21 Future Butterfly (1/2)

'What did she do to me?' James asked.

'Tell me what you see.'

'The outlines of things close by. I could see you and… Briar. But Saptientiis was too far to see much of.'

'Patientiam has started to restore your eyesight. The fact that she was able to do that much, makes her talent as a healer one of the best we have.'

'Who is the best?'

'I am.'

'Does this mean you can finish what she's started?' he asked, turning to look at her.

'I can, however, it will take time. If the healing is attempted all at once it could actually have the opposite effect and make it so even the best can't restore it.'

'Will you do more?'

'Not today. Patientiam had done the extent of healing one can without making it worse. If I were to attempt more, you could lose everything you have gained.'

'I understand.' James touched her cheek and kissed her briefly.

He pulled her to lean on him and slipped his arm around her waist. While he held her, he fell asleep. After the sun was set Lilly fell asleep as well.

James groaned. His eyes felt like they were on fire. He felt Lilly shift and leave his side for a while. He covered his face with his hands and tried hard not to cry. The formation of his salty tears made his eyes burn more. He felt Lilly's hands on his arms.

'James?' she asked.

'My eyes burn.'

'I need you to move your hands, okay?'

He lowered them and groaned. Lilly covered his eyes with her hands. She seemed to slowly draw the pain away before her hands left his face. He covered his face again. Having pressure around his eyes helped, but didn't do much for the burning. Lilly gently removed his hands and placed her hands over them once more. She drew more of the burning sensation away. He covered his eyes again when she pulled her hands away. Kept them there longer until he felt Lilly's touch once more.

'Do your eyes still burn?' she asked.

'No, they feel numb.'

Gently she lifted one eyelid and he jerked back. 'Did that hurt?'

'No it's too bright.'

'Too...' Lilly sighed.

'What?' he asked.

'More healing has been done, far beyond what I would have kept in a good range.'

'What! Who...?'

'Calm down, James. The Adremedian who has done this is all ready paying the price.'

He shook his head. 'Do they realize what they have done?'

'They do now.' Her hand touched his cheek. 'Don't get discouraged, the door may not have closed yet.'

His eyes opened and he immediately regretted it. The pain was enough to make him curl up. Lilly sat by him and wrapped her arms around him. James turned into her and clung tightly to her sleeves until he could get back to sleep.

He woke to Lilly's voice some time later.

'Good morning, Patientiam,' she said. 'Where is Briar?'

'He was gone when I woke up. Do you know where Sapientiis has gone?'

'He's in the healing tree. He tried to do too much healing and made himself sick.'

James buried his face into her chest a little more to block the light of the sun.

'Is James okay?'

'His eyes hurt.'

Patientiam furrowed her brow. 'Do they hurt because of me?'

'No. Sapientiis tried to help last night and got carried away.'

'Pretty foolish for someone who bears the name of Wisdom,' James muttered.

'He's still a child, James. He'll learn.'

'At what cost?'

'Knock it off. You are no worse off, despite the excess work. Sapientiis will be lucky if he's up before the sunsets.'

James was silent.

'Will Sapientiis be all right, Rosae Lilly?' Patientiam asked softly.

'He'll live, but not without some challenges.'

Lilly shifted a little and James clung to her. 'Don't go.'

'I'm not going anywhere yet, but I need you to move a little.'

James sat up and covered his eyes. Lilly tore a strip of fabric from her pant leg and tied it around James' eyes. The cloth was thick and tight enough to block out all the light.

'Rosae Lilly, can I...?'

Lilly shifted. Her clothes rustling slightly as Patientiam sat on her lap.