished, everyone stood to applaud her, and the organiser brought out her light grey cloak, wondering where she got it from. Gwenlath made her way through the crowd and gave Krillgan a big hug. Then she thanked him for letting her use his cloak, and returned it. Diennu and Ludia saw the unmistakable look of affection in her eyes, and were starting to feel jealous. When the other Sisters from her clan started crowding around Krillgan, she asked them please for her sake, be gentle with him. She has been adopted by him, and she has found in him the older sister she has always wanted. Her Sisters did listen to her, and no longer flirted with him. She was their Sister, they had bonded with her, if she considers him family, than they would respect that. Even Diennu and Ludia stopped feeling jealous. They were not surprised to see her go hug Mother Andriel, who then but a blanket around her shoulders to keep her warm. They all went to the dining area where another meal had been prepared for everyone who was hungry. Now when a Sister approached them, it was just because they wanted to talk to them. A lot of Sisters talked with Diennu and Ludia, about elements of their dance routine, asking their permission to use it in their own. Many Sisters thanked Krillgan for doing his routine shirtless, but they did not flirt with him, with Gwenlath sitting next to him. The Sisters from the Singing Mountain Clan where now comfortable talking with the local Sisters, and were much more at easy. They were starting to enjoy themselves.
The next morning the Sister that had shown their guest where they will be staying, asked her Mother's permission to take them to the village of former slaves. She reminded her Mother that it was because of the Singing Mountain Clan that they are here. The Clan Mother knew she had another reason for wanting to take them, but let them go. Gwenlath petitioned her Mother to be allowed to go with them. The healers petitioned Mother to have Gwenlath stay behind so they could talk to her about the healing. So far they have more questions than answers. Mother told the healers that their questions can wait. She had heard that Gwenlath was accepted as part of Mother Andriel and Krillgan's family. Her first priority was to see that Mother Andriel was happy. She did not tell them that she already knew the answers to the healers' questions. Just that their questions can wait. When Gwenlath knew for sure that she was one of a select few that was going. She spent time with her Rancor to let him know how important the people and their Rancor where to her. The Herd Mother called her and her Rancor to her. She asked her Rancor whether he trusts Gwenlath. He told her he did. She told him to trust her on this. When they did finally go, Gwenlath wanted to ride beside Mother Andriel. Gewnlath's Rancor told Protector that he could smell his human's smell on the two humans he was carrying. Protector told him that he could smell the smell of his two humans' on his human. Gwenlath's Rancor asked Protector if there would be peace between them. Protector told the other Rancor that there will be peace. They walked side-by-side for the rest of the trip, like they had been doing it all their lives.
Krillgan told the Sister that was leading them, that he knew where she was taking them. The Sister asked him, how he knew, because they were not told? Krillgan told her that he finally recognised her. She was the Sister whose finger he healed, when they came to hear the Singing Mountains. She was taking them to the village of the former slaves. She asked him, if there was anything wrong with that? Krillgan told her that there was nothing wrong. This was one of the reasons that they came to the Frenzied River Clan. It would be wrong for them to go to the village on their own. He was glad the Clan Mother gave her permission. The Sister had great respect for Krillgan, he had grown up to be a fine young man.
When they arrived at the village, all the Rancor promised that they would not fight, there was peace between the two herds. So the Sisters felt confident that they could leave them alone. When the men Krillgan healed saw Krillgan, a faint blurry image was triggered in their mind. They knew he was their healer. The women could not understand why the men were attracted to the handsome purple young man. But when they saw Mother Andriel, all the women wanted to cry. They came up to her and hugged her and kissed her. They could not believe she had come to them. They asked her if her husband had also come. She told them that he was at home with their children. They were overjoyed to hear that they had more than one child. They called their children over to introduce them to the red lady. They told Mother Andriel it was because of her training, that they were able to bring their husbands under control, so that they did not force themselves on them. After their husbands heard the Singing Mountains for themselves, it was like the gentle nature they had before they were poisoned was restored. Their marriage relationships are healthy, and they have the children to prove it. The Sister told the women that the one they should be thanking was the purple young man. He was the one who saved their husbands lives. That is why their husbands are touching him with great affection. Inside their childlike minds, they know. The woman did not want to believe it. He would only have been a child. Mother Andriel told them it was true. He was only a child when it happened. They heard the Clan Mother conversing with an adult, with the voice of a child. Mother Andriel told them that sometimes when a child is thrust into the role of an adult, they act like adults. When the Clan Mother talked to him, she was not talking to a child, she was talking to a healer. Her equal. When they approached them, their husbands turned and told them, "Good healer. Good friend." The woman started crying again, and hugged and kissed him.
They did not find it unusual that the sensation they had when kissing Mother Andriel was the same as when they kissed this young man. They asked him, why he hid from them? He told them that he had to, because of the Nightsisters, they did not know that he existed. He preferred it that way. Now that they do know he exists, it was safe for him to finally meet them. But they still have to be careful because they do not know what type of healing he can do. All the Sisters from both clans were all moved by the affection the village women first showed Mother Andriel, than Krillgan. Gwenlath was so proud to find out that her older sister has been helping people since he was a child. She told Diennu and Ludia, that she wished she had grown up with him like they did. The village women knew there had to be a feast that night. They all wanted to prepare their best dishes for Mother Andriel and Krillgan to try. After the feast each family took one of the Sisters home with them. They found that every family had only one bed no matter how big the family was. They all slept together, and the Sister was expected to sleep with them.
They found that they only needed a light blanket, because of the heat given off by everyone else on the bed. Mother Andriel and Krillgan were given first pick on who they would be going home with that night. The next morning the village people bid them a tearful goodbye. With tears of joy that they were finally able to meet their healer, and tears of sorrow because people who were dear to them were leaving.
On the trip back, the Sisters talked about their families. It seems that every family had at least one person in it that snored, and what the rest of the family did about it. One Sister wondered out loud if that was why she had an elbow to her ribs, in the middle of the night, which sent all the other Sisters laughing.
Back at the main village the healers cornered Gwenlath, asking her to tell them what really happened. Gwenlath told them it was not like they were thinking, Krillgan was a perfect gentleman. When they didn't laugh, she knew they were serious. So she told them that she cannot tell them what happened, without Mother's permission. Which is what Mother Andriel had told her to say. They almost dragged her to their Mother to make her tell them. When they complained to Mother about her lack of cooperation, they were surprised that Mother said it was because Gwenlath is a smart girl. She knew that what she knew, could endanger a person's life. Where they willing, to also be that diligent, in protecting the life of a good person. They knew then that Mother knew what had happened, without even talking with Gwenlath. They wondered if their Clan Mother had some special force powers. When they promised to protect the people, Mother told Gwenlath that it was okay to tell them everything.
They interrupted Gwenlath's story, to ask her, why Krillgan needed Mother Andriel to be there? Gwenlath did not know. Mother told them she would explain it, after Gwenlath finished her story.
When she finished, Mother told the healers that Krillgan produced a healing oil in his body. She refused to say how this happened. She continued by telling them that as soon as Krillgan touches someone, their body automatically takes the healing oil and accelerates the healing. In Gwenlath's case, if Krillgan had touched her before Mother Andriel was able to coax her intestines back inside of her. Her body would have taken the healing oil, sealing off the rupture with the intestines still sticking through. Gwenlath told them that she remembered Mother Andriel saying, that a situation like that could kill her. Most of the healers found it hard to believe that Krillgan can heal simply by touch. Mother had the healers that carried Gwenlath, describe how bad the hernia was. They all said it was the worst they had ever seen. "Yet she was able to get up and do her dance routine after two of the healers re-examined her body and declared she was healed. How else can you explain the healing?"
They could not, unless their own healers were lying. They knew these healers were not the type to exaggerate, nor would they lie. So Mother asked them if they would do her a favour. Mother Andriel and Krillgan need to pick some healing plants to help replenish their supply. If they would show them where the healing plants are. She was sure that Krillgan would be willing to let them watch as he prepares a special ointment. Then if they still had questions they could talk further.
Mother Andriel and Krillgan where delighted, that the healers were willing to take them around to their different healing plants. They noticed that Mother Andriel carried the healing pouch of medicines. The plant leaves that Mother Andriel picked went into the pouch. What Krillgan picked, he kept in his hands. When they were finished, Krillgan asked if they could show him where he can mix the plants to make up an ointment. They took him to their lab. He was obviously familiar with the equipment. It did not take him long to extract the essential oils from what he had picked. They were surprised to see him drip some oil from his own fingertips. What the Clan Mother told them was true, he really does have healing oil inside of him. He was able to mix all the oils into a blend, and place them in four vials. They followed him to their Mother's place, where he presented the four vials to their Mother. He told her that only a drop or two was required for most healings. The more serious healing will require more. If the skin absorbs it quickly, than at least another drop is required. If it absorbs it slowly, then probably no more is required. After Krillgan left, their Mother asked the healers, if they had any more questions? They all shook their heads no.
Mother Andriel told them that they could stay for two more days, because they seem to be enjoying themselves. Gwenlath had started taking Krillgan's hand whenever she took them anywhere. When she noticed Diennu and Ludia looking at her, she asked them if sisters hold hands in their clan. The only sisters they knew that went anywhere together where their mothers. Yes they had seen them holding each other's hand on occasion. So they did not say anything, but both felt a twinge of jealousy. They went with the Sisters to their practise field and would practise new dance moves with them. Ludia, Diennu, and Krillgan, would do their three way fighting stick workout. When they did, the local Sisters would always stop what they do and watch. They would all work up quite a sweat doing it. Gwenlath asked them, what was the hardest thing they did in their workout? Krillgan told her that the hardest thing was not to hit your friend on their finger. They can be mad at you for a long time. She asked him if he gets mad at them when they hit his fingers. He told her that he was too good, they never hit his fingers.
Both young ladies said, "What?"
Then they started tickling him, one from each side. It wasn't long before Krillgan started yelling out,
"Yes, they do hit my fingers… Yes it hurts very much… No I don't get mad. I forgive them… Okay sometimes I get mad. But not for long because I love them!"
They stopped tickling him when he said that, and everyone else was laughing.
On the morning they were getting ready to leave. The Clan Mother presented them with two new yellow silk flags, and two new three flag harnesses. Ludia took one and Krillgan took the other. Now they did not need escorts when they were riding between clans. The Sisters from the Frenzied River Clan escorted them anyway. They were sorry to see them go. Gwenlath told them that she was going to ask her Mother's permission to go with a group to hear their Singing Mountains. Every Sister that has gone, claimed it changed their lives. For her there would be the added bonus of being able to visit with family while she was there.
It was sad to leave their friends behind.
They wondered if they would make any friends in the Misty Falls Clan. As they came closer, they came across one Sister who had been out hunting. Her and her Rancor had done quite well. She threw over to Krillgan and Ludia, a game animal each, so their Rancor would have something to eat for dinner. Then the Sister road ahead to let everyone know they are coming. Some Sisters on patrol, also met up with them. Gave them a pleasant greeting, than continued on their way.
When they came close to the main village, a Sister rode out to meet them. Directed them to where they could leave their Rancor. She told them they did not need to bring their yellow flags into the village. They could leave them with their Rancor. When they entered the main village, a Sister met them at the gate, and took them to meet their Mother. The Clan Mother asked them if they had had a pleasant trip so far. They told her that they had visited the settlement in the hill, and the canyon wall settlement. Then they spent a pleasant time with the Red Hills Clan, after that they were well received by the Frenzied River Clan. They basically told her nothing. The Clan Mother was a little disappointed. She hoped that after spending a few days with them, they might open up. She told them that they were welcome, and if there was anything she could do to make their stay more pleasant, they just needed to ask.
Krillgan told her that they had all heard about their wonderful gardens, and that they have the best collection of medicinal plants anywhere. He was wondering if she could arrange to have someone take them on a tour. He noticed that she hesitated. Of course he is going to want to see the gardens, not only are they beautiful, but they have all sorts of wonderful plants that would be interesting to a healer. She promised him that she would arrange for someone to give them a tour in the morning. Then she called a Sister in to her office, and asked her to take them to the guest house.
This Sister was different, than the one that brought them to their Clan Mother. The guest house was almost identical to the one in the Frenzied River Clan. After they settled in, they went to find the dining hall. They were starving after a long day's ride. When they entered the hall they started feeling uncomfortable. They sensed that something was not right. First, none of the Sisters had even attempted to flirt with Krillgan, from the moment they entered this clan's territory. Not that they minded, but still it signalled something is wrong. They second thing they noticed was that their seemed to be two groups in the clan, and they did not mix. What they did not know, was that the warrior Sisters and the healer Sisters have not had a bonding ceremony together for years. That this situation was tearing their Clan Mother up inside. So when they picked up their meal, they did not know where to sit, so they ended up sitting by themselves. They did not know what to do.
When they approached the village, the Sisters seemed friendly enough. Even to the point of providing dinner for their Rancor. They did not talk they just sat there and ate like everyone else.
When they finished, and had cleaned off their table. Krillgan thought he saw the Sister who was the hunter, leave the dining hall. He quickly ran after her, and everyone else ran after him. When he caught up with her, he first thanked her for providing dinner for their Rancor. She told him that it was getting late in the day, and there is no game near the village. She did not think they would have time to go out hunting themselves. He told her that it was a very kind gesture on her part. Something that seems to be lacking by the rest of the people in the village. She told him that most of the people were very nice, once you get to know them. It was only the healers that were a problem.
"You know healers. They think their poop does not smell."
"I'm a healer, but I know my poop smells, just not as bad as my father's."
This made Ludia and Diennu laugh. Andriel just smiled. The Sister laughed and held out her hand to him. Krillgan grabbed it than quickly let it go. Like something had bit him. The Sister was quite disappointed by his action.
Krillgan asked her not to be upset with him. As soon as he touched her, he knew that she has an injury. He needs to know what type of injury she has before he can touch her gain. She told him that he was a strange healer, even by their clan standards. But at least he wasn't too high up into himself. She showed him that she had accidentally cut herself when she was gutting an animal. Krillgan asked her to show him? When she did, he asked if this was her only injury, he was quite surprised, because he felt her body crave more healing than just this injury would need. He touched her near the wound, and felt it again. He pleaded with her to tell him where else she was injured, because he did not want to hurt her. He seemed concerned, and she was very embarrassed. She asked him if she could speak to him privately for a moment. He asked her if it was okay for Mother Andriel to also hear, because she is also a healer, and a very valuable consultant for him.
When she realised she was the Builder's wife she agreed. So the three of them went aside and talked. She told them that she was having trouble with her moon cycle. She has been cramping up a lot. Mother Andriel told him that it was safe for him to heal her. She did not anticipate any negative side effects. So Krillgan took her hand, and let the healing oil flow. The Sister could feel something happening in her body, something good. When it stopped she had tears in her eyes and thanked him. He told her that it was okay for her to tell people he healed her. Just don't tell them how. She asked if they could wait there a few minutes. She ran back to the dining hall, and returned with two other Sisters. One had a noticeable limp. Krillgan ran up to her and told her to stop. She told Krillgan that she had twisted her ankle while practising. Krillgan told her to sit on the ground. He then reached out with the force to see what he could see. He told her that it was no simple twisted ankle. It was about to give out on her completely.
Ludia had walked over, so he asked her to apply a slight tension to her leg. Then he touched her so that she could see some of what he could see, like she did at the settlement. When she had the right tension, she held it while Krillgan touched her and healed her. He asked her why she did not go to her healers. She snorted, then said that they want you to first confess that they are better than you, and you need them. Krillgan muttered that this was not right. Healers are supposed to help, not hurt.
Krillgan asked, if there are others like her? She told him that just about every warrior has some sort of injury or another. Krillgan asked her to go get everyone, and bring them to him. There was no need for anyone to suffer like this. He let go of her ankle. The pain was gone, and it was whole again. She hugged Krillgan and went back to the dining hall. It was not long before Krillgan had a lineup of people to attend to, and not just the warrior Sisters. The people of the village also came out to him. Mother Andriel talked to everyone first, to determine if they needed special care before Krillgan attended to them. One of the Sisters went and told her Mother. She knew that though she was a healer, she was the only one who still cared for the people. So she watched at a distance while Krillgan ministered to her people. She had tears in her eyes while she watched. He was a true healer.
She than arranged for the Sisters to set up a barricade, blocking the view down the street. So that a clan healer does not accidentally stumble on this scene and go all hysterical. The people were patient knowing that they had a healer that really cared about them, and asked nothing of them. Krillgan tried sending Ludia and Diennu to bed, because it was getting quite late. They told him that they were sticking around in case he needed them. As long as people needed him, he stayed and helped. He had no idea what time it was when he finished with the last person. Being in a deep valley there was not very much of the sky he could see. Otherwise he could have had an idea of the time by the position of the stars. He did not know that there had been a barrier blocking the street, as it had been removed when he finished with the last patient.
They found that someone had left a pot of tea and some biscuits for them to snack on, in the guest house. The tea was still quite warm, so whoever had left it, had done so recently. They had a nice little snack, before heading to bed.
They slept in because they were so tired. When they woke up, they found a breakfast tray with some warm tea in the main room of the guest house. There was also a little note. The Clan Mother would like to see them after they finished their breakfast.
The Clan Mother did not mention anything about how late it was in the morning, or about what she saw them doing last night. She just told them that she was happy to see them this morning, and she trusted that they slept well. They said they did. She told them that she had arranged for someone to take them on a tour of their gardens, right after lunch. She did not tell them that she had originally arranged it for the morning, but then told the person that they were unavailable until after lunch.
"If anyone asks. They have permission from her to pick any part of any plant they recognise for its healing merit."
After talking with the Clan Mother, they went back to the guest house. They tried to figure out what was going on, and how much the Clan Mother knew.
Mother Andriel said, that she would not be surprised if it was the Clan Mother herself that left the snack for them last night, and the breakfast tray this morning. They asked her why she said that. She told them that Clan Mothers always seem to know more than they let on. She probably did not mention anything about last night, no matter how grateful she was, because she would be forced to admit that her own healers have let her down. She is probably hoping that this can remain an internal matter, and she can find her way out of this dilemma, without her clan falling completely apart.
They asked her what they should do. She told them that they have to keep in mind that the Clan Mother has not asked for their help. So if a conflict arises with the healers, which will probably be quite likely. They have to deal with the conflict themselves, rather than pass it on to the rest of the clan, creating more division. Krillgan felt that they were up to the challenge, they just have to take one step at a time. The girls agreed, after all, they have a wise councillor to help guide them.
Mother Andriel sighed, "If only I was such a person."
The girls giggled, "Well we are not talking about Krillgan."
Krillgan complained about that remark. "He could be wise when he has too."
Ludia and Diennu both went up and patted him on his head. "You just keep telling yourself that."
Mother Andriel could not help herself, she burst out laughing. It wasn't long before the others joined her. The Clan Mother happened to be walking nearby. She stopped and listened. It has been too long since she last heard that sound in the village. She hopes this is a sign that it is returning.
Despite having a late breakfast, when lunch time approached, they all felt that they could have a bite to eat. When they entered the dining hall, they found it pretty much as they left it. Two cold camps.
When they went to get their meals, they found the kitchen staff very warm to them, offering them generous portions. Then giving them a desert made especially for them. They thanked the kitchen staff for their generosity. The kitchen staff thanked them for bringing warmth back into their hearts. They went and sat were they did before. Alone, apart from the two camps. When they sat down a warrior Sister got up from her group, and asked them if it was alright for her to sit with them. They told her she was more than welcome. They also mentioned that if she has not eaten yet, to just go get an empty plate, because the kitchen staff has given them too much. After she sat down, another Sister, then another came over, and were warmly greeted. It wasn't long before everyone from the one table had come over to join them. The healers could not help but hearing them talk. They heard the respect that the warrior Sisters had for the four strangers, and they were jealous. This was how they felt they should be treated. When they heard a couple of them laughing, they could not take it anymore. They got up and left. When they left, it was like a dark cloud had left the room, and now there was only sunshine. Every new person that came into the dining hall, wanted to sit with this group, even the Clan Mother. But she was a healer, and needed to be impartial. She was the only link between the two camps. So she had her lunch by herself in her office. She hoped and prayed that they had come to give a blessing to her clan, because they really needed one.
A couple of people approached Krillgan while they were in the dining hall and asked if he would heal them? They told him what was wrong, and he was willing to heal them.
After lunch, they were not sure where they were supposed to meet their guide, so they went back to the guest house. They found a Sister waiting there for them. They recognised her as being a warrior. Krillgan told her that he meant her no disrespect, but he was expecting a healer to show them around the garden. The Sister was not offended. She told him that a healer should have been courteous enough to show them around, but it seems like none of them were available. She grew up playing in the garden, so she knows it almost as well as any healer. She had even thought of becoming a healer herself, but then decided against it. They asked her why? To them she seemed like a good candidate to be a healer. She told them that she did not become a healer, because she was afraid that she would become like them.
She was pleasant as a guide, she knew where a lot of the plants originally came from. Only about ten percent of the plants were originally from the valley. Long ago when the clans were more open to sharing knowledge, healers were also more open to sharing plants, and every plant that they brought here thrived. Krillgan would stop every once and a while and pick leaves from a plant. He would also pick weeds from around the plant. They all noticed that they were being followed. Krillgan asked her who maintains the garden. She told him that the healers used to, but they don't like getting their hands dirty anymore. So the people of the village like her, who still care about the garden, will try and look after it when they have some spare time. Andriel spotted a plant that she recognised, but did not have any leaves of in her medicine bag. So she knelt down and started picking some. A Sister from the group that was following them started running and shouting, "No! No! Stop! You mustn't! Stop!"
Krillgan instinctively threw up an air shield around his mother to protect her from this mad person. The Sister ran right into it, and was stunned. Krillgan took the air shield down and stood between his mother and this Sister.
"Who are you to tell us to stop, when we have permission?"
The Sister rubbed her sore nose.
"Only healers are allowed to pick the plants."
"But she is a healer."
The Sister looked at him in disbelief, "But she is not a Sister."
"No she is not a Sister. But you don't need to be a Sister to be a healer. Anyone with a kind compassionate heart can be a healer. If you are any sort of healer you would know that!"
"I know that!"
But she didn't. She continued rubbing her nose as she walked back to the group. She told them that the purple guy said that you do not have to be a Sister to be a healer. He said that anyone with a kind compassionate heart could be a healer. The other healers scoffed at the idea. Then one told her to stop rubbing her nose, she will only make it worse.
Krillgan started sharing with their guide the healing properties of some of the plants. The ones that would help with a lot of the injuries he had encountered. The guide understood that he was doing this so she knew how to help her people. He wanted her to be a healer.
The healers were far enough back that they could not hear what they were saying. Krillgan liked that there were a lot of colourful plants around the medicinal ones. He knew that in some cases it was intentional, as both plants would benefit from growing so close to one another. They came to a secluded part of the garden, there were a lot of beautiful fragrant flowers there. But there was one plant that caught his attention. It was as if this part of the garden was built as a shrine around it. He could feel the healing potential that this plant had. He asked their guide what she knew about the plant. She told him that all she knew was that it was special to the healers.
Krillgan went up to the healers, "Oh lofty, and highly exalted ones. What can you tell be about the special plant?"
They knew that that he was mocking them.
"Nothing!
"You refuse to share with me, knowledge about a plant that the Creator has given to the people?"
"We are its guardians not you. So its knowledge will stay with us."
Krillgan was boiling mad inside. At least he did not tell them what he wanted to say. Instead he ordered them to take him to where he can mix up the plants he picked to make up an ointment. His group understood that their tour was over.
Mother Andriel took the hand of the guide, to hold her back, while the others departed. Ludia and Diennu told her that they were going to check in on the Rancor. Mother Andriel asked the guide if she needed her to go over any of the properties of the healing plants in the garden. The Sister said that she would appreciate it.
When the healers showed Krillgan where he could make up his ointment. He chased them all out of the room. He told them that because they were not willing to share with him. He was not willing to share with them. He made up four vials of the healing ointment to give to the Clan Mother. He then burnt all the evidence of what he had done. He washed everything that he had used. He then took the weeds that he had picked from the garden, and ground them up into a paste. (This was not why he originally picked them. As a healer he was trained to pick weeds from around healing plants. So they did not rob the special plants of their strength.) He then proceeded to pretend like he was destroying the evidence of what he had done, leaving trace amounts. Just enough to confuse anyone who tried to recreate what he had done. Burning most of the weed paste to ash.
When he met with the Clan Mother, he told her how disappointed he was in her healers. He then handed the vials he made to her. She looked at him in astonishment.
"After what you just said about the healers. I am surprised that you are giving this to me."
"I am not disappointed in you, or the rest of the people in your clan that need this healing ointment."
The Clan Mother thanked him for the gift. Krillgan talked to her about the warrior Sister, who had given them the tour of the garden. He told her about her passion for the garden. He suggested that since her healers were not maintaining the garden, and there were weeds growing everywhere. This Sister should be put in charge of the garden. If she learns a thing or two about the plants along the way, it can only be good for the clan. Mother told him that she had always hoped that she would be a healer. Krillgan reminded her that she would need to keep the claws of her so called healers away from this Sister, if she wants her to develop properly. He also told her that they would be leaving in the morning. If they stayed any longer, all they could do is cause trouble for her.
The Clan Mother said she understood, and was sorry that they were not staying longer. Krillgan met up with everyone else in the guest house. Mother Andriel was laying out the new leaves she had collected, to make sure they dried properly before putting them back in her pouch. Ludia and Diennu said that someone has provided fresh game for their Rancor, so there was no need to go hunting. Krillgan told them about his meeting with the Clan Mother, and how he had told her that they were leaving in the morning, because if they stayed any longer they could only cause her trouble. Ludia teased him, saying he really wanted to leave because he was afraid he might get up close and personal with one of the healers. Krillgan countered, that if getting his hands around their scrawny necks was up close and personal, than yes!
They went for dinner, as soon as they entered the dining hall, the people from the warrior group stood up, and asked them where they were going to sit, because they wanted to sit with them. The healers on the other hand turned their backs to them. Mother Andriel told the warriors that they can sit back down, they will join them once they grab their meals.
The healers could not understand why the healers from the Singing Mountain Clan would not sit with them. Sure they had a rocky introduction in the garden. But surely they were better to sit with, than warriors. It really bothered them that people where coming up to the male healer, asking him to touch them. As if he could bestow a special blessing on them. And when they started laughing again, it was just too much. They had to leave.
Back at the guest house Ludia asked Krillgan what was wrong. His mind has not been with them all through dinner. He was automatically touching people that came up to him, like he thought they wanted him to heal them, when all they wanted was to ask him a question. Krillgan was embarrassed when he heard that. He told her that he has been thinking about the medicinal plant the healers have, but are not willing to share it with the other clans. He thinks he knows a way that they can get some, but they might not want to go along with his plan. They told him to share. He said that they have to remember that the plant is located in a remote part of the garden, where there are a lot of lovely flowers. It was the type of place a young man might want to take a young woman he was interested in. He had noticed that there was actually more than one plant. One of them is going to seed. He was thinking that he should take Ludia there to be a distraction. While Diennu does her Ranger thing, and gets some seeds, and a sample of the soil they are in. Mother Andriel thought it was a good idea. Ludia liked the idea as well. Diennu wanted to know what they would be doing to be a distraction. Krillgan told her that they would be kissing of course. Diennu pouted. Why couldn't she be the distraction with him, while Ludia gets the seeds and soil? Krillgan said that it was because she was the Ranger. So no one would notice her. Mother Andriel took Diennu's hand in both of hers, and told her that she has to remember that she was doing this for the clan. Sometimes you have to make personal sacrifices for the good of the clan. Diennu muttered that she would rather sacrifice her lips. Then she looked at mother, who was still holding her hand.
"Okay I'll do it."
When everyone was ready, Krillgan said that they would go first, and took Ludia's hand. Diennu looked at mother, "Do they have to hold hands, as well?"
Mother told her that they have to make it look real.
When they were far enough ahead. Diennu left the guest house. Crouching and using the force to make herself look small. She stayed in the shadows, as she went down the path. Krillgan and Ludia had already stopped. He had put his two hands around her face and started kissing her.
Why did Ludia have to look like she was enjoying it?
When she came to the plants. Krillgan stopped kissing Ludia. Instead he looked into her eyes, while directing Diennu. Anyone watching would think that he was sharing romantic words with Ludia. Diennu found the plant he was directing her to. She shook the seed pod into the little pouch mother had given her. She told Krillgan that some seeds came out and are in the pouch. Krillgan told her to seal that pouch and put it away. Now she should take her other pouch and but some of the dirt at the bottom of the plant in it. Diennu asked him what she should use. She did not bring anything with her. Krillgan told her that he has a dagger in his boot. She can use that. Diennu asked him, why he had a dagger in his boot? Krillgan told her that since he was little, his parents had taught him that he should always be armed, even when you are in a friendly place. Diennu asked him, if he had a dagger when he was out playing with them? He told her he did not have a dagger than, he had a small knife. Just in case she went wild and crazy on him and he had to protect himself.
Because he had started kissing Ludia again, she pricked him in the leg with the dagger before putting it back.
Ludia noticed that he had suddenly stiffened and stopped kissing Krillgan to ask him, what was wrong? Krillgan told her, that Diennu had accidentally stuck him with his dagger, while putting it away. Ludia told him that she knew a good healer. Krillgan smiled at her, saying he might need a healer by the time Diennu is finished with him.
When Diennu was ready to leave. Krillgan told her that they would have to stay out here for a while before they head back. As she was leaving Diennu looked back at the couple. Now he had his arms around her, and she did not like where Ludia had placed one of her hands. She made it back to the guest house, and did not know whether to cry or sulk.
Mother Andriel put her arm around her and told her that she has no reason to be upset. Diennu said that they were enjoying their kissing. Now there was no reason for him not to marry her. Andriel told her that just because you kiss someone does not mean you will marry them. She had to kiss her cousin when she was small. Even though he wanted to marry her when he was older, she did not want to marry him.
Diennu asked her when she first kissed Father Chitrah. Andriel told her that they had been married for many months before they finally kissed on the lips.
"You mean you did not kiss him your first night?"
"We did not even sleep together the first night."
"But you are so much in love?"
Andriel and Diennu sat down together. Andriel kept her arm around her, and told her the condensed story of how she was forced to marry Chitrah, and how it was that she finally fell in love with him.
Krillgan and Ludia had stopped by the kitchen. So they could have a snack of tea and biscuits before going to bed. They had just returned when Andriel had finished the story. Diennu noticed that the skin around Ludia's lips was also red from their kissing. She did not sleep well that night. In the morning they said goodbye to all their new friends in the Dining hall.
The Clan Mother was waiting for them at the main gate. She told Krillgan and Ludia that they make a lovely couple.
She told Diennu, that she was just as skilled as her mother. She than leaned forward and whispered something in Diennu's ear.
They saw the look of shock on Diennu's face. Then Diennu asked her something, then she whispered some more.
When they were a good half day's ride away from the village, they stopped. Everyone but Diennu got down off their Rancor. Krillgan told her to make sure Yma knows that the plant likes being warm as well as humid, so it would not survive outside, near their waterfall. It likes lots of light, but cannot have direct sunlight.
Ludia asked her what the Clan Mother said.
"She told me that she enjoys watching the little creatures playing in the garden. Then she asked me to let Yma know that it was a fair trade for the ointment.
I asked her, if she could tell me what the properties of the plant are? She told me that when she was a young healer, that she took an oath not to divulge the properties of the plant to anyone outside their clan, until all the healers agree. She than told me that Yma was a smart healer, and should have no difficulty figuring out the plant's properties."
Krillgan touched her leg, "We miss you already."
"And I miss you."
With that, she rode Protector back to their village, to deliver the seeds and soil to elder Yma.
Krillgan and Ludia had already talked to My Friend and Strongman. While they were still at the main village of the Misty Falls Clan. Krillgan would ride My Friend, while Ludia and Mother Andriel would ride Strongman, until they made it back to their village. They did not think it was worthwhile for Diennu to try and come back with Protector and reunite with them.
Back at the Misty Falls Clan the Clan Mother called all the healers to a meeting. She told them that their arrogance had driven away a very important person, who could have bestowed a great blessing on them. The healers thought she was talking about Krillgan, they heard rumours that he had been healing people while he was here, but they did not believe any of it. He had only used their healing lab once, while he was there. With all the healings attributed to him, he would have been in there day and night since he arrived. The Clan Mother continued, saying this lady had great influence over all the clans. Now the healers were confused. The Clan Mother said that because she did not bless them, they may have been cursed. Then she told them that they could have learnt a lot from the male Sister, Krillgan. He is probably the greatest healer in the entire history of Dathomir. Now they thought their Mother was crazy to make such a claim. Their Mother told them that she herself had verified more than a hundred individual healings. She started listing all of the healings he performed that she knew about. She explained in what capacity his companions assisted him. They protested that he had been in their lab only one time, so could not have done any of those healings. She told him that he does not need to use the lab for any of his healings, except in special circumstances. She told them that Mother Andriel, who made most of the medicines was more comfortable working in their kitchen, where she had the entire kitchen staff more than willing to assist her. Not only that, he had performed some simple healings right under their noses. But their arrogance made them blind to what they were seeing. The healers accused their Mother of exaggerating, and walked out on her. She broke down crying when they left. She had hoped to have been able to talk some sense into them.
The Sister that had given the tour, was attending to her. So she rushed into the room to try and console her. Her Mother instead told her to gather the elders. She no longer has the strength to continue.
When she went to each elder she told them that their Mother is hurting badly, so they knew this was not good news for the clan. When they assembled, she told them that Mother Andriel had been driven away from the clan by the arrogance of the healers without bestowing any blessing on them. The elders all knew who Mother Andriel is, and what she represents to them. This was not good. Then the Clan Mother told them that the healers had just accused her of lying, and walked out on a meeting with her. She told the elders that she has no strength to continue as the Clan Mother. She was resigning immediately. Then she turned to the elder in charge of the healers.
"What have you done to the healers? You taught me that humility was the most important characteristic a healer could have. Why have you not taught them humility?"
The elder looked at her dumbfounded, "I did not teach them humility, and they are healers? That is bad. I did a very bad thing. I hurt the clan, and I should be punished!"
Now the elder in charge of training healers, was the oldest of all the elders. The other elders were little girls when she was already an elder. It was only now that they realised, that she was not completely there.
Why had the healers not told them? The elder suddenly stood up. She told the other elders that she must say goodbye to her family before she leaves. The elders let her go, they had a good idea where she was going. They told the Clan Mother that they do not accept her resignation. She still has too much work to do. The elders will deal with the misguided healers.
They also told her that Mother Andriel was in the garden the other day talking to one of their Sisters. She was telling her about the different plants, and about how to minister to people. They believe that Mother Andriel had found a way to bless the clan after all. The Clan Mother now had the responsibility of training this warrior to be a healer. This way, when in a few years, when she becomes an elder, the clan will have a new Clan Mother, who is both a warrior and a healer.
When the ancient elder left the others, she headed to the gardens. When she encountered the healers, she called them a bunch of Nightsisters.
"You broke Mother's heart when you called her a liar."
This comment from their elder was worse than a slap in the face. They tried to defend themselves by saying they did not say that Mother was a liar, they just said she exaggerated.
The elder said that to a Mother it is the same thing. They do not exaggerate and they do not lie.
The healers said that the things Mother was saying was impossible. The elder told them that just because they did not want to believe the truth, does not mean that it is not the truth. This is one of the things she has taught them.
Now they have hurt the Mother, and through them, she has hurt the clan. So now she must go.
They asked her, where was she going? She told them the only place she can go. She was going to the Valley of Shadows, to establish a home of light.
The healers were terrified. No one returned from the Valley of Shadows. It was a place they were forbidden to go. They pleaded to the elder that she not do this. She told them she must. She has done something an elder should never do. She has hurt the clan. Now her ashes cannot provide nourishment for the garden as so many of her family has.
She must say goodbye to them, and be on her way. The healers in desperation approached the Sister that was considered the leader of all the warriors. They told her that the ancient elder has gotten it in her head that she must go to the Valley of Shadows. Can she send warriors to go with her? She told them that warriors were not equipped to fight the things that are found there. They are healers, they were taught how to use the force in ways that warriors were never taught. They were in a much better position to help the ancient one. They said that no one has ever returned from the Valley of Shadows. The warrior told them, that there would not be a loss to the clan if they never returned. The healers did not like her rebuke. They asked her if she had no place in her heart for the ancient one. The Sister told them that all the warriors do. Who was there when all their babies were born? When they were children, who did they go to when they had a cut, or scraped a knee, or had a bloody nose? They all care about the ancient one, but the elders have sent word that they are not to get involved. This is a matter for the healers only.
After the healers left, the old warrior muttered to herself. Now she has to go talk to one of her best young warriors. She had received word that she now wants to be a healer. How did she get that silly notion into her head?
As they approached the Great Canyon, a Sister that had been out hunting with her Rancor encountered them. This Sister had been to hear the Singing Mountains. So she recognised the Builder's wife. She rode ahead as quickly as she could, to warn everyone that she is coming. Then she returned with a group of Sisters to act as an honour guard.
The young Sisters that were with her were very interested in the young man in the group. He must be the male Sister the Singing Mountain Clan was training. They wondered if he was bathed in berry juice as a baby to turn out so purple. The Sister had warned them to treat the group with the utmost respect. So no one had the courage to ask him.
When they dismounted from their Rancor in the area indicated by the Sisters. Krillgan took Ludia by the hand. Ludia was surprised, but did not mind. She was glad that Diennu was not there to see it.
Mother wondered if this is something he learnt from holding hands with Gwenlath, or was there more to it. Whatever the reason, it did stop the Sisters from the Great Canyon Clan from flirting with him. When they went to visit with the Clan Mother, she also noticed, but did not say anything. She mentioned that at the last Council of Mothers, she was told to expect four of them. Ludia told her that her cousin Diennu had to return to the clan for a sudden urgent matter. Because it did not require all of them to return. They decided to press on, before returning to the clan themselves.
The Clan Mother thanked them for gracing them with their presence. She told them that if there was anything she could do to make their stay more enjoyable, they should let her know. Krillgan told her that at some point they will need to go to the artisans' village. Father Chitrah had asked him to contact an artisan there about some business. But before they do that, can her healers take them on a tour of the medicinal plants they have available. The Clan Mother was expecting this request from the healer. She asked if they can wait to do that tomorrow, as there would be a lot of ground they need to cover. After they have settled into the guest house. She has picked a Sister to take them around the village to show off all the things the Builder designed and helped them build.
Andriel knew Chitrah had done more work here with this clan, than in any of the other clans, and was very proud of it. So she did want to see it all.
There was no pressing need to go visit the seamstresses. The guest house was laid out just like the other two they had stayed in. This time Mother Andriel decided that she would share the bed with Ludia, and let Krillgan have a bedroom to himself. There was no way she would let the two of them share a bed, unless they were married. They found a Sister waiting for them just outside the guest house. Again Krillgan took Ludia's hand as they went on the tour. The guide was impressed with the intelligent questions they asked her. Obviously they were familiar with the Builder's work. After the tour, she took them to the dining hall. She told Krillgan and Ludia of a place couples like to go to after dinner. Krillgan asked her if this was a place that Mother Andriel could accompany them, or would this be awkward for the other couples. The Sister was surprised by this question, she thought that they would want to be alone. She told them of another place that the three of them could go for a pleasant walk. When she started walking away, the Sister realised that it made sense that they would want to take the Builder's wife with them. It would be wrong for them to leave her all alone, in a place she had never been to before. She still had things to learn about being a good host.
They found the people friendly in the dining hall, and had many offers for them to join one group or another. The groups that were no picked took no offence, there was always another time. The Sisters asked them if they would be taking part in the dance exhibition that was coming up in a couple of days. Ludia and Krillgan both said they would like to. The Sisters pointed out the Sister they would need to talk to. She would also like to know how much experience they have dancing. Because she wants to start off with those who are still learning, and progress to the more experienced ones.
Ludia liked that arrangement, but it also meant more dancers, and a longer night. Krillgan asked mother if he could wear a shirt this time. Andriel told him that she would see what she could come up with. When they approached the Sister after dinner. She told them that she was hoping that they would sign up to dance for them. She was also hoping that they were more experienced dancers, and had reserved a slot for them, one right after another, near the end of the exhibition.
The next day they found the healers very friendly. They were impressed that the Builder's wife was also a healer, even though she wasn't a force user. They told Krillgan that they had heard that he can heal in an unusual way. They asked him if it was true. Krillgan told them it was true. They told Krillgan and Mother Andriel about a patient they had with a chronic pain, was there anything he could do. He asked them if they knew what was causing the pain. They said they believed that it was because some joints had worn out. It appeared to be a form of arthritis. Krillgan told them that he did not mind checking the patient out. So on their way back to the healer's lab. They stopped at a home.
There were actually two patients. An elderly couple. He had worked the fields all his life, and she had helped out in the kitchen. They had fallen in love when they were young, and lived their whole life together. They have children, and grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. They now found it painful to do just about anything. When Krillgan started using the force to look at their skeletons, he told Ludia, and Mother Andriel to touch him. The healers asked Ludia, why he asked her that. Ludia told them that they can see a little of what he is seeing through the force. They have used it to set broken bones, and relieve pressure on inflamed joints, before he has started to heal them. The healers did not know it was possible and some of them tried it. They were surprised that it worked for them too. After he finished the examination. Mother Andriel told him that she did not see anything that would stop him from healing them. Krillgan agreed but he was concerned about how much healing oil he would have in him by the time he was finished. There was damage to a lot of their joints. He might not be able to make the ointment, unless he bleeds off some oil first, to use in making it later. Mother Andriel agreed, she also suggested that he do it in two stages, he can start now, than return after dinner, after he renewed the nutrient supply in his blood. The healers heard the three of them talking, but did not know what they were talking about. Finally Krillgan asked them if they had a ceramic cup or small bowl he could use. They thought he was planning to make something there to give to the patients. They had nothing with them. The elderly lady said that she had a small glass cup in the kitchen area of their house, which they had from the artisans' village, and asked if that would do. One of the healers went to get it. They were surprised that Krillgan stuck the fingers from one hand in the cup, then suddenly an oily substance appeared. They asked him what it was. He told them that it is a healing oil that he wants to mix with the essential oils he will extract from the leaves of the plants he picked earlier. He wants to make up a healing ointment with it later in the lab, to give to their Mother. When he was satisfied he had enough, he gave the cup to Ludia for safekeeping. Then he placed one had on each of the seniors at the same time.
The wife asked her husband, if it was as good for him, as it was for her. He said he did not know, because he could not tell what she was feeling. What he could feel was his pain going away. Krillgan continued healing them until he sensed that the oil in him was being consumed much faster than it was being produced. He asked the old couple to rest and not move. They are feeling much better, but their healing is not complete. If they move now they can damage some of what has been repaired. A few of the healers checked what had changed in the couple, and were amazed by the amount of restoration they saw in the joints over such a short time. The healers led Krillgan to their lab, and watched intently as he extracted the oil he wanted from the leaves, and mixed it with the healing oil he had Ludia hold on to. They asked him why he was mixing the oil he has, with the plant oil. He told them that the healing medicine in the plants oils, compliments the healing oil he can produce, so it makes the little he can produce spread over more applications.
After giving the vials of healing ointment to their Clan Mother, he told the healers that using all the vials to help an elderly couple like the one he is helping, would be a waste of the ointment. They would only be partially healed, then degenerate very quickly. They asked him, why he was helping the couple? He told them that they were the ones who brought him to the couple. So one of them must have a personal connection to them. Sometimes personal connections are more important than efficient practical use.
One of the older healers admitted that she had a personal connection to the couple. When her mother was killed, her father could not handle her, so this couple took her in as one of their own. All their children became her brothers and sisters. She always had someone to play with. When the force started to manifest in her life, she was still allowed to play with the oldest children, because they could react quicker and were not as easily injured as the younger ones. It forced her to gain control of the force, far more quickly than most girls her age, because she did not like hurting the people who had opened their hearts up to her. It was also because of that that she wanted to be a healer. She was so frustrated, that with all her skills, she could not heal the parents, only manage their pain. Krillgan asked her what she was going to do with all her free time once he completes their healing. She laughed and said she would rest. Coming from a large family, it won't be long before someone else will be coming to her for help.
The next day Andriel went and found the seamstress's shop. They made room for her, and let her have access to their materials and supplies. They apologised that no one could help her because every Sister in the village wanted something done to their outfit before the dance exhibit. Andriel was not concerned, she should be able to make a simple shirt for Krillgan, even without anyone's help. Krillgan and Ludia had told her that they were going to get the Rancor, and go and find a secluded opening in the woods somewhere to practise their martial arts, since a lot of their dance moves were toned down martial arts moves. They thought that the Rancor would prefer spending the day watching them, rather than spend all day staring at the palisade.
Now a couple of girls that were training to be Sisters decided to follow them. They had seen the two of them holding hands, and were expecting them to find a quiet place to kiss and make out. So they snuck through the woods making sure they stayed a good distance away from their Rancor. They were surprised to see them first stretch individually, then help each other stretch. Then it looked like they did a whole series of strange dance moves, using their hands and feet, side-by-side. They had never seen two dancers doing the same dance at the same time before. They thought that someday they would dance like that for the people. They were really enjoying what they were seeing. It was certainly better than what they thought they would see. Then the girls became frightened. One of the adults must have said something bad to the other, because now they were fighting. It first looked like they were trying to slap each other in the face, and when they could not do that they started kicking. They were screaming at each other, though the girls could not make out what they said. The girls were upset, and decided to go get help. They could not understand what went wrong, they seemed like a nice happy couple, and he was supposed to be a friendly healer. A lot of people were talking about them.
When they ran back to the village, they were crying when they found their instructor. They told her about following the nice couple from the Singing Mountain Clan. Because they thought that they were sneaking off to find a quiet place to kiss. But instead they started dancing. Then one of them must have said something bad to the other, because they started fighting. They begged their instructor to come quickly with them to make them stop. The instructor could see that both girls were visibly shaken by what they saw, so she followed them not knowing what she could do against two Sisters from another clan, with one of them trained as a warrior. When they ran past a couple of older Sisters, she told them to follow along, something has upset the girls.
They met Krillgan and Ludia coming out of the woods riding on their Rancor. They both looked like they had just completed a very hard training session. The instructor held up her hand. Showing that she wanted them to stop and talk. When they dismounted off the Rancor. Krillgan noticed the girls looked upset, and asked what was wrong. The instructor ask him point blank if they had been fighting, because the girls claimed that they saw them fighting. Krillgan told her that they were fighting, and this is what the girls probably saw. With that he gave a yell, and started to try and attack Ludia with his hands. But Ludia was able to block every attack with her arms, but it was forcing her to step backwards. Then he stopped and took a step back. This time Ludia gave a yell, and started attacking Krillgan with her hands, while he blocked her with his arms, while she was forcing him to step backwards. When Ludia finished her attack, she took a step backwards. Then the two of them put fist to palm and bowed towards each other. All the local Sisters stared at them. So one of the girls asked him if he was upset with his friend. He told her no, they were just practicing. Then he got down on one knee and asked the girl to give him a hug. Ludia did the same for the other girl. The one girl almost started crying again, when she told him how scared they were when they started fighting. Krillgan told her he understood. He started crying the first time he saw his parents doing something similar, until he learnt that they were only play fighting. Then it did not bother him anymore. The other girl said that she was glad they were not really fighting, because they look like a couple that really loves one another. Krillgan looked at Ludia and told the girl that they are. The other Sisters asked them if they could show them more. Krillgan told them that they were not supposed to show them even the little bit that they did. They only did it for the girls' sake, so they could calm down. The Builder has forbidden them from showing this to anyone. They asked him why? He told them that because of their territorial disputes. If you used this fighting technique in conjunction with the force, it would be very easy for one Sister to kill another, just using her bare hands.
"So you were not using the force when you were play fighting?"
"If we did our arms would probably be broken right now."
"Why did the Builder train you, when he will not train us."
Krillgan did not want to say that it is because he is the Builder's son.
"To make a long story short. It is because the only ones that the Singing Mountain Clan are in a territorial dispute with, is the Nightsisters. The Builder believes that a Sister from the Singing Mountain Clan, has a much better chance of surviving an ambush by Nightsisters, if she knows this fighting technique, so that she can keep fighting, and defending herself, even without an obvious weapon."
Ludia added, "Besides you already know some of the basic technique. It is the base for a lot of the dance moves that you use."
Krillgan and Ludia ran back to the village with the Sisters while the Rancor followed behind. After the Rancor were safe in their den. Krillgan took the hand of one girl while Ludia took the hand of the other. They all went to have dinner together.
After dinner, Andriel showed Krillgan the shirt she made him. It was similar to the tops a lot of the dancers wore. It was short sleeved, and only came down to his diaphragm leaving his belly and the small of his back exposed. Krillgan was expecting a shirt he could tuck into his pants.
"At least they will not call you the topless Sister anymore." When both women laughed after that remark, Krillgan suspected that there was some sort of conspiracy going on.
At the dance exhibition that evening, Ludia received a strong ovation from the crowd, showing they appreciated her dance. When Krillgan finished his dance with his ground shaking climax. They gave him a standing ovation. Andriel leaned over and told Ludia, that it was because they had never seen a guy dance before.
The next day they went to the artisan's village. Because so many people from other clans visit this village. They have guest accommodations, just like they do at the main village. When the people of the village saw Mother Andriel, they welcomed her as a royal celebrity. She is the Builder's wife. It was his genius that has enabled them to do the many things that they do. Though their main industry is glass works, they have artisans from every clan working in almost every median possible. When they were taken on a tour of the facility, they came to one room where there was a rock sculptor, a wood sculptor, and a metal sculptor, all creating a sculpture based on the same nude female model. Andriel was glad that this was not happening when Chitrah was here. When Krillgan looked at each sculpture, he could not understand why the nude model was there. None of the sculptures resembled a naked female body. When he asked their guide about it afterward, she turned her nose up at him.
"Its's obvious you do not understand art, or inspiration."
Then she walked away from him. This just made Ludia and Andriel, laugh. After that Krillgan stayed behind the two women, and let them ask the questions.
After the tour, Krillgan went to find the artisan his father had told him about. To see if he could make him a couple of stone knives. Andriel produced the pair she had for an example. Ludia's eyes went wide when she saw the stone knives Mother Andriel had. She quietly asked her if she has always had the stone knives on her. Andriel told her, "Yes!" Ludia than asked her if she sleeps with them, because she never saw her remove them before going to bed. Andriel laughed, then told her that that would be telling. Now Ludia was not sure she wanted to sleep in the same bed with Mother Andriel anymore. That pain in the back she gets sometime when she is sleeping, might turn out to be a stone knife.
After examining Andriel's knives, the artisan promised that he could produce something similar with a twist. Then let them know how long he thought it would take him.
As they were walking through the room containing many of the glass creations. They found a flower in a pot under a clear glass dome. The glass dome was around 1/3 of a meter in diameter, and 2/3 of a meter in height, with a knob on top so that it could be lifted up.
Krillgan looked around for someone to tell him about the glass dome. He found the young lady who had taken them on the tour. When he showed her what he was interested in. She thought that there may be hope for him yet. The flower is from a jungle that one of the Sisters had been to. They were not able to get it to grow very well, until they placed it under the glass dome, where it has thrived. The glass sculptor claimed he was inspired to create it after he saw her modeling. Now Krillgan understood her reaction to his question. He asked her if it would be possible to speak to the sculptor about it. She told him that she would go get him, if he is not busy. After she left, Krillgan told Ludia that he could not see how looking at a naked body could inspire this. Ludia told him that maybe the sculptor was only looking at a specific part.
When she said that, Krillgan blushed, and Andriel laughed. Krillgan admitted that he never thought of that. Ludia patted him on his shoulder, and told him that there may be hope for him yet.
When the young lady brought the sculptor, Krillgan asked him if he could make a few more of the glass domes. If they could be made larger, both in diameter and height, that would be better. The sculptor asked him how many he was looking for. Krillgan told him, that he would like at least four. The sculptor told him that it would require a lot of glass and would be quite heavy. Krillgan asked, if the heaviness was a difficulty in manufacturing the domes? The sculptor said that the manufacturing would not be a factoring problem, the difficulty would be in handling and transporting it afterwards. Krillgan used the force to gently lift than lower a glass sculpture next to the sculptor that had a lot more glass. He told the sculptor that he was sure that any of the clan Sisters would be willing to assist him with handling the domes once they are finished. Once they knew it was for the male healer, and the Builder's wife. The sculptor bowed to Mother Andriel, "I am pleased that I can create something for the wife of the man, who made many of my works of art possible." Then he asked Krillgan what he can offer in compensation. It will take a lot of manpower and resources to make them. Ludia spoke up, "I am the daughter of the Clan Mother for the Singing Mountain Clan. Our clan is willing to offer you anything we have available, as compensation for the manufacture of these items. Within reason." All the sculptor wanted to know was that the community would be fairly compensated. They have had more than one individual come through the display area, saying they would like to have this, and that, and that other thing. Only to find out later that they had no resources to compensate them with. Now he can approach the overseers, to ask them to free up the resources for this project. When they know that it is for the Builder's wife, and has the backing of the Singing Mountain Clan, the only thing that they will be concerned about is determining fair compensation. These are the types of projects the overseers like.
When they returned to the guest house. Both Andriel and Ludia, wanted to know what Krillgan had in mind, when ordering those four glass domes. Krillgan told them that the domes would provide the perfect growing environment for the seeds that Diennu has carried back to Yma. Ludia asked him if the four domes was for each of the clans who do not have the flower. Krillgan told her, that she was correct. Once Yma has figured out what the medicinal properties of the plant are, then it would be wrong not to share it with the other three clans. Both Ludia and Andriel believed that Mother would have no problem agreeing to provide whatever will be asked for, in compensation.
Since they would have some free time on their hands, while they waited for the projects to be completed. Andriel asked Ludia if she wanted to go model for the sculptors. Ludia blushed and said no. It was one thing being naked in a room full of naked Sisters for the Bonding Ceremony. When no one was really looking at their bodies. But to undress before a room full of strangers, just so they can be inspired by how your body looks, sends shivers up her spine. Andriel was pleased with her response. Since it appears to her, that Krillgan and Ludia are growing even closer than they were before. She wanted to make sure that Ludia is the right type of woman for her son.
When the stone knives were ready, just needing a proper handle. The artisan asked for them. He told them that he wants to dip the handle portion of the stone knives, in molten glass, then before the glass has solidified. Taking the thick string that is used as the handle wrap. Wrapping it so the first layer of string gets imbedded in the glass. This should provide a handle that is only slightly thicker than the blade itself, yet be safe and easy to handle. He invited them to come with him, to watch the handle being made. The furnace room where the molten glass was handled was very hot as expected. The glass handlers pulled a crucible of melted glass out of the furnace, and placed it on a stone table. The artisan was able to hold the blade of the knife with his bare fingers, since the stone does not transmit heat. If he had tried it with a metal blade he would have needed tongs and leather gloves. After the molten glass stopped dripping the artisan moved the knife to where his assistant was waiting. His assistant had the thick string soaking in cold water, so it would not burn up when it first touched the molten glass. When the master told him to start, he was holding the string so the center of the length of string would be the first part to touch the glass on the handle. He expertly wound the two ends of the string around the handle at once using the tension in the string to keep the handle stable. When the master told him there were enough layers of string he brought the two ends together and tied a knot. They would trim off the excess string after the handle was cool enough to touch. They repeated the same process with the second knife. The glass handlers placed the crucible of glass back in the furnace.
Now there was more than one project taking place in the furnace room. At the same time another group of glass handlers were pouring molten glass into a mold. Now there must have been some water in the mold, because some molten glass splashed out of the mold and hit an assistant in the arm causing him to scream. Krillgan instantly reacted. Taking the water that the string had been soaking in, and making a small water shield. He quickly moved to the assistant's side and placed the water shield on the wound where the molten glass had been, and fallen off, taking a layer of skin with it.
Krillgan was using the shield to remove the latent heat energy out of his wound. The wound was still hot enough, after the glass fell off, that Krillgan would have burnt his fingers if he had touched it.
When the assistant told Krillgan that he was starting to feel the cold. Krillgan took the water shield and threw it on the floor in front of the furnace. The shield had reverted to water before it touched the floor, and within less than a minute, it had completely evaporated. Krillgan than held the assistant's arm, and let three drops of healing oil drip onto the wound. With the first drop the pain was gone. By the time the third drop was absorbed the wound was completely healed. One of the overseers had witnessed the healing. He went to talk to the other overseers telling them that the male healer must have had some sort of vial of healing ointment, and it only took three drops of this ointment to heal the wound, without any hint of scarring.
When Krillgan left the furnace room. The overseer was waiting for him. He asked him if he could come with him. The other overseers would like to talk with him. They asked him about the healing he did, and whether he could make more of his healing ointment. Krillgan told them that making more ointment was not a problem. The hard part was cooling down the wound enough so that the ointment could work. The longer the heat energy is in the wound, the more damage it does to the surrounding tissue. So if you put the ointment on before the wound is cooled, you could use up three to four times the amount of ointment, than would have been used, if the wound had been cooled. They asked him if he could design something that they could use to help cool the wound. He told them that he would have to think about it, and would get back to them in a couple of days.
Krillgan went back and told mother and Ludia what the overseers had asked him to do. Andriel told him that this is going to be difficult, because anything left sitting in the furnace room for an extended period of time was going to be quite warm. So it had to be something that could be activated to cool down quite quickly when needed. It also had to be something that would just sit in the furnace room until needed. They did not have the luxury of time to run out of the furnace room than come back in. Then she came up to him, and kissed him on the forehead.
"I'm sure that you will think of something."
Ludia said that if it helps, she will do it too, and kissed him on the forehead.
After thinking for a long time, trying to remember what his father had taught him about refrigeration and cooling. Than thinking about what materials they had on hand. He decided that he had to do something with water. He decided to use a cylinder and seal it at one end and have a piston inside of it. They would have to be made out of soft metals to provide an airtight metal to metal seal. He would have a water and air mixture in the cylinder. When they needed it to cool. They would pull the piston levering it, and locking it, so that there would be a vacuum in the cylinder. The water will want to evaporate drawing heat energy from the metal cylinder and anything that the cylinder touches. He presented his design to the overseers. They brought in their best metal worker and asked if he could make it. After looking at it for quite a while, he decided he could. A few days later he let them know that it was ready. Krillgan added the water to the cylinder with the overseers watching. They left it in the furnace room over lunch, than came back to try it out. They offered it to Krillgan to do the honours. Krillgan refused, because he can use the force to pull the piston and lock it. He suggested that one of them try it, because they would be of around the same strength, as anyone working in the furnace room. So one of the overseers pulled on the piston, locking it in place. It was difficult, but manageable. The cylinder started cooling right away, getting colder over a short period of time. It did not get as cold as a mountain stream, but it was quite cool. They may need to use more than one cylinder to cool a burn, but it was better than what they had hoped for. The metal worker wanted to keep some near the forge for the same reason.
The overseers told Krillgan that his design would normally be considered enough compensation, for all the work he has asked of them. But he is the only one that they know of, that is capable of making the healing ointment. They would like one vial for each of the glass domes that they were making for him. Krillgan asked them if anyone there could make a Rancor cart, so that he could take the glass domes with him. The overseers told him that a Rancor cart would be ready, when the glass domes would be finished. So Krillgan agreed.
Krillgan went out looking for plants that were good for healing burns. The ointment he made was slightly different than what he had been giving to the Clan Mothers, because it was designed specifically for healing burns. When the overseers announced to the community the compensation that they were able to get from the male healer. They all agreed that they received the better end of the deal. They knew that the Builder was his guardian, so they gave him the honorary title of "Son of the Builder". Mother Andriel told them that the Builder will be proud to hear that they awarded him that title.
When Diennu arrived back at her main village, she gave the seeds and the soil sample to Yma. Passing along all the information that Krillgan had asked her to. They went together to the Clan Mother, and Diennu told her everything that they did to obtain the plant, and the Clan Mother of the Misty Falls Clan's reaction. Yma was quite upset that it was the healers of the Misty Falls Clan, and not their Clan Mother that had been holding out on them. When Diennu related how the healers had received them, and how their warriors were desperate for Krillgan's help. They understood that their healers were negligent in many areas.
Amblin-Elu and Butashe, could not help but notice that Diennu was upset by the diversion Krillgan and Ludia provided her. When they were at home, Diennu told her mother that she believed she has lost Krillgan. Butashe reminded her about what Krillgan had told her when they had put flowers in his hair. Then she asked her daughter why she had declared herself to be celibate until marriage after Ludia had, and the whole clan knew that Mother wanted Ludia and Krillgan to marry. Diennu blushed, and told her mother that part of the reason she did it was because some of the older Sisters were teasing Ludia about her decision, and she wanted to be there to support her best friend. The other part was, because she secretly hoped that Krillgan would choose to marry her. Butashe hugged her daughter and told her that what Mother Andriel said was true. Just because they kissed does not mean they will marry. She told her daughter that her father was not the first young man that she kissed. Diennu wanted to hear more, but Butashe blushed, and told her that she will save it for another time.
The first thing Yma did was to analyse the soil. She was surprised to discover that it was the same composition as what was common in the Rolling Red Hills. So she sent a runner to the Clan Mother of the Red Hills Clan asking her for half a dozen grain bags of soil. The Clan Mother thought it was an unusual request, but sent it anyway. She knew that whatever Yma was working on, she would share the results. Krillgan, Ludia, and Mother Andriel arrived back before the soil did. Yma was thrilled to see the glass domes, and gave Krillgan high praise before the Clan Mother for his forethought.
When it came time to make their full report. Mother Andriel asked if Father Chitrah could sit in. Since they were waiting for Diennu, as she was part of the report, Mother had no problem sending a Sister to go get Father Chitrah. When they finished, Amblin-Elu told all three of her young Sisters, that their conduct and ingenuity were exceptional. She told Diennu, that she deserves the title of 'Fire Lady', and would be involved in training all future Sisters in the fire element. Giving her a hug. She told Ludia, that she was an outstanding ambassador for the Singing Mountain Clan, to both the settlements and the clans. As her mother and her Clan Mother she is very proud of her. Giving her a hug. To Krillgan she said that he did not exceed her expectations of him, but met them in every way. For him she set a very high standard. He deserved the title of "Son of the Builder", and would see to it that all the clans recognised it as well, at the next Council of Mothers. Then she gave him a hug. She hugged Mother Andriel for being there with them, and was happy to hear that there was a little Andriel out there. Chitrah was so proud of his wife and son, that he had an arm around each of them as they walked home. When they entered the house, Krillgan asked his father if he could talk with him. Both parents sensed that this had something to do with the trip.
Father and son went up to the patio to sit and talk, while mother told them that she would prepare them some tea, and make sure that they were not disturbed. Krillgan asked his father what he would do about arranging a marriage for him. Chitrah told his son that he would look at all the potential candidates. Make note of the ones that he showed an interest in, and the ones that showed an interest in him. He would look at what he knew about their character, to make sure they were the type of woman that he wanted to marry his son. Then he would discreetly inquire about whether the young lady's family would be acceptable to a marriage union. So far he has narrowed the candidates down to three potential mates for him. Krillgan had thought there were only two, so he was curious as to who the third one was. He asked his father who they are. Chitrah named them in alphabetical order. Diennu, Ludia, and Rasha. All three women love him, only he has not had an opportunity to sound out Rasha's father Chrashan. Krillgan was embarrassed that he had forgotten about Rasha. Krillgan asked his father why he thought Rasha was a good candidate. Chitrah reminded him that according to Kindell's prophecy, he would be spending most of his adult life off of Dathomir. Rasha has off world experience. That does not mean that Ludia, and Diennu, could not adapt if they married him. But they will always want to come back to Dathomir. Krillgan asked him what they would do next to select a bride. Chitrah said that at this point all that he and Andriel could do is randomly pick one, and start formal negotiations with the young lady's parents. Hoping that they had picked the right one. Krillgan was a little disappointed, he was hoping his father would have had more insight into choosing a bride. He asked his father to help him choose who he should marry. At this point Andriel showed up with the tea. Chitrah told him that the only help he can give him, is for him to sit down and to look at each young lady individually. He should make up a list of reasons why he should marry her, and why he should not marry her. After he has completed the lists, he should throw them away, and ask his heart who he should marry. Krillgan looked at Andriel.
"Mother can you help me?"
"Krillgan, I cannot think of anything else I can add to what your father just said. Except that your father and I believe that you will make the best choice."
Krillgan got up, and leaped off the patio to the ground. He knew that Erin and Aliyanna were both old enough that they would not try it themselves. He wanted to be alone for a while. Chitrah and Andriel just sat there holding hands. They felt for their son, and the difficult decision he has to make.
Krillgan did not come for dinner that evening. When Ludia and Diennu asked about him, Andriel and Chitrah told them that it was best if they let Krillgan be by himself. He has a lot of things on his mind that he needs to sort out. He is not trying to hide from them like he did before the one Bonding Ceremony. Both young ladies blushed, because they remembered how embarrassed Krillgan felt, and why. They promised to leave him alone. The next morning word arrived about the invitation for Krillgan from the Nightsisters. When Krillgan did not show up for breakfast, Ludia and Diennu wondered if that was the reason why. When they saw Mother Andriel and Father Chitrah they asked them if Krillgan knew about the invitation. They said that a Sister came by that morning to tell him, and he left the house shortly after she did.
The Sisters asked their Mother, if they can have a meeting that evening, to discuss what they can do to help Krillgan get ready for the Nightsisters. Mother agreed, and told them that they can let Krillgan know he does not have to attend. Diennu and Ludia did not know what to do that day, since they were so used to doing everything with Krillgan. They both decided that it would not hurt them to have some alone time themselves.
Late that afternoon, Diennu was surprised when Krillgan found her. He asked her to sit down, and sat beside her. He took her hand and told her that she was the first to know, that he was going to ask Ludia to marry him. She asked him if this was why he wasn't at dinner last night, or at breakfast that morning. He said it was.
"It was not fair to you or Ludia to keep you both guessing and hoping."
Diennu thanked him for considering her. Tears started coming to her eyes. Krillgan told her, "How could I not consider you. I love you, and wished that I could marry both of you. You don't know how much this hurts me to tell you that I will not be marrying you."
Diennu could see the tears in his eyes, and knew that he was talking from the heart.
"Is this because you kissed her, and not me?"
"No! This happened before that. When we went to the settlement together to help that poor man that was mauled by the Kamurith. I think the Force wanted me to see that we worked very well together. It seemed that whole trip. That Ludia and I were being pushed together, and you and I were being pushed apart."
Diennu said she felt the same way. That was why she was so upset that it was Ludia that got to kiss him. Krillgan asked her if she was upset with him. She wiped the tears from her eyes, and said no, and that she still loves him and Ludia, and hopes everything will go well for them.
Krillgan stood up, and helped Diennu up. He gave her a hug, and told her that her mother was ready to tell her the story about her first kiss, and how she agreed to marry her father. Diennu asked him if he spoke to her mother today. Krillgan told her no. He talked to her last night, because he had some questions he wanted to ask her.
Krillgan found Ludia walking through their field of wildflowers. He approached her and gently spoke her name. She turned quickly, with a smile on her face.
"Your parents said that you needed to be alone, to figure some stuff out, so I came here to walk through some good memories. Have you figured out what you needed to figure out?"
"Yes I have. Is it okay if I ask you something?"
"Of course it is. How can I help you?"
Krillgan had been approaching Ludia, the whole time he had been talking to her. When he was facing her, he took both her hands in his. He went down on both knees surrounded by the wildflowers.
"Ludia. Will you honour me, by becoming my wife?"
Ludia got down on both her knees, "Krillgan. It will be my honour to have you as my husband."
They sealed their commitment to each other with a kiss. Then they kissed some more.
