“Sapling of Life”

Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!

“Use plants to bring life.”

Douglas Wilson

“We’ve got another one!”

Valka wearily pushed herself up from her knees. She had been healing soldiers since early morning and she could feel her energy reaching its limit. Still, she forced herself to walk over to the injured soldier; she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if she refused to save a life just for the sake of rest.

As Valka approached, she could tell that this was an especially bad case. The man was on his back, his legs twisted at strange angles. His eyes were open and a white film had begun to develop.

“Is it too late?” Origgn asked, crouching beside her as she examined the body.

Valka poked and prodded at the soldier, completely ignoring Origgn. Finally, she sat back on her heels.

“Fetch me a Hirr sapling,” she ordered her assistant. “Quickly, now!”

Her assistant’s eyes widened. Hirr saplings were only used in the most extreme situations. The assistant had never seen an injury that had required the use of a Hirr sapling before, and he was eager to see Valka demonstrate.

Valka simply stared at the body while she waited for her assistant to return. She was tired. Exhausted, even. But these bodies wouldn’t heal themselves. They couldn’t heal themselves. She knew that, as the only able performer of floral magic, she was the only one who had the ability to save these soldiers.

Her assistant raced back to Valka, the precious Hirr sapling in his hands. Valka wasted no time in taking the sapling and cradling it in her palms. She closed her eyes and whispered the sacred chant.

“Huminnin oralic wisni brosil. Awor howikin apok hilcime.”

She repeated the chant, over and over. The Hirr sapling began glowing in her palms, its life force rising from its leaves. Slowly, the glowing strands of life drifted down toward the soldier’s body, entering it before dimming again.

The soldier took his first breath of his new life, just as Valka took her last.

Final Comments: Back to fantasy! I really liked writing this one, and I actually had a plot idea right off the bat for once.

Overall Rating: 😄