Chap 19 Reflection~ our past meeting

I Had known Ilkar from way back! One day as I listened to the soft wind, the scenes played before me, vivid and yet distant. The language was foreign, yet I could hear and comprehend every word….

From my vantage point, I looked upon a younger version of myself. Perhaps a nine-year-old?

"Stop! Don't execute her!" an elegant voice, slightly higher than a human's, shouted. I was glaring up at the man about to chop off my hands, chained to a block in front of me. I cursed him inside. Made to kneel as if I had commited some huge crime. My past-Self did not flinch even as the rusty axe swung down towards its target.

An invisible force propelled the weapon away! The punisher cursed, shaking his fist and demanding his weapon back. I watched the trajectory of the weapon spinning and impaling a shed door.

My saviour was clad in leather over his robes, with short dark hair. I could not move from where I was dreaming this, so I could only see his back. But I am so certain it is...

"Who the hell are you to interrupt a public trial?" the village head demanded. This older man had marched in front of the crowd as the wizard panned his gaze. The accusation seemed to be about my theft of too many things.

He spoke loud enough for the people to hear in the strong, familiar rich voice, "I can pay for all of it. Here. As a Julatsan mage, I implore you to be merciful." Yes but why does the memory only come to me now? Oh Ilkar... The village head grumbled while accepting a moneypouch. People were speaking in hushed tones. The elf addressed them with another language. I did not pay any more attention.

Because something important was about to recur...

My heart flailed. With crystal clarity I noticed the treacherous gun gleaming, an old model, but it was ready to fire! Why had no one noticed? What's wrong with them, blind? Ilkar Dive! Hurry! I screamed helpless, tears stinging my eyes. But of course he didn't hear me, I was just an apparition. I swivelled to the young me, looking at him in suspicion and astonishment as the mage smiled and produced a tiny flame to melt the chain.

The prisoner rubbed her wrists. The culprit hidden in the masses had a cloaked shadow. How could they harm him? He just wanted to help!

The shooting happened in staggered timing, like a staged play- blood draining from Ilkar's face, his mouth open, some of it spilling from his side, cream colored fabric becoming damp. My dear friend collapsed on the ground. Civilians screamed scattering. Help him, someone help him! My plea was ignored, the strangers were just escaping and only some were shouting who did it.

This time I merged with my younger body and ran to his side. Indeed it was Ilkar, his familiar elven angular face, short dark hair, pointed ears! He kept his eyes closed, gasping, one hand clamped to his wound on the right side. Blood spread. I touched his cold, damp face. Tears sparkled on his lashes. The pain must be excruciating.

Why must that bastard do it? "Don't die, elf," I added pressure to his wound.

Ilkar's free hand not dirtied, trembled and managed to reach for my face. I leaned close. Now he whispered, shaking with exertion and panic in his voice. "Can't- see, so dark. Pain, cannot heal. No no." His breathing grew labored, more and more. I told him he wouldn't be alone and racked my brain.

No, Ilks was with me, so it couldn't be. The suffering and effects were very real now. The mage lifted up his head, gritting his teeth, handsome features contorted. Beads of perspiration dewed his skin. "No don't move! Sir, lay your head down." I reached inside my tunic taking out a small device. It looked like a small dome? Now, what would it do? Obediently, Ilkar went limp and allowed me to cover it over his face. He came to groggily, no longer in hapless agony, opening his hazel eyes. Could it be a breathing device? I peeled off the armor, while minutes ticked by and focused on his face and heaving chest. Seemed like the device was able to keep him awake.

Yet precious blood was still being lost. "Breathe in, and out. Slowly. I've got you, Ilkar. Be brave." I talked again and again. I rubbed my hand in circles over his lungs. Ilkar summoned enough energy to speak again. "Take… pendant. He's… near, said waiting...call him. Help."

Feebly he told me about how the man looked like. While speaking, the device slipped off and the elf stiffened again trembling from shock and cold. Shit, had to get it back quickly. Fumbling inside his shirt and pockets,I found his pendant inside another pocket, a green leaf with string.

"Is it this one sir? Hey hey don't die!" I pumped his chest and rubbed his cold skin.

By then, Ilkar had already fainted, head turned to the side, white as paper and his chest was slowing down. I shouted at him to wake up. Then I pressed my hands to the sodden red area and concentrated. I won't let this happen! You will live, because this is the past. I got to have confidence, I got to… before I could reason to myself any further, a blinding light and hot fire seeped inside my chest. The locket had somehow materialized too, its dizzying petals spinning. It instructed me to take the small dome back. I scurried to pick it up and covered Ilkar's ashen face.

Heavy footsteps and a man shouted his name. "Oh Gods somebody! Get a fucking healer!" Glaring at me, his face red with anger and sweating, the man pushed me away. I showed him the elf's token, hoping it would calm him down. Instead his eyes bulged and he railed at me. Could this be Ilkar's raven friend? I didn't care, so long as the man didn't take away the dome. It could temporarily ease pain.

I watched impassively. A most wonderful sight greeted us, as Ilkar coughed, coming to. His hand tugged at the man's sleeve getting his attention. After some whispers, the mage laid his head back. "Watch him! It's your fault he's hurt, if he dies you're it. Watch him!"

I knelt by Ilkar's side again. He watched me curiously. "Please, I am sorry. So sorry, tried to stop your pain. Keep it there." He must be puzzled but surrendered. I closed my eyes and focused again. Without fail, the same sensation overcame me. My head ached as energy left me, but his skin was feeling warmer and warmer. Ilkar gasped.

"Who are you? It's stopped for now." I checked and it was true! He still did not look as if he would run a marathon now, weak and sleepy but he would live. "Who?" he repeated, clasping my hand. Dried blood on the side of his lips.

I smiled. "Shush, I have no name. I'm a street rat, hungry stole some food. No money. A cloaked man shot you, I do not know why. Rest." My strength was superior for now, and I supported him upright. He smiled as well and a lump came to my throat. He whispered for me to stay. I cradled him until Ilkar's ears twitched and he looked in another direction. Heavy footsteps were coming, with it the same angry fellow. I bid goodbye, kissed him quickly and gently laid him down.

I took off.

Tears were still fresh on my cheeks and my eyes were gritty. I turned on my mat, stretching. Night air with insects chirpin. Eh there was the mage, my best friend cooking food by a small fire. Usually someone else would cook, or Drizzt but the ranger had left.

Ilkar looked up and asked, "What's wrong Felicia? Nightmare?" Extinguishing the flame, he came to hold me tightly. I hugged him back, inhaling his scent not wanting to let him go!

"I remember, just now when I was small. You got hurt saving me! Such a fool. Don't do that anymore! Please," I sobbed. Ilkar assured me and he didn't know what I was babbling about. Sniffling, I sat down and told him about the wound, should be on the right side. I touched my tummy.

"I really do not… all right. Do you see any scar?" he had lifted his shirt. Serif licked my face and smiled a doggy smile. I scratched his head.

I nodded. Ilkar rubbed his chin. "So, I did get injured. Could be very long ago, in Balaia or some country… if you were so little, I would have been very inexperienced too. Wow you had some skills. What tube was it?"

I told him about the whistle-like object. "Oh Ilkar, do you still have the Julatsan thingie... The leaf necklace?" I beamed, excited. "We met! But you don't remember? I did!"

The elf searched in his clothing, then touching his chest, lifted out the pendant. "This? I've only just started wearing the token, didn't want it lost. Indeed, I met you." He smiled.

Drizzt returned as we were eating dinner quietly. I was sitting very close to Ilkar unwilling to leave his side and feeling very loyal. We greeted him. The drow smiled, settling down and helped himself to some fruits. They spoke in elvish. Drizzt glanced at me in admiration, his lavenders glittering. With one hand, he made a signal that we were bonded. Hahah! Ilkar went red and shook his spoon.

"Must be more than twenty years ago. I never believed in things like Fate though. The person who shot me, he must hate my college or my race. Ah she healed me Drizzt! I have a scar there still. Cool." Drizzt praised my talent. I laughed.

"Do you believe it now? I'll train hard and become a powerful nature druid." I declared. Ilkar agreed and his fingers felt over the scar. They were amazed I knew the word and we chatted about other things. We lay down to sleep at last and I cuddled close to my fated friend. Serif laid his paw on Ilkar. I had not seen him in my vision. Strange...