Chapter 19: Ruidi
Well, you see, I haven't practiced healing for a while. So this time it consumed even more energy than usual, meaning I almost blew myself up. When I finally regained enough energy to open my eyes, I saw that the entire camp had surrounded the clearing and were preparing to lay a very complicated barrier in place around the clearing.
"Wait," I said, and coughed when my throat started hurting.
"Wait!" I repeated, and that finally got Neesik's attention, as well as the rest of the camp.
"I can lay that on my own," I said, pointing at the runes circling the clearing.
"No, it'll be weak, just like you are," Neesik said firmly.
"Not if I..." I started to say.
"Don't even think about it!" Neesik said. "That spell drains your life force."
"Sorry about this, Neesik," I said, and then hit him across the face. Surprisingly, he didn't really put up a fight, which I say is surprising because he has the power to read minds. I would have to interrogate him about that later.
I took a look at him again, and was he smiling on the ground?! Then I blinked, and the grin was gone. I would have to interrogate him earlier than I thought. I turned toward the gawking campers and told them to clear out of the area.
"Need our help, I presume?" Caiyi asked.
"And mine!" Tim butted in.
I grinned. It's nice to have such loyal friends.