Tree Folk

Staring at the fading light, slowly being swallowed by the dark sea. The sharp pain in his lungs pulsates throughout the body every time he tries to breathe. The air bubbles escaped his mouth, watching them float towards the surface.

His vision fades to nothingness.

--

"Obedience, Guides those who are worthy. Today we will be celebrating the arrival of Kayil Nola, a well-known priest of the Obedience church."

Kol was a well-read man, especially in the scriptures of the church. Their books are the only ones that could give him answers regarding his 'curse'. Even then he did not know of a priest named Kayil.

The church like everything has a set of rules set by a hierarchy of people. The person will start as a student of the church, learning spells and helping the church. When you graduate, you become either a cleric or a nun, they are the ones being sent to aid people outside of the church and spread the word of Obedience. When you've achieved a certain amount of merit or fame, you can become a priest or priestess. Those in charge of guarding and protecting their church and the followers under them. Only then when you reach this rank will you be able to learn healing magic.

Healing Magic is precious in the Balanced World and not everyone can access it. But there are those under the church permitted to learn only healing magic despite not reaching the Priest rank. These people are called healers and are taught the most basic healing spells. Healers can normally be found in their temple healing the sick and injured. For a price.

"Kol, come with me," Bea said as she grabbed Kol's hand. "Kids behave, we'll be back. Raf, look after them."

"Don't worry," Raf replied.

Kol never wanted to come to the ceremony, all he wanted to do today was just stay inside and read. But he could never say no to Bea, the woman who watched over him and his fellow orphans since he was a baby.

Bea was a nun, a follower of the Obedience church tasked to watch over the Oakheart Island orphanage. Of course, she would be present in this ceremony. The church and other private organizations provide financial stability for the orphanage. Their presence is a way for them to show their thanks.

"Where are we going?" Kol finally asked.

Moving through the crowd pulling Kol's hand, "I want you to meet Kayil. He was my teacher back when I was in the church." Bea said.

The crowd cheered taking Kol's attention. He looked to the front of the church, there he saw Kayil.

He was young, probably someone who just reached his early 20s. he was slender and tall, decorated with gold leaves around his neck, and gold vines crawled down his white robes. The sigil of the church, a tree with some sort of ribbon or cloth wrapped around It, all in gold in front of his robes.

'This was Bea's teacher?' Kol thought.

"I welcome everyone who came out to greet me. It is such an honor to be here with you today. The Duke of Oakheart has graciously invited me to stay in their castle for the remaining time I will be here on the island. But rest assured I will be going through all of your homes, together with a few of my healers. I promise you, people of Oakheart. In the name of Obedience. Nobody will be knocking on death's door while I am still here."

The crowd cheered, everyone in tears and glee.

'That was bold.' Kol thought.

Kol has read enough to know that healing magic has the power to bring someone back from the inch of death but to openly taunt death was another story. Kol could not help but smile.

At the back of the church, Kayil is being tented to by 3 other people in white robes. Plain white with no decorations or any hint of gold. Clearly distinguishing who has the power among them.

"Careful with those chests. The church will not forgive us if a whole chest of scrolls becomes unused." Kayil said as he turned towards Bea.

"Well look what we have here. It's been a long time, Bea."

"You too your Holiness," Bea says as she bows her head. 

"Please, I think I've earned the right for you to refer to me casually."

"Be honest, K. I know you liked being praised," Bea said with a playful tone.

'K?'

"Don't tell anybody, they might stop doing it."

The two broke into laughter. Kayil then noticed Kol standing behind Bea.

"Who's this?" Kayil asked.

"K, I'd like you to meet Kol. He's one of the orphans I'm charged with."

"Well, hello, young man." Kayil reached his hand out for a shake.

Kol stayed quiet behind Bea. Not because of shyness, but fear. Kol wasn't fond of going outside because of his curse he didn't know when and where a sickness would come.

"Well, isn't he shy," Kayil said looking back to Bea. "What can I do for the both of you? I know you didn't just want to catch up Bea."

"Kol constantly stays inside the house and just reads. Just like you used to K. I was wondering if this was something similar to what you had back then."

"That would be very unlikely. But it wouldn't hurt to try." Kayil said as he squatted down. "Come here young man, let me just check something."

Kol was hesitant, but after hearing the purpose of this encounter was to help him. Despite Bea not knowing what he was, it was worth a try. Besides who better to help him than a priest?

Kol reached out his hand.

The moment their hands touched, Kayil pulled back. His face contorted then quickly covered with a smile.

"I'm sorry Bea, but he doesn't have what I have," Kayil said. "But he is gifted."

"Gifted? You mean."

"Yes. He is a tree folk." Kayil Clarified.

Tree folks are people with specific abilities, such as the one Kol has. It is said that occasionally the Tree of Balance would suffer from cuts and wounds due to its growing age. When this happens the tree's sap would fall onto our world blessing the individual it touched. The creature will not gain anything from this blessing, in some cases they aren't even aware they are blessed. But the child of that individual would gain the blessing in the form of skill or ability unique to themselves.

Kol was already aware of this. But it was something he wanted to keep a secret, especially from Bea.

Tree folks are not common but they aren't rare either. In the town of Fallholt alone Kol could count at least 11 kids who were tree folk.

"Though I do not know the skill or ability he possesses, rest assured he doesn't have it."